Campervan

Classic Jaguars

2012-02-13T20:08:00.002Z

Ever since they announced it was due to close, I've been trying to get to the Jaguar Heritage Centre. On the site of the old factory its part of the marques collection of old and unusual cars from its past. With housing developments closing in on all sides its days are numbers now and by the summer everything will have been boxed and put in storage. So a job on the outskirts of Birmingham that was only 10 miles from the museum was too good an opportunity to turn down. Having completed the survey work and due a lunch break I took half an hour to wander round the showroom.

There are around 30 cars on display at any one time along with countless engines, trophies and paintings from the companies history. Greeting me at the front door was a 10 year old F1 car.

Looking past this I saw a dream combination, the mighty XJ220 and one of the 1988 Silk Cut Le Mans cars.

The front part of the room was taken up with several concept cars, often seen only in magazines. I have spotted a few at shows in the past but never with such unrestricted access.

Moving back in time to the 50s and 60s there were examples of the E and D Types as well as a good old Mk2.

The most modern car there was a GT3 racer from the previous seasons GT championship. Against the classics with chrome and wire wheels it looked chunky and aggressive.

Another favourite of mine was the XJ-S ETCC car, built and run by TWR it was legendary in the 1980s with its V12 powerplant doing battle with various BMWs across the continent.

Sliding even further back in time we hit the start of the company, Swallow Sidecars. The 1922 motorbike and elegant sidecar paved the way for the rebodied Austin and then onto the 1930s SS cars.

With time getting on I took a stroll around the balcony, there were several of the large paintings I'd happily have in the study if there was space. Looking down it was sad to think this fantastic collection will soon be locked away untilJaguar can find the money to reopen somewhere else.

There are a few more photos here. If you are near Browns Lane then get in a see it before its too late. Its free to get in as well.

Steve.

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Wintery Bracknell meet

2012-02-05T18:52:00.002Z

On saturday afternoon everything was looking fine, the sky was blue and the sun was out, within a few hours the predicted snow fall had arrived and the Bracknell meet looked to be a whiteout. Sunday morning dawned and various text and FB messages came through as people dropped out. We had a date at Nelsons Dinner near Newbury for breakfast with some friends so we ventured out in the Passat and soon realised that the snow wasn't that bad, the roads were clear. Upon leaving Lily dozed off in the back so we decided to chance it and head over to South Hill Park, on arrival it didn't look promising, nobody was there. As we parked we noticed the grins from the Range Rover, Tim and Paul had made it and new member Phil was there in his Golf. Not a write off at all.

We stood around and nattered, Phil wanted advice on electrics and bodywork for his '68 Bay Camper, the right people were there! In the background the screams of the massive crowd sledging in the park.

Being a forward thinking and not wanting to have to carry Lily in the event of blocked roads or other snow related problems, stout boots and a sledge along with hats and scarves and gloves were packed. All perfect for a trip down the hill next to the meet. Tim risked life and limb as well, sadly the sledge is a kiddies one and not really built for those of us with fuller frames.

I then had several runs, each more chaotic and crash filled than the last!

Thin plastic and a kerb to drop off can be a painful combination.

Taking it easy for a bit we continued the technical chat with Phil.

The it was time for a last run, struggling to the summit the intrepid sledger took his life in his own hands and ready for the off. Away down the icey run, over the kerb and.....straight into the metal fencing round the building work. Ouch!

I retired from the sledging world immediately.

Then we made tracks for home.

There wasn't a huge turn out like the last few meetings, but I don't blame everyone else. It was cold and slippery but those that made it enjoyed themselves.

Steve.

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Vintage trials and other Brooklands based fun

2012-01-29T21:09:00.002Z

I decided once again my first motorsport hit of the year had to be the VSCC Winter Trials at Brooklands, tagging along with me for the day was Brooklands virgin Malcolm. After a brief history lesson on the way in we headed straight for the test hill via the coffee stand! There are five trails, all involve circumnavigating a series of cones set out in the various arenas. The test hill is a slope stretching up to the members hill. Starting at 1:8 and increasing through 1:5 to 1:4 at the top its a challenge for pre war cars.

From the test hill you can wander over to the Members Bridge which offers amazing views up and down the banked track.

On route to the next trial we popped into the vast hanger that houses the aircraft display. Dominated by the crashed Wellington bomber that was puilled from Loch Ness.

As well as the trials cars there were lots of other pre 1930s cars parked around the museum grounds.

Moving up on to the banking we watched a few of the cars through their trials as they slid on the damp concrete and wet leaves.

After a bite to eat we wandered round the other buildings of the museum, I've seen the cars before, but its still amazing to see vehicles from the dawn of the sport as well as those from the 60s and 70s.

Then it was time to warm up with chips!

Back on the banking we saw the last of the trials, the temperature was nippy to say the least so we moved round them quickly.

A new addition to the museum is the relocated Chobham Bus collection, being a fan of anything motorised and the fact it was in doors meant we stopped of for a bit.

With the trails almost over we decided to head off home via the next door Mercedes World. For Malcolm a BMW employee it was an uneasy trip! As well as the modern cars in the showroom there are several older classics.

And with that we headed home, warmed by the heated seats of a BMW and having experienced some superb driving by hardy drivers. The rest of the photos are here

Steve.

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Great start to the VW year

2012-01-08T19:35:00.001Z

This time last year I was blogging about a really disappointing Bracknell, our Passat was the only car in the carpark and we left early after a quick cuppa with some friends. The rest of 2011 went down hill and by the summer we’d pretty much given up on it. An influx of new team members and a new chairman at the end of the year saw the meets gaining popularity via good advertising. This has carried across to 2012. On first glance it looked like it would just be two Bays, but within minutes of us arriving the party started. Lily was snoozing in the front so I took the opportunity to snap away as I was there on my own.

A trio of Type 3s drove in, two Squarebacks and a Notch. This Square was riding on air and there was mere mms between beam and tarmac.

Beetles were well represented as well.

As were Campers.

Infact I think short of a Type 4 we had everything covered from air and water cooled with the 25 cars that turned out.

And if you haven’t got a VW that’s running…..improvise like Andy.

My photography assistant had awoken so after a walk around she took to the buggy for some snapping.

Getting chilly and with the light beginning to fade we all headed off, once again Lily enjoying every minute of being up front, she leapt at the chance to get behind the wheel again when we got home.

It was a brilliant start to the year, if we can keep this up the club is on the up once more. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Classics on the A30

2012-01-01T16:39:00.000Z

I’m nothing if not predictable, its New Years Day and I’m at the Phoenix Inn on the A30 for the massive classic car meet, I say massive as its now stretching further down the A30 than ever before, both sides of the road, up the middle and along the dual carriage way as well. I must be half a mile of road taken over now and the variety keeps on coming. We took a two pronged approach with Kim, Lily and Emma heading down in the push started Passat (new battery for a new year!) and me in the Camper, after a couple of passes we eventually found a space and parked, setting off on the long walk.

The main carpark wasn’t as full as usual and the VSCC cars were very thin on the ground, I suspect they have all uprooted to Brooklands who have a bigger area to contain the cars and the added bonus of the museum and track to look round. I’ll keep with the A30 as its £30 cheaper for our little group than Brooklands would be.

We bumped into Alan looking round, back for more after his first year in 2011, the variety and mini Wheels Day feel drawing him in, where else could you see an Austin Maxi and Rolls Royce side by side!

Back out on the road the spaces were limited and the owner of this Moke enlisted some friends to lift it into a slot on the pavement!

Biggest vehicle of the day went to this mammoth Peterbilt that set car alarms off at 20 paces. With Kim nattering to the Kennedys I set off down the centre of the A30 for some snapping.

With the Passat push started again (new battery was collected on the way home and fitted, fingers crossed for a fix) I took one last wander around. I didn’t count but there must have been several hundred cars and a thousand people.

And with that it was off home> I really enjoy this varied classic start each year, lets hope 2012 brings more automotive fun.

Steve.

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Krispmasy Kreme meet

2011-12-18T15:38:00.003Z

That’s it, the last outing of the year for us all. We are almost back to where we started, eating doughnuts in New Malden! A chilly December morning wasn’t likely to bring out many American cars to the Krispy Kreme diner off the A3, but there was enough to keep us busy…..drinking coffee and eating sweet snacks.

After a chat I ventured outside into the freezing carpark to check out who’d made it there, it was a Mustang-athon with half a dozen of them parked up.

Back inside David and Matt had arrived and another dozen was ordered as Lily got to grips with this walking lark.

With the time getting on and being stuffed we headed outside as the stragglers left, the heavy right foot exits of the last few visits gone. With a few hundred horsepower and some very slick roads (Our lowly Passat could have performed a rolling burnout!)

Its been another bumper year for us, the old air-cooleds have had less trips than I would like, but hopefully 2012 will see us all out far more.

Steve.

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Festive fun at Bracknell

2011-12-04T19:43:00.002Z

After Novembers great meeting, hopes were high for the Christmas one, with the offer of Mulled Wine and nibbles it was a meet not to be missed. Rolling in to the car park, rain hammering down were weren't convinced. But over 20 LTV cars and vans and almost 15 from the local water cooled club, Berkshire Dubbers, it was amazing and proof that good advertising and some positive input from a motivated team really does work.

Under the club gazebo a pair of tables heaved with mulled wine, mincepies, cakes and savoury snacks, perfect for a chilly afternoon.

A few people had added some festive fancy dress!

Big kids!

Pab won the "Snow'n'Shine" for this amazing slot car track in the back of a camper, it kept the kids and adults amused all afternoon.

Once again there was a really good mix of old and new, air and water.

Big horsepower, light weight Rocco.

My poor camera battery gave up so the rest are from my phone, cold, wet and forgetting to charge them didn't help!

The riff raff were kept behind bars!

Lily improved her driving skills behind the wheel of Pabs bay.

With yet more rain and the fact it was really cold by now we headed home. From a really poor start in January, through some lean months the Bracknell meet has finally turned the corner. Two great and well attended meets in a row, roll on 2012, lets keep this going.

Steve.

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Very damp toy run

2011-12-04T19:27:00.002Z

Unlike in previous years, the Dr Barnardo's Biker Toy Run was a bit of a wash out for us. Because of the festive Bracknell meet we could only catch the start at Foster Wheeler where 1500 bikers and 2000 people gather before the cruise down to Wokingham to deliver the presents. Sadly from the moment we got there the heavens had opened and a mixture of drizzle and downpours meant we only had a brief walk round. There were still some spectacular fancy dress efforts on show though.

