I can’t claim to have seen all that was there, but it was noticeable how interested a lot of children were when first noticing a machine in operation.

Friday

Friday I helped to clean one of the engines that was to be roaded there, as well as running around in the car when people needing dropping places due to delivering exhibits to the field.

Saturday

Saturday I commenced with the idea of being a supervisor on the stone crushing, although did end up on occasion take my turn, generally carrying out light duties. I also tried to ensure the ropes around the area were maintained, as with children leaning on / swinging against the rope a post or two would occasionally come loose.

We (the ‘committee’ that had arisen to organise the crushing) elected to do slightly over half on the Saturday so as not to have too much to do on the Sunday in case the weather became inclement, and also to give us time to pack up.

We had a slow start, as the Field Marshall we had planned to run it with until the Garrett had steam ran far too fast for the crusher. Once the Garrett was ready progress was probably not as efficient as could have been down to a plethora of volunteers and no plan of how to transport the crushed stone away. We found the owners of a couple of Bonsar 3 wheel trucks who were only too willing to transport the stone to the entrance of the field for the rollers to roll in.

After lunch though we got into a decent rhythm, once we were down to an optimum amount of people and had two vehicles running taking away the stone. The crusher, and therefore the engine, did not really work very hard as most of the material we were crushing was building waste, so a mixture of concrete and brick.

Sunday

Sunday I again did a little stone crushing, but also in the morning became second man on the coal delivering, after we had gone and collected another tonne.

When I caught up with the stone crushers it was noticeable that the skip which the ‘raw material’ came in had a lot of small dusty stone in it. We spent longer getting bucket loads of small stone out, that mostly did not need crushing, as we did passing out decent sized lumps for crushing. A side effect of this was it was very dusty for both eyes and nose – my throat today is sore which I attribute to the amount of dust I must have breathed on over the weekend.

By 2 o’clock though we had finished all of the stone we had been suppliedwith, and cleaned the area of any unwanted stone.

Weather

The weather over the weekend was, considering the time of year, good in general, with the only rain being overnight. The problem with this was the high expectations – last year the weather for this event was unseasonably hot, as was last weekend, so our perceptions were probably very high in advance.

Food

One truly remarkable element of this event is that the exhibitors are provided with lunch on both days supplied by the some of the wives of the families involved. The first year of this event it was an impressive sight, but as the show has got bigger every year since the amount of food provided is astounding, and to such a wonderful standard. It really would be worthy of a professional caterer in a proper venue, provided in a tent in a field. I would guess there must be something like 150 – 200 people fed. I for one would like to thank those responsible for that, something that typifies the friendly atmosphere of this event.

Going Forward

So this truly marks the end of another season. Next weekend is a trip to Cheffins auction before going on to Leicester to meet up with some friends for the night, before the first Dinner & Dance of the winter in about a month. With the Road Run at Christmas to look forward to, and at least one more Dinner & Dance (in March), the majority of occurrences going forward will probably be maintenance, although I’ve not had any conversations about this yet.

