Northern Section Rally 25th, 26th & 27th May 2012

[Paul296]

At least it might reassure her that you're all fairly normal people....oh, maybe on second thoughts I'd better leave it...

I've spent my entire life trying to side step the label; 'normal', and I'd take it as a personal insult to be described as such!

Can you skank a bit of wedding cake if you are coming Mat; lovely with a cup o' tea and don't worry too much about the marzipan?!

[Vanny]

The problem with this weather, is that i'm rather tempted to come Sunday myself, but it's an incredibly long way for a few hours to come back again. Hmmm tempting though.

[Caffiend]

Flapjack, check (I cannot believe I was baking flapjack at 8 am)
Beer, check (Tesco's heaving with bloody people deciding to have family reunions in inconvenient places, grrr - and surely, if 50% of the population is having a gigantic BBQ, then the other 50% will be going to said BBQs and not need to be IN MY WAY)
Sunhat, check
Car washed - check. Ish, only got 45 minutes, but at least this week's issue of bird shit is now OFF, and most of the dust
Pack tent and .... screw it, I have an entire car all to myself, haven't got time to think "minimal" like I normally do, if I might conceivably need it in the next 24 hours, in it goes (food, tent, sleeping bag )

Just scoffing a delicious nutritious Pot Noodle ('cos I haven't eaten yet today apart from flapjack crumbs) and swigging coffee, then I shall shower and be on my way - a little bit later than I was hoping, but never mind. Save me some BBQ and see some of you later!

[mds141]

No rush Sandre. Take your time and enjoy the drive up. See you there.

[Caffiend]

Oh, I shall ... can't wait to get on the road, get that radio on and chill out for the 3 hours or so it will take me to get there. What a fantastic day for a nice long run!

Over & out

[Paul296]

Asda tent; 12 quid! See you shortly.

[merlyn]

Hope you have all had a great day today and have another great one tomorrow. I have decided not to come up, there are a couple of things (like the cam belt) that I'd like to have done before I do another long drive just so I can relax and feel confident in the car. We have had a very sunny day out at Smallwood Vintage Car & Steam Rally in Cheshire. Not a BX in sight except mine but there was a 2CV in the arena. Loads of trucks, tractors and steam engines though.

[citsncycles]

Too far for me for a day trip aswell I'm afraid - if I didn't have to work today I may have come up, but tomorrow will be spent swapping a door over on the GS, and helping change a wheel bearing on an Ami 6.

Have a good time folks!

[Caffiend]

FAB weekend, awesome weather, think I might be a bit pink and peeling in days to come despite Factor 35.

Just the 3 of us on Saturday - Mark as mum providing catering facilities for the hopelessly disorganised, and when it got dark later, satellite spotter extraordinaire, Paul no-longer-a-virgin-camper (trust me on the yoga mat insulation) and me burning everything on Mark's BBQ (the guys both survived until the next morning, so at least it was all cooked, presumably). But a nice chilled evening, rebelling against being indoors with the band, they sounded just fine from outside thx - even when it was getting a BIT chilly.

Really nice to see everyone who made it on Sunday, and overall a brilliant turnout with some jaw-droppingly well-looked after cars, incredible commitment to keep some of those looking as good as they do. Following a quick tutorial from Paul, maybe mine won't look quite so forlorn next to that lot one day! (Thanks )

REALLY looking forward to the IC^CR now - think this weekend has brought my camping mojo back.

[mds141]

Glad you got back ok Sandre. I'm bright red, a nice lobster shade. Factor 40 as well. Thnx for the jump(start), must remember to unplug the fridge. I'm really quite domesticated aren't I. CSE in home economics don't you know! Lovely turnout of motors today. In particular Geoff's? lovely DS in brun scarab. Must get a DS one day! Really getting hyped up for the ICCCCCCR. Might even get myself a caravan!

[mds141]

Also thanks to Mark bxzx16v for the gratis roof bars. Also I took Matt(mulley) for a brief spin(literally and laterally) in the valver which I think he enjoyed, although he did say he was rather worried when I went round the roundabout on two wheels and he thought he was going to fly out of the passenger door!

[saintjamesy89]

I am seriously jealous of the fun weekend you lot had, I was sat in my room thinking of you enjoying fabulous weather and even nicer cars!

Whilst revising thoroughly disgusting parasites and their associated diseases

Will there be photo's??

[mds141]

I continued the French theme at teatime when I got back home, by having a tart provencale courtesy of Carrefour. Might even have a glass of vin rouge and watch the sun setting over Morecambe bay and the surrounding peaks of the Lake District. Tres bliss.

[saintjamesy89]

Rub it in why don't you...

[Paul296]

I'm not quite sure I got my 'camping mojo back', rather I brokered an uneasy peace with the 'delights' of sleeping under . . . whatever tents are made of these days. Arrived late(ish) on Saturday to find BX base camp had been ably established by Mark and Sandre. We set about having an impromptu BBQ in which I provided 4 sausage rolls, a bunch of bananas and a bar of chocolate, while Mark and Sandre provided . . . everything else, including some rather interesting pyrotechnics with a camping stove. Anyway, a good (if rather chilly) time was had by all - thanks fellas!

Sunday was baking hot, with any discomfort more than offset by a very well attended rally. The concourse line up in particular had some amazing cars on show, with BXs represented by Tim's lovely GT and (insert persons name here) red . . . one (see pics).



BX base camp affording a very nice view of the frontal elevation of my Asda tent. Marks (amazing) valver, Mark, Sandre and loads of food (the sausage rolls and bananas can clearly be seen in the centre foreground)



Sandres TZD. What? The rear wing looks exceptionally shiny compared to the rest of the car? Well spotted - I polished it! The man on the swing is praying to win first prize in the raffle (an amazon kindle); wasting his time - Mulley won it! *





Shauns VERY nice Meteor auto.



My Hurricane and Marks valver - resplendent in challenge regalia (note the Volkswagen 412 variant in the background - nice car; wrong badge).



Concourse pics;









All in all a really lovely day, with only the inevitable 'having to go home' to spoil it all

* There was actually a choice between a CAR pressure WASHER or the kindle; Mulley chose the kindle. No surprises there then.