Chudleigh renowned for being the pretty Village of Roses is where we gathered to see the old year out and welcome in 2010. The residents of this small village cultivate rose gardens which extend along the length of the main street and their private gardens also, when in bloom are a wonderful sight. We were to see historic Bentley estate as we arrived and find also Chudleigh the home of the "Honey Farm" and all its attractions. We were lucky enough to be sited opposite the Honey Farm and close to shops etc whilst still maintaining a country atmosphere.
Poppy's as far as you can see
The Bentley Estate
Chudleigh Honey Farm

We had the usual early arrivals on the Monday who remarked to a person on the beautiful roses that lined both sides of the main street of Chudleigh. Our happy hour was a cosy affair where we were to catch up with our friends once more and discuss the christmas happenings.
Tuesday dawned very sunny and warm and as the day was forecast to reach the high twenties we erected our beloved yellow canopy and hooked up the urns to welcome our members as they arrived. A few had bought along their cars and decided to drive out and have a look at the many sights of the area including the many fields of Poppy's that were in flower. It wasn't long before the disc bowls were being utilised and the laughter must have caused the local population to believe that we had put something in our water.
The day was to get hot indeed peaking at 31 degrees and we sought the shade of the few trees in the grounds as we swapped yarns etc to cool down. Happy hour arrived and we gathered under our canopy where we welcomed members and interstate visitors plus welcomed to the Chapter Geoff and Elaine as new members. Don, our host, was to inform us of what was in store for us to enjoy over the next few days leading up to New Years Eve including the many tourist facilities in Chudleigh and other areas close by.
Many were to buy hamburgers etc for their evening meal from the local shop for it was far to hot to cook inside our motorhome's and those cooking on the club barbecue were to eat their meal outside, after our meal we gathered in the twilight to enjoy the coolness and to have a good chat about this and that. One of the local blokes came over and asked us to put a cricket team together to play against the locals. We indicated that we were prepared to play the locals at Disc Bowls and if they won then we would play them cricket, of course we are hoping they do not win! Then it was off to bed after an enjoyable hot day.
One of the many display of Rose's that line the main street of Chudleigh very nice indeed
Wednesday was overcast though very humid and would stay that way for most of the day. There were many late risers this morning and others were walking around the town taking in the lovely attractions that Chudleigh has to offer. By mid morning there were many more arrivals and many after parking were off to the Honey Farm to purchase all types of honey and fruit flavoured ice cream. Others were content to gather in groups and catch up with friends and then move on to the next gathering.
Host Don outlining programme
Wendy & Liz booking in
Gathered for a chat
Our beloved Sheriff was to arrive and he immediately looked to see if badges were being worn. The afternoon was sunny and more ice cream was the call of the day to seek relief from the heat. The clouds had cleared and the sun was really hot and burning we were happy to seek the shade of the trees. Happy hour arrived and our piper, Graeme, was to pipe us to attend. The usual Birthday's and Anniversary's were announced and a hearty happy birthday was sung by all. Of course the Sheriff was to let us know of our alleged misdemeanors and much laughter was to prevail due to this.
Motorhome's filling showground area Rose's beside our Rally site
Time for our meal with a few enjoying the take away service from the shop once again and others using the Chapter barbecue, for the day was a little to warm to cook inside, after our meal it was time to gather and watch the puppet show with Shaun and his various characters all very professionally carried out which brooked much laughter. The evening cooled off and we were to sit around talking with a few playing disc bowls before going off to bed, another great day.
Shane our Puppeteer with his various characters, most entertaining
The morning was foggy when we arose on the last day of 2009, those that arose early, that is, saw the wonderful foggy sight across the many fields in the area. The day was quick to clear and the sun broke through and warmed the day quickly.
10am arrived and the chartered bus arrived that Brian was to drive and away 22 of us went to the Marrakoopa Caves some way from our Rally site, it was pleasant drive through the countryside which looked resplendent with fresh cut hay awaiting final harvesting and the poppy's waving on the breeze, through Mole Creek and then onto the Caves.
