RANGE ROVER ENTHUSIAST

As we had such a good time last year when we was invited to join the Lincs Offroad Club for there Easter bash, when the invitation came for this year we jumped at the chance, little to say we did not expect what we got.

Yes I know Easter was early but we didn't expect gale force winds and to wake up to 4 inches of snow "DID WE LANCE ! !"

We (Nigel & Elaine) arrived early on the Friday morning to heavy winds but sunny, got all set up and chilling out when Gary & Sue arrived, quickly followed by Kev & Ann and then Steve, the rest plodded in through the day with a total of 7 range rovers to play with. Friday night was curry night which was laid on by the Lincs Off Road boys, followed by loads of beer and the usual chit chat.

Sat, there was green laning for the ones that liked getting muddy and for the rest of us it was do what you will followed in the Evening with a Quiz, a raffle and the few beers we have to have (well done girls a good night was had by all).

Sunday OH YES Sunday we all woke up with loads of snow and it was fun snowmen all around, snowball fights with the kids (big ones), and the traditional Easter egg hunt. With that out of the way it was more green lanes for some but we decided to take Sue's caravan apart because the hot water system threw a wobbler and decided not to work, but within a couple of hours and £118 saved we got here up and running again. That evening we were fortunate to have an indoor BBQ area for us all to burn our grub on.  This was followed by a tombola with loads of Easter eggs to win, and of coarse more winter warming fluid (beer).

ALL OUR RRR MEMBERS THAT TURNED UP FOR THE WEEKEND WOULD LIKE TO THANK LICS OFF ROAD CLUB FOR THERE HOSPITALITY OVER THE EASTER PERIOD.......

Its starting to snow you know                                                              Oh bum holes we have snow

Some hardened RRR members                                                        And some foolish ones

To view more pics of our weekend do look at our photo page................................

May Bank Holiday

Some of us ventured out to Cleethorpes Transport Extravaganza which was only the second one they had held.  In the gathering was Nigel, Elaine, Dave, Gary and myself (Sue).  This gave us 2 P38s' and 1, 2 door classic, unfortunately Gordon Brown stopped me taking mine.  It was a good weekend with free entertainment every night and everyone seemed to be very friendly.  The site was a public park but was nice and quiet at night.  There was a lovely lake with a fountain and nice areas to walk the dogs.  The entertainment was held at Light railway station and was in walking distance, there was an oriental restaurant just on the edge of the park and another pub which served food over the road.

Dave and Gary decided they would go on the open top bus ride which was part of the cavalcade.  They thought it was great because people were coming out of their houses to wave and they were waving as they walked along the streets.

(See more photographs in the photo gallery)

Visit to Gaydon

The coastal destination wasn't for everyone this weekend.  Kev and I (Anne) met up with some of the West Midlands RRR to go to the 60th anniversary celebrations at Gaydon motor museum.  We arrived nice and early and had set up camp well before the other happy campers arrived.  Saturday morning saw us up early to be part of the RRR stand to wait for the cavalcade to arrive and chat to people on the stand.  Saturday night was a BBQ and beers with tales of what we had been up to since we last met up. 

Sunday saw us up early again before the crowds and the cavalcade arrived, with another good selection of Range Rovers including early velars, the weekend was taking its' toll on Kev (see the picture), but after a nap he was ready for more beer and another BBQ.  The evening was cold on some members who hadn't brought enough clothes, so we shared what was available.

Monday morning we had our own little line up and said our farewells ready for home.

(Words of Gaydon from Anne Brummit)

We arrived at The Red Lion in Wainfleet All Saints on the Friday evening.  After setting up camp the seven of us made our way to the bar to a very warm welcome from the landlord and landlady, Fred and Alix Burns-Worsfold. We took part in the weekly quiz and had some dinner and got to know a few of the regulars. 

THE RED LION @ WAINFLEET ALL SAINTS

On the Saturday a couple of people went off into Skegness as it is only a few miles away.  Some went to Carrington show while Gary and myself stayed behind, relaxed and got to know the area.  There is all you need for a general stop over in Wainfleet, 3 pubs inc a B & B, Newsagents, postoffice and small food store.  Just a couple of minutes walk from where we stayed there is the train station which means it is possible to go to Skegness on the train.  Just past the train station is the well known Batemans Brewery and it was there that we ventured when Nigel and Elaine arrived back from Carrington.

There is also a small brewery called Dickinsons but unfortunately it was shut when we eventually found it.  For dinner we had a BBQ and then it was time to try the different types of Batemens at The Royal Oak.  We then finished the night off in The Red Lion, where we were staying.  I would like to take this chance for thanking one of the locals called Sid, you know who you are, for making the night such a laugh, I would love to meet his Grandad after some of the stories we heard for example, "When I was a kid I spent 2 hours washing my Grandads car and he said he would give me £10 which he then handed me a bundle of £1 notes.  When I got home I opened the bundle and there was only £9 so I went back to Grandad and told him he had only given me £9 and he said, I, but maybe next time you'll not trust anyone and check the money first, I then said well can I have the other £1 and he said No because if I do give you it you'll forget to check, if I don't it'll give you something to remember".  What a wise man.

