Rallies------"What are they about" ?

6106 Views 30 Replies 25 Participants Last post by roger-the-lodger, May 23, 2009

foll-de-roll

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2009

Hi Out of sheer curiosity, I clicked on to Rallies, to find out what it is that attracts people to them,as for the life of me, it is the last thing I would ever want to do when I go away.

Am I missing something? From the photos I see, they are all sat round cheek by jowl, and the vans are lined up like buses in a Depot. What do you discuss? "I've got a bigger one than the bu--er from Biggar"!! Or is it more of "I'm exceedingly reecher than yauw" (excuse my Brummie accent).

Having been a Camper/Campervanner since the 40s, my Idea of going away in the van to the Countryside, is to appreciate and use all the wonders, that it offers, Mountaineerng,Canoeing,Walking,Cycling. It is certainly isn't to Park up in some sodden field, feet from another van, definately not my cup of tea.

Having mentioned that, I am just off to make one. Cheers Andy

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Fatalhud

· #2 · May 21, 2009

Must admit I am the keep myself to myself type,
But we are all different and many people do enjoy a good get together and chin wag
I know that at a rally the MHF crew make you most welcome and if you do not wish to join in they put no pressure on you

Alan H

clodhopper2006

· #3 · May 21, 2009

Dunno, beats me too Andy. Maybe someone will enlighten us.

GerryD

· #4 · May 21, 2009

I am amazed that you have been involved in camping since the 40s and never attended a rally or meet.
We have only been involved since 1960 but cut our teeth on meets.
A rally or meet is like a forum, but instead of people getting together over the internet, they get together at a mutually arranged location. There is an opportunity to chat, entertain and enjoy the countryside. Nobody is forced to join in and there is no snobbery. Some meets/rallies are held on farm fields and some on organised sites. Many others are held at schools where all of the facilities are available and some are at the major shows.
Both of the major clubs, CC and C&CC wrer built on rallies and meets as have all of their subsidiary clubs. If it were not for those rallies and meets you would not have the camping facilities that you currently enjoy as the popularity of camping came from a need to enjoy the countryside as groups.
If you have never rallied, give it a try you may well find a new facet to life and meet new friends.
Had it not been for C&CC meets we would not be celebrating 38 years of marriage today, and my brother and many other friends would not be doing likewise. We were married at a meet and our children were all christened at meets.
Oh, and by the way, if you are stuck on a muddy field, just laugh and enjoy the experience. But please don't knock it if you heven't tried it.
Gerry

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sallytrafic

· #5 · May 21, 2009

Can I just speak up for the in between position

I go to the occasional rally or meet with MHF and other groups and have never failed to enjoy myself, even the one at Butlins Minehead :roll: In fact I should say especially that one.

I have just returned from six weeks mostly wild camping in Scotland and spoke at length to only two other campers, someone who towed the smallest eriba I have ever seen and another who didn't even have a tent but had put up a basha by the side of a wall. Other than that we did have some human contact and handed out a few MHF cards.

As far as I am concerned they are both equally valid uses of our motorhome.

peedee

· #6 · May 21, 2009

Good post Gerry, and a happy aniversary. The first time I ever went out in a caravan was to a rally. Its a great way to get out and about in your local area and it is surprising what you find that you never knew about. Some real hidden gems and experiences. Some folk get really hooked on it, cannot say that was me but it certainly can be a way to meet people and get about at weekends.

peedee

Pudsey_Bear

· #7 · May 21, 2009

I'm certain that there is more to it than just sitting in some wet field, there must be to attract so many people, so come on you camping site fans, just what is the attraction, is it some old pack instinct to join up together, or is it some Monty Python thing where you all get up and recite the "parrot sketch" (sorry couldn't resist), seriously though, what's it all about, why do you drive into a field, pay for the priveledge, just to be with other MH's.

Kev.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

GerryD

· #8 · May 21, 2009

Kev_n_Liz said:
or is it some Monty Python thing where you all get up and recite the "parrot sketch"

Kev.

