Spring 2011 adventures

NEC, Birmingham

Off to the Motorhome and Camping show at the NEC.  Our daughter was meeting us there so they could check out the new caravans as they had deciuded from upgrade from a tent.  We had a great time parked up on the camping and caravan site, although we didnt go into the evening entertainments.  Mostly as we were too tired after climbing in and out of caravans and motor homes all day.  We visited the Adria stand again  with Chelstons where we bought our van.  Chris the salesman made us a coffee and even threw in a chocolate biscuit.  As it was our daughter decided on an Adria Caravan but it would have to wait until they got some finances sorted out.

Whitburn Lodge 

Located at a pub car park, this was not one of our favourite venues as the music was loud and even the car park seemed busy and noisy.  We did meet other people at this event though and it was nice to get to know other members and couples.  It was at Whitburn Lodge we made friends with Walt and Em and Keith and Lynne. We know others walked along the promenade but after a hard week at work, we just relaxed and chilled out.

Croft Social Club, Darlington 

Our first time at Croft the Motor Caravanner's Club affiliated site was a bit of an eye opener.  Set next to the Social club is a large camping area with caravans located.  The site boasts electric hook up and showers but I would definitely avoid the public showers, and the electric hook up looked as though a visit from health and safety would close it down.  It was probably the large attendance of rock and roll Country and Western event which seemed to have people arriving all day and night.  It would appear that people can come to the club for the entertainment and then 'rent' the caravans for the night to recover before leaving the next day.  It was interesting to people watch the regular attendees at the Croft social club.  The cowboy outfits complete with guns were interesting, and that was just the ladies.  But the drinks were very reasonable and the game of bingo profitable for some.

Morpeth County Hall

Was a beautiful venue for a rally.  A very large car park, we were given access to the staff canteen area for the evenings and the resident caretaker allowed us to have a look at the council chambers and the fantastic artwork carved by local ex miners.  On the Saturday, we headed off into town on the bus and later, we have local family visit us in the van.  On the evening a faith supper was well provided by everyone but best of all was Jo Maine's coconut cakes.  She even brought a few extras to take back to the van.

Croxdale Community Centre, February 2011

Our Wedding Anniversary falls on 17th February, just when its the Croxdale rally.  Although work colleagues and family laughed when they asked what we were planning for our wedding anniversary.  They don't seem to think Croxdale community centre is a very romantic location.  Admittedly, we were parked up in a tiny car park round the back of the community centre which seems ed like and old Victorian school room.  But the room was warm and hosts put on some nibbles and a quiz.  We don't need to go out for a fancy meal for our wedding anniversary, a few of us caught the bus into Durham city.  Most had their bus passes and were shocked at how much actual cash we had to part with for the return fares.  Once in Durham we wandered around the sights and markets and met up again at the local Yates bar for a lunchtime special.  The good thing about catching the bus in is that we don't have to drive back!

Gosforth Park Racecourse Newcastle

In January 2011 for the first rally of the year, we turned up at an icy car park at Gosforth park Racecourse.  Thankfully the room we had for the evenings was warm and the hosts had planned a few games, but mostly we just had a catch up with friends. On the Saturday we caught the local bus into the centre of Newcastle and had a great time searching for January sale bargains around the Grainger Street market and Eldon Square.  A pub lunch just added to the fun of the weekend.

Redcar Racecourse New year 2010

For once we were not expecting family this New Year and had negotiated a few extra days off work.  We were booked onto our first new year rally with our new friends in the Northern Counties Motor Caravanner's Club.  Previously New Years Eve was fairly ignored to avoid the drunks wandering around the town streets and the overcrowded and expensive pubs.  We have always enjoyed Christmas more but now we had made lots of friends within the club we booked up expectantly.

Again the snow had been bad for weeks but we managed to make our way to Redcar with fairly clear roads.  By the time we arrived the hosts had spent a day clearing the car park of snow in preparation for the 40 vans attending.

The entertainment was great, the catered buffet was great and the company was fantastic.  The venue was just a short walk into the town centre past local supermarkets and onto the sea front promenade.  It was one of the best new years eve events we had been to since we were just courting and before the children came along!

