Up and Down Dale - Craven Heifer PH, Skipton, Yorks.

13 - 15th May 2005

This was a rally that exceeded expectations - the views, the pub, the wind, the soft ground and the partying. We arrived at 6pm on Friday to find the awnings battened down and everyone sheltering inside their vans. Ideal for a barbeque then!

The charcoal lit in record time and only some deft handiwork stopped the sausages from burning. Someone said the pub was overbooked for meals so could we oblige? No problem! Could the punters eat the food as fast as we could cook it?

Later, teas and coffees at the marshals awnings gave us chance to catch up with fellow ralliers. Sophie and I met some newish ralliers we hadn’t seen before so it was good chance to welcome them into the club. At 9pm the brave ones remaining decided it was time to party. The awning was closed and the serious business of the evening started. At 11am car headlights just a few feet away signalled the arrival of visitors. Had we been making too much noise perhaps? Thankfully not, they were just friends calling in for a cuppa!

Friday night was so cold we had to leave the heating on in the van. At 3am our supposedly half full bottle of gas expired. This meant we had to switch to the other supposedly half full bottle. Sophie said it was my job to brave the weather because I obviously didn’t know a half full bottle when I saw one!

By 7am the wind had reached its peak, the awning pegs had pulled out, and the van was rocking so much it was pointless trying to sleep. After an early breakfast the first job was to find some gas. We put the empty bottle in the car, engaged drive and went nowhere. The car had sunk several inches into the soft ground. Fortunately, a good dose of throttle did the trick and we were soon on our way.

As luck would have it, the garage down the road sold gas so we swapped our empty cylinder and pondered the rest of the day. We headed for the nearby Embsay and Bolton Abbey steam railway. The tickets gave unlimited travel on the 4 mile line but poor Sophie needed retail therapy after a couple of hours!

By Saturday evening the wind had dropped and we helped the marshals erect two large gazebos for the night’s festivities. Dave and Tracey were celebrating their 200th rally and Dean, Dawn and Holly their 150th. The wine flowed, the cheese was wonderful and, with the party in full swing, a cake was produced. A great evening!

At Flag the next morning Area 2 Committee member Clive presented the two families with plaques commemorating their achievement. He also had a special word for Glenn & Claire, and their two children Matthew & Rachael, who were marshalling for the first time. Sadly, after a tasty Sunday lunch in the pub, it was time to head home.

Many thanks for a memorable rally to the marshals: Glenn, Claire, Matthew & Rachael, and Colin & Betty.

Charles

Photos © & courtesy Clive Bevan, Michael Bird and John Brailsford

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