Ryan told us this story about meeting the Stig while we were waiting to get our run packs at this year's L2B in Crystal palace ... and now we have visual proof he didn't make it up!

June, 21st 2009

Middlesex Town & Country Show

Not a car show for a change, but a Town & Country Show. On our doorstep, in the same place as the Uxbridge Motor Show in July, so easy to get to. In preparation we all had to bring our insurance and MOT papers (though no-one ever wanted to see them) and the letter we got stated that no movement of cars would be allowed once the show openend. So, we got there early with the result that no one from the organising team had any idea what to do with us. After a short moment of confusion, we took matters into our own hands and set up our club stand in a space that seemed dedicated to cars and was empty. Nobody ever questioned us being there, so we couldn't have been far wrong.

In time, another Clubman and an Elf joined the line up, only a red Cooper decided to park on its own amongst other cars that had assembled. The driver of the latter later told me he did not want to disturb our club as he wasn't a member. So, we had (picture from left), the two visitors, Justin, Eric's roundnose and Eric's clubman, floydie, Justin's dad and Alec. My car had failed it's MOT just days before so I was only a passenger, which is actually quite nice once in a while.

click on the picture for a larger version

As the showground slowly filled with people, we sat baxk, relaxed and had a cup of tea. Over the course of the day Sylvia dropped by with her daughter, Eric's daughter including her children made an appearance and Justin's wife and daughter showed up for a picnic. We all, at various times, wandered around the showground, which included attractions such as ferret racing and a large marquee full of stalls selling all sorts of food and drink. Small strawberry tartlet for over 2 quid anyone?

As floydie had brought his gas BBQ, we had a large lunch (Eric finished off most of the 20 sausages we had on top of all the burgers) and, to be honest, a very relaxed day with not much to do overall. We did take part in the car parade in the central arena in the early afternoon, but since there were no autojumble or other car related stands, we spent a lot of time on the stand (and also very little money). A nice change from car shows, but not something I would have wanted to spend 8 quid entrance fee on.

May, 23^rd to 25^th 2009

Enfield Pageant of Motoring

What a scorcher ... a show in May and we all came away sunburnt! 8 am on a Sunday morning near Denham, McDonald's not yet open so we meet up opposite (Debi, did you see the big yellow barrier?) and waited for Justin with the tickets.  The crew this time, Jason, floydie, stretch, Debi, Justin and myself, as guests we brought Justin's daughters and my family. This one is a classic car show, so not just Minis, although there were quite a few, but also all kinds of other classics. We have done one such day for a few years, Uxbridge Auto show, but in my mind, this is better. It's bigger for a start, six rows of jumble and other trade stands ... it took us hours to just walk along and have a look at all of them.
Our club stand area ... each club was allowed up to 10 cars and it seemed the space provided did not depend on what car a club caters for. So, the space had to be big enough for 10 large cars ... we had 6 Minis. Which promptly created a huge problem, how do we arrange them? Unfortunately Jason had not brought his pens and paper so we did not get a choice of renderings to make up our mind. In the end we went for a kind of V shape with the gazebo in the middle at the back.

 

Once we had settled down and made a cuppa, we decided to use some gold tape to decorate the cars and stand ... not great but I think we get 10/10 for effort ... though we had to take part of it down later as my little ones kept playing with it and it created maybe the impression we wanted to keep visitors out.

Anyway, we got underway for a first walk around. After a few minutes watching kids on bikes in the central arena we managed two of the six rows before it got a bit much and I headed back to the club stand with the family for a spot of lunch and shade. It was, by this time, really rather hot and with not a cloud in the sky, we really needed some shade and some sun lotion.

After lunch and just as we were about to head off again, this time to the kids area, the organisers called on all Minis to come into the central arena and of course we followed.

It was kind of weird to drive around the arena, wierd but fun as well, and thankfully the presenter passed me by without asking any questions about m or the Mini. So, after the brief interlude we went off to the rides section for the kids and an ice cream. I then had a stroll through the remaining rows of stands while the kids wanted to watch the next demonstration of the kids on bikes.

We all met up again at the club stand, most of us with red heads (I probably had the brightes one) and ready to chill. Floydie, Jason, stretch and Justin were staying the night, so around 5 pm Debi and us got on the way back home, which turned out much quicker along the A10 and A406 than the way in the morning along the M25. Okay, maybe it wasn't actually faster, but it felt shorter and less boring than the M25.

