John, your post was neither too long or boring. I enjoyed it and try to do similar posts occasionally. If people don't do conversational posts like this, the group would just be a stale question and answer forum.
Regards, Arthur G
Hi folks,
> Just got back from the annual 2 weeks in the caravan with family, dog & > engines.
> Started of at Yesterdays Farming without my wife as she was working that
> weekend. That left me + engines, dog and a 2 year old son. Got the engines
> out of the car with the help of next door engine man. Ran them both on and
> off all weekend. Running time was rather limited by fuel as I had only taken
> one can of the stuff. A nice show and we managed to see most of it. The
> little one seems interested in engines already so there's hope for the
> future. The B&S looked quite good but the BSA had suffered from it's storage
> during our move and really needs some TLC. It's still the only BSA gen set I
> have seen though. No doubt I will now be flooded by all who have seen lots
> of them. Saw the trade stalls and bought a couple of books for son. Nothing
> for me though, apart from a few glasses of cider. YF has no steam but a good
> selection of engines & tractors etc.
> Monday collection of wife meant dragging the caravan into Exeter traffic.
> Onto a site and spent some time doing "normal" holiday stuff.
> Bank Holiday weekend meant Honiton Hill Rally. I have been showing there for
> many years and it's my favourite rally. Went with more petrol and next door
> man (different) helped unload engines again. Ran engines on and off for both
> days especially during the Grand Prix. An advantage to showing a 240V gen
> set is that it powers the caravan. This means good TV and hot showers.
> Bought a few bits, tyre levers and a new SS silencer for the BSA. Picked up
> garden hose reel and some washers in the auction. It was just me and dog
> this weekend as wife & son go to their event this weekend. The auction was
> it's usual mix of rust & interest. Jaguar V12 engine & box went for £20.
> Missed a number of small items due to not being there when I should have
> been. My problem is that if I buy anything, it's with us for the rest of the
> holiday or I have to make a special trip to take it home and allow for the
> transport cost when buying. If I buy a large item, it may mean 2 round trips
> home to fetch the trailer as well as a day out of the holiday. That happened
> the year I bought the tractor.
> The next few days were spent at the seaside doing more normal stuff.
> Then it was off to Great Dorset. Having read the various accounts, I can
> sympathise but I like the place. I am interested in a wide range of
> engineering so I enjoy all of the sections from tanks to engines. If all you
> want to look at is engines, it's not the place. Followed my normal routine
> and spent the first day checking the traders area. Made a list of
> interesting stuff and bought a plastic table & chairs for son and a Rotozip
> tool for me. Second day was spent finishing off the traders and buying what
> I had decided to get. More tool type stuff mainly, auto darkening welding
> mask £40, mini drill with flex drive £15 plus other bits. Also spent time
> looking at the various sections as I went back and forth.
> Here's how I get in without any traffic problems. I always arrive at the
> camping area between 20.00 and 08.00 when the gates are shut. This year we
> got there at about 01.00 and drove straight into their temporary holding
> area. Spent the night in the caravan (free) and entered the site at 08.00
> the following morning. Spent about an hour setting up and eating breakfast
> before going into the show.
> The engine section is always small compared to the rest. I have never wanted
> to show there. I'm told that the organisers expect the engines to run almost
> continuously and that means I would have to sit and watch the things for 5
> days come rain or shine. My caravan would have to be parked about 1/2 mole
> away as well. No thanks. The family all came into the show in the evenings
> (after they stopped charging) for the fair and to catch the end of the
> traders opening.
> The last weekend was off on normal holidays again. The caravan and car were
> now very full of stuff which makes for more hassle. At least there was no
> more lifting around of engines. Now do folks see why I show little engines.
> Got back home Monday evening in time to unload some stuff and do shopping.
> Just read the message again, didn't mean to rattle on for so long. Hope it's
> not too boring.
>
> John
> ps. found a good way to keep son under control. A set of reins and an
> extending dog lead. It works a treat but gets funny looks.
>
>