This weekend I spent an enjoyable and leisurely weekend in engine-related matters.
Saturday I was up nice and early, although that was primarily to watch the England game in the Rugby World Cup. Once this had finished I made my way up to the where the plough is situated, ready for the working weekend in a fortnight’s time.
After visiting ‘Mini Me’ and ‘Bowler’, who were threatening to do work to the roller (although it appeared it was only talking being done) I went down to the Agricultural yard and picked up some oil.
I made a start of cleaning the oil points and mouldboards (learning the terminology now, hope I am getting it right). After half an hour cleaning the first one armed only with a wire brush I decided I had better hurry up or it would never get done. I oiled the first one, and it did look good.
After this I got into a pattern of cleaning a few before I oiled up, as I was having to clamber around / walk past the finished boards, and didn’t want to get muddy. I also decided to do those near the ground first as they involved all of the bending down, then do those that were up in the air as these in theory should be easier.
I had done just over half of the job when ‘Mini Me’ and ‘Bowler’ arrived to watch / laugh / criticise / stare in awe / help. After quite a bit of watching and talking both of them did eventually get involved and helped finish off the remainder. It was quicker as I was stopping every few minutes for a rest, my arms not being used to constant wire brushing. It was refreshing to have people with plenty of energy, as they seemed to get complete their boards a lot quicker than I was. It also helped that ‘Mini Me’ was able to reach the top board, which was probably 8 foot in the air.
During the cleaning ‘chimp’s car had been dropped off next to the ploughers by a relative, as he was going to be travelling there that afternoon on the roller.
The trio of myself, Mini Me and Bowler then decided to go and catch up with the roller as it made it’s way, as we had little else planned for the day.
We eventually caught up with the roller after trying a few routes we thought it may have taken, shortly before they had got to their first pub stop. Here we caught up with the crew, and assortment of kids they had in the living van. After a short fuel break we continued, over-taking the roller occasionally and watching it go by. After a further pub stop (where we had only just missed a fun day apparently, with the barbeque having unfortunately gone cold) we made it back to base-camp (well, base-pub initially). I did ride the mile or so from the local pub to the field with the ploughs, just to collect the car. The gaggle of ankle biters were less noisy than when I remember making the same journey a couple of years ago.
Sunday there was no plan, but as I was still in the vicinity (a few of us had had a meal the Saturday night, complete with the Frankie & Bennies Dog for the surprised “birthday girl” (April is close-ish to September)) Mini-Me and I decided to follow the Fowler SRL, “Scrappy”, home along the lanes. Myself and Mini Me did decide to get ourselves breakfast and take it to be eaten while the crew cleaned, and also generally made ‘clever’ comments. The surroundings of Shuttleworth estate on a quiet sunny morning really was quite pleasant. Once steam was raised the route taken was mildly similar, with only one of the pub stops being the same. The variation here was in that we had chips at the pubs en-route, rather than crisps and nuts the day before. ‘Scrappy’ was noticeably faster than the roller, although probably louder too. The two ladies on the engine (steersperson and passenger) decided after the first stop that their handbags were getting too dirty on the engine, so after that upon reaching a venue I found myself getting out of the car and picking up two handbags. . . .
So, all in all a nice relaxed weekend in good weather. Makes a change not to be working to a regimented time frame, having to ‘perform’ as requested, and not having the normal mad dash to pack everything away.
As far as I know I should have a break from the steam adventures next weekend (although do have something else exciting planned) then the working weekend to look forward to. Hope the weather will be good for that – last year it was so hot T-shirts were the order of the day. Not sure what task I shall find for myself, but sure I will be kept busy doing something.

So, another Dorset over and done with, and one at one point I thought I may not event attend I ended up doing more generating on ‘M’ than ever. In addition to being included in the crew meals, I was also presented with one of the new Crew sweatshirts that have just been made, which we are under instructions not to get dirty. When being worn the wearer must stay clear of the engine – I’m prepared to put mine on at a moment’s notice whenever brass cleaning is mentioned!

I am now up to date on this ‘ere blog, with Shuttleworth / Old Warden coming up next weekend, this year a 3 day show. I shall go on Thursday, and have the Monday off too to recuperate.

I think I could have had a weekend helping on Scrappy at Haddenham this weekend if I had wished, but was in fact happy to have a weekend off. I’ve been tired enough here sat at home doing nothing!!

Back to the season: After a successful weekend at Strumpshaw the following week, playing on the big blue train, it was back to playing on the medium maroon engine at St Albans. With this being close to London I didn’t go to the rally until the morning of the rally. This was 1 of only probably 3 events this year where the engine would not be powering the lights of the stage – was nice to not have the added work related to the building up of, powering, and pulling down, the stage. Also, there being a birthday party 25 miles up the road on the Saturday night, I was not staying at the rally, so was purely a day visitor for both days – something of a novelty nowadays.

This rally is set in the grounds of a college, which is a very nice place.

With me spending more and more events helping crew on ‘M’ I was becoming more treated as part of the team, rather than an occasional hanger on. I was even included in crew meals!

