Seven Acres C.S.

Was this where we were supposed to be!!!

A first for TATOC and possibly others as well.

Chris and I went to inspect a possible rally site in February. You remember that part of the year that was wet and cold!!! The owner was fast asleep in front of his fire and didn’t answer his door. No problems thinks I, just look the place up on one of the many caming websites, and get a contact number. Problem solved, or so we thought.

 There was only one camping site listed in the area so I phoned up and booked it.

Ah The first members to arrive on Wednesday followed the Sat Nav and only got a bit lost. The Thursday arrivals went to the place we thought we had booked (been there before with SOC) to be told “you ain’t booked in here, try down the road at Seven Acres” which just so happens it was the site  we had booked. Come Friday I took the phrase “Caravan Rally” to a new level. Turning into the site I thought we had booked,  a  circuit of the site and no  sign of the others. Strange looks from campers.Set off down the road (they must be here somewhere) only to catch a glimpse of where I should have been as I went past. With no where to turn it was down the hill into Slad, a quick U turn when the road was wide enough and back up the hill again to the site. Car rallying with a caravan on the back!! ??

By Friday night and we were all where we should have been and what a wonderful site it was. Sun, BBQ meals, dining outside. Surprising how cool it went once the sun went behind the trees.

 

Saturday Paul and Lyn were off to a 2 star Michelin restaurant in Cheltenham for lunch. No caravan food for our Chairman. I expect you have seen the pictures on Facebook. I don’t think we will be reaching those heights on a TATOC rally. Chris and Kat made use of their gym membership in Gloucester and spent some time soaking up the rays by the pool after dropping Paul and Lyn off at the restaurant. Taxi home was supplied by Simon and Cheryl. In the evening another BBQ.

Yet another sunny day welcomed us on Sunday. Breakfast outside before packing up to go home  .

Will we return to this site ? Probably!

As Jeff posted on facebook:- “What an absolutely idyllic location, nicest pitch we’ve been on for years!”

 

  We would like to get next years program sorted at our August rally.   If you know of a site, could marshal a rally there  or even run a rally if we find a site  let us know.

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Toddington

Our first visit to Toddington , a flat area behind the eco friendly village hall with some lovely Cotswold views. The village itself was first recorded in 1087 and the Manor House is now the home of Damien Hirst ,he of half a cow fame.

Only 4 of us made it this weekend and the Friday was a dry day for once. Entertainment laid on in the hall, Bridge in the afternoon which Digby tried to join in (two woofs is not an acceptable opening bid) and Scottish Country Dancing in the evening. Friday evening saw us able to eat outside.

There was a wonderful sunset, but unfortunately it went a little chilly so we had to repair to the Chairman’s vast abode for the rest of the evening.

 

The picture tells it all. Toddington is the home of the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway so we took advantage of some free tickets and went for a ride on the train.

Our steam horse for the day was none other than Merchant Navy Class 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S.N.Co. Built in 1941 it was withdrawn from service in 1964 and sold for £350 for scrap. Rescued from scrapyard in 1983 restoration was completed in 2016.

 

Our Chairman went off to look at a different type of motive power, which one of his work colleagues is a part owner. A mere youngster this one is only 53 years old.

 

 

In the evening we had booked into the local pub for a meal which was within walking distance.

 

Wonderful menu, food hot and fresh, but had to wait a bit between courses as it was very busy. Gave us a chance to sample the different drinks on offer. Especially as we could walk back to our vans.

 

The forecast was not good for Sunday. Not as bad as expected though but damp enough for us to pack up and depart before lunch.

 

Bank Holiday Rally

This year our May Bank Holiday Rally saw the full range of  weather that could be thrown at us. Thursday and Friday were sunny and hot.

Whilst some members were heading to cooler climes in the Med we were basking in cloudless skies and high twenties temperatures. Saturday saw coudy skies after heavy early morning rain and some dizzle later which put a damper on the planned afternoon activity, Sunday more sun and Monday, well – overcast to pack up in and by the time I reached home it was pouring down and didn’t stop until early evening.

Heavy rain  early Saturday morning woke me up

A quick look outside and a case of “Red sky in the morning Shepard’s warning”

Saturday afternoon was to be “afternoon tea and cake”

Not just any tea and cake. Celtic Manor, The Ritz, Raffles eat your hearts out.

Lyn said she had always wanted to do this, unfortunately the weather won again and the planned setting up tables outside and evry van would have its own cake stand with ckakes and scones, plate of delicate sandwiches, pot of tea and trifle ended up with us all sat in an awning. Even so it was brilliant. So brilliant that dinner went by the by (for me anyway)

Sunday and all change with the weather. Back to summer.

Visitations from grandchildren day today. Do I see some potential new members??

