Couldn't get time off work for the full Wild Nats 4 dayer but I was just glad to be going Sat Night till Monday as I have only seen the Nats on Video and everyone says it is a Must. So I finished work early Thanx Bruv! And soon got the 34 Loaded with daughter& friend me and the misses which made 4 :>). The Caravan is a big lump but not silly heavy at 17.5cwt so the adjustable rear suspension was wound up 4 coils and we where ready for the off. I thought the journey would be about 6 hrs so a 4pm set off time would mean we'd be setting up camp in the dark but hopefully with still enough time to witness some of the Sat night Mayhem.
We had traveled about 10miles when the heavens opened and Man did it lash
down, now only people who have driven a chopped rod can really appreciate what
it is like but let me tell ya! A loaded 34 with a mega van on the back,
one very inefficient wiper and virtually useless demister makes for some real
eyes wide driving and all the wits you can muster. But it soon eased to a major
monsoon and I sat back, relaxed and just enjoyed the way the 34 was
driving. The caravan was stable on the back and made 60mph a very comfy speed to
maintain with out any drama, creeping up to 70mph every now and then.... when I
forgot about the van on the back *whoops*. The rain was intermittent most
of the journey but didn't cause much of a problem. And actually cooled me down
on the Stafford services as I checked all the fluid levels etc. We
arrived at the Herts Show ground at 10pm and were greeted by some very friendly
and helpful Nats officials which is what you need after a long haul. We
were advised not to go right up the field as the marquee was now in full swing
so we turned immediately left as we entered the Nats Field and there it was, a
perfect pitch near the water point and small toilet block.
We had the joy of setting up camp to do now, water, bog, fridge lighting,
bed making, Awning erection etc etc and all while we could hear the Nats party
in full swing Boo Hoo! I could see the girls (my Daughter and her mate) were
getting restless so I told em to go and enjoy the show and party and we would be
up there in an hour or so. A cool beer made the job easier and in a little over
an hour we were up there amongst the Hard Partying Rodders.......
I can honestly say I have never been anywhere were I have seen so many absolutely staggeringly drunken people. it was quite a shock to a sober me I can tell ya. But everyone seemed in great spirits. Me and the misses decided a look round the camp site would be enjoyable. Man the effort some people put into there clubs camping area is quite staggering. The Black Top Roadsters being one memorable one with a set up that rivaled the main Marquee. It had what sounded like a proper disco and karaoke with flashing lights and the whole 9yrds *impressed*.
Then we ventured back into the
Main Marquee. The gentleman's Public waxing was in full swing and I guess
my daughter and her mate had front row seats... Not my cup of tea but my
misses had a giggle so that was ok. Then the disco struck up and everyone was
just jumping up and down dancing and singing their heads off, it was a great
sight they were all really getting into the spirit of da Pardy..
I found the happy bunch of 4 men 2 middle-aged and two slightly younger one's,
in front of us doing a "Ring a Ring Oh Rose's" style dance to Vindaloo
very amusing though a little odd with them only breaking the circle to try and entice a young lad in his twenties to join
them....... Ha Ha ya should of seen his face he was frightened witless by the
strange circling cacophony of beer bellied happy and joyful Men...... :>) hey
it takes all sorts....... I then realised they were looking for more merry Men
to join them????
I just looked as stern and heterosexual as I could muster and
thought don't you F*****g Dare ask me to form a circle with you... Ha Ha
I soon drank the cans I had taken up with me and so we ventured into the bar, it was buzzing in there aswell but with people talking not singing. I met up with me owd mate Gaz O'Connor and Johnny best came over and couldn't speak............. Well he could speak but he couldn't join any words together that made a proper sentence.. Yep he was Blathered as only a full day session can blather ya!... The night was soon coming to an end (for us anyway) the security were now closing the marquee down, and requested us to all now go outside. Where things were just as lively as they were in the marquee. We had a look over at the show field and had a bit of scran then a fairly early bed time for a sat night at the Nats for us at 2.30am.