Saturday morning we spent the time giving the engine a through clean, including the first time for me venturing on to the roof to do the safety tubes and chimney top, something which I also did on the Sunday.

We participated in the ring parade on both days (I steered most of the time), where all of the engines just about fitted into the ring!. One wag suggested we put all the public in the ring whilst we take the engines around the outside! Also, a feature of rallies in this part of the world it seems, the public were invited into the ring to look at engines, or take photos, while the engines were in there. In this particular case I found this more nonsensical than ever, as the engines were so tightly packed there was less room than when we were all lined up for the rest of the weekend.

As I, and the young member of the crew, were off to a party on the Saturday night we left the captain in charge, who generated outside the beer tent for the evening. We left at about half past 6 on the Saturday evening, getting back for about 10am on the Sunday.

Come Sunday night we trundled off down into the yard that was being used as a low loader area. I was instructed to steer the engine on to the bed, the first time I had done this, but this was the ideal place to learn. Dry warm weather, flat tarmac, regular driver of engine and of low loader unit watching and giving instructions, and being a local-ish rally a lot less urgency than normal. All went well, and we were very soon all strapped / chained / connected and on our respective way’s home.

The following weekend I travelled to Stapleford in Leicestershire (I think) without any specific engine duties, for a social weekend. I picked up a passenger (piggy) part way there, and, despite Friday night traffic, didn’t get there too late. We did think we had got lost at one point, but got there okay!

As I was obstensibly a non participant at the rally, I mucked in wherever I could with friends needing any help. The most fun part of this was racing around the country lanes in a fire engine. The engine was used for watering of engines, and needing filling up from a hydrant a couple of miles away, and each time it went a couple of us went to help. The temptation to dress up in all the uniform was too much for us boys with this big toy though, although I did stop short of the breathing apparatus, unlike some other big kids.

This was a very sociable rally, which unfortunately suffered from wet weather just after lunch on the Sunday. I managed to get my tent down whilst it was still dry though. I was catered for with meals throughout the weekend, which I am very grateful for.

Saturday evening there was no road run, but an “engineman’s” train ride on the miniature railway. I had never been on the train ride before, but it was quite a pleasant trip, especially going around the lake.

Also at Stapleford a member of the steam community who makes his living selling black rocks commented that we had been at the same place 4 weekends in a row, and wondered if I was stalking him! As it happened I had left my folding chair outside his party tent at Belvoir Castle, which he picked up rather than leave behind, and brought it to Strumpshaw where I collected it back off him! Discussions have been held about him providing a seating hire / delivery service for me next year, although the details have not been agreed yet.

The Thursday evening after I was off again to go to the Lister Tyndale rally, now held for a number of years at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, where myself and the trolley-pusher would be crewing M by ourselves for the Friday until the captain got there on the Friday evening.

I delayed my leaving on Thursday evening when I suddenly though I had better take some wood for lighting up on the Friday. So I hurriedly found a pallet out the back of work and cut it up into pieces that would fit in my passenger foot well!. In my hurry I picked up a piece that I had cut through about 75% and went to break it over my knee, only to find I had pierced my thigh with a rusty nail. Strangely the nail went in and out without bleeding or leaving much of a mark, but I kept checking it repeatedly for the next few days in case it had been infected.

I caught up the convoy of low loader, organ and caravans on the M4, remembering that last year one of the kids had injured himself badly on the Wednesday before this rally and we were concerned whether he would come at all, and spent the weekend with his arm in a sling. We did all stop on the slip road coming off the M4 on to the M5(N), and I wondered what was up – the only problem was the lead driver was unsure how many junctions up the M5 we had to go before turning off. After that was sorted we continued on without any trouble.

Arriving on site we found we were positioned the other side of the bar than previously, and the lack of any major fairground rides at all, something which was always quite a feature here in previous years. We set the caravans / vehicles, and started unloading the stage that evening – I was sure at first that the stage panels had had something done to them over the winter as they felt so much heavier than I remembered, although it was a figment of my imagination.

