Biggest Big Wallingford Campout ever!

Now in its sixth year, the little camping trip before Stoner Park VW show I first organised in 2006 has grown. From five pitches and a dozen people to 14 pitches and almost 40 friends. In early February I contacted my man on site as the snow was melting away, he still had our little corner of the campsite free and £100 deposit would hold it. The week before the camp out the rain was lashing down and there was talk of high winds too, not ideal weather, but I put a good word in with the chap downstairs to send some heat up and low and behold it worked! As the week wore on the temperature rose until by mid day on Friday as we arrived it was in the high 20°C and sunny.



Parking under the trees we grabbed some lunch as the last campers vacated our mini show site and with Malcs, Georgie & Molly alongside we pitched and relaxed in the sun waiting for the others to arrive. Clare was first in with her new Newbie looking stunning followed by Fiona and Phil, shedding work clothes in favour of something more suitable and arming themselves ready for a soaking later!





Stu & Millie along with Oscar pitched up with the pole less tepee, some skilled gaffa taping and the assistance of the Wally errection team had them sorted in no time. Pabs & Babs rolled in shortly after and one side was full up.



After the success of the paddling pool last time I bought a new one so Lily could have a splash about in safety and so we all had somewhere to chill our drinks and reload the waterpistols.



The soakings stated early and there was soon a line of pants and shorts drying on various vans!”



Then we settled in for the serious business of chilling in the warm evening sunshine and having a drink.



By the end of the day, Camp Wally was heaving with vans with only a couple of pitches left for the Saturday, we whiled away the night chatting and drinking before hitting the air/rock’n’roll beds





Saturday dawned grey and overcast, ever the optimist, I was convinced the sun would soon burn through and after a hearty breakfast of pork I was proved right.



We left some people snoozing and headed into town for the traditional wander round and BBQ run.



With bulging sacks of meat and booze we staggered back to camp and unloaded, the rest of the group had now arrived and we were officially full up. With lunch out of the way I took a walk round the camp to make sure everyone was happy.









With the sun in and out we decided it was now or never for the final waterfight of the day, it started small and then snowballed, I don’t think anybody on site escaped with out some form of soaking, from a slightly damp t-shirt to the full blown damp knicker experience.











Those that were still sort of dry then inflated Dave & Mandi’s kayak and headed for the Thames. With more sun beating down Millie and Ethan paddled up and down for an hour whilst the bigger kids mucked around in the river.











Heading back to camp across the fields the smell of BBQ drifted through the air, Phil and Stu with help from Malcs and Fiona served up a massive table full of meaty treats as everyone on camp pitched in and delivered a seemingly endless supply of food to cook, by the end of the evening everyone was groaning under the weight of food and drink. Its one of my favourite parts of the weekend as everyone gets together and natters for hours.







Rob & Hannah joined us late on with yet more food once it was all eaten and before the light faded I took the opportunity to grab a massive group shot, everyone who made the weekend was in it, I count 40 if you include dogs!



Then the silliness began as the drink flowed and everyone relaxed even more.







We all gathered round Franks van to sing Happy Birthday to Yen and eat cake. Mmmm



And then it was time to drag the chairs under the shelter and talk twaddle till midnight, tales were told and and I did a bit of sit down light graffiti.






And as the night got colder we battened down the hatches in anticipation of a stormy night, high winds and rain were forecast so we took no chances and settled in for the night in bed.

Sunday morning dawned grey again, but it showed no signs of clearing, the winds hadn’t blown us all away so those that were heading to Stonor for the VW show packed up and said goodbyes before hitting the road. The rest of us grabbed breakfast. It was Lily’s second ever camp and after the sleepless nights and Santa Pod, she coped much better. Sleeping in a van appears to be the most exciting thing ever.





With Kim, Lily and Fiona dispatched to town for a walk, Phil and I packed everything up as some took the walk of shame to the bins!



One by one we departed, goodbye hugs and the promise of Wally 2012 to come everyone was in a good mood.



Back from their walk the girls clambered aboard the Camper and we headed for home, not stopping this time as the heavens opened shortly after setting off. The final touch to the van, the much sort after 2011 camping sticker. A big thank you to Martin for saving the day and making loads of purple stickers for us.



And that’s it, the list of thank yous would be 40 people long. So I’ll just say a massive thanks to everyone that came along. The weekend was a huge success again and it proves that you don’t need a big show to organise a get together, any excuse will do! To everyone that camped, cooked, got wet, paddled, chilled, relaxed and had fun. Check your inbox in early 2012. Bring on the Big Wallingford Campout.

Steve.

The rest of the photos are here


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