On arrival we joined the short queue to get in and quickly found our pitch for the weekend, it was already occupied by an unknown “cowprint” Bay, we shuffled the vans around to make some space and approached the neighbours, it turned out that Mr Alanbug had invited his nephew and family as well, so all was well and we set up shop for the weekend. The final peg being hammered home as the rain came down once more, it wasn’t looking good for the next three days. In a break in the weather we set off to check out the show grounds, the traders helpfully open all weekend long so we had plenty to see.
Lily was all smiles as she was wheeled round, ducking into a handy awning as more rain came down.
Stu spied the perfect kettle for Mikey, the colour match was ideal and he was soon brewing a cuppa.
Back at camp I reheated the cassoulet made the previous night and we cracked open some cider for tea. Welcoming the last van on the pitch in as Alan arrived.
With our stomachs full we had an evening wander round the funfair and site before Kim and Lily hit the R’n’R bed for the night and Stu and I chewed the fat till late then turned in, fingers crossed for a break in the weather tomorrow. We weren’t disappointed at all, as the day dawned bright and the sun soon shone down, Lily and me had a play in the awning before a hearty breakfast of bacon sarnies for all.
Alan and Kaiya settled in for a full English!
All cleared up it was time to take in the show, it’s a really relaxed affair with couple of aisles of traders and some displays to keep us busy.
Back at camp we cracked the first cider of the day and had lunch, relaxing under the shelter as the heat really got up. Then it was back out again.
Oh dear lord!
Soon it was ice cream time, as we settled in to watch the barefoot chef BBQing away.
As the others headed back for a snooze I decided to make my yearly hike around the camping areas to see what gems were hidden away in the sea of awnings and Campers. Bumping into Alan we set off, make it down the lake at the far end of the site, a half mile walk from our pitch. Stopping to chat to a lovely copy with an unusual hightopped Bay.
Back at camp it was BBQ time, with Stu on grill duties as ever (you can’t get the tongs off him!) we feasted on some quality meat and sank a few cold ones.
Lily was still awake so had a cuddle from Uncle Alan before we captured the group.
Then it was bed for some and drinkies for others, we nattered till late again before calling it a night.
Sunday dawned a little overcast, but the sunshine soon burnt through and we were blessed with another gorgeous day. Perfect weather for sitting back and contemplating the world!
With everything packed away in the vans we set off for the show’n’shine and the traders once more.
With the sun scorching it was refreshing to catch the spray from the Vanfest T25 fire engine.
Some caught more than just spray though!
Stu mucked in to help pack away and Lily and me just couldn’t resist the opportunity to dress up and have fun.
After watching Alan and Kaiya in the dog competition (you were robbed!) we grabbed lunch and a final walk round the traders and show vans before heading for the plot for one last time.
With the final bits packed away we said our goodbyes and joined the queue to get out.
Hitting the road home we took the long way again to avoid the traffic and made it as far as Membury before Lily decided she was going to wake up hungry so we had a pitstop and a photoshoot with a couple of heavy hitters, one much bigger than us!.
Then it was time for the last leg to home, before the big unpack/tea/washing/bed routine. Once again Camperjam gave us the most chilled and relaxed weekend of the calendar, no rushing around, no schedule to keep, just a few good friends and some cider to enjoy in the sunshine surrounded by some fine vans. 2012 is already pencilled in the diary.
The rest of the photos are here
Steve.
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