I was to be privileged again for the weekend, being allowed to stay in the Volvo Hilton rather than having to erect a tent

Friday morning Trolley Pusher turned up with Grandad. Trolley Pusher had brought the ‘box’ for the engine, which contains all of the cleaning fluids and associated tools. He had also brought lighting up wood, so my efforts of the night before and damaging my leg for unnecessary!

As has been the case recently here the Friday was very quiet people wise. Trolley Pusher and I cleaned and lit the engine, as well as finishing the stage, and took the opportunity of not having a stage show to take the engine for a trundle around the ground. Here I had my first actual drive rather than acting as steersman. Having steered for so long, it feels so strange to me at the moment to have someone else carrying out that task. After a while I did become happier with the situation!!! She really is a docile engine to drive, especially compared to the tractor I have driven recently, which is like a jack russell in it’s gentility.

We did discuss going on the Friday evening road run, but as the weather was not promising and I would effectively be the responsible person I decided against it. Over the weekend we generated for the shows and stayed in the same place to generate over the Saturday evening, as it was felt the ground was too soft to move about on. This was shown to be a good decision as a few engines coming back from the road run didn’t make it back to their pegs without assistance.

Unfortunately I would say there were less people at this event this year. I have heard that the rent to the castle is a high sum, and I hope the rally is still a worthwhile event to hold. To me it has never replicated the atmosphere of the old site at North Nibley, where I would say there was more exhibits too, back in the day.

With the weather on Sunday being generally better, we got off site quite rapidly and I managed a good journey back along the M4.

After this I was planning a few free weekends before Weeting, Welland and Pickering, all on ‘M’, the latter of which would just have myself and the trolley pusher crewing as Captain was not going up.

Unfortunately I never made any of these . . . . . . .

Strumpshaw turned out to be a far better event than I was expecting it to be, on a number of levels.

I ventured over on the Friday night after work, and the journey turned out to be not as bad as I had feared. There were no major problems on the motorways, and the A14 / A11 section of the trip was fairly good. I always think this is a terrible bit of road, I believe because the first time I travelled this far east (probably in my life) there had been a big accident on that section somewhere, and I remember crawling along that road for what my memory tells me was a couple of miles. I think this was for Weeting 2006.

So after a quick arrangement of tent in a convenient location (there was much discussion in advance about where tents were going, but in the end there was plenty of room) I had a quick tour of the site to get my bearings before heading to the ‘communal’ tent to catch up with people. During the tour I did meet up with my good friends with the Heavy Horses, who I have not seen since October, so we had a good catch up.

Not long after meeting up at the tent, the driver of the famous big blue train asked if I wanted to help them out over the weekend, as I was not planning on doing anything else. I was quite pleased as through this would just be a little bit of helping out to stop me getting bored, and it’s always nice to be involved with a different engine, especially such a famous one.

Saturday morning after a bit of a lie in I ventured down to the fairground to join the cleaning gang. There were of us in all, and in a few hours the engine was gleaming. We also had tea and biscuits provided for the crew by the female member! For the rest of the day I did a bit of helping with the engine but also managed to have a look around, and saw inside the museum.

Saturday evening we had a road run to a local pub where I travelled on a tightly packed trailer. However, once all exhibits had got there the pub car park was far more tightly packed!! I did have a conversation with a few people speculating as to if the pub had an insurance policy to cover the value of the contents of the car park!! The pub also did very good burgers, so much so that I had two.

Saturday evening in the quiet time just after returning from the road run I got a phone call telling me to go to a friends parent’s living van. Here I found 6 friends tucking into large plates of spag bol. As I approached, the lady of the party, who had cooked, jumped to her feet and proceeded to try pile all of the remaining food onto my plate!! I had a plate full (later estimated to be about 3 ‘normal’ portions), much to the amusement of everyone else! I managed to finish about two thirds of it, but felt stuffed for a good few hours. (I must here remember to thank all of the friends who are so generous in providing tea / meals for me at rallies – I really am very grateful and believe that people’s generosity and camaraderie is one of the best aspects of rallying.)

