VSCC Spring Start 2012

Ever since we partnered our first Retro Rides event with the VSCC (5 years ago now!) I have always kept an eye on them and their events. There's just something about seeing proper old school pre and post war machinery being thrashed so it screams for mercy that you can't quite put into words.

I learnt on Twitter a few weeks ago about the VSCC 'Spring Start' event, and most notably that it also featured the Historic Grand Prix Car Association whose cars I have long wanted to see race in anger.  To be honest I thought you needed to be at an event like Silverstone Classic to see them, and as a result I figured that entrance price would be somewhat astronomical.  Upon further investigation though it appeared entrance was just £10.  That was me sold, the appeal of 50's and 60's Grand Prix cars was so strong I was even happy to miss the Villa home game!

We managed to get up and out at a good hour and arrived at Silverstone before 11am ... I love that moment you step out the car and just smell RACETRACK!

A walk through the pits revealed the awesome machinery, and I was loving the chance to get so close to such automotive rarity .... which included Stirling Moss' 1961 Monaco winner!

The pit garages really were a petrolheads dream, and there was simply too many gorgeous engines and too much stunning engineering to be able to photograph it all!

There was a lot of tinkering going on, with these mechanics clearly looking for an air leak on their Cooper T53.

 I had arranged to meet David and so we took the opportunity to sit down and watch a little of the Quali session until he arrived.

Once he joined us we took an early opportunity to grab some food, which gave David and I the chance to get some RRG planning sorted.

With hunger kept at bay and the racing about to start we made our way to Copse Corner and watched the first few races together.  With a plan of action for the years show David then choose to hit the road and with Esme shortly needing a feed it was left for Alfie and I to take in the the last few races which included the Historic Grand Prix classes.  The noise was phenomenal, as I hope this video captures!

Highlight of the day for me was the 1.5 litre Lola Mk4 which sounded immense as its 1.5 litre engine screamed out of Copse!  Sadly I didn't manage to get a shot of it whilst parked up in the pits because it looked every bit as good as it sounded!!

The fantastic thing about the VSCC is the huge mix you get of massive power in vehicles that are as heavy as a small battleship pitched against much less powerful machinery but being as nimble and as light as a hummingbird.  So heres the Napier Bentley - all 24 litres of it!  Check the annotation on the engine cover!

 

And these are two GN machines, a GN/JAP Grand Prix and the GN Thunderbug.  Two very different approaches to a similar idea but both that stop you dead in your tracks!

I actually had a nice chat with Richard Scaldwell who owns the GN/JAP.  He was tinkering with his clutch as he said he was having some issues with it.  Quite surprised to see him worrying about this after his race I asked him if was due back out again for one of the later races .... no, he wasn't, he needed to fix it to drive it home!!  He drives it everywhere apparently, including trips through Europe!  I do like people like that!!

As the HGPRA race came to an end the threatened showers started to arrive and so Alfie pulled both of our hoods up and we made our way back to the car to meet up with Tash and Esme and hit the road.  The day was summed up perfectly by one of the race winners who, when interviewed after winning, reported it was 'bloody good fun!'

A wonderful day was then rounded off in the evening with Alfie saying his name for the first time and Esme rolling over for the first time!  Just if every Saturday could be like that ...

An Easter Like It Used To Be

This year Easter was spent much like how it used to be ... Good Friday wandering around Wheels Day at Rushmoor Arena near Aldershot and the Saturday at Santa Pod for Easter Thunderball.  Back in the days when Tash was racing Easter was always spend this way, except we'd be at the Pod all weekend long!

This year we had arranged so my friends Lisa and Matt at Wheels Day.  I went to Uni with Lisa, and they live close to Aldershot so its an ideal time for us to catch up ... even though it had still been some four years since we last met up!  Their daughter Holly, who was a newborn back then, was now a full freckled young girl and now there was the new addition of Anna who was born just days apart from Esme!

Thankfully the weather held at Rushmoor and we had a lovely day together.  Alfie adores playing with older kids, and Holly was an absolute sweetheart with him offering to take him on rides and most importantly being prepared to run around like a lunatic for ages on end!  And here's the proof, video AND pictures!

 As always there were some lovely cars on show, and it was just nice to be able to meander around and let the cars provide the background as opposed to the focus of the day ... I guess that's what having kids does to you!?  There were still a number that stood out and really demanded your attention, one such being The Monkeys GTO (real or rep?).

I missed a perfect photo opportunity though.  I managed to photo this Joey Ramone tribute on the rear of someones yank, but it wasn't until about half an hour later I realised Alfie was wearing his Ramones T-shirt!  Would have been a cracking photo with him grinning 'chheeeeese' next to it!

Ammie joined us at FTC that evening so as to be able to join us for the trip to the Pod on Saturday.  The forecast was a bit suspect, but the Pod always seems to have its own little weather system and so we choose to take a gamble and have a nice day watching howling V8's!

