Derbyshire Centre of the Caravan Club

Web Masters Blog

Updated January 04, 2009

Hopefully you are all into the swing of this by now, I sit here at my desk and write about issues that concern me, hopefully in a light hearted and sometimes (?) thought provoking way.  It is hopefully slightly sideways and upside down.  Please don't take me too seriously as my thoughts may be rally addled.....
Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are not necessarily the views and / or policies of the Derbyshire Centre of the Caravan club
 or necessarily best practice in any field at all.  Do not try this at home.  Other blogs are available and maybe more informative.....

January 4th....

Its a new term, or at least it feels like that.
The schools go back on Monday (mostly), and here in the caravan club, our new season starts this week to...

Yes its a new year, the one I talked about in my last blog, and its finally here....for some its starts next weekend at the traditional season opener-the National Stone Centre, moved this year to Alderwasley for technical and availability reasons, but to many it will still be the Stone Centre Rally, I'm sure.  However there is a major benefit to this move of location as it gives more people the opportunity to attend.

The season follows on with the again traditional Amber Inn rally, where all comers can whiteness, or indeed take part in a spectacle so bizarre there could be a Sky 1 or Channel 5 documentary about it - the "special" karaoke night they run, not for the young at heart this one though - this is full on old fashioned sing along territory, updated for the 21st century, or maybe not??

I guess the point I'm making is that in our centre we have traditions, traditional rallies, traditional venues.  These are things that have grown over time, events that you the ralliers love, enjoy and take to your heart. 

But the centre cannot live by tradition alone, cannot always do the same mix of rallies, things must change and move on, we need to find new fields, new events to capture peoples imagination (fancy every rally having the book shop at Brielow Bar as  its main feature - no, thought you didn't) and find new experiences.  New experiences are not just new places, its new marshals as well - everyone who marshals has a different take on how to entertain and delight.

So as I look forward to this new year of new ideas and of tradition, I thank myself that at least I, and you  don't have to stay at home and wash the car every weekend like my neighbours - what an empty life they lead, how does that make a weekend.......

December 24th....

Ooops is it that long since the last one ...

It is the night before Christmas and all through the house, nothing was stirring except for the hamster....
well that's how it is at webmaster towers anyway, or rather that how it should be, although somehow I fear that may not be the case until at least the small hours of Christmas day. 

Which brings me round to think that for many, the season of goodwill can be a trauma for us caravanners, as it is the only major bank holiday when we are expected to be at home, and not only at home, but at home with our families.  Trapped not within the familiar 4 walls of our caravans, but trapped within the larger walls of our houses which we have (probably) successfully neglected all year. A whole holiday season to look at the peeling wallpaper, the tatty paintwork and review that (ever) long list of "to-do's".  How can we possibly relax under these conditions.

Well fear not, because I have seen the answer, or maybe not.  I was going to say, very unwisely that DIY, even decorating, can be dangerous and should not be attempted when there is mulled wine, and rich food on offer.  But that excuse may wear a bit thin over the course of the holiday, and of course, Mrs Webmaster knows of some sneaky hiding places for my seasonal collection of bottled distractions.

I suspect the real answer to holiday happiness lies not in a visit to Tesco's(*), or the nearest caravan dealers for a new van, although I'm sure that the nice Mr Brown would be happy if we all did, but certainly here at Webmaster towers we'll be thinking about next year, the weekends away, the rallies that we fancy from the 2009 programme and where we plan to go on holiday.  Its a time to look back too, get out the photos taken during the year, even those ill advised ones taken at centre socials, remember the fun we've had, over the year and the times we have spent with friends on the rally field.

So maybe a few days at home isn't all that bad after all, its a time to reflect on the good times, and plan for more next year.  That wallpapering can wait, can't it....

(*) other supermarkets are available

July 5th....
I heard an article on the radio last week that made me think.....
The article was reporting that our friends in the government are becoming concerned that people, enjoying their time away from work at the weekend, may, yes that's right may, eat slightly more than they do during the week.  The article then proceeded to lay the blame specifically at the door of the great British breakfast!! - How dare they???  The story ended with creating a name for this phenomenon, "binge eating"!