Sunday I again went to help with the cleaning. However two of the crew had gone off for a day of waggon-ing, and the other was AWOL, so it was just the two of us. However, the engine was in a fairly good state, so did not need as big an effort as the Saturday. After we had put a fire in it, I was asked if I wanted to drive it! This was an opportunity I couldn’t really pass up. As on the Saturday, we were generating the lights for the gallopers that were situated just opposite, so there was a bit of work being done.

After a bit getting used to the location of the controls, and how wide and long the firebox was, I generated for 2 or 3 hours. It was the first time I had ran a showmans using a pump (the other two I crew on both use an injector) and I have to say is easier. Although there were a couple of times I would have liked to have used the injector to stop her blowing off. I soon got used to trying to predict what was going on, and trying to keep everything constant rather than let it deviate. I do think I probably adjusted the pump and the ashpan door a bit too often in hindsight. After this we shared the work for the rest of the afternoon.

Due to generating for the gallopers we missed going on the road run, and then coaled up and watered up ready for the evening. It had been decided to generate for the Big Wheel as well in the evening, so we also had to move the engine over to a more convenient location. For the final part of manoeuvring I was entrusted to drive, something daunting enough at the best of times without being in the middle of a fairground!

Unfortunately (well, not really!!) at this time I had to shoot off to attend a birthday meal, which was one of the primary reasons I had come to this rally. As almost all participants in the forthcoming meal were out on the road run myself and the PVC PC were in charge of setting up tables and tablecloths.

Now this does not sound particularly difficult, but we firstly had to level up the table legs with various bits of wood!

Also, there was just enough wind to rustle a paper tablecloth onto the floor. Thinking I had a solution with 2″ gaffer tape, I tried taping the folds of the cloth to the underside of the table. I struggled to work out how this was not working until I actually lay on the ground to inspect what I was doing, and found that the bottom of the table was very oily! Eventually we managed to locate a staple gun and used this to fix the tablecloth. We also managed to erect a flat pack camping table quite well. We then went to move it and as we picked it up it all fell apart (seeing as we put it up we should have known better really). It really was the Chuckle Brothers.

Upon return of the engines, a number of people flew into action, and before long there was food being cooked in about 5 or 6 different caravans. Although we had to await the meat being given a bit more readying in the two smokeboxes it was in, we all had a huge amount of a variety of food that was very well cooked. During this time I must say a couple of us were enchanted with a couple of very entertaining 4 year olds, who can certainly hold their own in any conversation. I look forward to hopefully seeing these two grow up, as they are certainly going to be a right couple of characters – in fact they are already!

After the meal a birthday cake appeared for the birthday boy, as well as a dessert course, and then a pinata (I admit I just had to look that up) which turned out to be far harder to break than originally envisaged. It took a good few whacks with a length of 4 x 2 to eventually break it.

By the time this event was all over, I went down to the engine to see how things were going, but was generously told not to bother getting myself dirty again as he only had an hour or so to go before he was calling it a day. It did sound impressive though pulling 400 amps.

Monday was another day much like Sunday, although the engine was not generating. As is always the case the last day procedure of planning for going home started early. By midday I had gone and packed away the tent and contents, ready for leaving.

By half past 4 myself and the Birthday Boy were away, and within about 10 miles met rain. We had been hearing all weekend how lucky we were with the weather, and think we were very lucky!

The following weekend was St Albans rally, and a second Birthday Party for the birthday boy, followed by a weekend at Stapleford with no responsibilites! I shall try to update entries for these, but am just so busy at the moment!

My preparation began on the Thursday evening after work, when I went shopping for food for the weekend. Myself and a friend were sharing a caravan we borrowed for the weekend, so we decided to make use of the facilities!