Upon arrival (and being robbed of £25 per person!) we made our way to the bank to watch a little racing and enjoy some fish and chips!  They were much needed as there was a real chill on the bank - Alfie even willingly wore a hat!

Sadly all too soon the weather turned, and with light drizzle falling the action stopped and so we chose to wander down pit lane.

There were some awesome cars in attendance, and many that I couldn't wait to see turn a wheel in anger.

Sadly every time the track nearly dried the weather drizzled again.  The precipitation cleared the air, and by the time the track was ready to go again at about 3pm both Alfie and Esme were feeling cold and so we were forced to head for home.  A real shame, especially as I had been really excited about the day for a good number of weeks, but it just wasn't to work out for us.

Thankfully it worked out for our friend Andy Frost who's Pro Mod Vauxhall Victor was to become the fastest street legal car in Europe!  Just check the video!

March 2012 at FTC

Its another one of those occasions when I'm so far behind with my blogging that its time for something of a picture dump and a catch-up!

This is largely caused due to Bill and I fishing on the 17th where I tried out the HD video setting on the 'point and click' Canon I had recenly purchased.  Now into April I still find myself trying to edit the numerous video clips!

March was the month Tash officially became unemployed, but it also meant it was another lovely month we could all spend together as a family.  Both she and Esme were discharged from hospital, with Tash being told her heart was fine amongst rumours spreading through Bedford hospital that Esme might now be in line for a role in the next Michelin advert!
 
The start of the month was nice and warm and I took the opportunity to get cracking with the garden.  It always seems to go that I spend March and April working in the garden, and then once everything is planted and summer arrives I just enjoy what we've got until the following March rolls round.

To be honest the raising of the beds in the garden would have been completed a while ago but for my drill going MIA at the Gathering in August.  Since using Bills cordless Bosch I knew I had to go cordless and treated myself to a new toy from DeWalt.

I set about cutting, drilling and nailing the scaffold boards in place alongside the path outside the barn.  Following that I sorted the placement of where the step was going to locate.

 

And of course Alfie was close by to lend a hand suring up the location of some crucial nails.

 

 

Over the next few weeks I laid countless kilos of concrete outside the barn to level off the path and raise the path to within a few inches of the step - giving me a suitable platform for the gravel.

I'm lacking photographic evidence, but the gravel is now down in place and it all works a treat!

Meanwhile, Alfie has enjoyed chasing chickens...

Harry has enjoyed laying in the sun ...

 

and with the chickens frequently enjoying freedom in the garden Harry has become best of friends with one of them.  Seriously, he even lets her peck at his back!

and when not cuddled up with a chook the poor dog had a two year old trying to show his love!

Come the end of the month I'd removed the old smashed caravan window, and had hoped to have a plastic replacement sorted by the end of that week.  Sadly I was quoted close on £100 and so thats on hold at the moment.  I either need a cheaper quote or else I'm going to get a sheet of 4mm plastic and do it myself.

Of course Esme is groing up fast, hitting 4 months old during March!  Her personality is really starting to shine now, and her face simply glows when she smiles.  Its wonderful to see her with Alfie too, its so clear to see how much the adore each other.  She simply can't take her eyes off him, and he loves to give her kisses and help where he can by replacing a dummy or giving her a 'ssshhhh ssshhhh sssshhh' when she's upset.

 

Oh yeah, and Sherlocks happy to be home and feeding well!

Stevenage Start of Summer Specials 2012

I spoke with someone last week who is also planning a long ride this summer, from London to Paris.  He mentioned to me about a ride on the weekend from Stevenage, the middle distance being 120km/72 miles.

I had a look on Google and checked the route, and found that the ride in question was the Stevenage Start of Summer Specials - the 120km being called the 'Ugley Nasty' as it goes through the villages of Ugley and Nasty.

Now whilst the thought of doing my first properly organised 'touring' event really appealed to me I was very aware that due to yet another cold I hadn't been on a bike for nearly three weeks and 72 miles was nearly 20 miles further than my current longest distance.

By now it was Thursday but I decided I'd go for it, the weather promised to be sunny and 15 degrees so a great day for a ride.  I wanted to spin my legs over on the bike before attempting it, and so managed a 20 mile ride on Thursday and then a 25 mile ride on Saturday.  I spent a good deal of time trying to work out how long the ride would take me, and I decided to aim for 5 hours which should represent a steady ride for me. 

Come Sunday (25/03) I was at Fairlands Valley Park for about 9:30am, and managed to get myself through the various queues to get registered and acquire the necessary paperwork - including directions of the route!  I managed to get away with the 10:40am group and planned to try and tag along with a group of riders who I thought a) were about my pace and b) knew the way!

I managed to find a group of four who seemed to be at a similar pace to me and hung onto their coat tails till the first check point.  I got my card stamped and had a quick chat with the group of four and we set off once more.  As we closed in on the second check point I had dropped just a few seconds behind the group but still felt really good.  The third leg really hurt me, a few steady but long inclines had me off the back of the pack and my legs really started aching.  I decided to click down a chainring and just enjoy being out in the sunshine.  I needed a few stops to check the route and stay on track but I made it into the third check point just about 5 minutes behind the group I had been with.

