Rally Chat European Continent Rallies

[nicholsong]

Are there any rallies planned on the Continent for 2025 or 2026? I have read about some in the past on MHFun.

I have never been to one in 15 years and it does not seem cost-effective to take a ferry to UK just to try out a rally.

 

[tonka]

Jim did the Marjal rally back in 2012.
I have organised 2 in Spain and gone with 2 groups to Morocco in the past.
Did attempt to try and arrange a September rally a few years ago in the middle of France, to tie in with Funsters on route down to Spain But it was like pulling teeth trying to deal with French campsites.. Gave up in the end.

Most on the Continent get arranged more as general meet up's. Been to the Moselle twice and always ended up with a small group of funsters. Benidorm is also good meet up location with Funsters staying for a few months or just a short while as they pass through.

 

[chaser]

Ok I know
But hasn't anyone else thought of having a meet in gravelines?
It would be ideal for first timers to Europe, twenty minutes from the tunnel.
Also anyone else who are planning a tour, it's an Ideal place for the beginning or end of your tour. A completely typical french village with everything you could want apart from hookup.
For many people down south it's easier to get to than places in UK.
Plenty room to sit out, no one complains.
By the harbour, sea just down the road.
In short ideal for a short break.
If anyone thinks it's a goer I would be interested.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There was one at twin lakes that was well attended by funsters. The venue then wasn't that good but I believe its now changed hands . British run.

 

[chaser]

There was one at twin lakes that was well attended by funsters. The venue then wasn't that good but I believe its now changed hands . British run.

That was the only rally we have been to, as it was in montendre where Julie used to live, and our avatar is taken outside a bar there.

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[peterc10]

When I complained that there were no rallies or meets in the South East, it was suggested to me that I should arrange one. It turned out to be easy enough and rewarding to do, but was bloody hard enjoyable work. We only did one just before Covid and by the time it was all clear we decided that hospital arrangements and other personal situations meant that we could not do it again.

So why not have a go organising one yourself. Jim has a guide somewhere on the website to explain about how you can do it.

 

[chaser]

How much organising would my gravelines idea need, just announce the dates , all book your own ferry and draw onto the Aire and just talk to folks.
What's hard about that.?

 

[peterc10]

How much organising would my gravelines idea need, just announce the dates , all book your own ferry and draw onto the Aire and just talk to folks.
What's hard about that.?

So why not organise the idea yourself?

 

[stevewagner]

Are there any rallies planned on the Continent for 2025 or 2026? I have read about some in the past on MHFun.

I have never been to one in 15 years and it does not seem cost-effective to take a ferry to UK just to try out a rally.

Quite often there are rallies arranged that follow on after motorhome shows, which would make it more cost effective for you. Particularly if you use the Dieppe to Newhaven crossing and take advantage of the over 60’s discount.

 

[chaser]

So why not organise the idea yourself?

Well I have mentioned it before but get absolutely no interest, we are going to be there round about the 15 march for a fortnight if anyone is interested.
That's it can't see what else is needed.
I would be quite happy to direct folks to the bars and services and other places.
At the moment it's 4 euros a night but goes up to 7 but not exactly sure when.

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[bellabee]

That was the only rally we have been to, as it was in montendre where Julie used to live, and our avatar is taken outside a bar there.

and I've always imagined that your avatar was taken at Gravelines.

 

[chaser]

and I've always imagined that your avatar was taken at Gravelines.

No it was taken by the late great Popeye in the town market when we were both at twinlakes .

 

[chaser]

See what I mean? No interest in this at all.
Can't even be bothered to tell me I'm an idiot.

 

[Peter and Julie]

That was the only rally we have been to, as it was in montendre where Julie used to live, and our avatar is taken outside a bar there.

It's changed quite a lot! Rob and Jen the owners are great hosts. Bar rebuilt, pool relined and a new decent toilet block has been done. 16amp hook up. I'm a bit bias as I use it as a base for the rest of the South i.e. Spain and Portugal. It's well worth a meet as the field is about an acre? maybe more. Oh and the restaurant/bar (gets busy, from French locals enjoying English inspired food) has a UK Chef called Steve during the summer months. Will be there from July 14th for, don't know how long yet.

 

[MisterB]

Well I have mentioned it before but get absolutely no interest, we are going to be there round about the 15 march for a fortnight if anyone is interested.
That's it can't see what else is needed.
I would be quite happy to direct folks to the bars and services and other places.
At the moment it's 4 euros a night but goes up to 7 but not exactly sure when.

15 March? Where were you contemplating a meet? We are on the tunnel in the 16th heading down to Gibraltar (slowly) enjoying whatever we find on the way there and back !

Last time we met was at the tunnel terminal when we were delayed and I came over to your brightly coloured (exterior) van conversion lol!

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[chaser]

15 March? Where were you contemplating a meet? We are on the tunnel in the 16th heading down to Gibraltar (slowly) enjoying whatever we find on the way there and back !

Last time we met was at the tunnel terminal when we were delayed and I came over to your brightly coloured (exterior) van conversion lol!

On the field of the Aire.

 

[chaser]

On the field of the Aire.

Date was only a suggestion, as we shall already be there, but anytime when it's better weather would be ok , whatever anyone wants.

 

[MisterB]

On the field of the Aire.

Is that Gravelines Aire?

 

[chaser]

Is that Gravelines Aire?