In the lower car park the marshals gathered along with some of the bigger groups. We bumped into a work colleague of Kims who was busy waving riders into place.

In the top carpark more biker, trikes and quads were lined up. Santas were everywhere.

Sadly with the rain getting heavier we bailed out, I don't envy the riders standing around in the cold and wet before squelching across town. But once again they all did sterling work. By mid afternoon when the run was due in to Wokingham the rain had stopped and the sun was out. So hopefully the display at the school was a success.

Steve.

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Autumnal Dubs

2011-11-06T17:54:00.002Z

The future is bright, the future is Volkswagen coloured! For many months the Bracknell meets of the London & Thames Valley VW Club have been pretty poor, bad weather, clashes with weekend shows and general apathy have meant the turnout has been small and in some cases non existent. The club is currently under going a bit of a revamp following the recent AGM where a new team stepped in to try and breath some life into it. Along with a new Chairman, several former team members have returned to help push the club forwards and together with a few existing ones and some brand new people it is hoped that the past can be left where it should be, far behind us. The first local meet at South Hill Park following the AGM was today and wow, what a turn out.

We rolled in to be faced with loads of Campers and Beetles already parked and they just kept coming in. As is usual at any gathering of old Dubs, somebody had to have a decklid up and be tinkering. Alan was tweaking the carb on his £400 1303 with the help of the other club members.

Campers seemed to be the order of the day, with several Spilts and Bays turning up.

But there were a few others there to break up the van line ups.

LTV is open to anything with a VW badge on, air or water, old or new.

With a nip in the air, beer was off the menu and coffees on as we struggled to keep warm, a month before we had been in t-shirts on the seafront at Brighton, now thermals were needed!

With the light fading and feet getting cold we packed up and headed home, Lily taking the wheel for the last part of the trip (the bit with the engine off on the drive at home!)

In the end I counted over 20 vehicles and maybe 50 people, a fantastic turnout and good sign for the future. The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Getting muddy in the forest

2011-11-05T20:40:00.002Z

The last couple of years I’ve been blogging about blue skies and sunshine on the Tempest Rally in Hampshire, this year was a little different, the week before had been a mixture of rain and cold and the day before the event several roads near us were flooded out. So I went to bed on Friday with a rain check for Saturdays action, a poorly Lily meant very little sleep but come 7am it was dry, overcast, grey, miserable looking, but not raining. So I saddled up and headed out. Following on from last years discovery that its not actually that hard to see some forest action I headed for the same spot and parked up. The crowd pushing through the bracken pointed the way and soon I was standing on the inside of a hairpin, a ribbon of rutted gravel track encircling me and the rest of the crowd, the whistles blew and the rally was underway.

The 2WD crews were first through, MK1 and 2 Escorts, modern Fiestas and Peugeot 205s sped past spraying gravel around, this was more like it, far better than the detached views you get at the Arena stages.

With the last cars through it was time to head over to the service park, the stage may be a bit far away compared to what I had just seen, but it’s the perfect opportunity to see the cars up close and muddy, wheels off, mechanics rushing round and drivers relaxing for a few minutes before the off. Like club racing at Castle Combe its very open, provided you don’t get in the way teams seem happy for spectators to wander freely around soaking up the atmosphere.

After service the 2WDs ran the Arena stage, two laps of the area that houses the mighty Wheels Day on Good Friday.

Then it was back into service for the 4WD crews. Flame spitting WRC style cars, Imprezas both old and new as well as some Focus and an old Escort Cosworth.

I wandered back to the stage to catch the first few cars through before heading back to the forests again.

Back in the muddy forest there was a short delay to the 4WD start. The beauty of this modern age of communication is being able to get the information straight away. The first time I came to the rally a few years ago I had to wait till I got home to get any news. This year via Facebook and the events website running on my Galaxy S I was able to keep up to date with it all, even asking the people back in HQ a few question from the field. Soon though the quiet of the woods was shattered by the ear splitting noise of anti-lag systems, gravel flew and spits of flame shot out as the big boys came past. Standing on the inside of a left hander raised several feet above track I could have reached out and touched some of the cars with the end of my lens if they hadn’t been flying by so fast.

After a bit I moved back to the corner I first started at, the hairpin.

The last few vehicles through are the Land Rovers of the armed forces, the white lumbering 4x4s leaning over as the crews worked the wheel, bouncing across the rutted track. Unfortunately, following a previous close call, one of the Landies did clip the rut quite fast and the inevitable happened.

Quick as a flash the watching public, many of them in military fatigues rushed out to right the stricken crew.

The team left in a cloud of white smoke and were even able to help pull a fellow competitors car out of the stage. The crew were unharmed and finished, it was 2nd and last but they didn’t give up despite the battering they took.

And that was it, with the stages running up to 30 minutes behind and thhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife nearest stage not due to start until it was almost dark I headed for home. Another brilliant days action, getting out in the stages was fun, next year I need to get over to the Yateley stage as well.

The rest of the muddy shots are here.

Steve.

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Doughnuts and burnouts

2011-10-16T15:48:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-08T16:21:00.002+01:00

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!

2011-10-01T20:50:00.000+01:00

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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VWs at REME

2011-09-25T21:57:00.003+01:00

During WW2, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers under Major Ivan Hirst restarted the old Volkswagen factories. Production of the Beetle helped Germany find its feet and the humble car went on to sell in its millions for decades. In 1948 the first Beetle was exported to the UK, arriving in black it was treated to a two tone Oxford and Cambridge blue paintscheme by the importers Colbornes. This car was offered to the REME museum in Aborfield as part of a display in honour of Hirst and his work. And it was at this musuem, 10 minutes from home that Lily and I found ourselves on her birthday morning. With lots of family and friends due to descend on us at 2pm we left Kim at home to finish the preparations in peace whiler we got in an hour or two of Volkswagen spotting. Rolling in through the gates the carpark was already full of old Dubs with the promise of even older ones out the back so we saddled up and headed in.

Having been to the museum a few years ago we aimed straight for the vehicle hall to check out the big military beasts and the VW display

Outside in the sunshine there was some very old metal lined up. The first UK import, I was lucky enough to get hold of the keys to this car a few years ago to get some close up photos.

We bumped into a few faces during our walk round. Snapper David was there in his lovely red splitscreen crewcab that is definatly not "some old pickup!"

There was a large military Dub presence on the field.

As well as plenty of civilian cars, all from the late 40s and early 50s. I'm not that hot on my early stuff, but theres something about a split rear screen that looks so right.

Vans were out in force too, with everything from stock panels, to custom campers.

With time running out and not wanting the party to start without the birthday girl, we had a last chat to some friends and grabbed our goodie bag and headed home. Along with the usual stickers and badges I was pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of Volkswagens finest "spicy ketchup!

Sadly with defence cuts the barracks at Aborfield are due to close soon and along with it the museum. REME has been just up the road for so long that I'll miss the place once its gone, the random machinery parked up for display or just being worked on is always a highlight of a drive past the gates. Hopefully the museum will get another resting place and the show can continue.

Steve.

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Camping at the Castle

2011-09-04T22:14:00.002+01:00

The last camp out of the year for us is usually VW Action at Santa Pod, but after Big Bang at the start of the year when Lily didn’t really take to drag racing whilst she was trying to sleep we decided this was a no go for us. Luckily our good pal Matt invited us to join him and a massive group of his mates at a new show he was helping to organise and run. Amakuru was a one off show (but I can see it becoming a yearly event after this years success) supporting a charity that does work in Rwanda Set in the fields below Arundel castle in West Sussex it’s a beautiful part of the country to camp in and with early bird tickets a bargain we we’re booked in. As usual we both had Friday off so we could wait until the traffic had cleared before heading off, careful plotting of the route meant that apart from a couple of miles on the A3 and A27 we drove through the countryside on a really quiet drive. No of this M25/M1 nonsense! We stopped for a well earned bite to eat in the middle of nowhere.

And a little while later rolled in to the old town of Arundel, swinging past the castle and into the pay & display carpark we were a little intrigued, but soon enough the fields behind this opened up to reveal a gathering of marquees and campers lined up. The gate staff were overly friendly (Matt had rounded up his mates to marshall during the weekend) and we were soon parked up in the “non LTV” camp with the JTBs to one side and a view of the castle to the other.

Having pitched and unloaded everything and nattered to the others we went for an afternoon walk into town, it has to be the closest show to a town we’ve ever been to, in a couple of minutes we were nosing round the shops.

Back on camp the numbers had grown and it was full of familiar faces and some new ones, we ate, we drank, we nattered, we relaxed.

The sun went down, the mist came up and at midnight after some laser pen assisted photography I hit the airbed in the awning for a snooze.

Saturday dawned grey, but it soon brightened up, breakfast was a bacon roll for the three of us.

Then it was off round the show and the traders, blink and you might have missed it! Yes it was a small show, but with the town and some many friends around it didn’t really matter as we were able to relax and enjoy the company and the area for once. First stop was birthday girl Fay.

Walking round we saw the town crier in all her garb and I couldn’t resist getting a few very “British” together in one shot.

All round the camp people were chilling in the sunshine.

Alan supplied birthday cake for Fay and we all noshed on its chocolatey goodness.

After a crawl round Lily was ready for a nap and we headed again to town, this time up to the top of the hill.

Mid afternoon and word on the street was that a rowdy bunch had gathered alongside some old pickup and there was live music. I turned out that The Rocker Covers were performing an impromptu gig in the town square. Nearly all of the people on camp had already heard these guys play at a shows we hadn’t gone to. They are a three piece rockabilly group from Bristol that does some really cool covers of modern songs as well as some older stuff, they were in the middle of s Johnny Cash number as we arrived. Brilliant.

Thoroughly entertained and now hungry we headed back to the camper and fired up the BBQ for some meat washed down with cider. Before the evening entertainment was on we took a stroll round the second camping field, there was still plenty of space for expansion, but it was a good turnout for a small weekend show in its first year.

As it wasa bit chilly hot chocolate was the order of the evening for some.

Then with Lily asleep in the buggy and Kim relaxing on the blanket, I ventured inside to try my hand at gig snapping! The Rocker Covers rattled the tent for almost an hour with everything from Kings Of Leon to The Police, it was amazing, I not really into my music but I really enjoyed myself as did a rammed marquee by the screams of “more” when the time was up.

