Castle Combe, May 2023

[Rambo]

I'll be camping at Malmesbury as per usual

[Saltire]

Well, here are some ideas for starters:

The hardy campers/motor homers usually stay at Burton Hill, where they’re generally allocated a separate area so they’re all together.

Kings Arms Hotel (central Malmesbury) Recently refurbished

Pettifers Hotel (used to be called the Mayfield House). Recent refurbishment. We had the 30th anniversary breakfast there in 2019, and they were very keen to have us back, so I *may* be able to negotiate a discount. 4 miles north of Malmesbury, but I will be driving through to and from the curry so will have a couple of spare seats for those who don’t want to drive to the curry night.

Lovett Farm, Little Somerford. In a village outside Malmesbury; no experience of this one

Folly Farm B&B Long Newnton. Phillippe Adams and his folks stayed here in 2019 and said it was great (and the owners told me they’d be happy to have him back )

Note that I have no personal experience of any of these (except Pettifers), because I live here I’d encourage folks to read the reviews before booking

If you don’t want to stay in Malmesbury with the usual gang, there’s a good selection of B&Bs in Tetbury, which is more of a tourist centre. We also have some “reassuringly expensive” hotels, as you’d expect in the King’s back yard

Feel free to email me if you’d like to ask a specific question.

[Rambo]

Is Pettifers the one with the really nice beer garden that is around the side and back Jonathan? If so, there was lots of posh totty slurping Prosecco in the hot sun on the Sunday, back in 2019

[Saltire]

Is Pettifers the one with the really nice beer garden that is around the side and back Jonathan? If so, there was lots of posh totty slurping Prosecco in the hot sun on the Sunday, back in 2019

Oh yes! Posh Totty Central

[Kathryn]

1. Mark (Rambo)
2. Jim (Muley)
3. TrevorB
4. Pinky
5. Howard (Rusty Wishbond) e)
6. Tuga2112
7. Mike (MPx) - Saturday only
8. Spud (Spud) - Mmm, watching Spuds in Leeds on the Sunday afternoon.....
9. Tony (Blaster)
10. Chris.t
11. RonR
12. Texas - will try to make it - combine a trip to see the kids and grandson
13. Nick & Shell - hopefully camping Fri-Sun
14. Simon_P
15. Hector 2021 - Too new to have even met anyone yet, but sounds like an event not to miss.
16. Alan e But i don't know what i will turn up in.
17. Kathryn

[Fredjohn]

1. Mark (Rambo)
2. Jim (Muley)
3. TrevorB
4. Pinky
5. Howard (Rusty Wishbond) e)
6. Tuga2112
7. Mike (MPx) - Saturday only
8. Spud (Spud) - Mmm, watching Spuds in Leeds on the Sunday afternoon.....
9. Tony (Blaster)
10. Chris.t
11. RonR
12. Texas - will try to make it - combine a trip to see the kids and grandson
13. Nick & Shell - hopefully camping Fri-Sun
14. Simon_P
15. Hector 2021 - Too new to have even met anyone yet, but sounds like an event not to miss.
16. Alan e But i don't know what i will turn up in.
17. Kathryn
18. John (Fredjohn) with Grace

[alan e]

Is anyone that is there Friday night going out to the pub for a drink and something to eat.

[dapinky]

It is on my list of plans to try to firm the event up this week, but I didn't want to contact the campsite when they are concentrating on the Easter rush etc.

I intend to book for Fri/Sat (& maybe Sun) evenings, as that is my 'usual' weekend.... but I know Mark & Phil usually add the extra night, and as it's quite a lot further for me these days, an extra day may be worthwhile.

We have always visited the "Smoking Dog" pub on the Friday evening, as they have held a BBQ and live music event on that BH Friday - so will check if that is happening or not..... it has had a change of ownership and then Covid, so has been 'on hold' for a while.

Last year we just had a BBQ and a few drinks at the campsite - but that depends on numbers & weather.

I'm open for suggestions - certainly I will need to eat something, somewhere - but at the same time, if people are arriving later in the evening, I am happy to wait at the site to support any latecomers, and will sit with a sandwich and a can of cider if required!

[Saltire]

For those staying in the area:

24E1152A-27EB-411B-8A33-C27CCEA77F7B.png

[dapinky]

Is anyone that is there Friday night going out to the pub for a drink and something to eat.

Seeing Jonathans latest post about the Smoking Dog closing, I don't know where I'll be eating/drinking/socialising on the Friday evening.....

[dapinky]

On a separate but related theme - who is camping this year?

I feel well enough to risk sleeping in a tent, and if my recovery continues at the current (slow!) rate, I can even put one up!!!!

I now know that Clemo (and therefore, Lee) won't be coming this year and numbers are looking a bit depleted.

I shall be phoning Burton Hill this week to book Friday & Saturday nights for both myself and Joao (if they'll allow 2 nights, not 3 on the BH weekend - they have been good to us in the past, but I am not taking it for granted in these current times.... if necessary, I'll book all 3 nights, it's hardly a deal-breaker)

I'll ask about using the 'back field' as usual and see how it goes

[Blaster]

On a separate but related theme - who is camping this year?