Kirkley Hall Christmas Dinner 2010

We were looking forward to the planned Northern Counties Christmas Dinner at Kirkley Hall just near Ponteland.  It was advertised as a formal three course meal and we had dug out our evening finery to wear. As we left work on the Friday, it was cold and the weather was frosty.  Apparently quite a few vans had cancelled as they were unable to make it due to the bad weather.

Friday evening, we met in the hall which was the college six form pupils common room.  it was warm and cosy and everyone took their drinks and snacks over for a chat.  The next morning however was a shock.  we woke up to about six inches of snow and ice over all the motor homes.

We were fortunate as it tested our fully winterised Adria Coral Supreme motor home.  But other members who believed they had bought fully winterised Auto Trail vans had frozen water and no heating.  Some members could not even get out of their vans as the snow had dripped over their door handles and huge icicles covered their exit.

There are members who are not fully mobile on crutches and in wheelchairs.  So the more able bodied wrapped up warm and started clearing the paths so we could all safely get into the hall for the evening meal and party. Some ventured out for brisk walks around the zoo animals and farm enclosures.

Later the fun began.  First it was a message sent round that there was a power cut due to the weather bringing down power lines.  But that didn't deter us and many of us gathered again in the common room dressed in our finery waiting for our meal.  Torches and candles were sought as people gathered to wait out the power cut which lasted a few hours.  Then the news came that the Christmas meal could not be served as the ovens were electric and the meat was still not done.  We went back to the van and put on our comfortable clothes and returned with more wine.  We didn't have much food in the van as we were expecting a large meal and were wondering what to do.  Others had the same dilemma.  We were just about to all head back and try and rustle up a faith supper to share when one bright spark found a Chinese takeaway open and phoned in an order on his credit card.  a local taxi firm was sent to collect and deliver.

It was one of the best Christmas meals we have ever had.  Everyone rallying around to help each other.  Plenty of drinks were shared that night and new friendships made.  Its certainly one Christmas party we will remember.

 

Shildon Railway Museum

The Halloween rally was held at Shildon railway museum.  Again although we loved not too far away, we had never been there and were interested in the range to steam trains and the walk up the old tracks into the village.  The children all came round the vans expecting sweets for trick or treat.  But on the evening spent partying amongst the trains, it was mostly adults who seemed to enjoy getting dressed up.  We didn't go in fancy dress, it not usually something we do but we were still make to feel welcome by everyone.

AGM and Beamish Museam October 2010

Seaton Burn School

As we were new members, we attended the Northern Counties Annual General Meeting held at Seaton Burn School.  For us it was a chance to find out more about the club and understand the rules and meet the new committee. It was also the first time we  had a chance to same some of the fantastic Baileys cupcakes made by Karen. Those delights wont be forgotten in a hurry.  After the formal meeting during the day, the evening held a Faith supper where everyone brings a plate of food and shares it on the buffet table.  The group had organised professional entertainment and a real party atmosphere had everyone up dancing the night away.

Beamish Museum

Visits to Beamish Museum were a favourite school trip for our children but we never ventured there ourselves.  When we realised that Northern Counties were holding a rally there we went along to enjoy the historical sights and sounds of the local mining museum.  A fantastic 95 motor homes turned up and were parked on the terraced car park. The group even negotiated a discounted entry price into the museum for everyone.

Again we on the first night we arrived late after work and as we didn't feel like socialising we  just spent the Friday evening relaxing in our van after a hectic week. The next morning we headed off to the Museum to have a trip down a working mine. Learn how to make clippy mats in the traditional pit cottages and see the recreated town houses and shops filled with traditional items.  There is a sweet shop where you can watch them make the traditional pulled sweets and buy old fashioned favourites.  Even the pub has old style hand pulled beers and pickled eggs.  There were massive queues for the  fish and chip shop at lunch time.  It seemed to take ages to cook in dripping over a coal fired range.

In the late afternoon, three large coaches turned up to escort everyone to the Geist/Camper UK motor home dealer.  they had kindly offered an evening of entertainment, hot buffet and even free bar as well as discounted products in the store.  There were not many sober people who were dropped back off the coaches that evening.

Sunday coffee morning was again outside host vans and some had arranged to go off to the local carvery for Sunday lunch but we had to head off home again to get ready for work.