We wandered back to camp and nattered some more, but after a day walking round I was knackered and at just after midnight I hit the airbed again. At around 2am I was awoken by the sounds of another impromptu gig in the corner of our camp as the drums were wheeled out once more, I fell asleep again to some interesting singing!

Sadly Sunday dawned grey and bleak after a quick breaky we packed and as the rain began to lash down we decided to head for home via a nice pub.

The Selbourne Arms did us proud and we finished our drive home in sunshine. For a first go it was a really nice little show, a few more traders would have helped, but as I mentioned before the town was so close you could fill a day wandering round the shops there. This is probably the last camp out for us in 2011. Lily has successfully slept under canvas and tintop for four long weekends and she has loved every minute of it (apart from the night racing at The Pod!) as have we. It’s a few day shows and meets now as we wind down for the winter. More camping in 2012 for sure.

The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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Bank Holiday muscle

2011-08-29T18:58:00.003+01:00

Facebook can be a real PITA sometimes, but most of the time I find it really useful, you get to find out what your mates are up to, including those little advertised shows on a Bank Holiday Monday. I have no idea who Buster is, but he held a show just round the corner from the Krispy Kreme meet we’ve been to in the past. Buster Lang’s 1ST UK All American Classic, Custom & Hot Rod Show looked like it might be a wash out earlier in the week, but the sun came out and were treated to a mini Wheels Day. Heading up in convoy with one of Kims work colleagues and his other half, we were a little early so decided to stop for coffee and a snack nearby.

Paying the £10 for the two of us to get in we parked up and headed in, the field had a couple of lines of cars and looked a bit forlorn, but we had high hopes as the steady stream of V8s rumbled in.

These dolls freak me out, I don’t get why you’d want to prop a fake child against your bumper, maybe its somebody compensating for not having kids or maybe it’s an extra accessory styled to match your ride. Either way its plain odd to me. But if it makes them happy!

This beast from the 1970s was fired up several times and shook the crowds. Good for a 7 second pass it drinks 44 litres of fuel a mile.

This Hillman van was amazing, tubbed rear, massive tyres and a vast V8 up front.

Steve “fisting” a mammoth exhaust.

Having bumped into The JTBs during the morning we then papped the Lawsy's before stopping for a chat, both of them dressed for the day.

Daisy Duke has nothing on our Wendy, proving that dungarees and red checked gingham go really well with a 1960s Charger painted orange.

Stopping for some lunch we braved the Hog Roast, at the time of writing I’m still in full control of my bodily functions, we wait and see if the second properly cooked and far less pink meat filling is going to bug me! By lunch time the field was pretty full, so we headed out once more to explore.

All Yanked out, we wandered back to the car for a sit down and chat before Steve and Izzy headed home. Being hardcore car show attendees and not wanting to miss the raffle draw for a toolbox full of Dukes of Hazzard goodies we hung around (we didn’t win!)

Somebody was smiling once more after having a five minute grump, we think tooth number seven annoyed as it pushed its way out, still it made biscuit eating easier.

We watched the awards being given out, third prize going to this stunning Buick, my car of the day was this stock non NASCAR Roadrunner. So subtle, but with 383 CU under the hood (6.3litres) it sounded glorious.

And with that we headed home, a brilliant day out with some good friends and some wonderful motors. It hasn’t helped my need for some V8 and American on the drive though.

The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Retro Rides Gathering - a weekend of AWESOMEEPICNESS

2011-08-21T22:00:00.000+01:00

Wow, just wow. From start to finish the Gathering was amazing. Rolling along the country lanes and into the campsite the field was all but empty, save for The Keefys on organiser duty and a lone Fiat. Needing some kind of focal point for the weekend I picked the furthest corner of the site at the bottom of the bumpy hill by a tree (you’ve gotta have a tree when you camp, it’s the law!) Within a few minutes I was pitched and kicked back for a cold one and a read before the masses arrived.

After a couple of hours the RRers started to filter in, once I’d woken from a deserved afternoon nap (I’m getting old!) I headed back to the gate to chat to Mr & Mrs Seth, passing Ben and Bec and Mr BD and The Grunty Jnrs heading down the hill, our little camp was growing nicely.

As is the way at the Gathering random contraptions make frequent appearances on the field and this year was no exception, first up was the crazy mobile bathroom, followed shortly after by the Bozo mobility car. Both brilliant and a testament to the constructors fabbing skills.

As evening came the camp was still growing and a sea of tents and cool cars was littered about the place. We cooked, we ate, we drank, we nattered. Its somewhere around now that the greatest super hero/product group ever was invented, “SPACE PANTHER” It’s the bit of The Gathering I love the most. I had a good wander round the site bumping into old faces and meeting some new ones too. Then at many hours past a newish dads bedtime I hit the rock’n’roll bed for some Zzzzz.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and with a rumbling stomach and a fuzzy head, black pudding and bacon rolls were the order of the day for Brian and me. All round the site people were stepping bleary eyed from tents and munching on bacon.

Taking another wander up the field I came across a couple of giggling school boys messing around with pink stickers! A big round trip of the site revealed yet more cool stuff and plenty of friends.

Just before lunch the heavens opened, some people had left to go scrapyard hunting, others to Shelsey Walsh. Those of us left in the tree camp quickly moved to the Speedy Gazebo for shelter and to chew the fat for a few hours, SPACE PANTHER was expanded to include his arch nemesis “Lazer Cow” and a new crazy (so far limited to just the one car) for strapping an 80s Ghetto Blaster to the bonnet was invented. Tunes on the move for nearby pedestrians!

The sun came out, the wanderers returned and a gimp arrived!

Another site wander was called for so with cider in hand we set off, first stop Jon’s awesome rod, a mixture of parts from the 30s and 40s make for an interesting beast and with no persuasion Jon let me loose around the field, driven from the floor with a flathead V8 it’s a little unwieldy but a great experience, pretty much exactly the same can be said of Jon’s homebrew cider.

As the day wore on I did plenty of walking, some sitting, loads of chatting and a fair amount of eating and drinking.

My last walk before dark resulted in another amazing first, a ride round the field in the mighty Nightmares Cortina wagon, brutal despite its engine woes.

The sun went down, the cider flowed, the talk got very random and the tripods came out, the best of a drunken bad job was this effort. Again the talk went on for hours and feeling knackered again I left the rabble gassing and went to bed with a nice camper wardrobe to keep the noise out and a locked door to keep The Pollit out.

Sunday and the day of the actual show, with a bite to eat and a quick pack up I headed across the road and into the orchard where a few of the local area stands were grouped, with the day already roasting hot it provided welcome shelter and a nice backdrop.

Prescott was a brilliant setting for the show, with the hill climb in the middle and the displays either side, armed with a camera, chocolate and caffeine I was off to explore.

Chris humps his car!

Space Panther or Vektar?

The late HKP’s Toyota 2000, great to see it in the metal

Crossing behind the start line I was in the paddock amongst the RRers going up the hill. Also the home of the guest cars from the Berg Cup, VWDRC and many more.

In the lunch break the awards for the day were announced, with Bryn on the mic the worthy winners came up to receive the trophies and the applause. I’d say they got them spot on again in every category.

With the gongs given out it was hill time again, I headed up to the top and the hairpin for a good view over everything and snapped away for an hour or more. Skill levels and speed varied, but the enjoyment of all was clear to see whether tootling up in a daily or blasting up in a purpose built track weapon.

Whoops!

Feeling properly cream crackered now and wanting to get home to Kim and Lily I set off on a marathon goodbye session which lasted over an hour and probably only got round a fraction of the people I should of. Then it was aboard the comfiest bed on site and away home.

Massive thanks to Hotwire, Keefy, Tash, Rob, Polly and the rest of the orange t-shirted crew, once again you have put on a fantastic weekend from the lazy arrival on Friday to the hill climb action of Sunday. I honestly can’t fault a thing and am really looking forward to 2012 and being back at Prescott.

A big pat on the back, manly hug, cuddle etc to the whole “Under Speedys Gazebo” gang, it always the people that make a show weekend for me and you guys and gals were great, we laughed, we cried, we drank, we ate, we had a little bit of sick in our mouths after the some of the tales told, but it was (and I hate using the words normally) AWESOMELYEPIC

The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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What an adventure BeachBuggin was!

2011-08-14T20:06:00.003+01:00

The last time we all headed down to the seaside at Southsea in a VW for Beachbuggin was 2007. It was an overcast day with a spot of rain from memory (and looking through the old photos) This year the day dawned bright and sunny so a little later than planned we loaded up and headed off. Not being beholden to a club stand we were going it alone and hoping to bump into some friends during the day. All was going smoothly as we left the bottom of the A3 and headed into Southsea, a quiet rumble got a bit louder and there was a faint smell of rubber so we pulled into a handy layby and got out to investigate, all looked ok but the Camper refused to fire up, just turned over lazily, after a few minutes head scratching and searching I admitted defeat and called the breakdown company with a wait of an hour we settled in for a drink and some cake.

Loads of fellow dubbers passed by, the was the odd honk but nobody stopped to help. The Fullyloadeds on route to the show in their new T5 pulled over with offers of assistance but there was nothing to do but wait. Just after being told that we had a 15 minute wait as the driver refuelled a familiar Cowprint Bay pulled in behind us, it was Ed who we had camped with at Camperjam. He offered to have a look (he’s an AA recovery driver so it was rude to turn him down) within seconds he had it sussed as the fan belt top pulley fell apart in his hands. (the heat of the engine had kept it together whilst bolted in place but as it cooled it was game over)

With the offending part removed Ed and family clambered aboard the Cow van and headed for the show, top of their list a new pulley. Breakdown arrived soon after and with two hours of calling them we were unloaded into the carpark.

Alan (Ed’s uncle) had the new part in with in a few minutes tools had been twirled and Leonard fired into life once more, needing to leave him to cool for a bit before attempting the trip home we thought we’d make the most of the show. With the sun beating down we set off across the common. The show was bigger than 5 years ago with lots of traders and plenty of show’n’shine to admire.

Stopping by one of the club stand we said a few hellos and told the tale of the pulley. Before heading off across the common once more.

We headed over to the coachbuilt corner for a chat with Gren & Jan and then aimed ourselves towards the beach and a well earned ice cream, and of course a glance at the hovercraft!

Meandering through the rows of dubs we started saying a few goodbyes and stopped for a chat with Matt.