Here at webmaster towers, we are certainly very happy with our weekend diet, thank you very much, and if we want to indulge in sausage, bacon, eggs, and beans (other combinations are, I am told, available), I will continue to do so.

But taking this to its conclusion, what next?  Armed supermarket assistants in the bacon isle instructing us to "step away from the bacon", trained ninja's at the tills swooping from the rafters to remove offending items, or sausage rationing "only 1 packet today sir".  The effect could be phenomenal and could perhaps lead to the total collapse of the Cadac market, or even the creation of a black market in black pudding.  The morale of the country is at stake here......

I for one will be taking no heed of this scare mongering.
What ever will they think of next..... "Binge Caravanning"

June 29th....
I am told that the summer is nearly here....
The local papers abound with stories and photo's of things called school proms......
What these are beats me, something from America Mrs Webmaster tells me.  So I reply, are McDonalds and drive-through churches, for whilst I know these both exist, it doesn't mean that we should all rush out and join in.
During this crazy American inspired season, I have seen the most amazing thing - something that can only have been dreamt up in America (or by the Top Gear team) - a stretch Hummer.  This was a creation to burn the very retina's from your eyes; long (very long) tall and very wide.  I hate to think of the petrol costs to move such a thing, but at least I now no longer feel guilty about manoeuvring my caravan round the tight corners of my estate - simple - piece of cake compared to this creation - and not a murmur of complaint from the locals.....

On the positive side, think of the caravan you could tow with one.  Pass the me the phone book....

June 17th....
Well here at Webmaster towers we have just about managed to recover from Inter Centres, the bags under the eyes are just about fading, and that young, carefree complexion is returning (I wish).  

I sit here now reflecting on the major event of the weekend just passed.  No, not the haul of silverware returned to the Derbyshire Centre (but that was great to see).  No, the major event of the weekend was the release of the 2009 rally programme.

Sad as that may sound, we here at Webmaster towers can now begin to work out just how little our long suffering non caravanning friends, relatives and family will see of us next year, and just how many weekend our neighbours will be able to park on my drive (they think I don't know.....).  I know that sounds a bit like "military" planning, and yes it sounds a bit sad, but I know it's not just me.  Around the field there were mutterings of "yes we'll do that, oh and that one", and "yes, that looks good" - so see its not just me.

June 3rd....
It's June, Rihanna is number 1 in the singles chart again, and it appears to be raining again. Lets hope she doesn't manage to ruin the summer of 2008, like she did that of 2007......

Here at Webmaster towers, having scoffed previously about a wet National Rally, it appears as though some hat eating might be in order, I'll have ice cream with that please.  However I realise that some of you who headed for the south and south west may not have had such a dry time over the holiday break.  Safely hidden away in our secret holiday location in the dry north west of the county, the TV pictures of caravaners being mercilessly subjected to being interviewed about the rain was  was a timely reminder of how cruel the national TV stations can be.  We have all been there, sat in the rain that is, not on the TV, but would you really want to smile and say that you enjoy it just as much - even in the rain ?? - No thought not !!

May 23rd....
Well its been a busy year, a new web master, and a brand new web site, with all the features you know and love, and some new ones too.

Me, I mostly like the live weather updates, try them.  Updated at least daily by Metcheck, my weather provider of choice, provided that is they tell me its going to be fine and sunny, if not, then its back to the good old Met Office ......

Talking about the weather..... What a contrast eh, last year April was fantastic.  Last Spring I recall sitting out until late all though the months of April and May.  This year - rain, rain, rain.  This year, and call me nesh (but be careful) myself and Mrs Webmaster never sat out at all, until Sports weekend, and then what a change.  Back to work on the Monday it was, looking like we had had a week in Las Dunas. 
In all our rallying lives weather is important, and the sun always makes the weekend go with a bottle or two (!!), but its not the be all, its friends, and company that make the weekend go by - so bring them on, friends and bottles.......

Here we are now, Spring Bank holiday, or in modern terms, Late May Bank holiday.  Who needs the modern world eh?.  Whilst the world may be concerned about credit crunches, recessions and who knows what else, bring on the weekend.  Whether you are off to the National (don't blame me if it rains - it usually does, you know), or off else where on your own or with friends, I hope you have good break.
(Webmaster towers - May 23rd 2008)