Trip 154 - Wellingore, Lincolnshire

Friday 10th October (Day 1)

Off for an ‘Oktoberfest’ weekend with the new (to us) group, The Van Club. We left at 0945 bound for Lincoln, or more exactly Wellingore Memorial Hall. On the way we stopped at a Morrisons for lpg. It was a ‘do not arrive before midday’ so at 1205 we arrived and were only about the eighth to do so. Almost immediately Chris, Graham and Maisie arrived and, while were waiting to say hello to them, Ron and Barbera appeared from the motorhome next to us. We had a light lunch and then opted for a walk. Chris’ thoughts were to walk some of the local footpaths. Ron wanted to walk the town pavements so that is what we did. Within thirty minutes we were in the Red Lion - no surprise there. Back at the site the others on the rally were gathering and to meet them we joined the circle. They then set up a large boss on an easel, similar to an archery target, and we threw axes at it (not real ones) on a knockout league. Good fun. A simple stir fry for us and then 1900 saw us in the hall all decorated for the Oktoberfest, including long tables like a Beer Keller. Sausages in buns, chatting and karaoke followed. The karaoke was ‘interesting’. 2300 saw us leave for some shut eye. It was of note that the Van Club were a younger group than the MCC. Whereas at the MCC we would bring the average age down for this group we did the opposite. Unusually there were children, some only toddlers. We found this group a much less ‘clicky’ and easier to get along with than the MCC, indeed the group was most welcoming.

Saturday 11th October (Day 2)

So a really nice sunny day is promised today and it looks like it will be. After breakfast and sitting in the sunshine for a while we went with Masie, Chris and Graham for a walk along the Viking Way to the next town Navemby. It has more shops etc. than Willingore. A few purchases were made and then we walked the same route back. At 1400 we had a games afternoon with little competitions between individuals. The only issue had was the huge amount of ladybirds around. Apparently it is not an infestation just the good weather to date has kept them more active and now they are seeking ‘sleeping quarters’. The mtorhomers and people had them all over. 1645 saw us walking over to the Red Lion for a meal before tonights festivities. The meal, while freshly cooked and very good, took almost fifty minutes to arrive. This meant that at 1910 we were just leaving the pub for the festivities which were to commence at 1900. Back at the van and a quick change into our lederhosen etc and over to the hall for the Oompah band. They had the catchy name of Bobbley’s Brizzly Grizzly Brutus Beefcake Barber Bam Bam Stomping Grompin Oompah Band! What followed was a great night of singing, swaying, toasting and having a great laugh. They didn’t finish until almost 2245. We then made our way back to the motorhome for a night cap.

Sunday 12th October (Day 3)

So a last day of what has been a really good weekend. We did not have any breakfast in the motorhome as we are having bacon rolls cooked by ‘The Team’. So by just after 1030 we were sat in the hall with our cup of tea and bacon rolls. Then followed the ‘Chairman’s Waffle’ except this group has no chairman and there was no waffle. Just a quick thanks, a quick update on some future meetings and a raffle. Even that was different. Each motorhome had one free ticket and the draw was for a two day free weekend at a meeting with the group of their choice. After this we helped with the stacking of chairs and collapsing of tables but still by 1140 we had said our goodbyes and were off for the sixty five mile trip home. A really easy drive home  and by 1315 we were unpacking. We have already booked for the end of the month at Burnham-on-Sea which looks to be good.