Made It

Last Sunday was the second show I had booked up, but this was the first one where I made an appearance. I woke up to a glorious day and packed the factor fifty just in case or was that going to tempt fate and make it rain? I packed it anyway just in case.

I backed out the garage with the SatNav already telling me to go take some back roads. On this occasion these particular roads aren’t to bad and can allow a couple of cars to pass. The roads were clear and I was enjoying myself with window down, knowing that I had a full tank of gas tends to relax you for any journey. Before I knew it two cream coloured Reliant Scimitars pulled out of a side road and caught me up at a fast rate of knots. Not going to be intimidated and ruin my drive I just poodled along. A few miles later they were still behind me. I decided to slow down in order and let them pass and get on with where they were going, but no they also slowed. My logic was they were in no rush either. Some twenty minutes later we all arrived at the Kersey Mill Drive It Day. We pulled into the main entrance where I was greeted by a marshal who directed me to zone four.

This turned out to be a great spot by the stream, under some trees and near a wooden bridge that crossed a little stream into another show field.

I set up my show board as I retired my home made and slightly cumbersome home made wooden design. My knew one is an artists easel with adjustable legs and height adjustments. The cool bag was opened for a refreshing cool drink before I started the quick detailing to remove the road dust of my car. Before I had the chance to get my chair out I was asked to have a look under the hood. Never wasting an opportunity to lift the hood, I obliged.

After a lengthy chat about how to get the windscreen washers to work, it was time to have a wander round and look at the other cars. I walked towards the main field to take some photos where I heard a marshal on the radio saying there was seven hundred cars in attendance. I’m not convinced there was that many, but it was a very busy show however many cars were there.

In no particular order I just wandered around the field looking for some nice cars instead of some four or five year old Porsches , I wouldn’t be disappointed with the variety on show. I took over three hundred photos, but narrowed it down to just over a couple of hundred. The little area where I was parked had a mixture of cars as I wandered towards the tea hut and breakfast van that had a queue and smelled amazing.

Towards the front of the mill there was some of the older cars.

At the back of the mill the large field was also packed out which was also where the little bridge by my car made a short cut.

I came across the two Reliant Scimitars (above right) that followed me in. I walked up to the owners who were sitting in their chairs looking very chilled. I apologised for driving so slowly and explained that I wanted to let them past. They laughed and came with, “No worries, we recognised your car and decided to follow you as you know where you were going”. I had to laugh and confessed, “That’s quite ironic because without my SatNav co-pilot, we would have ended up at the other end of the country, I’m useless at directions”. That is a major understatement, I get lost everywhere, as per the previous week’s aborted episode.

Continuing round the field I bumped into more friends and had some catch up chats about up and coming shows.

The corvette club was out in force.

There was an group of Jaguars and even one made of porcelain.

Continuing around the fields in no particular order.

I came across my car of the show in the main area which was this ’57 Chevy Nomad. I couldn’t believe just how big this car was and I suspect it’s a real handful to hustle around our tiny streets in the UK.

There was a couple of trikes looking amazing and bigger than some of the cars on display.

There was a couple of Lambo Countachs, a proper one:

And this one missing four cylinders!

Over the stream to the next adjacent field.

There was some commercial vehicles which made the short trip from Ipswich Transport Museum with a mate of mine David driving the yellow Karier flat bed.

Just the last field to go.

Not forgetting the few Mustangs that were represented.

Then a short walk back over the main bridge to my parking spot where my deck chair beckoned with some lunch and another cool drink. I didn’t need the factor fifty after all as I was in the shade and spent a few hours in the afternoon talking to people and watching the world go by.

A few dogs were making the best of the stream in the hot weather and it did look quite refreshing for them.

Great views while taking a well earned rest!

After arriving back to my parking area there was a couple of Jeeps now parked up not far away from me. I think my fav photo of the day was taken not even getting out of my chair.

The drive home I took the main roads back as I was expecting the roads to be busier, it did add another 10 minutes to the journey, but it was still a beautiful day and I was enjoying my car again.

The show season has officially started and looking forward to the next ones, weather permitting of course.

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Kersey Mill Drive It Day ’24 (part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of the Kersey Mill Drive It day. I pick up where I left of with the other side of the field which was to the left of the main entrance road as you come in. I can’t think of a better way to start than a picture of the glorious GT40. Obviously not a real one, as this vehicle was first registered in 1937 according to my app(?), but had its first MOT in 2005. Nevertheless a gorgeous car to look at.

