The meetings held in the 12 months from September 2010 were both interesting and very varied.   The Abingdon AGM weekend, the 10th anniversary of the Club, attracted a record 28 vans.   Once again the venue with its river side location proved to offer a great deal to do.   A boat trip up river to Oxford which has  so much  - shopping, art galleries, museums, colleges, and pubs.  This is a great place for photography.   Nearer to ‘home’ Abingdon itself has a lot to offer.     September saw a smaller group getting together at the Little Paxton Sailing club, this time a lakeside location.   St Neots was within walking distance and turned out to be a place of considerable interest and the nature reserve adjacent to the sailing club had very pleasant walks.   Just four intrepid members braved the abnormal conditions to visit a very snow covered Crystal Palace Site in November and lived to tell the tale.   April 2011 - An Informal, informal meet (ie. it is more informal than our normally informal meetings in that nothing is arranged - you just turn up) at Crystal Palace.   Participants take advantage of the places of interest near the site (including the excellent Dulwich Art Gallery and the adjacent park) as well as venturing into London to visit its numerous attractions.   May saw the club’s meet at the beautifully located site at Stourhead next to the renowned Gardens designed by Capability Brown and Stourhead House built for banker  Hoare (no change there then).   It’s a great area for walking and two walks from the site were enjoyed in sunny weather.   The 25th anniversary of the la strada company in Echzell was not really a club meet but 7 la Stradas from the UK made the journey to join a large number of German vans and several from other parts of Europe.   In addition to two evening buffet meals, a chance to see the latest models and tours of the factory a coach trip to Frankfurt was arranged by the la Strada team.   The visit also provided an opportunity to explore the small but delightful town of Echzell.   Although something of a contrast from the visit to Stourhead the Ironbridge meet had its own very special flavour.   Nigel managed to persuade the mangers of the Blists Mill, Victorian Town, Museum that it would be a good idea to allow 15 vans from the club to stay in the yard at the back of the museum. (It later transpired that Nigel had himself helped to clear up the yard prior to our visit).   The location had the advantage that our members had easy access to the very interesting museum.   Other museums and the Iron Bridge itself in the area were accessible by the free bus service which operates at the weekend.   A visit to the Green King Brewery for a tour and lunch at Bury St Edmunds was a highlight of the meet at the Rugby Club Grounds just a short walk from the town centre in August.   It is perhaps rather surprising that, following the visit to the brewery, six members managed to cycle to see Ickworth House.   A common theme of these meets is the many opportunities to inspect the other peoples vehicles and discuss all things mechanical, layouts, problems, improvements etc. Another institution frequently adopted at some time during the meet is the “American Supper” where everyone contributes food.   The resulting meal is both plenteous and varied.     At the start of each meet it is now customary to have a Welcome ‘get together’ to let people know what is available in the area and to advise as to activities which they may wish to attend.   More often than not nibbles (crisps, nuts and sometimes a lot more) to accompany the drinks brought by members, are provided by those running the meet.  We are most grateful to them for their generosity.   Tony   Back to front page