Trip 151 - Rye MCC

Friday 22nd August (Day 1)

We got home yesterday and we are off again today. Chris had a mammogram appointment just before midday so we could not leave until after that. However, they were early with the appointments and so by 1150 it saw us on our way to Rye in Sussex. As it was a Friday, and especially as it was before the Bank Holiday, we expected that traffic would be heavy. Things went well until a fifteen minute slow drive at the M111 / A11 junction; then a three mile slow drive at the M11 / M25 junctions and a similar traffic issue at the Dartford Bridge. It took us almost an hour longer than the expected journey time but by about 1600 we arrived at Rye Rugby Union Football Club, Rye, Sussex, which is an MCC temporary campsite. Dave, Gill, Resa and Eric were already parked up. We had not seen Dave and Gil for over twelve months, so a lot of catching up was to be had. After a ‘meet the organisers’ meeting we returned to cook food and then sat out and chatted with the temperature slowly cooling. Slowly, as the evening progressed, we acquired more clothing due to the cooling down.  2200 saw us all retire to our motorhomes for warmth and bed.

Saturdays 23rd August (Day 2)

A dull start but with a promise of better to come. After breakfast we sat around until 1100 when it was agreed we would go into Rye. The plan was to complete a ‘Smugglers Quiz’ with clues guiding us around the town. We started with six weapons and fourteen suspects to work out the villain. It took us to places we  would not have seen which were interesting in their own right. By about 1400 we had a pint in The Mermaid, with two clues left and here we went over our results to date. Something was amiss as we had two weapons and three suspects with only two clues left. Eliminating one weapon and one suspect we returned to the site and discovered they had omitted one question / clue! So we had actually solved it. We then sat around in the waning sunshine before cooking the evening meal. The last of the evening was in the Rugby clubhouse playing (S)Uno. The clubhouse was quite soulless but we had a good laugh playing. Bed was around 2300

Sunday 24th August (Day 3)

Yesterday the stated plan was to go into town early to look in the shops. After breakfast we sat around and waited….. and waited. Around 1145 we left! By now it was busy in town. A few shops were visited and then we went to the National Trust house, Lamb House. this was famous for the American author Henry James living there. Further back in history saw George I stay unannounced as his ship was stranded on a nearby sandbank. Whoever the owner was at the time, he was the mayor, had an extra issue to contend with other than the royal visit in that his wife was expecting and indeed gave birth while the king was staying. They called the child George and King George was a god parent. The gardens was also a great for the eyes with some unusual flowers. Leaving there we had a pint in the oldest pub and then the others wanted fish and chips. They went to a fish and chip restaurant and we went to The  Ship, not being hungry or desiring chips. We then walked back to the site and after lazing in the sunshine cooked a meal. It was then over for a Chinese raffle and a short quiz before ending the days proceedings with the group. After the raffle and quiz we returned to the motorhome and the original ‘plan’ was back over to the clubhouse. Gill felt a bit tired so Plan B was all six into ours, being the only motorhome with good space for six people. We introduced Dave and Gill to Uno Flip and then followed that up with the Mexican Train Game. They left just before 2230 and we were in bed by 2300.

Monday 25th August (Day 4)

Today looks to be the hottest. A sausage and bacon roll to start and then the plan was a cycle ride to Camber Sands which is only about three miles away. By just before 1100 we left. A pleasant ride along an off road bridleway / footpath. Arriving at the main car park at Camber Sands we walked up to the beach which was a really nice sandy beach but very busy. Talking to the car park attendant we could continue cycling off road, for about a mile along the sea front. So we did. I had noticed a National Cycle Route No2 but it was unclear if this was a separate cycle track or just a quiet road, and Eric would not cycle along the road. At the end of the sea front ride we saw it was a dedicated pathway towards Lydd. Off we went and eventually, after about four miles, arrived at Lydd and found the George Hotel where a pint or two and a nice snack type lunch was had. The ride back was again pleasant, and all agreed later that it was a great days cycling. That said both Chris and I had forgotten our ‘Big Boy Cycle Pants. Back at the site after about twenty miles  we knew that the cycle pants would have been useful. After a brief sit and relax the next item in the MCC programme was about to commence. So 1600 saw us all gathering together for a ‘sausage sizzle’. The organisers supplied sausages, onions and sauces and everyone else chipped in with salad, pasta etc. It resulted in a nice variety of food. When we had finished we returned to our motorhomes and sat outside Resa and Eric’s motorhome chatting and enjoying the sunshine. As the sun started to disappear behind the trees we moved away to remain in the sunshine until it was no longer possible as by now we were at the edge of the field. So back outside the motorhomes we sat and chatted until around 2145. By now the chairs and everything was getting damp so we said our goodnights.

Tuesday 26th August (Day 5)

Today it was off home. A prompt start and after some ‘goodbyes’ we left - around 1000. Home in three hours on a good run. Main obstacle to that would be †he Dartford Tunnel. But no, a relatively painless drive through it - well perhaps a ten minute slow run up to it. Then more problems as the M25 was backed up just before the M11 and so another ten minute plod. Then to finish it off the M11 was closed totally both ways between junctions 11 and 12. This meant a deviation up the A11. Home by 1320, after filling with diesel so it was a good run inn the end.