Friday evening (well afternoon really, I shot away from work early) I travelled with the intention of going direct to the site. I heard however that one of the low loaders had not left, so I did a slight detour to catch up with them. The caravan I was borrow ing was on the neck of this, so I took a few of the things for it in the car. I then followed the little convoy up to Belvoir, partly as I wanted to be with them when we got to the gate as I did not have a pass. However, I in the end managed to gain entry at the gate easily.

Friday night we quickly got the caravan off, and set it up (levelled to ‘a fashion’) beside the low loader, although it was probably 10 by the time this was done. A few social beers were had, catching up with a good few people that have not been seen for a good while. The advantage of the caravan was soon found, as much cheese on toast was made. In fact so much we had to order more cheese to be brought up the following day!

Saturday we were up early utilising the facilities of the caravan to have a good breakfast. Being only 2 rings and a grill it took a while to do the cooking!!

We had to light up the engine quite quick as it was still on the low loader and had to be steamed off, and we wanted to be over near the public at a reasonable time. I lit up, and built a nice big fire in the box. There was a nice draft so we did not take too long building up some pressure. Whilst we raised steam the brass was cleaned.

By about midday we were over outside the beer tent where we had been asked to park up. After staying here a couple of hours we completed the parade in the ring, which was a bit tight around the gateways, and returned to park up for the afternoon.

A road run was organised for the early evening. This was longer and more challenging than that of last year, but luckily we had a good personnel trailer for about 20 of us. A great up hill and down hill run occurred on the way to the pub, where a good few engines had congregated via a couple of routes. The run back to the field was the same route as previously, which includes a nice long pull up hill. Much fun was has on the trailer on both journeys.

Once back at the field we had a quick wash up before having a big communal meal (for about 25 I would guess) which was to celebrate one of the Big Blue train’s crew’s birthday. This was a lovely feast, which would have catered for a lot more I reckon, and must have taken a lot of work from those who did it.

We eventually took the 3 showmans engines over to the beet tent to germinate at about half past 9. We took ‘M’ back about half 11 to sheet up, leaving the others there. It had been a long day, and after just a midnight snack of cheese on toast we were to bed.

Sunday we again had a prolonged breakfast, whilst the others un-sheeted and started cleaning. The engine had been lit, so whilst the others had breakfast I cleaned more brass and kept an eye on the fire. The engine was still fairly warm, and we soon had pressure. We had a chance to go for a walk on the early Sunday afternoon, and actually had a look around the site.

As we were not doing much more than boiling water, we had chance to pack up the caravan and get ready for loading.

As is often the case, many exhibits started leaving from midday onwards on the Sunday. There was a large Recovery vehicle display, and I noted a fleet of 5 or 6 vehicles leaving at about 2pm. We had been instructed to stay on the peg and not start loading until 5pm, but by 4pm there was a steady flow of vehicles going by from other sections leaving. At half past 4 we were given the all clear to load up, and soon had the engines over and loaded up, complete with caravan on the neck!

I followed the low loader back to the yard, so that I could collect my tents ready for next weekend.

For next weekend I am now going to Strumpshaw rather than Abergavenny. I had people going to both shows trying to convince me to go to each, but finally decided on Strumpshaw because, as one person put it to me, it makes a change.

Had a rather busy weekend of working and steaming last weekend. Also with a bit of hub cap cleaning going on!

Saturday there was a bit of work to be done on the Fowler Showmans. A new pipe from cylinder to water lifetr had been made and need to be fitted.

This was a bit more work than first envisaged. The foot board needed to come off to gain access, and the water lifter hose is mounted on the foot board, so that again also had to come off. (As an aside, when these engines were built men must have been small, as when standing on the footboard I find it is way too close to the canopy to be comforatable, and is very cramped when trying to turn around at all.)

The pipe also needed a bit of heating up in situ to adjust to fit, and also another bit of adjusting to avoid the foot board.

That was pretty much about it for Saturday, although a tonne of coal was shovelled and bagged, and some preparation for work on the Fowler tractor was also done.

Saturday the Garrett tractor was going to be steamed back from the site of the rally last weekend. Also, we decided to steam up the Fowler showmans, using the excuse of needing to test the new steam pipe!