We all left for the finish together and my legs felt great again.  I was with them the whole way home and we were cruising most of it at over 18 mph.  Once back in Fairlands Park I checked my time.  The clock on my computer said it had taken me 4 hours 52 minutes, and when my card received its final stamp I was told I had completed the ride in 4 hours 45 minutes!  Either way I was dead pleased and couldn't resist getting myself a certificate and a badge!

Once home I was greeted by something even better though!

The event was listed on the Audax website, something I wasn't familiar with before the weekend.  They have loads of long distance rides listed on their website and I'll definitely be doing more in the future, it really was a perfect way to spend a Sunday.

For anyone interested, heres the map of the route.

My Birthday Visit to the RAF Museum

With my birthday already off to a great start after the reappearance of Sherlock and me actually getting a proper birthday this year (29/02) I wanted to actually do something 'celebratory' for once.  I fancied a day shopping (I needed a haircut and some clothes) but upon the realisation that finances would make this a fairly short lived celebration we opted for a family day out to the RAF Museum at Henlow.

The stories and happenings of World War 2 fascinate me, and I love visiting the museums which never fail to teach me something new.  With the buggy staying at home I also wanted to visit an attraction that would give Alfie a chance to be on his feet and not create too much mayhem.

As soon as we arrived he was lagging behind.  He'd spotted a school trip crossing the car park and wanted to make the most of the opportunity to wave at the kids and shout "Bye!".  What he (or I) hadn't expected was that the entire class turned around in unison and waved and shouted back at him!  Needless to say the next five minutes were spent waving and shouting across the car park!

Sometimes there's only one way to get the kid moving, and that's to pick him up!

There is all manner of awesome aircraft inside the museum, and loads of detailed displays which I found fascinating.  This prop press is super cool - if fact I'd quite like a propeller mounted on one of our walls in our lounge!

We are always quite early to lunch, and seeing as we left the first building approaching midday we made a route straight for the restaurant.  It was a fantastic place, and with a Merlin displayed in the middle of the room what's not to like?  Even Esme wanted a good look round!

In the afternoon we entered the main halls and had a fantastic time checking out the birds on display.  They ranged from early Flying Corps examples;

Right through to the more obscure WW2 aircraft like this armed bomber water plane, and even included modern day birds like the Euro Fighter.

They also have loads of cool memorabilia from WW2, and I've always loved the 'score charts' that you found on the side of bombers illustrating how many bombs had been dropped.  These were genuine examples now found on the walls of the museum ... I wonder what happened to the rest of the aircraft?

As you reach the end of the main hall there is a really cool interactive area that Alfie loved.  This gives you the chance to see how bombs fall after being released, the impact of airflow, and even learn basic plane controls.

 With the museum covered and the kids getting tired we decided to fill up at the pick 'n' mix station in the souvenir shop and hit the road - destination Pizza Express.  I know its not exactly the most glamorous of venues, but its a fantastic place to eat if you have rugrats in tow and beside, I had a voucher!  As is often the way, Tash and I took it in turns to eat as Esme was bounced and then the meal was finished off perfectly for Alfie as he painted himself with a Chocolate Sundae!

A brandy with my coffee rounded things off nicely for me, and it was the end of a really pleasant day.  Lets hope I enjoy being 32 and much as I did being 31!

The Sherlock Returns!

I seem to have been asked quite frequently "have you found that snake yet?" to which my reply has always been that I didn't expect to until the weather warmed.

I had a suspicion he was curled up somewhere and was keeping himself nice and snug whilst our house was a bit chilly.  The past few days things have started to warm up though, and the sun has started to show a little more during the day.  It has been so nice I had actually meant to jump into the loft and turn the heating off!

Maybe I was right too, cos on Tuesday Tash turned to walk up the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks.  "Should there be a snake on the stairs!?" she called out!

And there was Sherlock, just sat there halfway up the staircase.  Tash found an ice cream tub and we gathered him up so I could get his viv back up to temperature before he was reintroduced to home.  I took the opportunity to grab some photos of him too, something I really wished I had done when we bought him.  He had been missing almost exactly 2 months!

Once the viv was nice and warm I put him back in with just his warm hide, a bowl of water, and a furry.  Snakes can go ages without food so I wasn't too worried about his hunger but water is more crucial for them.  He went straight for the water bowl and proceeded to drink like a fish!

 

Happy that he was OK I left him alone for a while.  I popped my head back in to check on him about an hour later when Alfie went to bed and I managed to catch him just finishing off the furry!  Happy that he had eaten and drunk I reassembled his viv ... and made sure the new roof was 100% escape-proof!


I am so chuffed to have him back, it was the best way to start my birthday!  I'm gonna leave him alone for a few weeks and let him settle back in.  I imagine its been quite stressful for him.  Then I'll start to get him used to being handled which I cannot wait for!