With fingers crossed and a cautionary top up of oil we set off through the traffic and on to the motorway, keeping the speed down and stopping to check things a couple of times we made it back in a couple of hours, the fix seems to have worked and hopefully the van will suffer no lasting effects!

The photos from an eventful day out are here.

Steve.

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Wings, wheels, speed & steam - it does exactly what it says on the flyer

2011-08-13T22:02:00.002+01:00

With Kim out at a quilt show for the day, it fell to me to amuse Lily. Having been a couple of years ago to Wings Wheels Speed & Steam at White Waltham, I knew there was plenty to keep me busy, plus loads for her to see. So with Uncle Phil in tow we piled into the Camper and headed down the A4. Rolling in the drizzle stopped and the sun even tried to come out as we parked up in the classic line up.

First up on our list was a breakfasty snack, trying to enjoy the day on a budget (four shows in four weekends) we opted to share a mighty Lincolnshire dog roll.

With stomachs filled and Lily snoozing we set off along the lines of classic cars. Compared to the last time we came the show has shrunk a lot, car numbers were down by 50% and traders took up a third of the space of two years ago, but the show was still there with some really nice and unusual cars displayed.

There were also plenty of commercial vehicles around, I’ve never seen pickups, lorries and trucks so shiny.

Back again was the popular Portafold Club the fibreglass folding caravans from the 1960s were in a big circle with their often colour coded tow cars. The owners happy to chat about their home on wheels.

Wandering back past the camper we grabbed some refreshment and finished off the last of the classics. And then moved on to the steam side of things via some tractors.

We’d seen a big tent in the corner of the field and as we got closer saw the signs on the side for the Wall of Death. I’ve seen a few photos, read about them but never actually watched one, with £3 handed over and Lily safely cuddling in we climbed the steps to witness the most amazing display of riding I’ve ever seen.

The two riders had a pair of modern bikes as well as an old 1930s Indian which they hurled up the creaking wooden barrel below us and rotated round. Each pass they performed even more crazy stunts ending in a side saddle, no hands or feet pass!

Finally they circulated together, feet apart at high speed until we were all dizzy, the crowd loved it and they could be heard repeating the show several times during the day.

Heading back to the camper it was lunchtime, we nattered and ate until the first of the flying displays began then headed over to watch.

Then it was nap time for some and cider time for others.

Before more daring aerial stunts were unleashed, with plane limbo, plane football and balloon bursting at speed!

With a final wander round the cars, trucks, steam engines and traders we headed for the van, tired and a little wind burnt. It was a brilliant day.

The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Typical summer VW meet

2011-08-07T14:00:00.000+01:00

March, the last month we all made it over to Bracknell for a Dub meet up, with a couple of shows and other stuff going on and the fact we completely forgot about it last time. We arranged to meet up again, the forecast was for sunshine and the odd shower, Metcheck got it the wrong way round. Cruising in from White Waltham in a monsoon we had just enough time to park up next to Gren and Jan before the next shower.

So we all jumped across to the luxury of the mighty Coachbuilt for the afternoon. With Jans help, Lily took to wandering up and down the back seat waving at anyone or thing that walked past.

The rest of us nattered away, slowly the small area of the carpark filled up until a a dozen Dubs of all types were getting soaked.

After a quick dash round snapping photos we all piled back in, with 11 people crammed inside I think we almost broke the record for "most dubbers in a van" but it was dry and the company good.

We then darted from T25 to Bay and headed home, the weather never really improving. Did I blink and miss summer?

Theres a few more damp photos here

Steve.

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Plane sailing!

2011-08-07T12:00:00.001+01:00

Thanks to my dad finding a snippet in the local paper, we found ourselves in the camper heading for White Waltham airfield on a sunny Sunday morning, the reason. The largest aircraft to land for 40 years on the grass strip that was the former HQ of the Air Transport Auxiliary (think of it as a massive aircraft delivery yard)was due in at just after 11am. With a wingspan for over 100ft the Catalina flying boat is more at home on the water, but it does have a set of land undercarriage and as part of a Historic Fly in at the airfield it was coming in from Duxford for the day. Nabbing the last parking space on site we headed over to the gathering crowds by the flight line and waited...and waited...and waited. My parents arrived and still there was no sign. There was plenty of flying machinery to admire though.

A few minutes later than scheduled there was much pointing at the skies and lenses swung round, a white dot was getting ever larger and soon the 1943 amphibious aircraft painted in USAF colours circled the airfield.

Coming in on final approach it was easy to see the amazing crafts two part life, at home as much in the air as in the water with the sharply angled hull/fuselage.

Down on the ground it taxied to the end of the field and round the parked aircraft. Visitors could pay £5 each to get in to the West London Flying Clubs area for a close up and a very quick walk around, so it was much irony that the dazzling white plane slowly trundled round the back of the lines and right past us, stood the other side of the fence, the wings could only have passed a few metres away from us and we got a fantastic close up view.

The twin 1200hp engines, just after I took this photo the pilot climbed up on the roof of the craft and turned the props by hand until the lined up perfectly, like rotating the wheels of a car so the manufactures logo is the right way up!

And with the rain starting to fall and needing lunch we made our way back to the camper, the paying visitors were still lined up in the downpour waiting for their couple of minutes closeup as we left. Best £5 I've not had to spend in a long time!.

There are a few more photos here

Steve.

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Damp afternoon in Stoke Row

2011-07-17T19:52:00.002+01:00

It wasn’t looking very hopeful as we splashed our way up the country lanes from Reading towards Stoke Row. The village was hosting another of its motorsport days and after last years corking afternoon out we were back for more. The small industrial park, hidden in the village is home to several motorsport and classic car workshops and they all put on a display combined with a classic car show on the village green. As we crested the hill the green was empty but for a handful of modernish sports cars, we were waved on to the grass and asked to park over in the back corner! Were they expecting a sudden influx? Should we have washed the dead insects off from the Camperjam drive? Who knows. We parked and had an indoor picnic as the last of the rain stopped and the sun came out.

Fed and watered we decided to go for a walk and see the small selection of cars.

Heading up to the industrial estate the sun was shining and we soon found the rest of the cars from the green. Maybe it wouldn’t be a wasted trip after all.

In the distance I spotted the familiar outline of the rear end of an F40, it was at this moment that two really large rain drops landed on me and then the heavens opened, no warning, nothing. We were lucky not to all end up like drowned rats in the dash for shelter under the trees. And that’s where we stayed for a good 10 minutes as the cars were washed!

And then it cleared, the sun came out and the sky was blue for the rest of the day! We were free to wander round once more.

There was a competition running for quickest pitstop, the cars were wheeled in and the fronts changed, each time the cry of “the locking pins dropped out was yelled” before a winner was declared.

The local workshops had parked their selection of single seaters and saloons around the site to admire.

I grabbed a bargain from a trader in the form of the first season of the Dukes of Hazzard on DVD for a fiver and a couple of old Corgi models to adorn the study desk! Then it was time to head off, snapping the cars in the sunshine instead of the rain.

Even the green had filled up a bit more.

And with that we loaded up and splashed our way through the flooded lanes home. It wasn’t anywhere as big as last year, but it filled an afternoon in the fresh (if a little damp) air nicely.

The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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Scorching weekend at Camperjam

2011-07-11T10:41:00.001+01:00

For the third year in a row we headed North towards Weston Park for the ever growing Camperjam. We’d missed the really cheap tickets as they all 100 sold in minutes, but a birthday present from my brother of a subscription to Camper & Commercial came with a free day ticket, easily upgradeable to a weekend pass for a few quid when I bought the other ticket. Due to bad luck, a holiday and the fact it’s a 300 mile round trip. The usual camping plot was shrunk to just four campers, but it’s the quality not the quantity that counts. With a poor forecast we headed out in convoy with Stu and Millie, again taking the longer way round Birdlip and up the M5 to avoid the British Grand Prix traffic. Rain lashed down most of the way and the view was far from spectacular. We had a mini crisis when Leonard decided that the fast lane wasn’t for him on the M5, and cut out leaving a hairy hazard lit drift to the hard shoulder where a quick check revealed no problems and he restarted and completed the trip without a glitch. Very odd!

On arrival we joined the short queue to get in and quickly found our pitch for the weekend, it was already occupied by an unknown “cowprint” Bay, we shuffled the vans around to make some space and approached the neighbours, it turned out that Mr Alanbug had invited his nephew and family as well, so all was well and we set up shop for the weekend. The final peg being hammered home as the rain came down once more, it wasn’t looking good for the next three days. In a break in the weather we set off to check out the show grounds, the traders helpfully open all weekend long so we had plenty to see.

Lily was all smiles as she was wheeled round, ducking into a handy awning as more rain came down.

Stu spied the perfect kettle for Mikey, the colour match was ideal and he was soon brewing a cuppa.

Back at camp I reheated the cassoulet made the previous night and we cracked open some cider for tea. Welcoming the last van on the pitch in as Alan arrived.

With our stomachs full we had an evening wander round the funfair and site before Kim and Lily hit the R’n’R bed for the night and Stu and I chewed the fat till late then turned in, fingers crossed for a break in the weather tomorrow. We weren’t disappointed at all, as the day dawned bright and the sun soon shone down, Lily and me had a play in the awning before a hearty breakfast of bacon sarnies for all.

Alan and Kaiya settled in for a full English!

All cleared up it was time to take in the show, it’s a really relaxed affair with couple of aisles of traders and some displays to keep us busy.

Back at camp we cracked the first cider of the day and had lunch, relaxing under the shelter as the heat really got up. Then it was back out again.

Oh dear lord!

Soon it was ice cream time, as we settled in to watch the barefoot chef BBQing away.

As the others headed back for a snooze I decided to make my yearly hike around the camping areas to see what gems were hidden away in the sea of awnings and Campers. Bumping into Alan we set off, make it down the lake at the far end of the site, a half mile walk from our pitch. Stopping to chat to a lovely copy with an unusual hightopped Bay.

Back at camp it was BBQ time, with Stu on grill duties as ever (you can’t get the tongs off him!) we feasted on some quality meat and sank a few cold ones.

Lily was still awake so had a cuddle from Uncle Alan before we captured the group.

Then it was bed for some and drinkies for others, we nattered till late again before calling it a night.

Sunday dawned a little overcast, but the sunshine soon burnt through and we were blessed with another gorgeous day. Perfect weather for sitting back and contemplating the world!

With everything packed away in the vans we set off for the show’n’shine and the traders once more.

