Paul had attended the Sunshine Rally several times many years ago, when it was at its first venue of Stanford Hall, and so when our friends Nigel and Jenny said they were going we decided to join in too. We had a good journey to Rutland Campsite, arriving at about 3.30. We soon got set up and went for a cuppa at the site’s teashop as Christina had been too busy with the new house to bake. We declined the offer of joining the fish and chip run, but joined the others in the hospitality tent later for the quiz – which a variety of reactions as nobody seemed to quite understand how it worked! The following morning we were up early and collected our route map in the hopes that we could get round before the forecast rain. The route had been well thought out, with some interesting stop-offs. We were probably the only ones to stop at the Herb/Garden Centre, but we wanted to have a look round to get inspiration for the gardens that we need to plan. Unfortunately the rain caught up with us and we drove to the main stop point at Launde in quite a downpour. We enjoyed a cup of tea and cakes at the Abbey with other TSSC members before braving the showers to look around the gardens before setting off to complete the run. We got back to the campsite for a late lunch then both managed to nod off for over an hour, woken by someone coming to tell us that the BBQ would be ready in half an hour. Another quiz followed and the evening ended with our team, the NFN’s coming third!
On Sunday the plan was for the cars to be put into the middle of the field for showing, before we were all taken by bus to Oakham for a Treasure Hunt. This proved to be better than anticipated and we spent a good couple of hours searching for the answers to some quite cryptic clues before having a picnic lunch in the castle grounds. We got back to the campsite and packed up the caravan before going to the marquee for the raffle draw and results of the car show, which saw us leaving the weekend coming second in the People’s Choice and then being awarded Car of the Show as the Herald was judged to be the ‘most used, loved and enjoyed car’ in its combo with the Viking. A happy ending to a great, well-organised weekend.