Yup, done that and more. It's amazing what you can get up to on a Saturday night with very good friends from all walks of life for company and no need for TVs, Games Consoles or any other gadgets to provide entertainment. And no hook ups.
Rallies and meets are great levellers, IMHO much better than sitting on a caravan site watching TV all night.
Gerry

b16duv

· #9 · May 21, 2009

Kev_n_Liz said:
I'm certain that there is more to it than just sitting in some wet field, there must be to attract so many people, so come on you camping site fans, just what is the attraction, is it some old pack instinct to join up together, or is it some Monty Python thing where you all get up and recite the "parrot sketch" (sorry couldn't resist), seriously though, what's it all about, why do you drive into a field, pay for the priveledge, just to be with other MH's.

Kev.

it's the keys in the bowl on the Saturday night :twisted:

karlb

· #10 · May 21, 2009

foll-de-roll said:
Hi Out of sheer curiosity, I clicked on to Rallies, to find out what it is that attracts people to them,as for the life of me, it is the last thing I would ever want to do when I go away.

Am I missing something? From the photos I see, they are all sat round cheek by jowl, and the vans are lined up like buses in a Depot. What do you discuss? "I've got a bigger one than the bu--er from Biggar"!! Or is it more of "I'm exceedingly reecher than yauw" (excuse my Brummie accent).

Having been a Camper/Campervanner since the 40s, my Idea of going away in the van to the Countryside, is to appreciate and use all the wonders, that it offers, Mountaineerng,Canoeing,Walking,Cycling. It is certainly isn't to Park up in some sodden field, feet from another van, definately not my cup of tea.

Having mentioned that, I am just off to make one. Cheers Andy

you cannot ask why of anybodys hobby because the simple answer is why not!!
also by your own admission how can you be so critical of something you have never tried? is it telling i wonder that all your chosen sports are solo ones! live and let live i say if you dont like it or understand it move on and go climb a mountain in your canoe. :roll:

2Dreamers

· #11 · May 21, 2009

We had never been on a rally until recently when we decided to stay on the MHF pitch at Peterborough.

We both thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, meeting different people and perfecting the art of Boules!

I can't say that we will make a regular habit of it as we generally prefer quiet time away walking the dog (sounds boring doesn't it!)

Having said that we have booked for the Global Rally and are looking forward to it, that will be our sociable bit and then we intend to follow on to the Lake District for the quiet solitary bit! :lol:

Hezbez

· #12 · May 21, 2009

Both hubby and I have been caravanners for 20 odd years and now we have been motorhomers for the grand total of 10 weeks!

Up until now we have never been to a rally or meet, BUT, that's about to change - we'll be meeting up with over 30 MHF members who are heading to Amboise. Don't really know what to expect but we're looking forward to it.

tommytli

· #13 · May 21, 2009

a rally stopped us from jacking camping in. we 1st ever camped in july 07 when bought our 1st ever motorhome we tried a couple of sites and i was ready to sell the m/h as soon as i got home, the people on the sites looked and acted like they were waiting for the grim reaper or stomping up and down like it was a pow camp lol so we tried one last time and went on a meet and what a laugh lots of familys our age with young kids like us so they can also play together it was fun, we have only really been on meets since apart when we go europe.

greenasthegrass

· #14 · May 21, 2009

Like Rallies prefer Meets. Meets are more informal and such a laugh. We have never had so many friends. In fact it's got to the point where we would rather go on a Meet than on our own. Gives our boys something to do, entertains us in the evening and broadens your horizons.

Fair enough if you don't like or fancy that kind of thing but don't knock it until you try it.

You should try everything once in life and if you don't like it you don't have to do it again if you do voila do it again!

Greenie :lol:

CliveMott

· #15 · May 21, 2009

Not ralliers but get togethers!.

We are mostly loners and do our own thing mostly around France. But for half a dozen or so times a year we do meet up with others who share some of our interests at motorhome shows and the odd other activity.

Why do we do it - well I guess because we enjoy it. Part of life's rich tapestry and all that.

Why go to so many shows? because one might see a knick knack one must just have - and its a good meeting place.

