Devon with the Macdonalds

A slightly unusual account of 2CVGBs 21st Birthday camp. To summarise - the weather was glorious, the pizzas good, the music mediocre, toilets clean, showers expensive and in short supply, fireworks brilliant, company excellent, trade stalls poor and convoy well organised and well supported. In all a thoroughly enjoyable event in a lovely part of the country. We even won a prize in the raffle !

Thursday morning and we were up early to pack the blue car. It seemed a good idea to let DG have a rest and at the same time to give the unnamed car a good run out. Quarts into pint pots was again the relevant cliché as we load camping gear including 2 tents, gazebo, picnic table, 3 chairs and a few clothes into and onto (roof rack) the poor little car. Although Robyn had generously offered to find space for the sleeping bags we weren’t offloading those until Fleet Services so James & Heather were very cramped for the first leg of the journey.

Once at Fleet we offloaded bags on Robyn and Heather on Dave Farmar. Then, as planned, at 1:45 pm our convoy comprising Gill&Bill, Robyn, Dave Shove, Dave Farmar and Macdonalds set off west. We were temporarily swelled (and slowed) by a couple of trailer towing easterners (Essex way) until they took the A30 when we headed for the A303.

Bill&Gill led us to Bicton Arena with only the briefest of detours in the Honiton area. We headed for the Quiet Field (or possibly just ‘not the Noisy Field’) where we met up with Ray and Bob with their Amis. The tents and cars were circled around a space where the gazebos would be sited, space was saved for Tony & Shirley and Nicki & Trevor who would be arriving later.

Friday dawned and most decided to do some sightseeing and we set off to Bovey Tracey where we learnt about marble making and other glass work. We spent quite a sum of money on glass beads etc. and then set off for a quick look at Dartmoor in the shape of Widdecombe and Haytor. There was no sign of Uncle Tom Cobbley though.

Saturday was Flea Market (surprise, we spent more money !) and selling at the club shop. We did well with the jewellery, Dave Shove sold the rest of his seat covers and Robyn was happy to have sold most of her bits and pieces including the boot box. Sunday saw us convoying to a very early cream tea at Powderham Castle. Quite a contingent set out for the beach at Dawlish Warren. Only James ventured to swim although several paddled.

The journey home, in glorious sunshine, started just after 11 am and we stopped en route for a pub lunch. Another reasonably uneventful convoy finished at Fleet where we retrieved Heather and all went their own way home. Many thanks to Robyn, Dave Farmar and Dave Shove for their assistance in transport.

It was the evenings where we did the 2CV International stuff proper. Lots of chat, listened to some mediocre live bands and watched some amazing fireworks. I know we missed quite a number of events organised on site. The falconry and Registers display were missed as we ventured out to sample the delights of the area. We always take advantage of being in a different part of the country to do some sightseeing. I know others enjoy the event more for the socialising and 2CV chat etc. It takes all sorts ...

                     Ham

Not the World Meeting Meeting - Normandy

Intrepid Madhatters were there.... I went foot passenger and Dave Shove took his car (Newhaven to Normandy via Boulogne - not a happy man !)

Tim Gentle met me off the boat early Thursday morning - Bill had dropped me at Portsmouth since he had his O.U. Summer School to attend for a week. Tim & I drove back to La Chapelle - only going wrong once... Tim’s children thought I was a dream and were reluctant to get up in case I was not real. They eventually realised I was not going away.

I had breakfast and met the rest of the meeting. In all there were 40 units and about 70 people. H-vans from France, Austria, Norway and England; Meharis from England Ireland and Holland; a Lomax from England; and ‘A series from Holland, Germany and the UK. It was a great feeling.

The site was only a field but Alan and friends had built 3 loos and 2 washbasins which coped wonderfully. There was a bar in a marquee but the weather was so good we drank outside every night. The was a ‘boulangerie’ open on site for about 1 hour every morning and events arranged for every day. On Thursday afternoon I got a lift with Sue Chalcraft in her Lomax to the “Bungee Jump”. I did not jump (Oh - I’m shocked ! - ed.) but 2 people did. I walked out to watch but 4 metres out on the viaduct was enough for me ! I chickened out and watched the video. The Lomax was great - very low and rather near the loose chippings on the road.

Each evening musicians amongst the campers gave impromptu live concerts which were wonderful. Tim and his friend Tony were on guitars, Jo on flute. Some violinists appeared another night and on Saturday a superb live group was formed from local people and campers. This time the music finished at 3 am !

On Friday I went with Roy & Joyce in their Mehari on the convoy to Caen market - a great event. We did manage to get lost on the way out. The Péripherique at Caen is a sod. We then lazed away the rest of the day and prepared for music again in the evening.

Saturday was Hypermarket time. Dave Shove was on his buying cheap seat covers adventures and again we got lost trying to find our way back. We obviously hadn’t got the hang of the Péripherique !!

Saturday evening was a grand music session. Locals, neighbours, visiting musicians and the French Club arrived. Suffice to say music went on until the early hours. It was great.

Sunday’s convoy to the market didn’t materialise. (I wonder why ?) People began to pack up and leave. Tim & family moved into the gite for the rest of their holiday. It’s a great gite - loads of space .... Time flew by and it was soon time to head for the night boat. Batti (age 4) had not seen the sea before so he was wide-eyed. I said my farewells, got the boat and before it left Ouistreham I had found and had a shower !! I slept well and ended my journey by taxi and train home.

Thanks Alan & Jo for a magnificent time. Thanks Tim & family for making it possible for me to stay in Normandy.

                Gill

STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS

The latest issue of Le Crapaud - also known as NTWMM SPECIAL - announces that ‘DENTWORM IS ON’. More completely known as Definitely Not the World Meeting Meeting this is planned for Tuesday 25th July to Sunday 30th July 2000. Note this in your diary now !

Who Does What ?

CHAIRWOMAN & SOCIAL EVENTS MAN

Gill & Bill, 18 St. Olaves Close, Staines TW18 1PL

Tel 01784 453919

TREASURER

David Farmar, 55 Cedars Road, Beckenham, BR3 4JG

Tel 0181 650 8213

EDITOR

Ham, 15 Rosemary Crescent, Guildford GU2 6XL

Tel 01483 235927