After what seems like an eternity, the sun has come out – and on a bank holiday weekend to boot! So what better way to enjoy the beautiful weather than to get out and about and take a look at some very, very nice old Volkswagens? I’ve never been to the Stanford Hall show before – I’d thought about going last year but the torrential rain meant that the show was cancelled. As it’s in the grounds of a rather lovely stately home, I can completely understand why that was the case.
Volksworld Show 2013
This time last year, we were basking in glorious March sunshine. No such luck for this year’s Volksworld Show at Sandown Park, as temperatures had plummeted and snow was in the air. Last year I’d thought it might be quite cool to camp – I’m very, very glad I didn’t. Instead, I let the train take the strain for my journey down to Reading. Having bought Carlos the Karmann Ghia last summer, Brad and Ros (now Mr and Mrs Payne!) were on for another visit to what was promising to be a great day out.
Spring Dub 2013
Spring Dub is a new show (I think) and for once it’s in the North! Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground just outside of Harrogate, it’s just a short run up the A1 from me so was a great excuse to give the bus a good run to my first show of 2013. Thanks to a puncture on the Clio midweek, the bug had been out and about quite a bit so it’s only fair that Clarence had an outing! Bearing in mind how chilly it’s been, I’m glad I decided against camping!
And I may well have purchased some new merch…..
Wedding Bells
First of all, not mine! Last weekend saw my good buddy Brad finally tie the knot with the lovely Ros – and not before time! Having bought Carlos the Karmann Ghia last year, what better car was there to take him to the church? His drive from Reading to the very, very pleasant Hanbury Manor Hotel a couple of nights before the wedding was always going to be a nervy one; not just because he was getting married less than 48 hours later, but also because he was driving a 44 year old car that had barely been driven in the last couple of months. Would he make it under his own steam – or on the back of a recovery truck?
Happy New Year?
So here we are, almost a month into 2013! I think we’ll just skirt past Christmas 2012, as most of it was spent moving out of the flat – not the happiest of experiences. So far this year I’ve driven the bug more than I have for months – mainly thanks to the DVLA hitting me for a £50 fine! I had absolutely no idea the law had changed and that you now have to SORN now also applies to insurance as well as road tax. Ooops! Anyway, both VWs are now fully legal – and there are some stationery and sticker additions!
NEC Classic Car Show 2012
Frankly, it’s been a really crappy few weeks. I’m afraid there’s no better way to describe it really! After two years, Dee and I have gone our seperate ways. So yeah, that’s about how good it’s been. To further add to my woes, the bug decided to dump a load of oil all over the old man’s drive last time I took it out of the garage, and then the bus decided to blow a fuse the following weekend. If only everything in life was as easy to fix as a blown fuse…..