It is just over so quickly after such a big
build up it felt just so
depressing to have to leave, but leave we had to ;>) I was to drive back with
Frank Ogden but we got up earlier than we excepted. Frank did mention staying at
his son's on the way back so nothing definite was planned + other problems with
phone etc made it impossible to get in touch and we were ready to go by 9am. I
had a last look round outside our chalet, these two brit rods were parked in
their splendor, the ex Ian Mockett A pickup now with some neat chequered flames
and a real neat 34 Hey what a memory to take with me back to blighty.
I hate the leaving bit, but this time I had a good 500mile journey home to look forward to, which was great compensation. We were still wondering how to get in touch with Frank when we spied a Rod going home via a breakdown truck, a White 30's Humber and the NSRA van. As we were not 100% sure how to get back to the docks we decided to leave with them and just tag on behind. So it was with a tear in my eye (I must change them pants) we set off Homeward bound Boo Hoo!
We stopped at
the first garage we came to for fuel and I had a crack with the guy in the
breakdown
apparently
the NSRA insurance had not been very good on this occasion, they said it would
be at least 2weeks before they could get his Rod home for him..... eh!!!
They suggested if they could get the parts out to him could he fix it? Not a
chance he said as a fractured head was suspected and with a blower on top not a
job he fancied tackling. So to his aid had come this Great chap, a Belgium Rodder
and a breakdown Truck the idea was to take him to Calais docks and then the NSRA
van would tow him onto the ferry and to blighty where he could then get another
truck home...!
So on with the Journey home and now if the NSRA van doesn't know the way back to Calais what chance has anyone? Well after going round in a big circle and still seeing De Hann signs every few miles, passing a set of road works twice and a 3 point turn or two. I knew we was in trouble and not in as safe a hands as first thought ;>) It was like one of those old B movies where no matter how hard the heroes try, they cant leave the town and its inhabitants whoooo Spooky! It was a few attempts but finally we broke free from De Hann and soon saw signs for Calais and the docks started appearing, part of me was relieved but part of me wished I had been trapped in De Hann forever....
We soon boarded the ferry and headed straight for the 5star restaurant for some slap up posh nosh, that past on a hour or so and it was great to taste a good steak after my great famine :>). In no time at all we were traveling through Customs and I was being stopped *Hum?* good job I didn't buy any Backy I thought to myself! The Guard said "is Kev Elliot coming through here today?".... "er I haven't seen him all weekend so I don't think he was over with us" I replied stunned at the question!... "Is Mike Key coming through" "er he should be he was with us at De Hann"..... "Ok I'll stop himm when I see him" and he let me go?? I had forgotten I heard Mike was to carry on to Italy or somewhere like that in his Hi-Boy so he would be having a long wait.... I then started to wonder!! Hey he must be a Rodder derr I never asked who he was or anything Terrr..... Oh well I still had a good 400+ miles to get home. So it was a wave to the NSRA Van and its towed Rodder a wave to the dude in the white Humber and Off we jolly well set and it was pretty much on the throttle till well past Birmingham, when I needed some fuel and a Fag! A quick check of all the fuels, water Ok, oil needs a drop or two and I may aswell just retard the timing a bit as it was pinking a small amount when I booted it. I filled with fuel and it had used just the same amount as it did going *hum?* so the splitfire thingy do da Ralph had given me didn't work so I swapped it round as Ralph did say he thought it went the other way biased to the coil not the dizzy Hey it cant harm can it!
We had made good time and looked like we would be home by 7-30pm not 10.30pm as we first thought. So I backed off the throttle a bit to a steady 70mph and filled up back at home and to my amazement we put in £10 less than we did going WoW that splitfire do da must work or was it just cutting back to 70 that did it? who knows.. but we had managed a good 20mpg opposed to 15mpg going Cooooooool :>) Hey that's almost useable Ha Ha..
Once Home, 
I
parked the rod in the garage and after unloading, sat in my chair looked at my
bug splattered Car and lit a Fag and just ran it all back in my mind. Pictured a
few Of the outstanding Rods I had seen, some of the things we had done and
seen.... Man it was just such a fantastic Adventure, it almost brought a tear to
my eye with the realization of the fact I had finally done it, over a 1000miles
in my own Rod, with no probs after all the Hassle I had to go through to get
there and now it was done Jeeez it was Just so Bloody Ace!! If you get chance to
do it then go for it you will remember it for ever!! Thanks Steve Marley and
wife You did an excellent job of getting us all there and making it all so much
Fun and hassle free. A big round of applause please Hip Hip Hooray!!
Here are some of the memories I conjured up as I reflected back on my 4 days in De Hann. The Dude's traveling about in the rear of the Low riding T Nick Taylor's worthy Best of show coupe.
These Beauties cars and women :>) blo*dy Car mad you lot! The Laid back atmosphere, the sunshine and Rods.
This pink slick 40's Ford and the Contrasting Hot Rod near by.
Even the Cool cars outside that weren't allowed in the pre 49 only parking area
all in all a Blindingly Cool way to spend a long weekend, among some of the best
Rods around and among some of the nicest Rodders I have met so far...
Seeya next year? I hope so, it is a trip of a lifetime for
sure, go to the Swedish Nationals then on to the ESRA Nats at Denmark Oh Yes
Please!!
A footnote I did hear the Belgium's had, had a split before this ESRA Nats at De
Hann and they had put on a rival Rod Run which a lot had gone to :>( now how
bleeding constructive for European Rodding is that??? Man I despair
sometimes.... United we stand and all that!