Busload of members to Marrakoopa Caves Sealed track to Caves
We had to bring extra clothing for we were informed that the temperature would drop to 9 degrees underground the surface temperature being 28 degrees and humid. We paid and picked up our guide and we were soon heading underground, as soon as you go through the entrance it is like walking into an air conditioned space given the heat of the day sucking the cold air out of the caves. We were to see plenty of glo worms in the ceilings and then we were to look at the well lit stalactites and stalagmites. It was all very beautiful and intriguing the manner in which the limestone caves have developed over the centuries. We were climb and then through very narrow low ceilings until we would reach another amphitheatre.
In a few areas we were not allowed to use our camera's due to the flash element and whilst in areas where we could use our camera's flashes were going off everywhere. The whole tour which took over an hour and could only be described as great and worthwhile.
Stalactites and Stalagmites of the Marrakoopa Caves
We thanked our guide and we were out in the heat of the day once again and heading into Mole Creek. The woman insisted that we pull up at the craft shop at Mole Creek whilst they browsed, those that did not get off the bus sweltered in the heat of the day. After much coercing from our Sheriff the woman made their purchases and we were back on the road enjoying the wonderful countryside.
When we arrived back at the Rally site we found those who did not go on the trip cooling down under the trees with the help of the afternoon breeze just relaxing and chatting. As we went off to have a very late lunch we noted that it was to hot for anyone to play disc bowls.
Happy hour was to arrive and after the announcements and fines from the Sheriff it was time to take a minutes silence to remember those members, Dick and John, who recently passed away, it was quite a somber occasion of remembrance.
Seated in Hall for meal
Smorgasbord Meal
Pipers Lament
At 7pm we wandered over to the hall for our Barbecue smorgasbord, the ladies were in their finery and the men were well dressed. We were to have pre dinner drinks and then our host Don called us up by table to get our meal and what a wonderful choice of different meat, chicken and salads just to name a few. The plates were certainly full with some returning for extra's. Before the sweets Graeme piped in the haggis and the pipers lament was read to much laughter and then it was time for sweets. There was also a good choice of sweets and due to the heat of the day the ice cream certainly was consumed very quickly.
Many headed out to the small park next door to try and cool down for to say that it was humid was an understatement, as it cooled down a little Bob then started his music and many were to dance the evening away until midnight. Prior to the bewitching hour. We were also treated to forked lightening which despite the nearly full moon lit up the sky brilliantly. There was only a few drops of rain though the wind was high forcing members back to their motorhome's to close vents and pull in awnings.
Many were to drift off to bed prior to midnight and then the countdown to midnight then everyone was up wishing all a happy new year to the strains of Auld Lang Sine. Did everyone go to bed? No! they drifted off to the private party next door until the wee hours of the morning.
Scenery close by Chudleigh with lovely walking tracks
It would be true to say there were not many early risers this morning, the first day of 2010, as the morning wore on the hot water urn was put to good use and a few took in the sights around Chudleigh especially the lovely rose gardens that abound.
The day was very humid again and those with vehicles with them drove out to Caveside, Needles and the various tourist venues in the wider area. Either windows down or air conditioning on was the order of the day. Though humid many were to catch a breeze under the trees in an endeavor to cool down.
Happy hour arrived and our Sheriff put his fine box away at the request of mother and those committing a misdemeanor were named and shamed . This lead to much laughter. Disc bowls had been relocated under our yellow canopy and happy hour under the trees in the shade. By acclamation we thanked our Host Don and helpers for such a wonderful Rally. The local take away shop did well in the evening for it was far to hot again to cook inside our motorhome's.
After our meal we adjourned to the long room in the shed where some ribald jokes and other forms of hilarious behavior took place, then it was off to bed around 11pm.
Saturday arrived and during the night rain arrived which cooled things down and only lasted long enough not to cause any problems. Many were to leave this morning and so we pulled down our beloved yellow canopy and packed all away in our trailer for the next rally at Myrtle Park. We bid farewell to those leaving and relaxed for the rest of the day for the Rally was now officially over with the last of us pulling out in the morning.

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