With the sun scorching it was refreshing to catch the spray from the Vanfest T25 fire engine.

Some caught more than just spray though!

Stu mucked in to help pack away and Lily and me just couldn’t resist the opportunity to dress up and have fun.

After watching Alan and Kaiya in the dog competition (you were robbed!) we grabbed lunch and a final walk round the traders and show vans before heading for the plot for one last time.

With the final bits packed away we said our goodbyes and joined the queue to get out.

Hitting the road home we took the long way again to avoid the traffic and made it as far as Membury before Lily decided she was going to wake up hungry so we had a pitstop and a photoshoot with a couple of heavy hitters, one much bigger than us!.

Then it was time for the last leg to home, before the big unpack/tea/washing/bed routine. Once again Camperjam gave us the most chilled and relaxed weekend of the calendar, no rushing around, no schedule to keep, just a few good friends and some cider to enjoy in the sunshine surrounded by some fine vans. 2012 is already pencilled in the diary.

The rest of the photos are here

Steve.

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Fathers Day doughnuts

2011-06-19T20:15:00.000+01:00

Another month, another drive up the A3 to Krispy Kreme for the Doughnut meet. Being Fathers Day I got the choice of what we were going to do, with the weather looking poor and seven hours of BTCC on ITV4 in the afternoon there was only one thing to do….

We met up with Alan and Carol on route and we were soon joined by JTB and Matt. The lure of sweet treats and coffee too great on a Sunday morning. As seems to be the way at this meet, people turn up early and then in one big drive off everyone is gone and the carpark is full of Mondeos and Vectras. But on arrival it and the road out front were heaving in quality Yank tin and some British classics.

Again several cars left in the approved fashion!

We finished the quick walk around outside as the craving for sugar was growing in all of us.

Inside we nabbed several tables and the chaps were dispatched to the counter to select a dozen and some drinks. Then we sat and nattered for a while before realising it was now almost 1pm and getting on for lunchtime

.

Popeyebug enjoyed himself!

And so did Lily.

And with that we were away and heading home. I’m really getting to like the third Sunday of the month now, the cars are an interesting backdrop but it’s the company and the doughnuts that keep us coming back!

Steve.

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The closest show to home

2011-06-11T19:36:00.004+01:00

Having missed it last year I was determined to make what has to be the closest classic car show to home this time round. Held all of two miles from home at Bearwood College, the show is a small gathering of around 150 classic, sport and performance cars as well as some bikes. Its laid out in the ground of the school, offering the perfect setting in which to admire some old tin. As we drove up the front drive in our trusty Campervan I was hoping we’d get a good parking spot, we were able to pre book for the event, but never got round to it. Not to worry, the helpful marshals directed us round the front of the main building and off towards the rear of the school “ if you start driving through a wood, you’re getting there!” so we burbled along a leafy wooded track and emerged into the sunlight on the gravel terrace behind the impressive building, picking a spot alongside a modern Porsche who promptly got in and left (I’d like to think he had somewhere else to go to rather than not wanting a distant cousin parking near him)

With Lily safe in her sling and my brother , having left his Caterham in the parking along the main drive in tow we set off.

The show catered for everything from the humble Mini through Group B rally cars and up to the latest offerings from Porsche.

Kim came armed with our new camcorder, bought after Lily was born to capture those precious moments, she did dozens of little clips which I will stitch together when I get a chance and pop on youtube.

Moving along the lower terrace in the sunshine it was nice to see some different cars displayed.

We then headed up the steps to take in level two of the show.

Getting rather warm and a bit hungry it seemed rude not to stop at the ice cream van and get a couple of “99s” Of course, Lily couldn’t be left out.

Suitably refreshed we had a wander round the front courtyard to the school, brimming with all sorts from a line of replica GT40s to a stunning Team Lotus Type 21 Formula One car, more on that in a bit!

Now onto that Formula One car, last year Classic Team Lotus turned up with Nigel Mansells old JPS Lotus and gave it a run down the front drive, apparently this didn’t go down to well with some people so the team decided to bring some thing more sedate. The Type 21, built for the 1961 season and raced by such greats as Moss and Clark it gave the team its first win.

Resplendent in the familiar green with bright yellow rims, the car offered visitors a chance to see how far F1 has come in 50 years, with skinny tyres and limited safety equipment it must have been quite unnerving piloting the Coventry Climax powered cigar tube of a racing car round some of the fastest circuits in the world.

Even better was to come when the owners rolled the car out from under its gazebo and fired it into life for a five minute engine warming session, the throttle being blipped by hand it sounded glorious. All too soon it was over and silent once more, just the tinkle of cooling metal contracting back as it was wheeled under its shelter once more.

And with that we had a final look round as we wandered back to the Camper, the awards were handed out and we fired up the flat four to carry us the five minutes home.

The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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Biggest Big Wallingford Campout ever!

2011-06-05T21:41:00.000+01:00

Now in its sixth year, the little camping trip before Stoner Park VW show I first organised in 2006 has grown. From five pitches and a dozen people to 14 pitches and almost 40 friends. In early February I contacted my man on site as the snow was melting away, he still had our little corner of the campsite free and £100 deposit would hold it. The week before the camp out the rain was lashing down and there was talk of high winds too, not ideal weather, but I put a good word in with the chap downstairs to send some heat up and low and behold it worked! As the week wore on the temperature rose until by mid day on Friday as we arrived it was in the high 20°C and sunny.

Parking under the trees we grabbed some lunch as the last campers vacated our mini show site and with Malcs, Georgie & Molly alongside we pitched and relaxed in the sun waiting for the others to arrive. Clare was first in with her new Newbie looking stunning followed by Fiona and Phil, shedding work clothes in favour of something more suitable and arming themselves ready for a soaking later!

Stu & Millie along with Oscar pitched up with the pole less tepee, some skilled gaffa taping and the assistance of the Wally errection team had them sorted in no time. Pabs & Babs rolled in shortly after and one side was full up.

After the success of the paddling pool last time I bought a new one so Lily could have a splash about in safety and so we all had somewhere to chill our drinks and reload the waterpistols.

The soakings stated early and there was soon a line of pants and shorts drying on various vans!”

Then we settled in for the serious business of chilling in the warm evening sunshine and having a drink.

By the end of the day, Camp Wally was heaving with vans with only a couple of pitches left for the Saturday, we whiled away the night chatting and drinking before hitting the air/rock’n’roll beds

Saturday dawned grey and overcast, ever the optimist, I was convinced the sun would soon burn through and after a hearty breakfast of pork I was proved right.

We left some people snoozing and headed into town for the traditional wander round and BBQ run.

With bulging sacks of meat and booze we staggered back to camp and unloaded, the rest of the group had now arrived and we were officially full up. With lunch out of the way I took a walk round the camp to make sure everyone was happy.

With the sun in and out we decided it was now or never for the final waterfight of the day, it started small and then snowballed, I don’t think anybody on site escaped with out some form of soaking, from a slightly damp t-shirt to the full blown damp knicker experience.

Those that were still sort of dry then inflated Dave & Mandi’s kayak and headed for the Thames. With more sun beating down Millie and Ethan paddled up and down for an hour whilst the bigger kids mucked around in the river.

Heading back to camp across the fields the smell of BBQ drifted through the air, Phil and Stu with help from Malcs and Fiona served up a massive table full of meaty treats as everyone on camp pitched in and delivered a seemingly endless supply of food to cook, by the end of the evening everyone was groaning under the weight of food and drink. Its one of my favourite parts of the weekend as everyone gets together and natters for hours.

Rob & Hannah joined us late on with yet more food once it was all eaten and before the light faded I took the opportunity to grab a massive group shot, everyone who made the weekend was in it, I count 40 if you include dogs!

Then the silliness began as the drink flowed and everyone relaxed even more.

We all gathered round Franks van to sing Happy Birthday to Yen and eat cake. Mmmm

And then it was time to drag the chairs under the shelter and talk twaddle till midnight, tales were told and and I did a bit of sit down light graffiti.

And as the night got colder we battened down the hatches in anticipation of a stormy night, high winds and rain were forecast so we took no chances and settled in for the night in bed.

Sunday morning dawned grey again, but it showed no signs of clearing, the winds hadn’t blown us all away so those that were heading to Stonor for the VW show packed up and said goodbyes before hitting the road. The rest of us grabbed breakfast. It was Lily’s second ever camp and after the sleepless nights and Santa Pod, she coped much better. Sleeping in a van appears to be the most exciting thing ever.

With Kim, Lily and Fiona dispatched to town for a walk, Phil and I packed everything up as some took the walk of shame to the bins!

One by one we departed, goodbye hugs and the promise of Wally 2012 to come everyone was in a good mood.

Back from their walk the girls clambered aboard the Camper and we headed for home, not stopping this time as the heavens opened shortly after setting off. The final touch to the van, the much sort after 2011 camping sticker. A big thank you to Martin for saving the day and making loads of purple stickers for us.

And that’s it, the list of thank yous would be 40 people long. So I’ll just say a massive thanks to everyone that came along. The weekend was a huge success again and it proves that you don’t need a big show to organise a get together, any excuse will do! To everyone that camped, cooked, got wet, paddled, chilled, relaxed and had fun. Check your inbox in early 2012. Bring on the Big Wallingford Campout.

Steve.

The rest of the photos are here

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Sprinting in the park

2011-05-29T22:00:00.001+01:00

After last years trip to Crystal Palace for the sprint, we decided to head back again. Set in the grounds of the park at the site of the massive radio mast like last year it was spilt into several areas. Arriving within a few minutes of The JTBs we set off together, heading down the steps to the classic car show. Not a massive turnout but still a good selection of motors.

Grabbing a breakfast roll we stood by the hairpin to watch a few cars on their first practise lap, the narrow tarmac proving tricky to hang on to at times.

“Excuse me sir, may we have a word!”

Heading through the trees we emerged into the paddock area, set in a clearing in the woods the dappled light filtering through it provided a relaxing setting for some spannering. Once again the quality of cars running was high, from standard road cars to full blown race machines.

The Delta E-4, an electric car built near Silverstone, a mixture of Volvo C30 rear end and McLaren F1 front, all slimmed down in a wind cheating narrow ride.

This Beetle was running a 2.5lt lump and had cooling ducts everywhere.

Former Autosport editor and TV commentator Simon Taylor and the Stovebolt Special.

