Another great time at Ambleside June 2014

[Anonymous]

Ambleside meet 2014
For the fourth year running Ambleside blessed us with lovely weather, so as we have booked again for 2015 let’s hope we continue our good fortune.
Eleven motorhomes arrived on the rugby Club site and once everyone had settled in we got together in the clubhouse on Friday evening for a beetle drive, with jacket potatoes and various fillings for supper. The beetle was again, a riot of yelling and laughter, groans and complaints. There were more complaints that the quiz was too difficult but it sorted the brains from the cabbages, to no benefit really, as the winners were made with their beetle drive points. All good fun.
During the week, different pals went their own way, some walking, some fell hiking, sailing on the lakes or shopping.
You may have read about or remember last year’s Chinese takeaway fiasco, well our new TAKE AWAY PROCUREMENT OFFICER Tony charity took charge this year and everything was perfectly executed
Everyone got what they ordered on time no messing. Well done Tony.
The AGM on Saturday 25th was a bit scary as we had no volunteers to replace committee members who had stood down. The point of no return was looming until Jean Horsfall and her husband Mike Brunt came to the rescue in the nick of time. Jean is our new chair for 2014/2015 and Mike is our general secretary for 2014/2015.Thank you so much for getting the club back on track.
The new website was introduced to members in a specially arranged presentation by Liz Clement, web designer, which allayed members’ fears and reservations about the change.
Once the new format is established we are sure that more interest and activity will be generated, but of course that depends on the use that members give it. Do you have anything to say or share with other members, tales of travels, motoring problems or tips, recipes, funnies, get posting on the forum and help it on its way.
Finally, one funny to share with you. You may remember last year at Ambleside meet , we gave a “plonker “ award for the daftest mistake. We didn’t repeat it this year which was unfortunate as a prime candidate would have been Ed Watson. By kind permission he has agreed to let you in on his “plonker” moment.
Ed had mislaid a vital piece of his online banking password in the form of a key pad. He’d used it one evening whilst having his usual cheese sandwich supper. He became very anxious next morning when it couldn’t be found anywhere, he searched the rugby pitch around his van, turned out all the cushions and cupboards, to no avail. As evening came, it was again cheese sandwich time, but what did he find in the fridge under the cheese HIS ACCESS KEYPAD !!!! a little chilly but no worse for its day in the cooler. The sigh of relief was huge, or was it of exasperation? Thanks for that Ed.

A big THANK YOU to all who attended another fun filled week, and again to Jean and Mike, and of course to Francoise, our newest member who volunteered to become the new website moderator. Your support is so much appreciated.

Christine Lawson

Topic

[Anonymous]

Hobby Club Rally – Ambleside 2014

It was great to meet up with Hobby Club members – both old and new – after a welcome ‘cuppa’ in Christine and David’s van. There were plenty of activities to look forward to as well as free time to explore the town and countryside. Some set off for a meal in town, whilst we walked with old friends to the lake, others stayed behind to catch up with the gossip. After a damp start, the following day turned out fine and sunny, so instead of a trip to the local Garden Centre, eight of us set off on what seemed like a 10-mile hike around Lake Windermere . By the time we reached Bowness we were all footsore, particularly one of our party who walked the last mile or so in his bright red socks! Thankfully, we managed to catch the last ferry back to Ambleside, where we enjoyed a drink and a meal at the Waterside Inn. Our time here absolutely flew by with some fun events such as the Beetle Drive and Quiz, the AGM followed by a delicious buffet in the Clubhouse, and a Chinese meal. The weather was amazingly good which meant we were able to get out and about – a trip to Elterwater and Grasmere on Sunday – another walk on Monday, a stiff climb up the hill overlooking the rally field. It was worth the climb to the top where the views were fabulous. We rested beside a water-lily lake with a little island, in the centre of which grew a silver birch tree – an idyllic spot for a picnic. On Tuesday, we explored the area by bus – first stop Hawkshead, a pretty village up in the hills with narrow streets and little shops and lovely views from the churchyard. Our next stop was Coniston where we had our lunch before doing the 20 minute walk to the lake – the longest in the Lake District – where there are boat trips from the jetty, but time had run out and we had to hurry back to catch the last bus back to Ambleside. We spent our last evening sitting outside chatting whilst the sun set over the surrounding hills. All in all, a great ‘meet’ – a big ‘thank you’ to the organisers – and look forward to the next one!

Pat Miller

[Anonymous]

Never mind the banking key pad I was only glad I still had the cheese.
Ed

[Author]

Replies