Brunton Vintage Traction Engine rally

The next rally was advertised as a 'free' rally at Brunton Vintage Traction Engine rally.  There was the requirement  for each van to spend an hour on the gate to take the visitors payment, sell programmes or direct visitors to the car parking.  There seemed to be lots of men at the rally, many left their wives at home as they looked through the old cars, engines and bits of old machinery.  A few ladies attended and the craft tent was popular as was the marquee with a bar and live music on the night.  We were quite surprised how much we enjoyed ourselves.

Bents Park, South Shields, September 2010

Because of work and family commitments it was a while before we could go to our next rally.  We arrived at Bents Park to find a massive park area right on the sea front.  What a fantastic venue and there seemed to be hundreds of motor caravans there but we later found out it was only 89.  The location didn't have a room but there were local toilets with hot water which were very well maintained.  Just across the road several pubs and the local food were sampled.  The pub called the Whistler set in a part of a train carriage had  offers on the Sunday Carvery and those were well attended.

The local area had a beautifully maintained public park with large children's play area and boating lake.  A walk through the park lead to the town centre and a range of shops and open air market days. The sea front has promenades and amusement fair and arcades. In the other direction, the beach and sand dunes were a dream to walk with stunning sunset views.

The group have two massive tents which people can take over their chairs on an evening and have a chat and a short quiz game.  Hot Pie and Peas were delivered on evening, but mostly people just talked and shared a drink or nibbles.

This was a holiday rally which means it was on for five days, you don't have to book but just turn up and stay for how ever many nights you want to.  There were simple games of quoits if people wanted to join in during the day and the children had fun making kites.  There was a planned visit to Souter Lighthouse but we gave it a miss.  We stayed for three nights then our family come up and met us at South Shields before we had a family holiday in Northumberland.

We headed off to a traditional Camping and Carvanning club site near Seahouses and Beadnell as my daughters had camping tents.  As we arrived on site and paid our fees, we were escorted to a pitch in the middle of the field. Yet again, we had no facilities available as there were no electric points.  It didn't seem any  better maintained that the stunning area of Bents park we had just left, yet it was triple the cost per night!

A week in Northumberland and apart from everyone chasing our Granddaughter Daisy around.  We went to Seahouses and Craster.  We bought Craster Kippers, although we refused to let them be cooked in our motorhome and let the daughters cook the kippers in their tents.  Then we all set off and  visited the beautiful Alnwick gardens. 

We explored Bamburgh Castle and walked the coastal route.

Then we all finally ended up at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.  That location is highly recommended for anyone to visit.  there is an ethereal quality to the place that cannot be defined, perhaps it is the hundreds of years of monastic prayers.  The virtual tour of the Lindisfarne gospels was brilliantly set up and we discovered a beautiful little enclosed church garden in the village.

The National Trust property Lindisfarne Castle is tiny with really unusual little rooms.  The walk up can be a bit steep but well worth the visit.  It is promoted as the smallest castle owned by the National Trust.

Stanhope July 2010

The first rally we attended with our group Northern Counties was held

at Stanhope Showground, County Durham.  As we arrived, we followed the 

instructions in the local rally booklet NOT to attempt the ford river crossing. 

Apparently cars keep on getting stuck there in fast moving waters and the 

local council have a planning application in to permanently close off the ford.

We arrived late as we had finished work at the usual 5pm and headed straight 

off to to find the rally.  We were met at the gate by someone who took down our

registration and looked at our new membership card, then then showed us where

the fresh water and elsan disposal point were located.  

We were given a sheet of A4 paper which when we parked up, we read brief 

details of the events of the weekend.  what caught our eye was the meeting 

in the hall on site where people were heading for and that we should take 

our own drinks.

We headed off armed with a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine, and gingerly 

stepped into the hall to see a bunch of strangers all looking at us. As we 

manoeuvred over to an empty table, a lady sitting by herself asked if we 

would like to sit with her.  We sat down and introduced ourselves as new 

members.  Shortly after her husband and another couple arrived at the table.  

We had a great night.  Possibly because the two Scottish couples really put us at 

ease, and possibly as we had drunk a bottle of red wine without having any tea!  