The Rebuilt Bill McGovern Imp

The very brutal Surtees TS11 F5000, sounded evil and nearly burst my ear drums as I was crouched next to it when they fired it up!

As the second practice runs started we headed for the start line, after a few competitors had left the line we decided the view was too limited so headed round to the straight that leads to the chicane, with a handy lump of stone to elevate me I got some nice shoots over the Armco.

The lunch break provided a chance to refuel and move to higher ground, the terrace area overlooking the run up from the start into the 90° corner and then the run into the chicane.

Disappointment of the day went to the white Delta E-4, it failed to complete a run following some issues with the on/off switch!

As the session ended we upped and moved to the spot we found last year, looking down to the start line and the exit from the chicane.

After a scout around we selected a final viewing area of the day, looking back into the chicane sand along the final straight.

How not to exit the chicane!

And with a final demo run from the Surtees, we were all sprinted out for the day.

Once again the day was a success, some very fast times from committed drivers (35 seconds to cover the 740m course!) fed our need for racing over a bank holiday weekend, luckily the weather held for us too. There are lots more photos here.

Steve.

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Classics at The Mill

2011-05-27T23:00:00.001+01:00

After a tough week (well three day week!) at work I was just about to relax on Friday night when I gazed at the calendar, the column where I scribble all the things I might do had something in for today….I’d completely forgotten about the Hants & Berks Motorclub summer meet at Longbridge Mill on the A33. With not enough time to raise any company I set off in the Camper with the words “ I’ll only be an hour or so”

Rolling down the A33 in the cool evening air, window down it was very relaxing, as I pulled into the carpark of the pub there was already quite a gathering so I parked up and set about snapping.

Back at the camper I had a natter to a couple of chaps who had been to DATP the previous week. One had a 1973 Devon in the garage mid resto and his kids were keen to explore our van, fun times camping are hopefully not far away from them.

You can’t have a classic car meet without at least one E-Type Jaguar.

Oldest car of the night went to this beautiful 1921 Vauxhall, proper motoring from the dawn of the automobile. Its owner dressed for the occasion in flat cap and string backed gloves!

Most modern car of the night was this 2008 R8 from Audi, 420hp from a silent V8 out back and all mod cons. The difference was staggering.

As people started to head home for the evening a band of club members were busying themselves under the bonnet of club chairman, David Wilsons Jaguar. Ignition issues had caused some under bonnet smoking and by the time I had wandered over various parts were being removed and checked. The coil, distributor cap and electronic ignition module were all suspects.

As the time wore on more people joined and a couple more toolkits were broken open, countless times the 3.4 litre engine was cranked but still it refused to fire.

The sun had gone down so a couple of modern cars were called on for additional lighting and still the parts were swapped out.

Finally at almost 11pm I called time on my visit and bid the remaining mechanics a farewell with wishes of a speedy resolution to the issue. The owner finally conceding defeat and calling his breakdown company. I’m still not sure of the out come, but the dedication put in was amazing, nobody wanted to be the first one to stop trying things. Heres to a quick return to motoring for the mighty Jaguar.

The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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Dubs at the Park - The Winners

2011-05-22T22:00:00.012+01:00

Congratulations to all the winners from this years Dubs at the Park

Best Type 1 Beetle

Best Type 2 (Split Screen)

Best Type 2 (Bay Window)

Best Type 3/4

Best Karmann Ghia

Best Other Aircooled Car

Best New Beetle

Best Golf

Best Passat (which was actually a debadged Bora!)

Best Polo

Best Other Watercooled Car

Best Type 25

Best T4

Best T5

Best Interior

Best Accessory

Best Dent

Best Rusty Dub

Most Wanted

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A lazy day at Dubs at the Park for once!

2011-05-22T22:00:00.003+01:00

In 2004 at South Hill Park LTV ran the first Dubs at the Park, we went along as punters and had a really good look around the 150 Volkswagens on show and left with some ideas of what to look for when we bought our first Beetle, fast forward to today and we were back once more as punters, the previous six events we’d been in orange t-shirts helping the hardy band of volunteers to organise and run one of the best one day events around. It was quite nice having a lazy wake up on Sunday, reading a few Facebook updates from the site as people were setting up. But by 10am we were on the road, the camper loaded with our gazebo and rations for the day. Rolling up the driveway we were descended on by the ultra efficient gate crew and parked up with the other club Dubs. With the gazebo unloaded and erected (with minutes to spare before the first of a couple of heavy showers soaked the site) we sat by in the camper for a drink and waited for Lily to wake up from her morning nap.

The new entry system for the show meant at the top of the drive all we saw was Beetles and Golfs queuing. The campers were being sent up the side drive. The result was a much shorter wait and no big tailbacks, a good lesson learnt from previous years!

After a natter to a few friends we set off with Katherine, Rich and Doug, NCT group friends who were at their first DATP and loving it. The problem with us and VW shows is that we know too many people, hence it takes for ever to get round as we have to keep stopping for a chat, but it all adds to the fun. First stop the traders, not needing any bits I kept my wallet firmly locked away, but was very tempted with a shiny new steering wheel and dashboard for the van from the first stall. Kim then managed to blag us a snack. A few weeks before the show she had spotted the Levi Roots “Reggae Reggae Sauce” van parked up in Sainsburys. The company use a new watercooled T2 for advertising and took no persuasion at all to come along to trade, in return we munched on nachos with a Roots special salsa Mmmm.

After ice cream number one of the day (thank you Katherine) we headed back to the van for a pitstop as Doug and Lily were getting hungry. I had a mission to go on though. One of the perks of being mates with the show organiser Stu, he asked if I was free for a high level photography session. So with a few other snappers as well as a cameraman we headed for the roof of Easthampstead Park. The view is stunning, nothing but trees as far as the eye can see. The damage from the recent forest fires evident. You’d never think the show was less than a mile from motorway.

The Manager surveying his show.

Our blue bay is hidden behind the coachbuilt corner!

With plenty of photos taken and the promise of a return trip when the winners cars lined up a few floors below I headed back to the camper for lunch and a well earned pint from the cold box.

With an extended lunch and chat we decided we better actually get off our backsides and see the rest of the show so headed for the side field and the campers.

Feeling warm we headed for the ice cream van again, pity some tubby bloke in orange jumped the queue!

It was a little windy on that side of the show as well, so we skirted the line ups and made for shelter again.

The back field was thinning out by the time we got there, but there was still enough to keep us busy. Mainly water cooled Golfs, the humble Beetle was a bit lacking this year. A sign of changing times in the VW world?

Feeling in need of a rest once more we headed back to the camper again. The beauty of the show is the ability to park right in the middle if the action, you’re never more than five minutes from a sit down! We passed the ever busy club stand and took the weight off our feet for half an hour. Before the others left for the day. I even had a chance to relieve myself of my pint from earlier!

The votes were all counted so we made our way back to the stage and awaited the results, the crowds gathered.

Bored of being at ground level I headed for the high vantage spot once more and spent a while taking in the view while the final awards were given out.

Finally with all the awards presented the winners were invited to drive up onto the gravel terrace for the remaining visitors to admire their rides.

I was joined shortly after by the rest of the snappers and we whiled away a good 15 minutes getting an unusual angle on the day.

I decided to head back down to see the winners up close. There will be another blog entry with the namesof all the winners when I can get a list together. In the mean time, well done to everyone that drove off with a trophy, nice to see some different vehicles winning this year. This Caddy won Best in Show.

All that was left to do was pack up the gazebo and the van and grab a cold drink with the crew, they all looked knackered but happy that another successful show was over, early rumours suggest around 2500 visitors, which from previous years means well over 1000 Dubs at the Park. I took the obligatory “crew photo” as they rested on the lawn and we said our goodbyes.

It was a very different experience for us, no running around sorting things out, no walking the full length of the drive several times during the morning. We saw the show as punters and it was brilliant, hats off to Stu and all the orange t-shirt crew for their hard work.

There are loads more photos here.

Steve.

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Kripsy Kreme and cars

2011-05-15T15:49:00.001+01:00

Over the weekend we spied a post on JTBs Facebook wall “Doughnut Sunday this weekend” well it would have been rude not to! With another Dubbing friend Ian heading over as well we all met up just off the A3 at New Maldon and wandered the road and carpark outside the Krispy Kreme diner admiring the array of American metal on show. The meet was down on numbers a bit as the show season is well underway and several regulars were else where. But there was a good enough turn out for us.

I had a good look round this mental V8 mid engined Thames at Wheels Day, nice to see it being used in anger.

As is the way with these events, the only way to leave is in a cloud of smoke laying an “11” on the tarmac as you go, this was the best of a heavy traffic limiting bunch.

Back in the carpark there were a few more cars to look round and some bikes.

Before we all got down to the serious business of eating doughnuts, a dozen assorted were selected and with drinks we sat and nattered as some tasty cars rolled by outside.

Kim with the sweet option, Lily with the healthy option.

She was actually more interested in the hats and napkins than the sugary treats on offer!

The rest of the photos can be found here.

Steve.

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First time camper at The Pod

2011-05-08T20:16:00.002+01:00

This years Big Bang at Santa Pod was going to be a very different experience for us, our camping party has now grown to three. With the van packed suspiciously light (we’d forgotten a coat and the BBQ) we set off using last years rubbish traffic laden trip to Northampton as a warning and avoided everything with a relaxing drive across the A43 past Silverstone and down. Rolling into Camp LTV we parked up at the quiet end (we’d make it the noisy end by the evening!) and pitched, Kim and Lily resting on the grass while our home for the weekend was built up.

As more people started arriving we said a few hellos and headed off to wander round, letting Lily experience the joy that is The Pod. Through the traders that were still setting up and down into the race pits we had a quick look round and then made our way back past the camping areas.

Back at camp and with the sunshine blazing down it was time to build then fire up the new BBQ for some tea. Lily relaxed in one of the many baby bits we brought along to test and watched the burgers and sausages cook.

After a snack and with Kim and Lily a safe distance away we headed to the banking for Fire Force 3s final run. A pant wetting 260mph in under 6 seconds.

Back in the camping area the nattering was going on and as the sun started to go down the party kicked off. Lily was already tucked up in the awning so we settled down outside to chew the fat, something we rarely get the chance to do a show and headed to bed nice an early. Not knowing how the night would go.