The cars were still arriving throughout the day with much more common cars looking to park up, (more on that a bit later), but the influx slowed around the lunch time mark.

Ouch!

The mandatory Mustang’s own little section:

Towards the main house and the Mill, more cars were parked up including this stunning old black and white paint job Rolls Royce.

I had completed a full circuit of the field or zone areas and I was back to my area again.

As I got closer to my car I could see that this Vauxhall Astra had parked right next to me.

Perhaps I’m being a bit picky here, but there was plenty of space elsewhere in the zone it could have parked. It hadn’t even cleaned and it sort of hacked me off a bit. On the other hand, it must be somebody’s pride and joy.

I got my chair out and the sun made a quick appearance, so I opened the hood and tucked into my packed lunch which was rather sad and no competition for the burger van.

There were a few light gusts of wind about, so I played on the side of caution and fitted the hood strap to stop any such sudden gusts damaging the hood hinges and got the show board out too.

While sitting in my chair a couple of model steam engines parked up and I went over to take some pics of the popular miniature engines. The attention to detail and engineering is mazing.

There were plenty of dogs I saw throughout the day and I managed to get a quick pet with some them. All of the dogs were very well behaved, which wouldn’t have been the case if I had of taken my little guys there!

Later that evening after I got home a friend of mine (thanks Frosty), sent me a link that they had found where a photographer had taken a couple of pics of my car. I’m sure that ‘Curtis Beadle Photography’ won’t mind If i give them a shout out.

I had a great time speaking to many people throughout the day and again I really enjoyed this show. Many cars that I hadn’t seen before so it made for it an interesting day too. Did I use the sun cream? Nope, I had my fleece jacket on instead as it mostly overcast and a bit chilly with the sun behind clouds. I can’t complain as it didn’t rain.

There is a break until the next show, so I will be posting up a little mod I made on the car as well as some detailing product reviews too.

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Kersey Mill Drive It Day ’24 (part 1)

For the second weekend on the bounce I was going to a car show. The weather looked promising, although I tempted fate to pack the sun cream I was under no illusion it would be needed. But the outlook was dry with odd sunny spell, for me that would be good enough. I took over well over two hundred and fifty photos again so I will split over two posts.

The drive there took forty minutes, fifteen of which were caused by double parking where cars going in opposite directions had to play chicken head on. The road is a single lane each way with lots of houses on either side. Most people park on one side so that cars could at least pass. One one person decided they wanted to park opposite so it was carnage to get through. A couple of hundred meters in fifteen minutes didn’t put me in a good mood. Note to self – go home a different way!

I parked up and put out this quick Instagram pick for people to come and say hello.

I was really pleased with the position that was on the end of a row.

I arrive at the event and was direct to a zone which was near the burger van. As I had skipped breakfast the smell of bacon and sausage rolls immediately made me hungry. I resisted temptation but it was hard, very hard.

I decided to go for a wander straight away as many of the cars had already parked up. I made my way to the furthest field and worked towards the entrance.

There was a full sized traction engine that was coming up to full steam and the smell of these machines is amazing; coal, steam and warm oil on hot metal. I suspect it’s an acquired taste though.

There was a little are for genuine vehicles used in TV series. The light blue Ford Anglia Police car was in the series ‘Heartbeat’ which was a very popular show in the UK.

Moving to the next area was a big stand of the much loved Mini with more arriving.

Moving away from the fields there was a large gravel area where a vast array of cars were parked up.

As I got to the end of the parking are a poster car from many child’s bedroom wall turned up. The beautiful Lamborghini Countach. My poster was of a white one by the way.

Walking around the corner the other zones were filled with cars and a idyllic little path to those fields.

In part 2 I finish the rest of the field and the field opposite where a friend of mine had already parked up. There will be a little section of some of the dogs that managed to capture from my wanderings.

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Run Of The Mill (Part 2)

Continuing from a couple of days ago this is the second part of the Kersey Mill car show 25^th April 2021 . The rest of the cars from the show that I liked in no particular order.

A few cars were by the stream that fed the water mill

The rest of the cars from different zones, all mixed up made for a great day’s viewing.

This car got lots of attention, not sure if it was because of the condition or the owners overwhelming enthusiasm to enjoy his car, he said it was almost finished for a tribute project.

I sat back at my car and totally enjoyed my afternoon of people watching and took this, my 66 next to a real nice ’65.

