Friday 1^st November 2019

After our dry run last weekend at Sharpness we are off to another Halloween Rally today. Last time I wasn’t feeling so well but we both made the effort and it was fun if a little small.

This weeks is at Corsham Primary School which is only around ten miles from home and organised by the Wiltshire Centre of the CMH club. We arrived just after 2.30 and were pitched up in the corner of the tarmacked netball court which had been assigned for motorhomes and the very disabled. We unhitched Betty and put her next to us. Other caravans (about a dozen in the end) went on the games field behind us.

My brother Roy was booked to come as well – he had to abort the Devizes one a while ago – so when we were setup I texted him to let him know we had arrived. He is now full-timing in his Eldis motorhome (although he works away weeknights) so it’s only weekends for the most part. He is really enjoying the freedom of being able to change his weekend location when he wants to.

He replied saying he would be with us about 6.00 so we went across to the Marshals van, paid our dues and had a bit of a chat – this is now the forth Wiltshire rally we have attended so are getting to know people and beginning to feel at ease with them.

Roy called just after 6.00 and Nigel helped guide him in the last few yards beyond the help of his satnav, got him pitched up next to us. He had a bit of a sort out of his van (having only chucked everything in when transferring from his lorry after work) and then joined us in Voyager for a coffee.

We gave him the low down on how rallies work and took him over to the Marshal’s van to pay and get his rally pack. He is a very outgoing person and I think he will get into this easily.

We had our evening meal together in Voyager – I was chef, making Nigel my infamous sweet chilli prawns while Roy joined me having poached eggs with tinned spaghetti.

Roy retired to his van after the washing up was done and we chilled for most of the evening only putting the TV on for an hour to watch Gogglebox. Then bed.

Saturday 2^nd November 2019

It rained most of the night but it cleared by about 10.00 so after breakfast Nigel got out the 2G’s and we headed off with Roy walking for a quick explore of Corsham – another old Wiltshire market town – not quite as popular as Lacock or Castle Combe but which has still featured on the small screen in episodes of Poldark and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

We visited the local Co-op to top up on a few essentials (hadn’t considered we would be feeding three instead of our usual two) before trundling up and down the high street taking photos of some lovely architecture.

I had a good look in the window of The Table Gallery but I’m afraid none of Paul Martin’s antiques would look at home in Voyager (and all were well out of my price range).

We trundled on doing more window shopping and just as Roy was popping into a picture framing shop I spotted the famous Flog It presenter strolling along eating a pie – although I didn’t want to disturb his lunch I did say hello and mentioned how we really enjoyed his shows. He gave me a cheery thankyou between mouthfuls.

Autumn has well and truly arrived now so even with a blue sky and little wind it was still pretty cold so when we got back to the van we had soup for lunch. Roy returned to his van – apparently he had some sandwiches and nibbles he didn’t want to waste.

I’m still getting very tired so a couple of hours siesta for me while Nigel had a read and made a bit of a start on the ‘rally quiz’.

When Roy joined us later we all had a good go at answering all the questions (with a little help from Mr Google) and I think I managed to volunteer to make Roy new curtains for his van. Apparently as well as not liking the colour of the ones he has they are too short and let the light in under them.

After our not very exciting tea we all got dressed up in our costumes. I had made slight alterations to Nigel’s so he could access his trouser pockets without hitching it up. That had been a bit awkward last week.

The Evil Sorceress trundled to the party on Grace accompanied by The Grim Reaper and The Evil Jester.

The school gym had been transformed into a very scary coven like setup with light displays and video’s playing at each end of the room. We were placed per a seating plan (which I wasn’t too happy about at first) but everyone was very friendly so all was OK.

There was only a very short welcome speech before it was down to dancing and enjoying ourselves – the bring your own booze was imbibed by most but I’m still on some pretty strong pills so had to be good.

Though along with everyone else I did have a good time – even having a short dance (although only slowly) with both my husband and my brother. I even managed a couple of minute’s livestream on Facebook which brought some lovely comments from family and friends around the world.

A really great night – this rallying is just what I need – it’s just a shame there aren’t as many in the winter months.

Sunday 3^rd November 2019

Nigel was up early checking the quiz sheet which needed to be handed in before 10.00. He found the answers to the last couple of questions while drinking his coffee then headed off to hand it in.

I nipped into Roy’s van to get the measurements for the curtains and then work out how much material would be needed. Onto Ebay for the price to scare Roy with – he wasn’t – just handed me the cash. Looks like I’m going to be busy with my sewing machine – good job I enjoy it.

It was back down to the hall at 11.00 for Flag. Everything had been transformed back to a school gymnasium again. The Marshals and many helpers had done a magnificent job.

After all the Thankyou’s etc – Roy had to go up to the front and collect his ‘First Rally’ plaque – which he enjoyed. Then the result of the quiz – our collaborative efforts were rewarded – Nigel collected our prize of chocolates. Next the raffle – we had bought a few tickets and won a couple of things – Beer for Roy and a dehumidifying egg? for us.

I think Roy will be coming to more – he seemed to really enjoy himself and even bought a couple of pennants from the club table before we all headed back to our vans.

An early finish (presumably because it’s a school day tomorrow) so we were soon homeward bound.

Now we have a bit of a break – my next hospital appointment is on 13^th (hopefully lucky for me) and our next rally is in early December.

Nigel has a bit of repair work on Betty’s motor mover again as well as checking out the Truma heater in Voyager – it’s working fine on gas but doesn’t seem to be on electric – so that will keep him busy and may produce a techy blog as well.