24 units booked for our now annual rally that takes place around summer solstice. Four vans unfortunately did not make it; we ourselves were nearly one of them due to yours truly breaking a leg on a 7 night cruise in May on P&O Oriana. This in itself was ironic as it was taken as compensation for Derek and I contracting the norovirus on a voyage to America the year before(stick to camping - it's definitely healthier!).

Graham tried to give Christie a hand in her wheelchair.  He'll put himself in one at that rate!

We managed to secure a discount for our members once we passed the 15 van mark, this being £12.50 per night including hook up. We rang a few days before to book in for the Saturday to get organised and had to pay the princely sum of £15.40. The rally price was indeed a good deal.

Thank god our friends Ken & Sue Brimson in their Bay called Nelly also turned up on the same day.  We would have never got our awning up without them, and certainly would not have got into the local pub, which was outside the campsite overlooking the lovely Golden Cap and beach. 

The beach - peaceful and unspoilt.

The Anchor is full of olde worlde charm but if you are disabled it is a nightmare.  The fish and chips were washed down with the superb Palmers local ale and were excellent.  All of us decided not to go for puddings,that was until the next table indulged in the most chocolaty gooey sensation topped with Dorset clotted cream.  Three of us succumbed to temptation. I now know how Sue keeps so trim with such cast iron resolve.

The wind was a problem that day and had increased by the time we were ready to retire (no not that sort!). So our webbing strap was added to the awning to prevent it ending up at Yeovil; a wise decision as it turned out.  Memories of our first camp on the Isle of Wight came flooding back when we were hit by 95 mph plus winds.  Luckily they subsided and Sunday became a very nice day as vans started to arriving from different parts of the country.  By the evening we were 13 strong.

John and Jess pose with Pete and their new awning.  Note extra-thick strap thanks to wind!

Purely by coincidence two bays were already camping on the site but the owners just stuck their noses in the air and chose to ignore us.  No surprise that they did not have type 2 stickers on display, as the first qualifications of membership are having a happy and friendly personality and the second is the wish to talk endlessly about your bus to others.  Anyway more about the camp...

The site was well maintained and although every pitch was on a slope, various bricks and slabs were provided for putting under the wheels which was a nice touch.  Extremely good recycling facilitie, well stocked shop,although pricey (as expected) with a loaf of bread being £1.55! Thank god for Morrisons at Bridport only 4 miles away. 

The local bus to Lyme Regis or Bridport was used by quite a few.  Some, but not many,climbed to the top of Golden Cap and enjoyed the amazing view from the top. Derek and I did so in February three years ago. We were restricted to the camp,beach and pub this time.  However we both came home with a good tan.

David & Emma Hamilton kindly took us out for the day on Wednesday when we visited the Donkey sanctuary and Sidmouth. Thank you both so much. Keith Bourbage arrived on Wednesday to take over from us as I had a hospital appointment making it necessary to be back in Reading on Friday morning. 

The donkeys at the local sanctuary are oblivious to the wit of their owner.  The Golden Cap Donkey is not quite in the same league as the Uffington Horse...

Just before the coffee morning Keith said he could smell petrol and when I went into our awning the smell was overwhelming.  It was Daisy dripping petrol.  We had all the pipes renewed last year,a job we do annually yet one had still managed to fray. A big thank you to Keith for sorting this out and getting us back on the road.  I despair at garages who do the job but use inferior low grade materials.  In future we will buy the parts then we can be sure we have the best available. We hated having to go  early but everyone seemed happy and that's a good time to leave. 

There's a picture like this for every camp - Ken and Keith under a bay van!  Who wants beanfeast cooked in a pan that has been used for vehicle repairs?

The raffle made a profit of £23 which we will send to the RNLI.  Next year we will be moving on again.  This area is wonderful when the sun shines (which it did) but would be grim if the weather turned sour. Ideal if you are active and like walking but thin on the ground for man made attractions.  Derek and I love it here as we are not keen on shops and markets etc  The June rally however is for all tastes so we will find a location that suits us all.