I went off to help clean the Garrett, after putting a fire in the Fowler, which was left with Turbo Ferret. During cleaning, I managed to turn my ankle in a hole in the field, which although painful was not too bad, as I could walk on it.

By the time steam was raised the brass and paintwork was looking very smart.

At this point I drove back to the yard to bring Turbo Ferret down to drive the Garrett back, whilst I went back to look after the Showmans. This had by that time also raised steam, and as Uncle Albert had turned up with the Giggler, we were going to take that to the pub to meet the Garrett. As it happened Turbo Ferret walked back from the pub before we had left so him and I took the engine.

After a couple of hours there we sauntered back to the yard in convoy, where we met a few other crew who were busy tarting up Burell Showmans “M”. As they had cleaned the wheels, I was tasked to re-brasso the hub cabs, which I did without complaint (although my fees have yet to be agreed, and were the subject of much debate).

We did hear from another crew who were away with the big blue train, one of whom had unfortunately had a bit of accident when loading up. It appears it was not that serious – I hope so anyway. The injured party should be at Belvoir Castle this weekend with the Big Blue Train so I shall no doubt get the full story.

So another week of work is being struggled through, before I am away to Belvoir Castle Friday afternoon. After the amazing fact I packed both my pop-up tents away myself, without help (only hinderance actually, from Albert and Giggler), I will be hopefully be sharing a caravan next weekend (if it will go on the neck of the lowloader), which will be an unusual pleasure!

Forecasts are good, so I hope to be able to report on a very successful weekend.

All in all a good weekend

Friday night I arrived as the last of the engines were arriving. I was pleased to see my tent (put up the previous weekend) still all safe in one place.

After a while catching up with people we adjourned to the nearby pub for a few social drinks for the evening and ordered pizza.

The night in the tent was fairly average – rain on the tent was slightly disturbing but could have been worse.

Saturday morning early on we had a couple of heavy rain showers but they cleared and did no damage to the ground luckily.

Between about 6 of us there were 4 engines to look after – the Showmans, the pair of ploughers and the Tractor – all Fowlers! Myself and Uncle Albert opted to stay with the showman, and my decision had nothing to do with this being the only engine with a canopy! We spent the morning and early afternoon once more cleaning the engine thoroughly and gently raised steam – the new bars and better fitting ash pan door were very noticable.

The tug of was is always one of the best at this event, where I would say a couple of hundred people on the rope diagonally across the arena.  Last year this was most hilarious when the rope snapped and there was a massive pile up of bodies simultaneously falling over!  This year the engine engaged was the Wallis Agri.  After a pull awarded each way the decider was shock horror won by the public, with the engine appearing not to have the differential engaged, not that the driver realised!

Saturday evening I luckily stumbled across a Nuffield tractor with a trailer full of people on the way to a road run so jumped (well, clambered ungracefully really) on board! A short trip, and I was left at the second pub with the S8 crew and passengers, although when they departed for the chippy I returned to the field as the roast dinner had just been removed from the smoke box of the Showmans! I had also ordered pizza with another group, which I managed to subsequently eat half of before offering to others camping nearby. Not long after we took the Showmans back to the main field in the fading light and began to generate. Soon it was decided to change the way we were facing outside the beer tent (to look prettier), then we had to move over to the fairground to generate for the yachts as the generator had packed it in at that point.

The Saturday evening is always a bit of a different feel at this event as the beer tent is also a ‘pay event’ for non exhibitors, so there is an unusual mix of people and what the are expecting / looking to get out of it. Nevertheless it was a very mild night (for the first week in May) and outside of the tent I had a very pleasant sociable evening.

Sunday overnight was again showery (the first one started about half past midnight) but it had no major effect, and Sunday morning soon cleared up.

Sunday was where the controversy comes in!! After discussions with crew of the Burrell Showmans that I helped crew with a lot last season I agreed to go and help them clean on the Sunday. They have been doing major engineering over the winter (freshly painted (only 80% lined) belly tanks were finally re-fitted at half 9 on the Friday night) so not a great deal of cleaning had been done prior to the weekend. Sunday we had an intensive clean for a few hours before lunch, and again for a couple of hours after lunch. Standing alongside her sister (larger) Burrell Showmans the pair of them did look smart.