 

Sunday evening and off some of us went for a meal to the nearest hostelry “The Harewood End Inn”

As someone said:-

“Excellent food; excellent service and extremely pleasant atmosphere.”

Monday arrived with the makings of a typical Bank Holiday Monday. Oh well three good days out of five for a UK Bank Holiday not too bad.!!

Finally as we left the restaurant the quiz question in the next room was ” Where was St George buried” The answer is Lydda in Palestine where he was executed, now part of Israel.

AGM Rally, Little Brangwells.

A return to this site at Redmarley d’Abitot, this year for our AGM. The area is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the fields in the area were a site of a battle in the Civil War in 1644. OK history lesson over for now.!!

The majority of members attending arrived on the Thursday and probably had the best of the Bank Holiday weather. Evening meal was taken in the Marshal’s awning.

 

 

Chris and Barry managed to bring a garden with them. Immaculately manicured “lawn” and a pathway. Subtle coloured lighting for the evenings. Go down a bomb at Chelsea : -)

 

Friday was a day for shopping for those already there. At least it was dry.

 

Saturday was another free and easy day. A visit to an aircraft museum. Kat doing what only Kat can do when she goes on a run (where am I). More shopping for some??

Saturday eveing and we decamped to the Rose and Crown for a meal.

Another history lesson                                                Part of the Rose and Crown was once used as a rent office and, at one time, glove makers came to the inn to collect and pay for the gloves the local women had made at home.

 

 

Sunday , a rather dull and windy day saw us preparing for the AGM. Chris Eames made a wonderful chocolate cake for the occaison and Cheryl kept us hydrated with Pimms.

Easily the longest meeting in the club’s short history, but more of that elsewhere.

Dinner in the marshal’s awning before settling down to a wet and winday night.

Next rally end of May at St. Owens Cross near Ross on Wye. Be prepared for another history lesson.

Fish and Anchor

The first rally of the year was held at the Fish and Anchor on the banks of the river Avon at Offenham, in the vale of Evesham.

Eight units made it, those that arrived on the Thursday had the best of the weather as Friday turned out to be a pleasant and sunny day. I believe our Chairman was taking guided tours around his new palatial palace on wheels over the weekend.

After a very windy Friday night Saturday’s breakfast  was supplied by Steve and Sharon in the guise of bacon baps.

After this hearty breakfast Kat decide to burn off a few calories, in the end she burnt off a few extra ones as well.

Early afternoon saw the sun come out again and all was set for some al fresco lunchtime dining, but unforunately a big black cloud arrived and deposited its contents on the camp site.

Saturday evening diner was taken in the pub’s restaurant. Some of the food was good and some not so good, the same could be said of the service.

To think I could have been at Kingsholm!!!!!

Next rally in four weeks time. Watch this space for future extra rallies.

2017 Rallies

The 2017 rally programme is now complete. Please click on the link above for details.

There are a couple of rallies which require special attention:

FISH & ANCHOR (March) – there are 6 hardstanding super pitches (at £19 per night) or standard grass pitches (£15) – both have electric – please advise on booking slip which you require.  We have not used this site before but it has been recommended by David & Janet Bubb.  Pub has some good feedback on Tripadvisor and has a welcoming log fire for an early season rally!!!

TODDINGTON (early September) – if you wish to partake in the fish & chip supper on the train on Saturday evening you will need to book your seat direct with the railway (http://www.gwsr.com/Fish_and_chips–post–14.htmlhttp://www.gwsr.com/Fish_and_chips–post–14.html).  If you do intend to come on this trip, we would suggest that you book asap as apparently these special events do get booked up quite quickly.

THE GEORGE, CAMBRIDGE, GLOS (late September) – this site requires a deposit per van.  Unfortunately the Club cannot afford to pre-pay deposits on behalf of ralliers, so Barry & Chris ask that you: Please book directly with the site (mentioning that you are with Tourers & Tents) but send the rally booking form to them as normal and pay your rally fee; also confirm whether you would like to join them for a meal in The George on Saturday evening. They will advise the campsite of our plans and hopefully they will be able to site us together. You can book your pitch via their website through this link (http://www.quality-inns.co.uk/riversidecaravanpark.html).

 

Feasting at The Trumpet

This last weekend saw us return to The Trumpet Inn at Trumpet (village named after the Inn rather than the other way round) to celebrate Lyns birthday.

Our intrepid marshalls arrived on the Wednesday to find the site had been double booked, but nothing fazes our chairman and by the time we arrived on Thursday everything had been sorted and Paul and Lyn had gone off shopping.    

Not your normal shopping, pint of milk and loaf of bread type of shopping oh no. When you go to the caravan show at the NEC what do you come back with? Yep , not just any old caravan, not even a M&S type caravan nor even is it a  Carlsberg caravan – we wait in expectation to see this on the rally field next year.

