Doughnuts and burnouts

Its been a couple of months, but as the weather was so good as the Facebook group was buzzing with excitement we decided to head up the A3 to Krispy Kreme once more. Blue skies (but chilly) and the end of the show season meant there was a massive turnout of American muscle, so much so we ended up parked half a mile away in a side street, the walk back lined with some amazing cars.







Every possible space was taken, people were double and triple parked, blocking driveways and the carpark itself and the place was heaving with owners milling about.







We wandered around outside until Malcs, a KK virgin, called to say he was in the queue inside, so a dozen sweet treats and a cuppa were the order of the day (the next dozen is on me!) We nabbed a booth and settled in for the morning, being joined by JTB.







Leaving Kim and Lily indoors the chaps headed out as the cars began to leave, a meet at the London Motor Museum their destination for the rest of the day. Spirited getaways were the order of the day, with several 11s being laid on depature.





There was still some quality metal on show in the carpark and surrounding area. Lots of familiar cars, but also some new ones too.







Double red line. Pah! I laugh in their face.



And with that the majority of cars had left, we carried on our chat before deciding that it was almost lunch time and the BTCC finals on ITV4 had already started it was home time.



I doubt we’ll see another meet that full for a while as winter is looming close, but the lure of doughnuts and good company is too hard to resist. We may have to arrange a meet there of our own one day.

The rest of the snaps can be found here.

Steve.

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Classics in Thatcham

For a few years now at the start of October we’ve been heading down the A4 to Thatcham for the Classic & Sportscar show on the village green. Last year it was Lilys first show at the tender age of two weeks old. In the week building up to the show the word on Facebook was that Simon Taylor (he of Autosport and Goodwood Revival fame) would be there with the Stovebolt Special. An F2 racer turned road car that stared in the 1955 film “The Racers”, it was rebuilt as a 5lt V8 and has recently run at the Crystal Palace sprints. As we rolled in the green was already filling up with a variety of cars, at the front was The Special. As Lily was still snoozing in the Camper I took the opportunity to wander over for a chat and to get a photo of the car in action signed. Simon seemed to like the photo and a copy is now winging its way over to him!



Right, enough of the trumpet blowing and name dropping! We parked up by another old Camper and set off for a walk.



I had another close up look at the Stovebolt, its an amazing machine that makes a fantastic noise. Seemingly at home on track or bombing back to London down the M4





With a coffee date in town at 11am, we had a quick look round the cars already in before walking up to The Broadway to meet Kims friend for a cuppa. There was a car for everyone.











After our break we all walked back to find the rest of the green had filled up, around 200 vehicles were on offer.







Finally after being teased by it all week on my travels, the Goodyear blimp that’s currently stationed at White Waltham drifted by overhead.



This KTM X-Bow caused heads to turn as it slithered in, its occupants sporting crash helmets as the car lacks a screen or any other comforts!





We bumped into Mr Keeble out for the day in his new Beetle , as well as The Ludewigs and Badgers.





We also met up with Kims cousin, he has just finished restoring this stunning Stag, its due some rechroming over the winter and some interior work, but its out on the road and its another car nut in the family!



Stopping for lunch we made use of the Camper and relaxed inside for a bit. As ever we got a fair bit of attention, everyone has some connection to a Camper, they either owned one, holidayed in one or a friend owned one. This is cool, but it does make being near the van a bit drawn out answering all the questions, but I love it.





We decided as it was getting chilly and Lily was tired we’d have one last wander round before hitting the road. A fellow Camper owner parked up next to us, the difference between stock and lowered is evident, the dip under our van makes it look even more extreme!







And that was it, I took the opportunity to recreate the photo Kim took of us last year in front of the Camper, Lily was fast asleep at this point, but comparing to the two it shows what 12 months does!.



We cruised back along the A4, passing the Stovebolt Special that was parked in a layby, its owner donning racing overalls and goggles for the fast blast home, by the M4 it had caught up and shot passed in the fast lane at a rather spectacular speed, its V8 rumbling as it went. My co-pilot oblivious to it all.



The rest of the photos from a really enjoyable day out can be found here.

Steve.

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Suncream on the beach in October!

It’s the first Saturday of October and we’re slapping sun cream on and sitting on the beach at Brighton. The Indian Summer I predicted back in March finally arrived and wow did it arrive. The temperature peaked at a whisker under 30°C today!





Brighton Breeze is an ok show, but it can be stressful. The convoy starts just inside the M25 and winds its way down the M23 and onto the seafront. But you have to start early and with the queues to get parked its normally lunchtime before you get to see any of the show. These things are not one year old friendly, so in our own modern saloon convoy with Malcs, Georgie and Molly we set off at 8am for a nice carpark near the pier. By 10am we were wandering down the never ending line of campers that were still rolling in.







After a few minutes walk we bumped into a few chums who had air-cooled it down and stopped for a natter. A lunch date on the pebbles was sorted.











Getting hot and in need of a drink we spied the bar and rested our legs for a bit. Carrying on the warm walk back towards the pier end of the show. You could spend hours and still not see every camper.











With rumbling tummies and being at the seaside, Kim headed for the beach and I grabbed a couple of trays of fish/sausage & chips. Our little group slowly gathered and for an hour we chatted on the pebbles and played in the sea. My soaked jeans drying nicely in the hot sun!









Getting back on the tarmac we wandered up the final line of campers before hitting the pier for an ice cream.









It was really busy this year, well over 1000 campers, we walked half of the Drive before turning back.







In previous years we’ve enjoyed the art that is plastered all over the town, we didn’t do any graffiti spotting this time, but did see this on the wall of a shop!



There were a few bikes scattered around for the two wheeled fan.





On the pier we enjoyed the sea breeze and the shade while I spilt ice cream and chocolate sauce down myself!



Having seen all the show and needing to get back home to keep Lilys bed time routine in place! We took a stroll around The Lanes as we hunted for the Lego shop, at £80 its pricey and quite small, but I still fancy this really cool blocky camper.



Worn out we headed for the cool of the carpark, it was only 25°C four floors underground! Fired up the air-con and headed home via KFC. I’m sure the rain and cold of autumn will be here soon. But for today at least, it was a glorious summer.

The rest of the snaps can be found here

Steve.

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