Sunday very quickly arrived and we decided to go to the brewery because a couple of people wanted to do the brewery tour.  We had a lunch there and then went back to camp to relax.  In the evening we went into Skegness and watched a Freddie Star tribute comedian, which was good and then it was back to base.

Monday came and it was time to pack up and then into The Red Lion for a farewell drink and lunch.  Where there we discussed starting up the East Coast Rally again so keep an eye open for updates on the site.

(For more photographs see the photo gallery)

The weather forecast for the weekend was changing each day we saw it on TV so we set off with shorts and wellies on board.  When we arrived Kev and Anne were already there and hot on our heals were Nigel and Elaine.  We got all set up and had our tea and then it was off to the beer tent, just to see what was planned for the weekend you understand.  We were very sociable and made new acquaintances  immediately.

Saturday arrived and so did the rain, it was the usual British rain that's fine, but soaks you to the skin, never the less we carried on and flew the flag for the club.  Evening arrived and so did Dave Blackburn, might I add without the home baked bread.  It was then BBQ and a chat about our day and then to the beer tent again.  We managed to get about half an hour of the rock a billy band and then they went home.  The Lincs gang then turned into roadies and helped the DJ get unloaded and set up to continue the entertainment.  Elaine and I (Sue) then got roped in to do the raffle, we enjoyed it though having banter with all the other exhibitors and trade stand holders.  It was then party time.

We were then into Sunday and what a smashing day.  We had a really relaxing time and had several people looking at the Range Rovers and asking questions, all of which we passed on to Nigel, AKA the British Encyclopedia of Range Rover.  The day ended with another nice shinny plaque and a journey home ready for the next show which is in a week.

From Doddington we moved onto Bourne Classic Car show.  This is the third year for this show and we have attended each one.  This is a nice 1 day show and we're able to put our vehicles on the little hill which means we could be seen from the far side of the field.

This show was free to enter and pulls the public in every year.  It also gets you free access to Bourne Museum which has a very good display of BRM which was based in Bourne.  We had a good turn out of 7 Range Rovers all of which had a good amount of cleaning and polishing.  I do however think Dave (picture 3) would have found it easier on a flatter area.

On we go to Manby Land Rover show, this is the second one since it was resurrected last year.  This is a two day event and covers a 4X4 challenge and an off road course.  The entertainment on Saturday by the Steve Milton Band was absolutely excellent, such a talented group, if you ever get chance to see them then go.  There were a range of stalls to look around and then there was the mud run, off road course and the aformentioned 4X4 challenge all to keep us entertained. 

We also met 2 new members from the Cambridgeshire area and they were Densal and John and we look forward to meeting them again very soon. 

3 P38's Ooops!

After missing the show last year due to being on holiday Gary and Nigel decided that they would like to go back to the show again this year.  In the past we had camped in Billing Aquadrome itself but this time we decided to stay on one of the rally fields about 1/2 a mile away, walking distance...just.  The weather at times was a bit dodgy but with the correct clothing that doesn't matter. 

We had a lovely meal on the Friday at the Billing Mill which was a bargin, and then we spent the rest of the weekend walking around looking at stalls.  One of our members spent his weekend on the Range Rover Register stand and was plugging the club.

Steve's car on the RRR stand.         

After just managing to setup before the downpour of rain the type of weekend we had was a huge surprise, it was lovely.  Everyone arrived just around tea time and swiftly got their pitches ready.

Saturday morning came and we were drying off the cars ready for the visitors then it was on to erecting the gazebo for meet and greet, by this time we were all warming up and swapping the jumpers to tee-shirts.

We had a good line-up of 9 vehicles including 1 from a guest called Glen (on the Saturday only) who is a member from down south and we then had new members Debbie and Dave from our area.  We had lots of interest from the public and signed up several new members, which is always good news.  We also had people speaking to us about mechanical issues and history of some of the vehicles.

During our travels around the show we spotted a very well kept Range Rover owned by a gentleman called Steve Graham.  You will see on the pictures below that the first one has a man standing at the side of the Range Rover and he is called Roger Craythorn and he used to race these cars.  Also on this picture there is a collection of photos and the larger one on the top is Roger along the side of the same car 37 years before.

The results for the awards for this weekend were as follows:  BEST CLASSIC & RESTORED =  

((3rd place)) Russell Hearn, ex-Civil Defence Series I 88-inch hardtop

((2nd place)) Alvin Plummer, Series III 109 station wagon

((1st place)) Andrew Litchfield, Series I 80-inch

BEST MODIFIED =

((3rd place)) Paul Cupit, Series II 109 breakdown truck

((2nd place)) Lee Dowse of Cheshire Land Rover Club, challenge-prepared 90
truck cab

((1st place)) Darren Carrick, Series III 88-inch County Station Wagon

FOOTMAN JAMES BEST CLUB STAND =

Team Tombraider

BEST IN SHOW =

Andrew Litchfield, Series I 80 inch

Thanks Becca from Live Promotions for letting me know the results.  Can't wait until next year.