International Meeting May 2009

[Brian M]

Members of the old group will remember that I have taken my Safari to the annual European Classic Caravan Rally in previous years.

I have missed the last two years, firstly due to pressure of work and last year I was having an operation on the same weekend.

This year's event is in Oteppe in Belgium.

I am in contact with the Royale Owners Club and the Cheltenham Owners Club, the former have five members interested but the latter have yet to advise me of their interest.

These are the details as published by the Belgian Club, and if you fancy coming post your interest here.


www.bocc.be/ECCR/eccr-oteppe-E.php




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ECCR - 20 May - 24 may 2009

Where:
Kasteel en Domain L'Hirondelle
B 4210 Oteppe
Belgium


www.lhirondelle.be


Arrival 20/05/09 from 12h
Departure Sunday 24/5/09 before 20h

Pitches:
Each approx 100 sq m with water, water outlet and connection to 6amp electricity. Luxury camping site with Supermarket, Swimming pool, restaurant, fishing pond, lawn bowls, etc

Prices: For four nights including "Grand Dinner"

80 euro - 1 pitch 1 adult
95 euro - 1 pitch 2 adults
15 euro each extra adult
7.5 euro each extra child over 4
15 euro for each extra night after Sunday
1 euro shower token

No extra charges for: dogs, hot water, standing for car, awning
Grand Dinner 3 course meal, drinks extra. Vegetarian menu on request

Programme
Thursday 21/5/09 Free day for meet and greet or local sight seeing
Friday 22/5/09 13.00h reception in the inner court of the castle with entertainment
Saturday 23/5/09 13.00h - 16.00h open door and rummage sale. Look inside everyone's caravan and sale of caravan parts.
19.00h - Grand Dinner
Sunday 24/05/09 - Farewell and presentations

Register before 25th April 2009

For information and registration please contact:
Bart Muylle Tel.: [phone] - E-mail: Buitenland BOCC

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In previous years I have registered by email and paid on arrival at the site, but I don't know if this still applies as they may require a deposit.

My plan is to go over on a ferry in the early hours of Wednesday 20th park up a few miles into France for a few hours sleep before going to Oteppe. I will return on a late ferry on Sunday 24th.

The cheapest I have found is £58.02 - Dover to Dunkirk on Norfolk Line booking via the Caravan Club (you have to be a member). Direct booking is £104.00. ( out - 20/5 04.00h back 24/5 23.58h)

Oteppe is only 155 miles from Dunkirk (180 miles from Calais) so 4-5 hours travelling time.

It would be great to arrange the biggest ever UK classic caravan convoy along some of the route.

[Brian M]

I have been in contact with the Royale Owners Club and they have four members going to this event and as we are all coming from different directions, we are meeting up at a site in Eeklo in Belgium on the Wednesday morning (some are staying overnight) before a 150 mile convoy to Oteppe.

If you want to join us you would be most welcome.

[Brian M]

I spent the weekend cleaning my Safari and had to replace the tow hitch damper with another from my stock of spares.

I am now ready to set off tomorrow evening and will meet up with the Royale Owners Club to form a convoy of five outfits for the run to the ECCR campsite.

Two members of this group will be there, Joskroon is coming from Holland and Akkamas will be there from Sweden although not in his newly acquired Safari. There will possibly be another Safari from Holland that I first came across in 2003.

Will post some pics as soon as I get back on Monday.