The summer rally is always a different occasion with the weather warm, the campfire not needed for the maintanence of body temperature and the atmosphere relaxed. For my third summer rally, Youlbury near Oxford was the venue which as it was slightly further than the previous two years involved a train journey as opposed to driving. After leaving work at 2, I began my journey from Lincoln at three via Nottingham, Birmingham and Banbury getting there at some point in the early evening.
The rally organisers had thought ahead so the booking in building included a bouncy castle right aside (not advised after more than one Dutch shandy), so after testing the strength of various bones and my stomach I retired for the camp fire. Like all summer rallies it turned into a long night, with singing a major part. Having previously distinguished myself by introducing Charlie had a mongoose, and forgetting the second line of Ogi I once again did so by forgetting the words to “Ilkely Moor” as I was singing them. As the hours progressed more people appeared, and gradually people disappeared off to bed. At 5am the hardcore were still up, so as the sun rose I disappeared off to bed.
In the space of two hours with the colour of my tent magnifying the light I was awake, and I decided to get up. After a relaxing wonder, I located breakfast and got fed. The morning was an exploration of Oxford, based loosely on Monopoly. Each base could be visited multiple times, and the idea was to collect as many cards as possible or something like that. By the end of the morning the evening before was catching up, so the lunch break at one of the colleges was much appreciated.
The afternoon was as usual spent on activities, having changed at the last minute to the canoneing I was regretting that when I realised I could not actually get into one due to my large bum. Fortunately one of the Bangor girls had the same problem so were given a Canadian canoe, and after finding a helmet that fitted we took to the water. After viewing from a distance whilst the kayakers chased around, we got involved big style when we got to the weir. Having been instructed to go at 45 degrees, we went at gusto to find out when we hit the weir we were supposed to have gone straight. I hurtled out one way, and she went the other way and the canoe followed. After a couple of more close encounters with the Thames, we returned to the base to find that there were no showers so smelling slightly we disappeared back to site – only to find someone was hogging the shower. After a shower, tea there was yet another GP challenge with team Scogui beating Leicester 4-1 in a football match. Prior to the barn dance I disappeared off to the reps meeting now as SAGGA liaison, before getting on the minibus.
A nearby village hall was the venue for the barn dance, and the return of Rannygazoo. The theme for the evening was board games, and we had just played football Subbeuteo was the obvious answer. As a referee in real life, I became the referee for the night. In an exceptionally warm building, with usual playground annex the barn dance progressed in usual fashion with Warwick and Leicester winning fancy dress awards. At 10.30 Auld Lands Syne rang out and the return to the campsite began. As the previous night the expedition to the far side of the site, and the fire began albeit with fewer people for singing. In the early hours I disappeared off to bed.
Sunday followed the usual pattern for silly games (and some frankly strange ones), and a lot of water. With a long train journey awaiting I left prior to the closing ceremony, but this was the best rally that I’ve ever been on was absolutely superb food.
Written by Martin Whelan
