excellent, clean and roomy.
We had two 6 berth caravans, in one, The Smug Couples Caravan were, Mike & Sue, Jason & Sue, and Simon & Claire. In the Other, The Singletons Caravan, myself, Debbie, Alice, Lee, and Sarah. 
The Crew: Mike & Sue, Simon & Claire, Jason & Sue, Debbie, Richard, and three friends of some of the above, Sarah, Debbie, and Lee.
Destination: Croyde, North Devon.
Friday 22nd September 2000
We left half an hour later than planned, due to one of the girls, who used our knock at the door, as her alarm clock. Don't worry Sarah, I won't mention your name.
In one car were Debbie, Lee, Jason & Sue, who had been moved on from their waiting place the M25/A21 Junction roundabout by the Fire Brigade. In the other car Mike, Sue, Sarah and myself, were subjected to major 'G' forces, as Mike put his foot down to catch up with the others. We finally met up at the Granada service station, the other side of Bristol, for coffee and pit stop.
On the final leg of the journey, Mike had brought with him a set of two-way radios, which we used to abuse each (verbally that is) and try to out-do each other in a singing contest. I must say that Debbie's car won, with the dulcet tones of Jason 'Elvis' Collins.
Our next stop was Tesco's in Barnstable for supplies, with eight people pushing one trolley, we did look suspect. I was greatly surprised to find that only 8 cans of beer, had by themselves jumped from the shelves into our trolley. It later came to light, that Deb's had filled half her car with lager from her own stash, and as Lee only drank water and bitter, he was the culprit who had blagged the bitter.
On arrival at the caravan site we checked in, and proceeded to our allocated caravan. The accommodation was
excellent, clean and roomy.
We had two 6 berth caravans, in one, The Smug Couples Caravan were, Mike & Sue, Jason & Sue, and Simon & Claire. In the Other, The Singletons Caravan, myself, Debbie, Alice, Lee, and Sarah.
Simon and Claire met us at the caravan, after visiting relatives on the way down, just one to arrive, Deb's mate Debbie, I know could get confusing, so Deb's was referred to as her nick-name, Alice.
The time was now 4.30pm, the sun was hot so we changed into shorts and headed down to the beach for a game of rounders, girls against boys, and yea, we kicked their ass.
Simon had booked us into the Thatch, the local pub, for a meal, where Debbie met us, fed and watered we decided to head back to the club house at the caravan site for the nights entertainment.
Having torn the ligaments in my right ankle 2 weeks prior, I managed to persuade Debbie that the 20 min walk back to the caravan park would impede my surfing next day, and was offered a lift along with Claire, Alice and Sue Letley. Walking between Alice and Sue. I put my left foot down a 10inch deep pothole, and lay spread eagle in the car park, unable to move with my foot still stuck in the hole, badly twisted, I wouldn't have minded so much if I was drunk. And talking of spread eagle, no I couldn't, don't worry Alice your secrets safe, for now anyway.
Back at the club house, we bopped, or hopped the night away, with a few drinks in-between till 12.30am, then it was back to the caravans to watch the rowing event in the Australian Olympics.
I was supposed to share a twin room with Lee, whom I never meet before, but with his severe flatulence, which he blamed on the local bitter was forced to spend the night on the lounge floor.
Saturday 23rd September 2000
After a hearty grilled breakfast, cooked by the girls, I was on washing up duty, Never make scrambled egg in a stainless steel pan, it's a pig to clean off, Debbie.
Alice, Debbie and Lee had booked Surfing lessons which started at 10.30am, off they set all enthusiastic, we finally changed into our wet-suits around 11.15am and made our way down to the beach.
The size of the rollers, about 6ft was impressive, as was the amount of people surfing and body boarding. We had opted for body boarding, purchasing them before hand at a good price. On entering the water, it was colder than anticipated in our 3mm suits, but after a couple of minutes we soon warmed up.
The idea of body boarding, is to stand in chest height water facing the waves with your board tucked into your chest riding the waves coming in, till the right one comes along, you then turn and push off the bottom to try and lay on top of the wave bringing you into the shallows. Not as easy as it seems to catch the wave right. I managed a couple, but the best one was also Claire's, and we spent the entire wave with our boards locked together.
Being a novice at this sport, I thought the best waves were breaking further out, so clinging to the board swam out. Not long after the waves had gone, they were now braking behind me. I was caught in a rip tide, and was being taken out to sea. The shore was now about 150m away, and getting further by the minute. I kicked my legs franticly trying to make headway, and used every little passing wave to urge me on. After about 15mins I was able to touch bottom, and felt a wave of relief run through me. Simon said all he could see of me was my head now and again as I rode over a wave. A close call, I could have ended up on Lundy Island, or worse. We spent in all about 4 hours in the water, with an hour or so lunch break. Then it was back to the caravan for a well deserved cup of tea and shower.
That evening we drove to Woolacombe for fish & chips, followed by wheel-barrow races along the beach. (we really know how to have fun).
Later that night back in the clubhouse, they had a live singer, Debbie Someone or -other, took a liking to Jason, who helped her with backing vocals to Da Do Ron Ron, and Sarah doing rendition of Abba's Dancing Queen, OK, snake lets wriggle. To finish the night off, when the slow records came on, so as not to leave anyone out, we all danced in a large circle, even some of the other guests joined in. We must have really boosted her ratings that night, as all 11 of us, were dancing and singing along with her, much to the amusement of the other guests.
Sunday 24th September 2000 
Another bright and sunny morning. Alice, Debbie and Lee, weren't so enthusiastic this morning about their second surfing lesson, the thought of the cold water had lost its appeal, nothing to do with plenty of drink and dancing the night before, and the aching muscles from Saturdays water sports. Again they had a 10.30am start, we managed a 12.15pm entrance to the surf, Jason wasn't up to surfing today, he had come down with a stinking cold, so in shorts and tee shirt, had opted to sit on the beach with our gear and wind break.
We had only been surfing about an hour
before it had started to cloud over. Mike and myself had started to get caught in another rip-tide, but this time, I was aware of what was happening, and swam inshore.
Around 2.00pm the heavens opened up, for us in the water it wasn't a problem, but poor old Jason, struggling in the wind and rain to clear all the bags and blankets, we left the water to give a hand. By now it was hail stoning, being driven by the rain, they stung as they hit bare flesh. We gathered up all the kit and headed back to the caravan.
After a hot shower and cream tea, it was time to pack for home. Most of us enjoyed the weekend so much, we didn't want to leave. I haven't laughed so much, or drank so much sea water in ages, and can't wait to go back.
Richard Pucknell
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