Winter Meet 2017
IHOC Winter Meet 2017
Thornton’s Holt campsite near Nottingham was the venue chosen for this year’s Winter Meet and it proved to be a good choice, the sites new facilities had just been completed, which were appreciated. Horace and Margaret Pickering were excellent marshals and welcomed us all on the first evening with glasses of mulled wine which enabled us to greet old friends and introduce ourselves to newcomers Colin and Julie Hudnott and Mike Jennings who were attending an IHOC Meet for the first time. Three owners had had to cancel due to health issues; we wish them all a speedy recovery.
The weather during the five days stayed dry, although chilly at times and enabled campers to explore the local area and the main tourist attractions of Nottingham by using the excellent local bus service which took us to the centre of Nottingham in less than twenty minutes. The Castle Museum, the City of Caves, Robin Hood’s statue and the pub Ye Olde "Trip to Jerusalem" were among the tourist sites visited by members as well as the Christmas Market which had opened in the Old Market Square. Shoppers were spoilt for choice of stores to browse.
Exploring by foot required a short pavement walk from site to access the footpaths but it was then possible to walk alongside the disused Grantham canal, which the group did on the Sunday morning, or reach the nature reserves and a little further away the National Water Sports Centre to watch the keen canoeist in the freezing water.
Our Marshalls ably assisted by Ray and Judy Pym arranged a Hot Dog feast on the Saturday afternoon, their awning was transformed into a wonderful cafe complete with fairy lights. No one noticed the chill in the air as we all chatted together and munched our second or third hot dog.
On the final evening Horace and Margaret had arranged for the group to meet together for a meal in a reserved area in the nearby "Shepherd" Pub. The landlords made the group welcome and the choice of food was excellent and enjoyed by all. Here Horace gave the results of the Food based quiz which we had been testing our brains over the last few days. No one had a perfect score but Yvonne and Keith Fowkes had the highest score.
Our thanks to Horace and Margaret for organising such a successful meet and we look forward to meeting members again in April 2018 in Scotland. There are few spaces still available on the list for this meet so do contact Jim and Cathie Cowan if you are interested in attending the Spring Meet and have not yet reserved your place.
Mary & Tony Sutton