Spring Gathering Scarborough 2017
Spring Gathering Scarborough 2017
Friday March 31st – Wednesday April 5th 2017
The IHOC after seven years camping in other areas of the UK made a return visit to the Camping and Caravanning site at Scarborough. The Friday was the first day the site had opened this year so our group members were the first customers. Geoff and Sandra our marshals had been given permission to arrive early so were on site to welcome us including several IHOC members who were attending their first organised meet. Twenty five vans in total. They provided us with information for the meet including some information about local attractions.
The weather stayed dry for the duration of the meet which made socialising with each other much easier although a cold wind at times found us seeking shelter. A new bus service which passed the site made visits into Scarborough very easy and enabled some members to reach further afield by linking to other services. The coastal path was also well used to reach Scarborough by a more scenic route. The nearby cycle route provided an opportunity for the more energetic members to reach Ravenscar and beyond, uphill there and free wheel back!
On the Saturday evening Geoff and Sandra had arranged for us to use the campsite social room for a wine and nibbles evening. A chance to catch up with everyone, hear about winter trips undertaken since our last “Get Together” at Harrogate, discuss plans for the summer and pass on tips and ideas. Many members participated in one of the Left, Right and Centre dice games, popular with members from a previous meet and enjoyed by many of our new IH owners. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss other possible sites for IHOC meets. Horace and Margaret suggested a site near Nottingham for the winter meet this year, members thought this would be a good location so Horace will investigate further and post details on the IHOC website when finalised. There seems to be a bias for meets in the north although we have had meets in Devon and Cornwall in the past. Suggestions for suitable sites from members are always welcome!
On the Monday Geoff led a group walk into Scarborough along the coastal path and then continued into Peasholm Park which is behind the sea front area. The path passes through the largest outdoor arena in Europe, (so a sign claimed). The park had as well as some beautiful planting some interesting features including a large pagoda above a waterfall.
In the evening following the walk we all met in the adjacent pub," The Scalby Manor" for a meal.
On the final full day with the aid of windbreaks we were able to create a wind free area and sit in the sunshine in the afternoon for a few more glasses of wine. Thank you to Geoff and Sandra for organising this meet and thank you to members for the friendship shared. Thank you to Yorkshire for the scenery and all those lovely daffodils which were blooming in abundance along every road side.
Mary & Tony Sutton