The next day members come over to introduce themselves and chat before we 

headed off to the village of Stanhope. The village is lovely as it has a visitor

arts and crafts centre and a heated open air swimming pool.  

Saturday evening was in the hall again with a quiz.  Sunday had a coffee morning

when we paid our fees.  I thought it really strange after being members of the 

Caravan Club and CCC that we were not asked for fees as we arrived and booked.

I was informed it was the trusting friendly nature of the Motor Caravanner's Club 

to take the rally fees at a Sunday coffee morning get together before everyone

headed off home after the weekend.

We were definitely enjoying the social side of the club and were looking forward 

to our next adventure out with the van.

Darlington Railway Museum July 2010

Our first venture was actually a visit to the Yorkshire group as they were co-hosting their rally at Darlington Railway Museum.  We had never been to the museum before, and actually never even considered visiting it.  But it was fascinating insight into the early railway history.  A nice little tea room was there as well.

We later learned that the Yorkshire group of the MCC were helping out Northern Counties as they were looking after the pre-rally just before the large Hartlepool Tall Ships rally.

Unfortunately, the Tall ships rally had been popular with over 300 vans pre-booked to arrive in Hartlepool.  We were unable to attend this event but we did enjoy the Tall ships.

Motor Caravanners Club - The fun begins

Welcome to our record of travels with our motorhome.  We are just back from the Motor Caravanner's Club National rally at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, England.  What a fantastic May bank holiday weekend we have had and we wanted to share our experiences with other Motorhome owners.

So what is the Motor Caravanner's Club?  I must admit, all the years we previously had a caravan and went camping, we only thought that there were two main clubs.  The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravan Club. We were members of both when we had a Caravan. We pre-booked their sites (when spaces were available)  and turned up to the immaculately manicured pitches, their gleaming toilet blocks and the terror of the wardens, informing us of the rules about driving on grass and parking within their imposed boundaries.  After a day spent exploring local areas or enjoying the 'great outdoors' everyone seemed to retreat into their pristine caravans within the pitch, awnings and barricaded windbreak areas.  If a few daring couples sought out each other to sit outside and socialise, they would be 'tut tutted' about the outside conversational noise and made to feel unwelcome.  if those same people continued to have a conversation after 10pm, the warden would appear to suggest it was ended.  Most people retreated into their caravans to watch TV or read.  It was not what we wanted out of our travels.

After changing from a Caravan to our Motor Caravan or Motorhome, we tried to venture out into the sites of the Caravan club or Camping and Caravan Club.  Unfortunately nothing had changed and we still did not feel welcome. A work colleague heard we had just purchased a motorhome and suggested we join their club; The Motor Caravanner's Club. As we had never heard of these, we did a bit of web surfing about club and although the website www.motorcaravannersclub.eu a bit old fashioned, we thought we would join for a year and if we didn't like it we could drop the membership, as it was still cheaper then the other two clubs. Our membership fees were sent off and within a week an shiny new pack with a club handbook was delivered, shortly after a lovely letter and a local programme of events from the local group was also received.

Two weeks later, after reading though the details, we agreed to try a planned event.  The literature said you didn't have to book the sites and could just turn up.  Fantastic, we thought, as we usually didn't know when we could get away until a few days prior.  By then most other sites were fully booked up.  So we headed for our first MCC Rally.  Yes it was held in a field without a shower block or public toilet facilities, but we had a loo an shower. in our van and didn't need to use public facilities. There was facilities for fresh water.  There was a place to empty the  toilet cartridge from the van and there was a great friendly atmosphere.
We were invited to join others for evening socials and a quiz. We sat out with a bottle of wine and good conversations until nearly midnight and not a warden in sight to complain as most of the company were also joining in.

Over the next few weeks we joined in the weekend meets or rallies and made lots of new friends.  This is one of the reasons we bought a motorhome.  To travel, see new places and meet new people. We became active members of Northern Counties group of the Motor Caravanner's Club.

Within a year, we had made lots of new friends and because we wanted to support the group we decided to help out on the committee.  A year later, we were appointed to Te roles of Chairman and Secretary of the group.  This is the record of our rallies, travels and adventures as active members of our group.

Allan & Kim McKelvie