Is anybody going to the Festival of Lanterns this year? Is this a Rally? . We have booked.

What was the question?

C.

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96706

· #16 · May 21, 2009

Previous to our current motorhome, we used our much loved Mazda Bongo and did several weekend Meets with the club over 3 years, where everyone is raving mad and not like your typical camper at all.
So when we moved up to a bigger motorhome we didn't think that their Rallies could be anywhere near as Barking, judging by photos that we had seen.

However we did our first rally at the Global meet last year at Hatton.
We met up with a really nice bunch of folk on our travels along the Mosel last year and they talked us into giving it a go.

AS I said above, our impressions previous to that were from photos taken at various Club meets ( not only MHF but other manufactures clubs & other associations ) and yes they did look rather stuffy affairs and not our thing at all, mainly old folk sitting around :roll: .

Still we went along and enjoyed the weekend. Left to our own devices to come & go and mix in or not, what a grand bunch of folk they all were. We're off to the Hamble this coming weekend to do it all again & we've also enticed a couple of friends along as well to try it out for themselves.

We still do our own thing, but it is a nice change to meet up with other like minded folk at a different style of weekend.

So as has been said before, just because you think the Rally or Meet looks a bit boring, stuffy or not your cup of tea, don't be critical until you have had a bash. You may well be pleasantly surprised 8O

Oh yes, we are a pair of youngsters at 59 & 55 :lol:

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parkmoy

· #17 · May 21, 2009

We had never been on a rally until recently when we decided to stay on the MHF pitch at Peterborough.

I was going to say I've never been on a rally but I did the same as 2Dreamers - just didn't realise it was a rally. Was it? Certainly everyone was very friendly but I never heard about the boules

I must admit that sitting cheek by jowl with a load of other motorhomes on some school car park doesn't appeal to me but hey whatever floats your boat.

I'm definitely going to try one though, just to see what it's all about :wink:

I hope it's not a 'keys in the bowl' job. Last time I tried that I ended up with a Lada for the weekend

UncleNorm

· #18 · May 21, 2009

Parkmoy said: I hope it's not a 'keys in the bowl' job. Last time I tried that I ended up with a Lada for the weekend

:lol: :lol: :lol: :BIG:

UncleNorm

· #19 · May 21, 2009

Hi Hez and Hubby! (Have I got that the right way round?)

we'll be meeting up with over 30 MHF members who are heading to Amboise. Don't really know what to expect but we're looking forward to it.

A year ago, AuntieSandra and I were in exactly the same boat. We were virgins!! :roll: :lol: Amboise was our first time. We had no idea what to expect but we loved every minute of it. If the weather is half decent, we'll enjoy it again.

So, worry not. We'll look after you!!

Stay safe, stay well!

Sonesta

· #20 · May 22, 2009

I don't think there are any set rules or expectations re how you choose to enjoy the motorhome way of life and nothing is set in stone is it? The whole joy of motorhoming in my opinion is having the absolute freedom to do whatever takes your fancy and suits you and yours best.

We have times where we like nothing more than to escape from the world and people full stop and simply just do our own thing. We love the solitude of wildcamping and being away from humanity is very often for us (especially after a busy summer season at our shop) just what the doctor ordered! We are happy to not see or speak to another living soul and just us two and our 2 little dogs is all we want and need!

However, there are other occasions when it is really nice to mix with likeminded people or friends and enjoy the social gathering of a trip away together, a motorhome meet or a 3 day event such as an outdoor motorhome show. Such ocassions can be great fun

and It is lovely to sit around chatting and socialising with your fellow man. We have enjoyed some great, laughter filled evenings and we really enjoy meeting interesting and different people during our travels, some of whom we stay in touch with through emails and phone calls etc!

Variety is the spice of life so they say and to my way of thinking, the true beauty of motorhoming is being able to holiday in a manner that suits your particular mood and needs at any given time.

There is no right or wrong way to enjoy your motorhome travels, adventures and experiences and it's all about living your life the way you choose and prefer. So do what you want I say - it's your life and never mind what everyone else is doing!

Happy travels.

Sue

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