Morning came and we soon realised that the awning wasn’t the place for a light sleeping baby that can sleep through a super charged car starting up in the pits, but can’t cope with a person chatting on the far side of the campsite! Kim didn’t get much sleep and saw almost every hour pass. I slept like a baby should of in the Camper, muffled from the outside world, we would be swapping for tonights test. But to make sure she would be happy we had a trial run at 7am.

After a hearty breakfast of black pudding, bacon & mushroom baps we waited for the rain to clear before venturing out. Into the traders and armed with a list we grabbed a new flag for our pole and some windscreen wipers for the camper. Before heading into the pit area

We stopped for a chat with the owner of this beast, a couple of tons of pickup, propelled along by over nine litres of V8 goodness to sub 13 second 1/4miles.

The drivers and teams were really friendly in the pits allowing very close access to the cars and bikes for a good look and some great photos.

*good for 150mph in just over nine seconds.

We headed back to the camper for a spot of lunch and to rest our legs and had a good natter to some fellow campers.

After lunch we headed back out round the camping areas to get some photos and let Lily have an afternoon nap. Fired up with some Crazy Udder smoothies we wandered again.

Leaving Kim and Lily once more by the camper I headed up to the banking for some racing, I’m not a massive drag racing fan preferring corners to straights, but it filled a couple of hours nicely watching big V8s and the like belting up the strip.

I did a bit of celeb spotting as Lionel Richie was sat a few yards from me watching as well.

Entertainment was provided by the Wheelie Stand Split doing extreme nose up runs.

Back at camp it was all too much for some and they needed an early nap.

Before the evenings fun, I tagged along for a bit to watch some make a fool of themselves on the dodgems and to watch the fireworks before heading back to natter and then to bed, this time in the awning for the first time. Kim and Lily having bagged the camper earlier.

Sunday dawned wet, apart from a slightly damp ground sheet we escaped the downpour over night and it seemed a comfy and quieter camper is a far better place to nap.

With our sensible heads on we munched on another hearty breakfast of meat before clearing up and packing the pitch away, theres nothing worse than coming back mid afternoon tired from the day with a couple of hours packing to do before you can leave for the long drive back. With some help from The JTBs in the Lily sitting department we were soon tidy and off for another walk, with Alan and the JTBs along for the day.

It was wet last night!

The Battle of Britain Lancaster performed several very low passes, the last right over our heads. Amazing stuff.

Then, egged on by each other we left Lily in the care of Uncle Alanbug and mounted up in Red Dragon, a 1750hp 10 seater monster truck. It took us on a high speed spin round the arena and over some parked cars. Loads of body roll, a thundering V8 and some massive tyres, best £7.50 I’ve spent in a while.

Grinning from ear to ear we set off to the food stalls to grab some Mexican chow for lunch before a quick look round the Show ‘n’Shine.

Before heading back to the campers and the last goodbyes, hugs all round and a smiling Lily. I think she really enjoyed being out in the fresh air all weekend long and meeting lots of new friends. We certainly did.

The rest of the snaps are here.

Steve.

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PS, as we were about to leave we spotted that Clare had abandoned her old tent, a mish mash made of several old tents with modifications she had clearly decided it was of no more use and left it pitched for the clear up crew to dispose of it….we had other ideas!

Behind the scenes at the BTCC

2011-05-01T22:59:00.000+01:00

Its been almost 10 years since I was last at Thruxton, that visit was for the British Touring Car Championship. Today I was back there again for the BTCC, but on a very different trip. Usually we’re at a race track early, wander the paddock and then off round the track to get some snaps whilst watching all the races.

This time we were there as guests of one of the teams, “GoMobileUK.com with tech-speed”, or more precisely a guest of our friend Nick who works for the company who sponsors the team. Nick is the man responsible for the look of the team from the race cars right down to the overalls (nice shiny whites for the first time this year!) They are an independent team running last seasons Chevrolet Cruze with John George and Paul O’Neill driving.

Instead of our usual walk about we were going to be staying around the paddock and the team garages to soak up the atmosphere and get an amazing look behind the scenes of a day with the team. First up the autograph session, the public are let loose in the pitlane for a bit to nab freebies and meet the drivers (and the lovely grid girls), we had a quick wander along.

With that out of the way and the first of the support races underway we went on a walk around the support paddock, home to cars from the Porsche, Ginetta and Clio Cup as well as Formula Renault. We also took in some celebrate spotting and the BTCC garages as well.

Then it was time for race one, we gathered in the garages as the team cars were pushed through to the pit apron, once the pit lane was open it was off to form up the grid

After 16 laps neither Paul or John had made much progress, the turbo cars on the gird running several mph faster through the traps and with Dunlop also sorting the usual puncture problems, places were hard to make up.

Back in the garages the cars were readied for the second race of the day and after a brief intro and natter to the drivers we set off to the other side of the track to have a quick look round. Nick found a Honda RC race game that he and his son proceeded to dominate and we watched some of the Clio races.

Meeting back in the paddock before the second BTCC race I was loaned a very special pass, one that gave access not only to the pitlane but also the grid, so shedding most of my camera gear I set off to the hallowed tarmac as the cars were lining up for the race.

The lovely Sunshine.co.uk gird girls, always smiling no matter how strong the wind ruffled their hair!

It was a case of keeping your eye out as cars sped through the gatherings of mechanics to take up grid places.

All too soon the klaxon sounded and it was time to clear the grid, it was one of the best motor racing experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t thank Nick and the team enough for the opportunity. Back in the garage we joined the rest of the team in front of the big screen to watch the action, with the live timing below and the cars flying past the other side of the wall it was so much more fun than sitting on the sofa. As the banter flowed the laps dropped off until both cars had again crept up the standings, sadly Paul was just one place shy of pole position for the last race after a gearbox fault robbed him of sixth.

The car was soon stripped down and the offending parts swapped over in a time that would make the average garage blush (the whole gear cluster was out of the car and on the bench within 10 minutes.

More support races thundered past as we nosed around the place while prep work for the third and final race took place.

IN the break between the last races we had a chat to Paul about the race and his gearbox woes and even bumped into his famous sister, Spicegirl Mel C.

As the last race of the day arrived it was my brothers turn to go grid walking with Nick. Then back to the garage where we had the very surreal experience of watching a BTCC race with Pauls family as well as Mel C and her parents!

With the last race ending as the others with not much improvement for the team it was time to head home. Stopping off to say goodbye to the drivers and pit crew as we went. With a shiny turbo or a track that doesn’t favour such a massive amount of torque and top speed, the purple Chevys could be much further up the gird. But it didn’t matter, the whole team was so friendly and positive of better results later in the season. It was a very different day at the races for me, but a very interesting one. An enormous thanks to Nick for arranging it for us and to the whole team for being so welcoming and open. Who knows, we may be back in 2012!

The rest of the photos (with very few of actual track action for once) can be found here.

Steve.
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Kim and Lily do Bracknell

2011-05-01T14:00:00.001+01:00

While I was VIPing it up At Thruxton, Kim and Lily took the Camper over to Bracknell to meet up with a few fellow dubbers. The turnout was tiny as usual, but they had a good time and enjoyed themselves in the sunshine.

Kim & Lily.

Easter at the races

2011-04-25T21:00:00.001+01:00

Another Easter Monday, another trip to Castle Combe for the season opener. Like last year I left Kim at home and took our friend Phil, armed with his newly purchased lens he was keen for some racing snaps. My brother also tagged along for a full days racing. Rolling into the carpark in glorious sunshine the place was already rammed and roasting, we headed straight for the paddock via a porky snack from the chuck wagon. There was a good mix of car competing. Local manufacturer Marcos had a 30 minute race lined up.

CCRC had its usual three championships kicking off, the Saloons, GTs and Formula Fords.

Also on offer today were the Production Gti and MG Midget races.

The snappers warmed up ready for the racing.

During the lunch break a cavalcade of Marci (what is the plural of Marcos?) took to the track for a lap and the local championships lines up for the usual track walk.

Then it was on with the racing, the Formula Ford race was a quiet one, with a couple of spins local to us, but some hard fought racing at the front.

Next was the MGs, with front left wheels hanging as the exited the chicane there was plenty of action as the faster modifieds cut through the slower back markers.

Next up the Golfs had a similarly quiet race.

We moved down to Tower Corner for the Saloon race, what started out quiet soon changed, coming out of the Esses a car was tipped into a roll but this was all hidden by the smoke screen he left from a blown engine.

Cars spun on the oil, drivers locked up and punched bumpers as the safety car was called out to recover the lucky driver.

Well built rollcage and a high speed roll = bumped and bruised driver.

After a short break the Marcos race began, again this was put under the safety car after a nasty shunt at Quarry.

Up at Quarry the crowds were heaving (and that was just the smell from the sewers!) as the GT race got under way, the nimble bewinged Radicals ruling today.

A coldish pint of cider helped the second Golf race go past, the highlight being the nifty one handed pint drinking mobile phone holding snapping of this spin by Phil.

The last race we watched was the FF final, interrupted on lap one by a huge coming together over Avon Rise, everyone seemed to keep their wheels on the ground, but it was another safety car moment.

With that we headed for home, warm and tired and ready for a massive Chinese takeaway. The racing wasn’t the best I’ve seen at Combe, the grids for some races were quite small, one race was even cancelled completely. But it was good to be back down in Wiltshire once more. The rest of the snaps are here.

Steve.

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A scorcher at Wheels Day

2011-04-22T20:41:00.001+01:00

For the first time in several years, Good Friday dawned bright and sunny and stayed that way till the evening. Making this Wheels Day the hottest, sunniest and busiest since we first came in 2005. We rolled in a little later than usual as the crowds were queuing early.

Nibbling breakfast in the queue meant hit the ground running and set off across the show fields trying to see everything. Its impossible! But we did our best. With the eBay bargain buggy in tow it made the bumpy show ground a doddle.

There was something for everyone from American muscle through to English classics.

Having cleared the side field we heading back to the main area and cooled off with an ice cream. (thank you Pab)

This Thames van looked in mint condition, but a little odd, closer inspection revealed a hefty set of tyres out back ….

….and a stonking V8 in the middle!

As ever our merry band of followers got bigger as we gathered up more friends on the walk about.

Worn out we headed back to the camper for a bite to eat and ended up crashed out for a couple of hours chatting. Lily was munching on her fruity snacks and entertaining an older man!

Showing Alfie who was boss, she moved in for a snog!

Suitably refreshed and deciding to head off on our own for a bit we took in the traders and the bikes.

Before heading up the hill to take it all in, I reckon there were a good few thousand cars and several times that in visitors.

