North East Branch Rally – Wallington Hall – 8th June 2008
The original plan was that a number of our club members would be making a weekend of it, out in Northumbria, and be camping at Highburn House Country Park, however, with one thing and another, only Grant and I managed to make it up to Highburn in Wooler on the Friday night. It was a scary prospect for me and it was the first time I had ever driven a Moggie, let alone making a trip of over 90 miles up to the camp site, but I pulled myself together, jumped in our little “Dumpy” and followed Grant who was towing the caravan. Before we even made it out of Darlington, Grant realised we had forgotten our bedding and turned around to go fetch it, sending me on all alone, saying “I’ll catch you up”! Yeah right! I was cruising up the motorway at a steady 55mph, and got loads of friendly waves and a couple of toots from the white van men along the way, it was fabulous! Grant only managed to catch up with me when I was already at the turn off for Wooler! He was amazed that little Dumpy and I had got so far ahead of him. We arrived at the campsite, set up home and went into Wooler for supper at a lovely Italian place called Milan, the place was packed and we now know that we need to book if we are ever in that area again. After supper we took a stroll and ended up in a little pub called The Angel, which is probably not the best pub in Wooler, but certainly the liveliest! We had a great night listening to the karaoke and laughing with the locals. Up next morning greeted by our new found little family, who were outside the caravan each morning, each lunch time and every evening to chat to us and scrounge food! Then we jumped into Dumpy and it was off to Holy Island. What a treat. We spent most of the day trawling around the island seeing all the sights, the Caste, the Priority, the Church and did little shopping. Then it was back to the camp site to polish and clean Dumpy for the rally at Wallington. Sunday dawned, sunny and bright, Dumpy all shiny and ready to go. Up and down the Cheviots to Wallington, a master task to say the least, whilst Dumpy could manage a top speed downhill at 55mph, she certainly struggled up some of the hills only managing a mere 10mph at some spots, to other drivers’ delight! 
We arrived at Wallington and were very thrilled to see so many cars on the field. What a really good turn out of cars and the weather was just perfect for the day. A superb venue for all the family and it was lovely to see so many members enjoying themselves and relaxing in such lovely surroundings.
On to the judging and boy were we surprised and thrilled to learn that Dumpy had won the trophy for “The car everyone wanted to take home”. Grant was very, very proud and hoped that Ray Goldie was looking down thinking Dumpy was a worthy winner! When we got home we phoned Grant’s Mom, and she cried, she was so proud, as Dumpy was Grant’s late Father’s car and bought new in 1954, so a really awesome win for us! Grant & Tracey Cramond