All in all a fantastic day and reliable sources have told me the Monday, though it started cloudy, was equally sunny and fun if a bit more hard work after a good night out at the show. I hope we can make it back next year click here for more pictures  

Sunday, 17^th May 2009

London 2 Brighton 2009

Another really early start, 6 am at Heston Services on the London bound M4! Wy do we do this again? And it was cloudy and the forecast had talked about rain! Are we really sure about this? Anyway, stretch, floydie, Sean with his dad, Ryan and myself plus my family were there, more or less awake and ready to go. First stop: Crystal Palace. Sean and his SatNav were leading the way and found a route with only very few speed bumps. It was stil dry when we got to Crystal Palace and after sending Ryan and Sean off to get some tea we joined the queue for our run packs.
We had, wisely as it turned out, once again opted to park outside the Park and missed our chance to be part of the longest queue of Minis. On the other hand, after queuing for about and hour we were on our way just after 8 am. Word on the forums has it, that some people did not leave Crystal Palace till around 3 pm!

The drive down to Brighton was quick and uneventful, however, just as we parked up, it started raining. And by the time we had made our way up Madeira Drive to the clubstand, we were soaked. The stand was packed, Ashley, Sylvia, Debi, Eric, Justin and Jason had also brought Alec, Eric's wife, Debi's mum, Ashley's girlfriend, Sylvia's son and Jason's parents and (girl)friend (HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI_JAI!). Adding us lot to the limited space inside the gazebo made it very cosy indeed.
Alec predicted the sun to come out at 11am and it did, a bit earlier but we won't hold that against him. For the next couple of hours we had a really nice day. Walking up and down Madeira Drive, watching Debi, Jason (Cornelius?) and Sylvia's son (sorry, forgot your name) compete in the soap box challenge (at least we did not loose a wheel!) and having burger and chips all make for a nice day out.

Shortly after lunch, around 3 pm or so, the clouds started moving back in, so I took a last walk up to the pier with my family and then got in the Mini to drive back home.  To this day I don't know how we fared in the club stand competition but I don't think we won.

The way home was without incident again, at some point it stopped raining and we got home in time for a nice dinner. I did manage not to buy anything and so it was a successful and not too expensive day out, though I am not sure about the gold/green t-shirt. Maybe it will grow on me ... here's some photogaphic memories of the day ... CLICK

Sunday, 19^th April 2009

Spring Mini Clinic 2009

Due to the Soapbox cart challenge for this years London to Brighton only two cars were booked into the clinic.

The day started not with a Mini but my daughters Saxo as she had hit the kerb putting a hole in her tyre. This was a good opportunity to check the air on her other tyres plus the fluid levels under bonnet.
It’s strange that some do not understand the importance of this!

Any way on to the Mini’s at just after nine the two J’s (Justin & Jason) turned up in Jason’s Mini fully loaded with bits for the soapbox and his car.
Jason required a new hub and bearing fitted to the offside and new ball joints on the nearside.
I let Jason get on with the dismantling of the front.

Eric had turned up and he required a replacement electronic ignition fitting to his Clubman (it had points).
This was any easy challenge out come the dizzy this was mounted in the vice and the new points fitted, retimed and one happy client.

By this time the other members started to arrive, Arni, Kevin, Steve, Sean, Debbie, Harvey and Dave.
The next job was rebuilding the front hub, this went well until when I went to fit it they had bought the wrong side (ask a boy to do a Man’s job).
Due to the time I got on with rebuilding another hub and doing the ball joints. The rest of the members dismantled Jason’s car to fit a roll cage. Dave Hobdell was on hand to goose all the male members (ask about Justin’s Back).

When this was completed the resident chef Sean got to work on the Bar B Q. it was well appreciated.
The next bit was the best bit building the Soapbox. Armed with welding gear, drills, bolts, wheels etc we set about the task.
The first trial was halted as my welding did not hold up to Steve’s weight. The first road trial with Berni and Lipo showed design faults with the traction of the front wheels.
Steve went home and robbed Harvey’s bike of the wheels. After lots of trials on height etc another Berni and Lipo and all was better (you should see the video).

Summing up, good weather, good people, good food, good cars and a good laugh. My best Clinic.

Next instalment of the Soapbox build is Monday 4th May at my house. 

Next event

first the Mini Festival at the Motor Heritage Centre in Gaydon ... click here ... and then the Uxbridge Auto Show ... click here

Sunday, 29^th March 2009

Is Sunday the 29th the new Friday the 13th?

As every year, the Sunday that brings the start of British Summer Time is Brooklands. The weather was okay and the turnout really good for this early in the year. I didn't join in the convoy but went directly to Brooklands, but the M4 was were it first went wrong ... for Justin. He had to leave the car and Jason kindly went back to pick him up.

This unfortunately meant we did not all park together, even though we could have if I had been a bit more pro-active. But since we did not have a clubstand or banner, I figured I could live with being the odd one out. But we all met up and started to make our way to the stalls and Minis. I think most people bought something, even if it wasn't a rev counter for £175 that looked more like it should go for £17.50.

I didn't stay until the hillclimb as my two sons wanted to go home rather than watch it. We made it most of the way back home, then broke down going along the A40. Actually, it turned out as quite an adventure for the little ones, waiting for the RAC and then for the lorry to pick us up and bring us home.

So, a nice day out for most of us, most of the time.

Click here for more pictures