Back on the field we did a final wander round until the heat got to much for us all.

Then we settled by the vans for a bit, the queue to get out growing ever longer. We rested until it was gone.

As we headed out there could only have been a few dozen cars left, the roads we clear and we took the scenic route back through the woods. The weather looks to be staying hot and sunny for a bit now, with a nice 11 day break lets hope so.

The rest of the photos are here.

Steve.

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F1 just exploded

2011-04-16T22:45:00.002+01:00

After my photography course I had one more photo I wanted to get. Next door to Brooklands is Mercedes World, a three storey showroom for the three pointed star as well as a small collection of classic and racing Mercs. The centre piece of the Formula One display is “View Suspended II” a vast forest of thin wires suspending over 3000 pieces of one of the Mercedes GP cars. Like a massive real life Haynes manual the inner workings of the 200mph racing car is laid bare. It is awesome.

After lots of superglue has been used it was back to normal again!

I’m not sure how long the display is on for, but if you’re into F1 and the engineering side of things, then get along there. Its free to get in and will keep you busy for a couple of hours, you can even watch the loons throwing AMGs around on the skid pan as well!.

Steve.

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Brooklands car photography course

2011-04-16T22:00:00.004+01:00

Back in March, Kim treated me to a day with top automotive snapper Jason Dodd. A chance to hone my skills, work on composition and get some advice on improving my photos. The course was set in the grounds of Brooklands museum, home to dozens of period buildings and a short section of the mighty 1907 banked race track. The setting is ideal for a motoring photo shoot, Jason would bring along a selection of classic and modern cars to use as “models” Roobarb our 1974 Beetle being one of them. On an overcast Saturday morning I rolled into the small carpark at the front of the club house to be met by a group of chaps all sporting camera bags far bigger than mine! After a quick coffee stop we positioned a few of the cars and set to work. Jason drifted from car to car offering tips and advice on techniques and angles. The air was filled with the sound of shutters.

First up were a pair of ragtoppers in the form of a stunning 08 plate Morgan and a noisy Marlin kit car.

Parked up under Concorde behind the main sheds was the star of the day for me. A 1960s Gordon Keeble, 5.4litres of V8 grunt powering a sleek fibreglass body. I could have snapped the car all day and in my opinion it gave me some of my best shots of the course.

With the sun beating down we moved off to the sheds on the far side of the site, home to the Formula one exhibition and the site of Malcolm Campbells workshops as he built various land speed record cars. A pair of TR5s and Roobarb were posed against the timber buildings, the lairy yellow proving quite tricky for many to capture.

The last shoot before lunch was the two tone Morgan again, its owner used the faded Shell Pagoda to good effect as a backdrop, the clubhouse balcony provided an elevated platform. With the last shots in the bag we retired to the café for a snack and a cheeky pint before the afternoons activities

The afternoon started with a mini convoy of all the cars up to the famed banking, scattering the tin liberally around we had plenty of space to wander off and get some interesting shots, once again the GK seemed to be coming up trumps for me, the old pit buildings under the members bridge offering a great location. The massive Maserati and Jaguar along with the GK gave me the ideal magazine front cover shot as well

Moving back amongst the planes on display we used the rest of the afternoon lining up various cars and winged (and wingless) wonders.

My final shot had to be of Roobarb, parked in a forgotten corner of the site amongst a pile of old tyres, ready for the drive home.

After six hours outside and well over 500 photos, my brain is a bit fried and my legs a bit tired, but I feel like I’ve picked up some really useful tips for the future. Its not often that you get to devote some much time to composing a shot, at a show or a race meet it tends to be a five second pause whilst walking past. But hopefully I can put some of the ideas to use.

Massive thanks to Jason for today, more information on his company can be found here.

Steve.

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The season opener at Volksworld

2011-03-26T20:44:00.002Z

I know we went to our first VW show of the year last Saturday, but today was the official start to the show season. Sandown race course is the venue for the Volksworld show. For the last few years we’ve been up at the crack of dawn to get over to Surrey and on the club stand, this year we would be there as punters so after a lazy wake up drifted over and parked up half an hour before the doors opened. We missed the worst of the traffic and got to look round the carpark as well. Lily was getting very excited at the prospect of her first big show.

After a welcome cuppa from Jeff in the for sale area, we joined the short queue and we soon inside, first stop the parade arena outside, home to the Split Screen and Early Bay line ups.

Hightop Spilt Screen panel vans seemed to be flavour of the month, we spotted five in total.

A very well travelled Baja.

Passing through the main hall we aimed for the club stand areas next and after a quick natter to the hard working chaps on the LTV stand we took another stroll round. There are often Dubs of a very high standard that should really be inside on plinths lined up outside as well as some great displays. Like last year I felt the club area was spoilt by one massive stand again, it dominated the section and wasn’t really in the spirit of the rest of the clubs.

Pausing on the steps for some lunch we reflected on how good the show was, in the past my view of the show has usually been a flying dash round at 9am taking snaps followed by a day flyering, this year we actually got to see the cars and take it all in. After a hectic few months my VW mojo was being restored once more. Full up we aimed inside to start with the first of the two floors of traders and show cars.

Having fought our way round we took a breather at the LTV stand for a pitstop. We spied some dodgy characters getting up to no good!

Wheres that tomato gone?

Just adjusting my nozzle!

With the afternoon getting on we headed inside for the last hall. Last year saw the amazing Tamiya replica Baja on show, this years oddity was this life sized Radio Flyer.

It was hungry work looking at Dubs, so we nabbed an ice cream and watched the “Bug Stuff”

With a bout of shopping and some goodbyes we took the long route back to the carpark taking a final few snaps.

And with that it was all over for another year. We got to catch up with some good friends, bought a couple of bits for the Beetle we needed, furnished our lounge with some cool art work and introduced Lily to the world of Volkswagens.

The rest of the photos are here, thanks for looking.

Steve.

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Dubaid "Help for Heroes"

2011-03-19T20:36:00.002Z

As I chipped the ice off the Passat this morning I decided it was a very good decision not to camp out at Castle Combe in March. As we arrived on site at Dubaid and heard the tales of –6°C over night, my choice was further cemented! Organised in double quick time following a discussion on VZi about a way to pay our respects to Wootton Basset and its residents for every time they have lined the streets to honour repatriated troops. The idea of a cruise of Dubs came about and with a start point needed the race track grounds at Castle Combe were eventually chosen, to give everyone something to do before Sundays cruise a massive camp out, show’n’shine and trader line up was arranged for the day and bands for the evenings. From small acorns and all that. Having been a bit out of the loop we parked up in the day visitors area and walked round to where a few LTVers had made camp, it was like old times again.

We borrowed a chair and settled down for lunch as Lily got to meet lots of new friends and have more cuddles than she knew what to do with.

The drink was already flowing and the dancing had started.

After lunch we headed off to check out the show.

There was a sizeable show’n’shine to keep us entertained with such oddities as this roof chopped Bay.

It wasn’t just air-cooled cars on show, the water pumpers had a good turnout too.

As we circled the campsite we spied a frazzled Keebs in full on organiser mode, relieving him of some cider we promised to get along to the charity auction later in the afternoon and bid.

Back on camp more people had arrived and chatted for a while soaking up the sunshine and brilliant blue skies.

Before the gang headed for the auction tent, wallets bulging and ready to spend.

Inside Keebs held court with his finest “I’m a little teapot” impression.

As the lots appeared the bidding was a little slow, but Pete heckled and jeered until the cash began to flow, earlier in the day we had spied a rather nice clock built from an old chrome hubcap. It was suddenly held aloft and with approval from Lily I entered a mini bidding war settling on £45 in aid of “Help for Heroes”

With most of the lots gone and the rest heading for eBay, we decided to head home, the sun was going down and it was getting chilly, as ever it took us another hour to say goodbye before pointing the toasty warm Passat Eastwards. It was great to catch up with the old crowd again, and to introduce Lily to her first proper Volkswagen show, she was asleep before she got in the car.

The rest of the photos are here. And you can find out more about the show here

Steve.

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Sunny times in Bracknell

2011-03-06T19:00:00.000Z

August 2010, the last time we rocked up at South Hill Park in an air-cooled car. After an early start to do a bit of business with JTB, we decided with the sun shining it was time to fire the camper up once more for the trip down the A329(M) to Bracknell. As we entered the carpark it was clear a few others had had a similar idea, it was heaving*

We opted for a pint and a sarnie in the café to keep us going before heading back outside, sunny it may have been, but it was damn chilly in the shade nattering!

Lily abandoned her Dub in the carpark too.

And grabbed a lift with mummy

After a couple of hours chatting it was all too much for some and we headed home. It was great to see some old faces back at the Park again as well as a few new ones too.

Steve.

*10 Dubs in one day is heaving after the drought of the last few meetings!

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New VW meet in Lower Earley

2011-02-06T17:38:00.002Z

Yep, thats right. An all new Volkswagen meet has started in Lower Earley, any VW, any age, any condition. The first meet had a fantastic turnout of three Dubs.

Ok, so I was out on my mates stag do yesterday, I was battered from paint balling and slightly too hungover to be bothered with driving anywhere so JTB and Matt popped over for a cuppa. It was great to see you guys.

How ever if theres enough interest we could make it a regular meet, it would save me loads in petrol and I can guarantee at least three Dubs everytime!

Steve.

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Cars, Coffee & Doughnuts

2011-01-16T18:01:00.001Z

Despite saying I was cutting back on the number of events we do each year, January has been as busy as ever, meeting number five this morning saw us London bound once more to New Malden on the A3 for the Krispy Kreme Doughnut gathering.

We’d arranged to meet up with the JTBs and spied them as soon as we arrived, so meandered along nattering and checking out the Muscle on display.

This Chevy belongs to Nick who borrowed our Beetle for a photoshoot a couple of years ago, the perfect family car!

This is the Cortina that eluded me at the New Years Day meet.

Feeling peckish we headed inside and grabbed a table before ordering a dozen of KKs finest.

Solid food maybe a few months away, but it always helps to investigate it in advance.

With a light shower outside the crowds indoors got bigger and some people started to head home so I nipped out for some more snaps.

Soon it was time to head off so we headed for the side street to collect the Passat and said our goodbyes. If you’re ever in New Malden on the third Sunday of the month, its well worth stopping by for a sweet snack and some big cars.

Cheers for looking, the rest of the photos are here

Steve.

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