Hi all, this was my first Rod run without a Rod and man did it feel weird. I did intend to go down in on my Cruiser Motorbike, but Puddz was going in his Transit to pick up a leather suite from our old mate Paul Johnson, so I opted for the comfier ride in the tranny. Though I must admit to hanging my head in shame at the thought of attending a Rod Run in a Tranny. The Riverside guys and girls who put on the Wet and Wild show greeted us at the registration tent with smiles even though we were in a very unsuitable vehicle and I was pleased we were charged extra for not turning up in a suitable vehicle, which is how it should be.
Young Jason looking warm basking in the Sunshine!
The idyllic venue of Chasewater had had a few changes made to it, though making it much more attractive for people using the venue, it was not a move that helped the Riverside club and their Rod Run. The usual camping ground was now not just host to that but also the fair ground, trade stands and show, though on the day it coped well, but not if it gets any bigger that is for sure. The usual show ground that was massive enough for any amount of Rod Runners, was now a pleasant walk area.
The weather could of been kinder as it was pretty miserable, though it didn't dampen anyone's spirits, as we had a great crack with quite a few happy Rodders as we meandered around the weekend campers rides. Even with the damp weather, Dave brown was there in his Cool A40 Van and Gaz O'Conner in the wild Moon Equipped Truck to name just two, which to me shows up others who stay away cus there may be a slight chance of rain *respect*.
The new slim line Pete Whiteside enjoying the Hot southern Climes of Wet Cold
Wild and Windy. With Sandra staying by the fire wrapped in her sleeping bag.
Young Jason had ventured down on his own, in his V12 Consul earlier in the day. He phoned me as he was lining up for the cruise, saying the place was packed and I think it was said over 70cars made it on the cruise, quite a sight from all accounts. My old mate Bakey with the Red Pop had arranged to go aswell this weekend with Local Rod building Genius Harry Dawson, this would be Harry's first Rod run with us and I was looking forward to hearing some of Harry's great stories and just generally hanging out with him and Bake's. But alas it wasn't to be, Bakey had loaded up the pop, with beer and provisions for the weekend, also tagged Harry's caravan on the tail of the Pop, but only part way into the journey a rear UJ started throwing a wobbler and they had to abort the mission, shame big shame!! Still me, Puddz and Jase were here and there was nothing we could do to help Harry and Bakey and their plight, so now all we could do was have a beer for them *cheers* *hic*..
Mad 2ltr powered A now that is Low
We had a tour round, had a good crack with the the guys and girl who had all owned at sometime this Mad Matt Black A pick up. Man was that front crossmember low, that's how we got talking. He is also the guy who owns the 48 F1 Pickup with a 2ltr Pinto in it ;>0 a 2ltr Pinto in a 3ton Yank Pick up WoW. He enthused about its drivability and retorted that a long wheel based Transit fully loaded was heavier and they only have a pinto in them.... fair enough.
5% Keef gets a Love Hug From Puddz
We met up with Keef with his usual 5% tipple in his hand "awroyte" . After the trip round we got fired into a few cold ones and just had a damn good laugh. Soon it was time for the evening's entertainment, which was a very good Disco the guy doing it, in my opinion was bang on. With testimony to his music choice being right with the dance floor being full all night. Last year it was so hot that most of us were outside all night, with fire eaters jugglers fireworks and other entertainment being put on for us there aswell. This night it was pretty cold outside so everyone was in the club house and did it feel warm and cosy when we get in there with all them hot bodies.. As soon as we entered the club house we was greeted by a familiar happy smiley face, that of Gaz O'Conner who was with his miss's and their wee girl. So we sat with them and put the Rodding world to rights...
This must be the cleanest coolest well put together 100E I have ever seen
just superb first Rod. Cool looking A40 Van.
Did she or didn't she? Find out when I get back seeya in a week :>)
I'm Back
Sorry about the break but I have to have my Hols sometime and my misses is pee'd off as we seem to spend our annual hols at Rod Runs which she doesn't share my passion for.
Just a few before we go out on the razzle young Jase is shown some bad habits by
5% Keef.
Well where was I? Oh yeah the Sat Night rave up.. As I said from what I remember the music played by the DJ was good, I don't remember groaning as I usually do at Rod runs . I had a great crack with Gaz O'Conner, about the merits of trophies and their often adverse effect on our scene. I feel much of the bitchiness is from someone getting a trophy and someone else feeling they should of got one aswell. Gaz freely admits he did go for the trophy at one time but puts little value on them now, he goes for the Rod Run and the crack... but hey that's a whole different topic and I guess I don't know enough about the scene yet, to voice my opinion with much authority, so I'll shut me gob ;>)
I met quite a few of the Riverside gang and I can hand on heart say, I haven't met a more friendly bunch, they did make me, Puddz and Jase feel very welcome and I am sure do the same to everyone who goes to their runs. The Run is very well organised, but also is laid back, it is one of my favourites and tonight was showing signs of been as good as ever. To prove a point as to how friendly they are, a lovely young lady was so kind and showed us what she looked like without her vest, now that is friendly! Thank you very much who ever you were, you made an old man very happy... well several old men really to be honest :>)
We are having a good time aren't we :>) Sorry Misses Sidaway just caught you
when you weren't smiling you had been all night. Hey that's who took the shot
below. Twas funny like a proper press photographer, Mrs Sid went "excuse
me Uk Hotrods" and snapped the artistic photo below.
Yes we are!
Now wasn't that worth the wait :>) pass me a tissue..
Puddz was on form having a good old jig on the dance floor.. One thing I can remember which made us al laughs some, was the youmg lass who was selling the raffle tickets was at our table selling me some tickets when Puddz turned round a bit quickly and made th eyoung girl jump and she shouted "Hey you just hit me in my Loo Loo" , :>)......We had a good few scoops more, a great laugh but all to soon the evenings entertainment was over.. as is the norm the campsite was deadly silent when we got back, so we went to the tranny as it looked like no one else was having a party. The night was still young and we had some beer left.. so we opened the back of the van got the seats out and started to empty a few more cold ones... brrrr who needs a cooler, it was pretty damn cold outside as it was, we could of just left the beers out and that would of kept em cold enough.... So what do I do in true numpty fashion?..... I have to take my shirt off to show how tough I am and that I don't feel the cold grrrrrrr "Hey Puddz take ya shirt off " I said..... so he did!
Puddz shows he is a man aswell in the freezin cold of the wet and wild night air..
The beer was now taking effect and it was decided it would be best if we called it a night and get some shut eye. Every time I have been to wet and wild, I have stayed up until around 5 am or so, not this time, I didn't relish the thought of being knackered all the next day... Mind you the prospect of spending a night in a Transit Van with Puddz was far more off putting, than feeling knackered on a Sunday morning, but it had to be done! I woke early Sunday with something stiff prodding me in my back.... I said to Puddz "I hope that's not what I think it is prodding me in my back" he laughed his head off, as it was his fist and was just after giving me a fright !!!! It Bloody worked.... I thought best get up and not encourage him, so Sunday we were up with the lark and off to the greasy spoon 24hr cafe which is a few miles away. A full English with toast and 2 cups of coffee and a pud if you want for £2.95 ya cant whack it! There is washing facilities, bogs the works and hour later we left the 24hr cafe refreshed and ready for the day... We arranged to pick up Puddz new leather suite and after some more coffee at Paul J's house we toddled of back to the Sunday Show, ready for some serious Rod spotting.