19th May 2017 - Eyes Down, Look In

We slept like logs as usual, despite the large generator that was apparently running all night, we didn't hear a thing. On the Friday of last year's show we got the bus to Oxford but this time we left it too late and all the coach tickets were sold out. No problem to us because we fancied a walk round the show.

When we were all breakfasted and ready we wandered over, not very far at all. All the usual displays of accessories, some of them almost useful, and expensive motorhomes. We had a wander round, making a special beeline for the Motorhome Fun stand where we could get free tea / coffee and biscuits.

Time flies when you are having fun and we were soon thinking about lunch. We all had a Cornish pasty apart from Lynda who chose a fishcake (!). It was still quite early but we sat in the marquee and waited for Josh Doyle (Shadows tribute) to entertain us. Josh was on for quite a long time and really knows how to play a guitar. Uncharitable people might say he is not so good at singing but we still enjoyed his routine.

Josh Doyle was our lunchtime entertainment.

Now I reckon its at least half a century since I last played bingo but that's what we did next. The game started at 14.30 and we went to queue up to get our game books and felt tip pens. There are six games each with six bingo cards so quite hectic. We were pleasantly surprised to find there was no charge even though they were offering a £10 prize for each 'full house'. Much to our annoyance none of us actually won but we got close a few times. All quite nerve wracking if you ask me.

Playing bingo and taking it all very seriously

as you can see.

Once that excitement was over we wandered back to 'camp' and sat in Paul and Jeannette's shelter. Paul has a Bluetooth speaker suspended from the ceiling  and Lynda managed to connect her phone to it and keep us 'entertained' with a few tunes.

Party in the tent.....

I had a bit of a snooze then got up and cooked Lynda and I a delicious chicken in herby creamy sauce which was pretty good though I say it myself.

Weather was pretty grim by now but we braved the elements to walk over to the entertainment marquee. We were in the queue for the bar when my phone rang. It was the man from the RAC who was en route to fit Ruby's new diesel filter. This meant there was going to be no beer for me for a while. I walked back to Ruby and waited for the man to turn up.

By the time he arrived at 20.10 the weather was really bad and the poor bloke was fitting the new diesel filter amid thunder, lightning and accompanying downpour. All this meant I missed the first act completely. Many moons ago a band by the name of Gary Pucket and the Union Gap had a couple of hits, in particular a song called 'Young Girl'. All I heard of Union Gap (no Gary) was from inside our van about 100 yards away.

When the repair was done, not very quickly, I could go over to enjoy the rest of the show. I was in time to see the Fortunes who were pretty good.

Eventually we all wandered back to our van for late night refreshments.

The Fortunes on stage.