The Big Wallingford Campout

Five years ago a group of LTVers decided it would be fun to camp out the night before the Stonor Park VW show, after lots of hunting and phonecalls we ended up at Bridge Villa in Crowmarsh Gifford, a lovely little site a couple of minutes walk from the Thames and five minutes from Wallingford. This year I booked up as the snow was still melting in late February and a good job I did, the sun was out all week and by Friday afternoon the owner had already turned away more than a dozen potential campers! We’d managed to blag Friday off work so first thing in the morning I grabbed some shopping, loaded the camper and headed North, rolling into the site and onto our little area that would become “Camp Wally” for the next three days, Frank was already in and set up so we had a bite to eat, followed by an ice cream and with Kim and the Speedybump installed under the giant cocktail umbrella with her feet in the pool, set about pitching.





The pool was a spur of the moment purchase for a pocket friendly £2.50, it provided cooling for feet, cider and a constant supply of ammo for the waterfights that kept breaking out.



With the awning set up we rested and waited for the others to arrive.



And that’s when the first waterfight broke out, pistols, pools and cups were used to drench the combatants.



Until we were wornout, with my first change of clothes of the day drying on the camper Kim cooked up a treat for tea





With a few more pitches taken dinner was in full swing for most.



Others had already eaten and were just taking it easy



As the sun set we gathered in the middle of the plot to natter until midnight, the regulars of the last five years recounting tales to the newbies.







Saturday dawned bright and sunny and the temperature had hit the early 20s already, we watched Martin inflate Karenzas new toy.



Giving Kim a rest for the weekend I rustled up a mean fry up for us and Emma.



Then the Olympic Village opened for business with the world swing ball championships and the badminton cup.



We took a wander into town during the day for a spot of shopping and to pick up some BBQ food for later as well as some liquid refreshment!



Back at camp we lunched as more people arrived, soon we had are full compliment of 11 pitches.





And that’s when the second waterfight broke out, kids and adults armed themselves and the battle raged on for an hour, over 150 litres of water we squirted, thrown, dunked and sprayed around.









The battle ended with another round of wet pants and a pile of broken pistols, they’d survived a couple of shows of abuse and had done us proud.



As afternoon turned to evening the day visitors arrived, Rob & Hannah on BBQ duties first.







And later Georgie, Molly and Malcs made their Wallingford debut, Kim and I got our first taste of future parenthood.



With enough meat to fill a T5 consumed we settled in for the evening, drinking and chatting relaxing, taking time out for the traditional groupshot.



With darkness upon us I snapped a few arty shots by candle light.





And in the wee small hours we hit the R’n’R bed to catch some Zzzzz



Sunday started cloudy but the sun burnt through, breakfast was a smaller affair, bacon rolls and coffee filling a hole, or a boiled egg if you were Frank!





People began packing up, some to head home, some to make their way to Stonor Park for the VW show, having been many times and knowing what the show is like with the steep hills and blazing sun we opted to take it easy and drop in on a local show on the way home. Packing the van we said our final goodbyes. Once more we had a great group of friends and fantastic weather, roll on 2011.



The rest of the photos are here, thanks for looking.

Steve.