I'll ask about using the 'back field' as usual and see how it goes

I plan to camp Friday and Saturday night.

[muley]

On a separate but related theme - who is camping this year?

I feel well enough to risk sleeping in a tent, and if my recovery continues at the current (slow!) rate, I can even put one up!!!!

I now know that Clemo (and therefore, Lee) won't be coming this year and numbers are looking a bit depleted.

I shall be phoning Burton Hill this week to book Friday & Saturday nights for both myself and Joao (if they'll allow 2 nights, not 3 on the BH weekend - they have been good to us in the past, but I am not taking it for granted in these current times.... if necessary, I'll book all 3 nights, it's hardly a deal-breaker)

I'll ask about using the 'back field' as usual and see how it goes

Hi. Please could you ask for a pitch on my behalf

Thanks

Jim

[dapinky]

Okay, don't want to start a new thread unnecessarily (but will do if it gets out of hand!).....

.... I have just got off the phone to Burton Hill, and they are fairly well booked up for the weekend.....

... until I said who I was, and that we are happy with the back field - then it all changed to "normality", and we are in!

I have booked 5 pitches at the moment, and paid a tenner deposit for each - obviously, when you arrive and go to reception, they will take more off you quite happily, and you can give me a tenner at a suitable time/location/pub whenever it suits - I won't be chasing you, and I won't go bankrupt for £10.

Karen has put us in the back field, by the telegraph pole. There is electric in that area, as I know that Joao may want it, and if John/Grace are coming in the van & want it, they can - but that is something which is available for those who want it, but not for those who don't.

So, using the information I already have, I have made a list!

Camping pitches:-

1) Dave (Pinky) - confirmed as happy
2) Joao (Tuga) - confirmed as happy
3) Jim (Muley)
4) Tony (Blaster) - confirmed
5) Mark (Rambo)

It is NOT my intention to exclude anyone (I mean you, John!) but without a definitive "yes" I didn't want to risk upsetting them as they are always good to us - it is a busy time for them and don't want to reserve spaces we won't use....

..... the field is large enough to fit more in easily, and anyone who wishes to join us is more than welcome to give them a ring on 01666 826880 and join us - the booking is in my name, but I haven't given anyone elses details (except mentioning Mark in conversation!), so asking to go "with the Lotus lot" will get you in the right place.

They have a policy of taking a minimum booking of 3 nights on a BH weekend, but are aware that we are likely to be going home on Sunday (except maybe Mark, and anyone else who wishes to remain) - so if this doesn't suit you, and you want to stay on, just give them a ring and it won't be any problem at all.... Likewise, I have told them we will arrive Friday, but if anyone is getting there earlier, just let them know,

If they guys on the list are happy, please let me know - likewise if you can't now make it...

....anyone else, feel free to give them a ring and add yourself to the booking/list.

[Blaster]

Cheers Dave. I plan to arrive late Friday afternoon.

[muley]

Hi Dave

Very happy with the arrangements ~ I'll arrive Friday around lunch time

Not sure what we'll do without the Smoking Dog ~ there's a "rustic" pub with "rustic" locals one end of the village and the other pub at the far end is graced with a grumpy landlord

[Tuga2112]

any of you guys has a good quality drone to take footage of the event that i could borrow ?

[dapinky]

Hi Dave

Very happy with the arrangements ~ I'll arrive Friday around lunch time

Not sure what we'll do without the Smoking Dog ~ there's a "rustic" pub with "rustic" locals one end of the village and the other pub at the far end is graced with a grumpy landlord

Not sure which pub is which from your descriptions!!!! I have used the Rose & Crown as a stop-off on the way to or from the curry house, but (apart from the nice dog) it didn't do a lot for me.... I'm sure that there are more than just the 2 - but the trick is finding one worthy of the custom. Lets be honest, the Dog was only worthwhile because of the music/beer/cider/BBQ event - surely there must be a 'proper' place in the town where we can grab a bite to eat and a drink?

[Saltire]

Hi Dave

Very happy with the arrangements ~ I'll arrive Friday around lunch time

Not sure what we'll do without the Smoking Dog ~ there's a "rustic" pub with "rustic" locals one end of the village and the other pub at the far end is graced with a grumpy landlord

Not sure which pub is which from your descriptions!!!! I have used the Rose & Crown as a stop-off on the way to or from the curry house, but (apart from the nice dog) it didn't do a lot for me.... I'm sure that there are more than just the 2 - but the trick is finding one worthy of the custom. Lets be honest, the Dog was only worthwhile because of the music/beer/cider/BBQ event - surely there must be a 'proper' place in the town where we can grab a bite to eat and a drink?

I’m making some enquiries from friends who live in the town (I’m four miles out, so don’t use any of the town pubs)

[Saltire]

The Malmesbury petrol station is having a revamp (and switching from BP to Texaco fuel). Yesterday, they were taking down the old BP signs - and look what it said underneath:

5A514C04-34E9-4A3E-85E2-8B0F0F0382BF.jpeg