Just one week-end to
recover from our trip to LeMans and Hampshire are off again this time to the
Banbury Steam Fair at Bloxham. There were four frogs and a steamy tractor
(Gertrude) a lady with attitude! (Sorry John no chickens).
We
were thrilled to discover that our four Frogeyes where featured in the
programme. A lovely 1/2 page photograph taken the previous year. After a hot
and dusty two days we struck camp and headed for home - but not for
long.
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It’s Friday
again so we must be off to another weekend show. This time it’s the
Fairford Traction Engine Rally.
Unfortunately we discovered on arrival that the camping field had only recently
been vacated by a herd of cows. (Anyone for Frisbee?) We eventually managed to
clear enough space for our caravan, three tents and the new gazebo. The fourth
tent was occupied by two soot encrusted urchins answering to the names Peter
and Matt and was pitched in the miniature engine area where they could tend to
‘Gertrude’ Harriet’s very demanding steamy thing who throws a
hissy fit if not looked after in the manner to which she has become accustomed.
The weather could have been better and
Saturday afternoon and evening we were confined to quarters (or gazebo) by the
rain. However, we are a creative bunch and can usually be relied upon to invent
something to keep us occupied. This weekend’s find was a new and tasty
snack. - Sandwich one Jelly Baby (in a flavour of your choice) between two Hint
of Lime Doritos and enjoy. It tastes better as the evening progresses!!.
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Sunday was a
better day weatherwise and after a last look around the show we left for home
in a flurry of cowpat at around 5.00pm.
BBC Gloucestershire covered the event and have published a picture
on their web site of Gertie with Peter and Matt. To view Click Here |
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| Harriet
driving with Matt and Terry looking on – brilliant. |
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You know how these
things start, “will you help us out at a Rally please, we’re running
a miniature railway?” And the moment you say, “Yes” the vague
explanation of what you’ll be doing is started. Well this is the reason
that the Langport light Railway came into being. Pete wanted to run the
Duchesse at the rally to “do something different” and when he
approached Dave to use the engine and carriages the work started. Insurance had
to be got, track found, and the wherewithal to tow/carry it all
arranged.
More |
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Late PM
sunshine on Friday 5th August finds us driving through the lovely Oxfordshire
countryside on our way to meet up at the The Gloucestershire Steam &
Vintage Extravaganza at Kemble airfield. All goes well and we arrive on the
outskirts of the airfield only to find the road closed due to an accident. So
after a 6 mile detour we finally arrive and get settled in time for Andre to
light the barbie.
Our four Frogeyes were
enthusiasticly received and were asked to drive round the areana in line
abrest, not as easy as it would first appear.
A very good show with loads to see and do but for me the
highlight was Saturday night when seven or more Showman's engines were pulled
up by the helter skelter, the gallopers and the beer tent - with all lights
blazing.
Click Here for pictures |
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| Frogeye lookalike at Hampshire |
We pitched our tents in the sunshine and as we arrived at the line-up we were
joined by Alf and Lynn, so our customary ‘foursome of frogs‘ was
complete. (What is the collective noun for frogs?) Later in the day we were
also joined by a new contestant in the ‘Frog Lookalike’ competition
in the form of a Zest. The Zest is a little countrified roadster dedicated to
jaunting. Moreover, the Zest belongs to that family of popular enjoyable
vehicles like the Mini, Beetle, 2CV, 4L and the Méhari.
With whoops of joy we quickly descended upon the Auto
Jumble stalls and many gleeful comments could be heard from several members of
our group. The daytime entertainment included motorbike stunts and an
aerobatics flying display and in the evening there was a heated beer tent and
live entertainment to be enjoyed. The former was very good and made a change
from the usual parade of tractors etc. The latter is best described as an
over-exaggeration. The ‘heated beer tent’ consisted of a trailer the
size of a large kebab van selling a limited range of beer and cider and an
open-fronted marquee with a few light bulbs hanging on some of the support
poles. The live entertainment was a man and his electric organ, fortunately, or
not, depending upon your point of view, he was in danger of being drowned out
by a big white American jobby that was playing The Who on its sound
system.
As usual we found our own amusement and after a very satisfying
barbecue John entertained us with graphic demonstration on how to attend to
ones personal hygiene with one sheet of toilet paper! An invaluable lesson in
view of the fact that most of the aforementioned had run out in the
port-a-loos.
All in all this, our last camping weekend on this year’s
calendar, was a fitting finale and we are eagerly looking forward to next
year’s agenda - any ideas? |
Click Here for
pictures |
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The clouds parted
and the sun came out as we arrived so we had a beer to celebrate while pitching
tents etc. John and Vic arrived on Saturday morning completing the usual 4
Frogeye Sprite line up.
Unfortunately the wind and rain returned with a
vengeance on Saturday night and Terry woke to find his tent trying to smother
him where he lay. The wind continued to blow throughout Sunday and as a result
we are mourning the sad loss of both Gazebos - Resigned to the (non existent)
bins on the way out.
We would like
to thank the show organiser for placing the water and toilet facilities at the
opposite end of the field to the camping area. Not only did it help with the
fitness regime but alleviated the need for a shower! very
thoughtful.
Quotes of the weekend -
"Look at that lovely pair of Bristols" and "There's an inflatable balloon going
over" |
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We
pitched our tents in anticipation of another sunny weekend. Unfortunately the
'Powers that be' had other plans and the heavens opened just as the show was
getting under way. Thankfully our spirits weren't dampened in the deluge, apart
from Barry and Jenny, who were forced to take shelter under the Country and
Western music stall and emerged an hour later having lost the will to live.
They were revived by the proceeds of a trip to the local supermarket and
several happy hours were spent swapping stories around the barbie' (nothing new
there then).
Sunday dawned to cloudy skies, but they soon cleared
and the sun came out once again. We were joined in the line-up by two more
'Frogeye Sprites' from the Austin Healey club - six colourful Frogeyes in all -
lovely!
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| Six Frogeye
Sprites in line up at Horndean |
Consensus of opinion
- turned out fine again!
Best
advice - 'if you are going to drop your torch down the chemical toilet, leave
it switched on, it's much easier to find' Thank you John. |
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