Thursday 4th April (Day 1)
So a late start due to a doctors appointment. By just after 11.30am we were off to Romsey, Hampshire. The traffic on the journey was very kind to us but the weather was a different story. Bright sunshine to start with but the nearer we got to the showground the darker and wetter it became. Arriving at about 2.00pm the weather had improved but our entry to the show ground was blocked by a mis-directed car transporter with vehicles on was in front of us. Tree branches had to be removed to get it in and for us to get by it. We were welcomed by the show staff but advised to drive to our spot without stopping. We soon arrived at our location ...and sank into the wet ground. Lunch, followed by an afternoon of chat, dinner, then games until bed time. Su lik The weather is more promising for the weekend thankfully. Su likes Uno so much we decided to rename it Suno.
Friday 5th April (Day 2)
A lazy start for all of us. After breakfast we gathered outside to 'attack' the show area. By around 11.00am we entered what must be said was a very small number of stalls, although caravans and motorhomes were quite numerous. A slow walk around before chips and beer in the marquee for lunch. Then some went into Romsey and others stayed around their motorhomes. Resa and Eric had seen a motorhome they were interested in and so we went back with them to view it and be the 'critical friend' pointing out faults / issues with a view to talking them out of the purchase - this at their request. It was a lovely van and we found very little to put them off. In the end a purchase was made. Late afternoon we all gathered to eat cake and tea / coffee to celebrate Chris Delaney's 61st birthday (early) and Ray Crips 72nd birthday (yesterday). Then to our own vans for dinner / food / clear up. Next on the agenda was a stroll up to the marquee where a Birmingham County and Western / Blue Grass group were playing. They were quite good but just after 9.00pm we said goodnight and returned to Chris and Graham's motorhomes where, eventually, eight of us gathered to chat until midnight.
Saturday 6th April (Day 3)
A nice fried breakfast to start the day. Then we sat around waiting for Resa and Eric to go into Romsey. They were showing their newly purchased motorhome to some of the others in the group. (They hadn't actually got it but showed them at the dealers show site.) Only to eventually find she was not going into Romsey. So off we set quite late. A ten minute stroll found us in the Tourist Information Office in the town centre. We were given a circular 'Heritage Walk' that took about an hour and a half. The Abbey, a water mill, old pubs and buildings. All very good. The abbey has a memorial stone to Earl Mountbatten, killed by the IRA in 1979. It is his family that owns Broadlands the house in whose grounds we are parked in. The Mountabtten's are still in residence. We had a pleasant walk in nice weather and decided then to go for a coffee. The first cafe was rammed, the second a 'cat' cafe was only available if you booked! (All the people seemed to have taken their cats there.) Eventually we found one with space and had a sit down for a while. Then we returned to the showground to sit and put the world to rights with others. While this was taking place Griff and Jackie turned up as they only live eleven miles away. For the evening we went over to the marquee where there was a Shanai Twain Tribute act (not bad) and a comedian (more of an entertainer but very good). He came on between Shanai's two sets and we left before the second one and joined some of the others to chat the rest of the evening away.
Sunday 7th April (Day 4)
A nice sunny day again which hopefully will dry the ground out. We had settled about three inches down and I decided to move a metre forward to make tomorrow's escape easier. We got out of the holes and then got stuck. The show team turned up and towed us to a new position which is not only more firm but on a slight downhill run to the roadway so hopefully tomorrow will be easier to leave. A quick walk around the show to purchase some three plus year old cheese and then a cup of tea. Midday saw twelve of us walk into Romsey to the Phoenix pub for Sunday lunch. A good meal except it took quite a while for the twelve of us all to get our meals. To compound this they did not bring sauces - apple, mint, horseradish etc - until all the meals were served by which time some had finished! Back to the site and we waved goodbye to two more motorhomes - Ray and Lesley and Keith and Pam. The rest of us sat around in the warm sunshine chatting until the chill took over and we retired to a MH. A couple of games, an impromtu tea and by just after 11.00pm we said our goodnights.
Monday 8th April (Day 5)
We all made a prompt start and left the site by 9.30am. We stopped on the way home at my Auntie Geraldine's house in Farnham for a cup of tea and a quick chat. Then a fairly easy run back to Braintree and home by 4.00pm