Friday evening was a first for the club, an American supper – vegetable soup, hotdogs, home made pasties and home made tuna pate, apple crumble, cake and cheese and biscuits with port. What a spread and a wonderful evening.

Saturday and Chris, Kat and I went off for lunch .Just a “small” ploughmans at Monkland Dairy. If you are interested we are planning a trip next year at the Halloween Rally. You won’t need breakfast!!

After an afternoons normal shopping and some glorious sunshine we all retired to the pub for yet another feast that evening.  

After a night of heavy rain we woke up to find the sun breaking through so we were able to pack up in the dry

You won’t be surprised to hear that we enjoyed ouselves so much and with the good food and pleasnt site that we have booked in again next year for Halloween

British Festival of Eventing weekend.

A wonderful weekend was spent at Burnt Ash Farm close to Gatcombe for the British Festival of Eventing. Not only was the weather suberb, the site was excellent and the company .. well need I say more.

Eight units turned out this weekend the majority arriving on Thursday.

The intention was for those that wanted to, could go to the horse trials at Gatcombe Park just down the road which we did on the Saturday.

Some, I won’t mention who, managed to get complimentary food and drinks at lunchtime courtesy of Range Rover. I wish I hadn’t taken the Bently now!!!

Even though the Olympics were taking place there were enough “big” names there to see competing. Summer had really arrived with a cloudless day and by mid afternoon  most of us had had enough of the sun and headed back to the site and some refreshment and relaxation.

  Saturday evening and the good old communal BBQ outside. Jeff even had to finish cooking  the old fashioned way on charcoal.

No rally would be complete without Chris Eames producing some cake, and we were not to be disappointed this time.

The wind got up over night and I was surprised to see my awning still in one piece in the morning. Another rally over and for most of us it was time to say our goodbyes until Lyn Phillips’ birthday bash in October at The Trumpet. Summer goes by so quckly these days.

Regents Park, Cheltenham

A three night rally held in conjunction with the Cheltenham Food Festival.

Yet again we sent out an advance party who stayed at our rally site on the Wednesday night. We won’t delve any further into the fact that we may possibly have been rallying at two different sites at the same time. This weekend we were definitely at Regents Park, Stansby, Cheltenham where the club held its inaugural rally 3 years ago.

The majority of us arrived Thursday lunchtime with plenty of sun and Cheltenham humidity.  The weather forcast for the weekend was forever changing so we were hoping for the best.

It was good to see Jeff and Carole back on the rally field.

 

Thursday evening we ate outside and the flying display arranged (???) by your intrepid marshalls kept everone entertained

Actually the Hurricane and Spitfire were taking part in an event at Imjin Barracks at Gloucester and were based at Staverton  for the display.

 

Friday was the first day of the Food and Drink festival held in Montpellier Gardens and some of us headed off in that direction to sample the freebies, and buy some goodies for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately the weather deteriorated  by late afternoon and we were forced to eat inside. However the rain cleared away and a most enjoyable evening was spent sat outside chatting and it was almost 2300 before we had all cleared off to bed.

Saturday saw  members heading into town for more exotic supplies for the evening BBQ or spending the day relaxing.

Rain showers were the order of the day, but luckily they cleared away for the planned BBQ and another fantastic evening was had by all.

Overnight Saturday and Sunday morning were rather wet and there was no point in hanging around on Sunday so we packed up camp and headed home.

It was lucky we did so because later in the day Cheltenham was hit by a heavy downpour which caused a lot of localise flash flooding, The Reddings where the site is, being one of the places affected.

Yew Tree Farm

At last summer has arrived in time for our second rally of the year.

Five of us made it this time,( sounds like an Enid Blyton book) The first two arrived on Thursday, the rest of us over the course of Friday afternoon. On my way here I drove along the Worcester by pass where the last time I towed a van along it a wheel came off!!

 

 

Its hard work this rallying

Those that arrived early enough were treated to tea and cake in the sun by Chris E

Saturday (Christine H’s birthday) started bright and sunny with the TATOC choir giving a rendition of Happy Birthday. We all went our own ways early in the day meeting up for— yep more cake with a more alcoholic drink. To round our afternoon off yet another cake with a few candles in it and a glass (or two) of Prosecco to wash it down.

 

In the evening Simon had organised a club excursion to the nearest hostelry for a meal, but before then the heavens opened with accompanying thunder and lightning.

Luckily by the time we set off the rain had almost stopped and the large puddles in the field had started to diminish.

A great evening was had by all and to think we were talking about having a BBQ!!!!!

Sunday morning arrived hot , humid and sunny. Just right for drying wet shoes, a carpet and an awning before packing up and saying our goodbyes until the next rally at the end of the month.