Yeah

 

[nicholsong]

When I complained that there were no rallies or meets in the South East, it was suggested to me that I should arrange one. It turned out to be easy enough and rewarding to do, but was bloody hard enjoyable work. We only did one just before Covid and by the time it was all clear we decided that hospital arrangements and other personal situations meant that we could not do it again.

So why not have a go organising one yourself. Jim has a guide somewhere on the website to explain about how you can do it.

Who is the 'yourself' in your suggestion?

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[bigtwin]

Can't even be bothered to tell me I'm an idiot.

Perhaps folks have felt constrained by Rule 1.

Ian

 

[peterc10]

Who is the 'yourself' in your suggestion?

All the paid up members of Motorhome fun. Without volunteers there will be no MHF meets or rallies

 

[chaser]

No ,, it was the idea I was trying to put across, gravelines was just an easy one for me to use as an example.
But I don't see why anything has to be formal and a lot of organisation, if people want to meet up with other folks all you have to do is find a big enough aire where there is always room, say on here you are going to somewhere and when and ask if others would be interested in meeting up, you don't even have to have names and numbers as it's an Aire anyone can turn up as long as there is room, insurance and stuff wouldn't come into it as you would all have your own as normal.
How many times do we see someone say we were at such and such and others will say oh we missed you we were there last week.
With a bit of forward planning and a post or two on here it could all be brought together.

 

[EuroTrotters]

we attended a rally in Alfaz del Pi, Spain back in January 2012.

We were probably the youngest people that attended, much younger, nowhere near the birthday party we attended who was 50. Apart from attending their Birthday party, we didn't get involved. It wasn't for us.

 

[tonka]

we attended a rally in Alfaz del Pi, Spain back in January 2012.

We were probably the youngest people that attended. Apart from attending a Birthday party, we didn't get involved. It wasn't for us.

YES... But i guess it wasn't a FUN rally..

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[chaser]

we attended a rally in Alfaz del Pi, Spain back in January 2012.

We were probably the youngest people that attended, much younger, nowhere near the birthday party we attended who was 50. Apart from attending their Birthday party, we didn't get involved. It wasn't for us.

We are not rally goers either, as I said we have only been once to twinlakes but for others who might like a try, my idea is a no cost option, no money up front just your ferry or tunnel and the cost of the Aire, nothing binding, if you don't like it when you get there just leave, or you wouldn't even have to say you were going if you know where it is and when, you could just draw on the Aire unannounced and see what is happening much as we did at the twinlakes one and ended up staying 3 nights.

 

[chaser]

Maybe there are more people than we think who actually don't want to meet up which is fine but makes this thread a non starter.

 

[L' Hobo]

YES... But i guess it wasn't a FUN rally..

FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I think this thread highlights the misunderstanding of terminology and expectations of shows vs rallies vs meets vs gatherings or other groupings.

Shows such as Warners are often thought of as rallies. There are usually club areas but you have paid the show runner, warners, for your pitch and their organisation, even if mhf is then providing some of the marshaling.

Rallies tend to be formally organised by a mhf member. A venue field, club ground, is booked by the organiser, licences are obtained through fun, and a dedicated rally thread is set up in the mhf calendar for the attendees who pay the organiser who then pays the venue. The organiser may or may not schedule entertainment activities. Rallies can be 20 vans or 150. There are few willing to organise due to effort needed.

Meets are also organised by a mhf member but differ in that they typically take place on a regular campsite, using the campsites own commercial licencing. The meet organiser suggests the venue dates and may have negotiated a discount. The meet will have a thread in the rallies section of mhf.

Anything else has to be thought of as a gathering or grouping. Typically they will be informal, and often ad hoc. Those participating will be acting as individuals on their own insurance and parking as permitted by the rules of the aire, campsite, or whatever. It might only be a couple of vans. It could be suggested by anyone.

It is this informal gathering that I believe is promoted by chaser . Problem is that suggested dates and venues get immediately lost if buried in the middle of a thread like this one. Similarly, suggestions get lost if in a general discussion of your travel plans. Hence disappointment that no-one responds.

If someone wants to suggest even a gathering then it needs a dedicated thread with a clear title showing proposed date and venue.

 

[meanders]

Might I suggest that there was a a difference between a rally and a meet? A rally usually has some things organised, whereas a meet is just a gathering where anything that occurs is impromptu. Organising a rally off season is more complex than in the summer as you have to find a venue with indoor space. Having organised several rallies but then spent many hours with MisterB trying to organise a rally for this new year, with insufficient interest to allow it to run, please do not minimise the work involved. Organising a meet up is relatively easy. You have kindly published the dates you will be at Gravelines, but then grumbled that there is no interest shown within a day yet many Funsters will have been spending time with families etc. Can I suggest you put those dates upon the rally section as a rally, and see what response you get in the next month or so.

Unfortunately, personal matters mean we are extremely unlikely to get across the water this year, and may not get to any rallies here having managed just the Swaffham Bash, an evening visit to Thorpe leisure Spoken, and a one day trip to Henham Steam rally this year. 2/3 years ago we would certainly have included Gravelines in upr journeys as we always have, and would be likely to have organised our trip to include a few days with you. Sadly, that is not going to happen this year. I am facing the possibility that our motorhoming years may be drawing to a close. .

I really hope you get some takers.

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