For some of the Fowler crew they seem to think I have jumped ship, but I like to think I have been crewing both for the last year or so. I think I may have to decide soon which I am going to crew for the few shows where both engines will be at later in the year!!  I have mentioned I fancy only ever cleaning hub caps (if I have to clean anything) as you can sit on a chair on the ground and do these, and may run a Freelance Hub Cap cleaning service.  Some comedian suggested I do the entire showmans line at Dorset, but they’ve no chance of that!

The tug of war involved Burrell Showmans “M” taking over from the Wallis for the final pull, and was also pulled backwards.  A fully laden 7 nhp SRL being pulled backwards by a rope full of children and adults was something I never thought I would see, but it just didn’t have the traction!

After this controversy, when the engine parade went in the ring I got cajoled into steering one of them, so had switched back to Fowlers after all!

Directly after the ring parade we all went about our own packing up.  I helped with the most onerous task of sheeting the ploughers, as they were to stay on site for a few days.  Those sheets are huge, and heavy to get up onto the engines.

I helped pull down the gallopers for an hour or two, where with a good few people we had a good system going, before I made my way off home to have some rest before facing a full 5 day week of work – I had almost forgot what that was like.

Here’s hoping Belvoir Castle in a couple of weeks will be as nice weather as last year!  I am here (as last year) going to crew on the Burrell Showmans “M”, although as well as Silly Billy (Garrett ST) the Big Blue Train (Burrell 10nhp SSRL)  is also going this year, so will be kept busy I would think!  Freelance hub cleaner will be busy.

The Friday of the 4 day Bank Holiday weekend (believe there was some wedding going on) I was planning on cleaning the Fowler showmans that I’ve been working on all winter. However, I was asked to go and help finishing off the building of a fairground ride for the following weekend. This took most of the day, before I did do a couple of hours on the engine. Part of this was removing the ash pan and fire bars, and installing the spanking newly cast bars. Although they were the same size, due to them not being bent we managed to get 2 extra bars in. We also got some rope fixed to the top of the ash pan and compressed this between the pan and the box when fitting.

The Saturday saw me spending 3 or 4 hours cleaning the same, before going off to the midlands for a birthday party on the Saturday night. The Fowler was also steamed, and as I left the rest of the crew (Barnacle Bill, Uncle Albert, The Giggler and others) were driving it off to site of the rally the following weekend.

The Saturday night was a good affair, catching up with a number of people not seen since last season, as well as quite a few I see rather often!

Sunday and I ventured off with a friend to Rushden for what must have been their finest (weather wise) Cavalcade for many a year.

After quickly catching up with friends who were exhibiting a quick cursory tour of the site before adjourning to the Bar, where surprisingly (not) a number of our friends were also!! A fun afternoon, which has probably been looked forward to all winter, was had. Sat on the back of a traction wagon (even in 3″ scale!) during great hot weather surrounded by engines and friends while various people bring drinks (alcoholic surprisingly) and the world was put to right, and much leg pulling occurred. An afternoon to savour and remember.

The reason the afternoon ended was as the road run was leaving, and we managed to catch a lift on the back of a Scammell Highwayman, sat on the bench inside the ballast box – quite possible the cleanest Ballast Box ever!! We visited a couple of pubs, although by the time we were on the way back to the rally field it was getting nippy – it was April still after all.

After a fairly good night in the beer tent, although it was cold and I was not feeling the best, I slept okay in the tent with the aid of my super duper thermal sleeping bag!

The Monday I returned back to find the Fowler Showmans on site ready for the following weekend to carry out more cleaning. While doing this we also solved a problem with the ash pan door not shutting properly, simply by drilling another hole in the link bar.

After a long and tiring weekend it was back to work for 4 days before back for the first exhibiting event of the season.