Got installed on site in 'Wheelers Corner' and everyone started to chill out. By the time we'd run down to Tesco for essential supplies (you know, beer, donuts) there were spots of rain and before long it was peeing down. On arriving back at site our gazebo had developed magnetic powers and 20 people had taken up residence… The rain looked set in so most of the crew crammed into Terry's 'Number 42' woody bus for a trip to the pub, but Zoe had brought our tea and a new camping stove and we were going to eat it!! It was cosy in the tent and the sedan took shelter under the gazebo, as the cowl vent leaks a little in heavy rain.… As it turned out the evening cleared up to beautiful red skies and soon the rods were cruising and the marquee was swinging.

Wheelers' base camp

After a bacon butty Saturday was looking good and early risers were being called into the main field for the 'long cruise' which we'd just been told was the best one to take, being 36 miles of scenic countryside, rather than the 'short' 18 mile blast to the venue. Just managed to tag ourselves and Martin's '32 onto the back of the cruise and had an enjoyable leisurely trip through villages and single track lanes etc. Obviously the locals don't often get disturbed by V8's very often as the route seemed to be lined with people waving and cheering, & my kids enjoyed doing the royal wave from the back of the sedan! The short cruise had many more taking part and left a little later but the timing was perfect as we reached a T junction near the end to see them streaming past. Venue was a cricket pitch & social club in the village of Oakley, where there was plenty of grassy parking and the NSRA crew were already cooking up burgers & beer.

Cruise venue seen from Calvin's El Camino

Loads of nice cars there

Danny's A at the cruise

As ever, pulling out of the site required a little squealing of tyres. Brian's A followed by Richard in the '34. Mr T pulls out

Back on site there was the usual laid back atmosphere and mucking about. Whipped off the fenders and took the opportunity to ride my newly-bodged chopper over to the Raleigh Chopper convention to P them off, but turns out they had plenty even rougher than mine and I got some compliments!! Time to mooch around the trade stands and check out the Shine/Thacker roadster and imagine sitting in it at 200mph -scary stuff. Even John Reid was over at the Duksville stand, just like old times.

Saturday was my daughter Emma's birthday so we all went over to the on-site pub for grub, testing the new Wheelers truck with a full load of rodders.

Then off to the fair for the compulsory stomach-churn and bumper cars. Then to the marquee and a few beers & chat. The band seemed pretty popular, though the sound quality was much better down by the stage than back at the bar, played some good tunes and a good time had by all. Aliens had landed outside the marquee (vans with lights I just don’t understand) when we wandered back to barracks.

Sunday required another bacon butty and it was time to wash off the cruise cow sh*te and get lined up for the show & shine. The field was filling up fast and there were some amazing motors about.

Didn't really get the chance to look round the cars on Sunday as I was canvassing for traders for Thorney Island show and packing up base camp, but the showground was rammed with cool machines, though the main field seemed a little emptier than usual as later model cars were being parked down the far end of the field. Praise the lard the weather was better than expected and was actually quite warm in the afternoon.

Loved this wicked lime green T-bird, which you needed shades to look at. Zipper-inspired '34 was super smooth, and the old Moon truck looks so cool

Over at the Jon Golding corner was this sweet steel roadster, and a line up of familiar rods

Didn't manage to take many photos and looking back I can't believe I didn’t snap the fabulous gold A coupes (one fendered, one hiboy) which were among my favourites, or weemark's black '35 or twenty others I would have liked to drive home…..

There was no shortage of way cool vehicles so I was dead chuffed to find that I’d got a Top 10 pick for the sedan, and a shiny SoCal garage sign from that nice man Tony Thacker. Cheers everyone

Participants' choice went to the swoopy red hard-topped roadster which was just stunning. Hope he didn't run into heavy rain on the way home like we did - another few hours cleaning required then…..

Another great weekend and thanks to the NSRA for their hard work as ever.
Simon Phillips

(Photo credits to my son Tom for some of the snaps, he got a tripod for his birthday!)