Dogs of the Day;

I just snapped these as they walked by or I walked past them on my round of the show.

My favourite has to be this nine month old puppy, what a star this little guy will be.

I often see dogs at car shows, some with the owners cars, but most are with the general public. Should I make it a regular feature from a car show to show the dogs I see? I’m not sure, but they sort of look good at the end of post. Being a huge dog lover with two of our own I couldn’t help myself.

Don’t worry, I’m not turning into a cutesie wootsie blog, this blog will always be about cars. But I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a dog who wants a little attention.

Was my wife right to get me to take some dog pics, or should I not bother in the future? I’m happy to go with the flow of the majority. Please let me know with a little poll just for fun:

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Run Of The Mill (Part 1)

The car shows have started and it was great to get out and about. I was excited all week and just hoped that the weather was going to hold out for us. I had a decision to attend a choice of two shows; Stonham Barns which I attend a number of times or a new new venue, Kersey Mill. I get a little hacked of with the old mates scenario of the Stonham barns which are same cars winning in the show and shine all the time. Kersey is smaller show, not by a lot it has to be said. After a mental busy day at work I was hoping for a good night sleep before Sunday morning. The dogs, made sure of that by playing musical beds, wanting to go out for a howl at the moon and just try everything in their books to cause havoc, I didn’t get much sleep. Sunday morning arrived the weather was dry and bright if not a bit chilly. The weather forecast was for a dry day for the first car show of the year – 25^th April 2021.

The car pulled out the garage and I loaded up with provisions for the day, drinks, food and sun cream! Optimism I guess.

The drive to Kersey was amazing, the roads were fine and I was on some minor roads for part of the journey so I could just plod along at my own pace and enjoy the drive. I arrived to a single entrance that I would have driven straight past if the marshal hadn’t of directed me to the opening. The car show itself was separated in seven different zones, and a number of car clubs were grouped together and the whole thing looked to be well thought out. The constant influx of cars was always moving and I have to admit it, well organised.

A little bit about the location; Kersey Mill is located just north of the Suffolk & Essex county border. Around 1860 Kersey Mill was a water and engine driven Stone Mill. The three pairs of engine driven stones must have been amongst the last and most sophisticated stone milling machinery produced by Whitmore & Binyon, Millwrights of Wickham Market. Pic on the left below is borrowed from their website.

The Mill had the lead from the roof stolen which caused significant water ingress damage. The four storey Mill has since been undergoing restoration to rectify the damage. The completed result is a beautiful venue for weddings, photography, fitness, Arts & Crafts, boutiques, coffee shop, design, flower shop, or just a nice day out or go for a walk.

I parked up within in the Bury Retro Car Club stand in area seven, which was in basically in the back garden of some properties within the beautiful beautiful grounds.

By mid morning the club allocation was full. I managed to park next a friend of mine who purchased his 1965 Coupe in the middle of our lockdown last year. Parking space was as as you wanted and was nice change to being shoved in as close as possible.

The Bury Retro Car Club stand;

A group of us stood around and chatted, the first words out of everybody’s mouth was, ‘it was great to be out and about again’.

Chairs were placed at the back of the cars and quick wipe over of the car to get rid of the road dust and we were set for the rest of the day. Everybody was respectful and kept their distance. Those in the club and also the visitors to the stand.

I decided to go for a walk to take some pictures of the scenery and the cars. There was a massive selection of cars and not just classic cars. I decided to add a little section on the next post for ‘Part 2’ for “Dogs of the day”, that I spotted. The wife asked me to send her some pictures while I was there and walking around as she had never been their herself.

There was some run of the mill cars (pun intended – sorry), to celebrity cars. These cars were at the main part of the complex. The bottom pic was the BBQ which done the most wonderful smelling bacon rolls!

Just outside the main mill house itself was some real golden oldies, classics and a fire engine.

These cars in the group below top picture were Vauxhall Cavaliers, these cars were considered just use and dispose as mainly sales rep cars, now they are on classic car stands!

This pic did tickle me as a one of the worlds worst cars, this Lada was next to one of the worlds prestige marques Aston Martin GT.

Old 1973 Mk 1 escort next to one of the worlds sporting icons, Ferrari.

A beautiful steam engine just quietly chugging away with rhythmic precision and the unbeatable smell of steam. I believe this engine was over one hundred years old!

There was a section for TV star cars. All of which need no introduction. The A-Team van had been signed by all the cast and the sandwich boards had pictures of them signing it.