Sunday we were greeted by some serious sunshine and loads of V8's rumbling,
so there was no chance of a lie-in but Hey we was at the Nats who wants ta
lie-in.. My misses said don't bother cleaning your car and just leave it here as
it isn't going to win anything. I explained that it is more a show for the public
and not about polishing cus you think you will win a trophy. So the
day before's 300mile journey's muck was dually cleaned away and in no time at
all the 34 looked like it had only done a 200mile journey.... as it gleamed in the strong
sunlight Terrrrrrrrr! half way through Steve'y Lang drove by and I shouted him
and met the Dude for the very first time, we got on Ace like we had known each other for years.
It was a real joy to talk Rods & Rodding with Langy as he is so into it and still has
great enthusiasm for our hobby even after all these years. We was soon joined by
another mate Mike Noble with his peach red 32 and things were looking good for
the day ahead. After they had supped my coffee they buggered off and left me to
finish off the cleaning of the 34. Another great moment for me was when a young
guy from Holland came over and said he had seen my web site Hey it's Internationally
renowned now ;>) Time was getting on so I thought I'd better get the owd bus
onto the show ground and show a bit of willing and hopefully get to meet a few
people and have a crack wid em!
The field was getting pretty full and space was becoming a
premium, but I was efficiently guided to a convenient parking place by the ever
nice NASC dude's! I was soon greeted by a founder member of the Uk-hotrods
e-mail group Ray Newman I have spoken veer e-mail for over two years and this
was our first meeting face to face and what a gent and a great Rod builder
aswell. Take a look at his neat daily driver Pop on the feature pages. I was in
my element looking round the Rods and Kustoms. I never tire of looking round
John Golding's 32 I could get me self a nice comfy chair a cold six pack and
some Pringles and just sit there for hours and take in the shear beauty and perfect lines
of it could you? or am I strange? There were loads and loads of Rods still to
look at though and time was moving fast so I had to reluctantly move on. I just
took photos of all the cars that took my eye so rather than mention em all just
look at the photos and see if you agree these were the cream of the crop. The
cars were great but it was the whole deal that is so impressive about the Nats
its the mixture of tastes styles and interpretations of our great Hobby that
impressed me. The UKK stand where they were chopping two cars over the weekend
is just so Cool, I can weld and stuff but with an audience no way!! these guys
must be so capable. I met a load of the guys I have gotten to know through my
e-mail group and it was great seeing them and having the crack. Dusty's A is so
damn cool (so is Dusty) it knocks me out every time I look at it, you would
swear it was steel and he had just found it in a barn were it had been laid up
for 50yrs *Class*
The trade stands were plentiful and there was a live band playing outside the beer was cool and it just all added up to a great way to spend your day if you are into our kind of cars and live style. We (the uk_hotrods e-mail group) had arranged to meet at my caravan at 4pm for a bit of a chin wag and a beer/coffee or two so I had another hour or so still to look round all the assembled cars. The silver hi-tec 34 was another absolutely stunning car which I think had débuted at the Nats, it is just awesome and no doubt a Custom car feature if ever I have seen one, I would love it as a feature Rod of my web site as it is the best thing since Mark Van Driels 34 but I am a Hi-Tec lover ;>) whoo Kinky..
Mark Gee's great looking Merc sled was another notable beauty.
Man Hunter the hi riding A was quite a shock to see, as I haven't
seen it since Belle Vue in the 70's Man it is a butt ugly Rod but it just
brought back so many happy memories of those days. I had to have a proper look
and a crack with its new owner. The new owner said he had just bought it 3months
previous and was undecided whether to redo it totally and bring it more up to
date, or redo it as a piece of history to its original form, in fact he had
managed to get in touch with Ray Mumford who originally painted it, to redo it
if he does it back to its former 1970's strange conception form *hum* Taste or
Heritage?
It was soon time to get back to the caravan and our groups get together. I just got back to my car and a face I knew Keith Murrel of flamed 34 sport fame accosted me to say someone had been looking for me, I in usual Numpty mode called him Gary all the time yes Garry Ok Gary I'll see ya soon Gary...... Terrrrrrrr Nutter I knew his name was Keith it was just I knew a guy from my Banger days he was called Gary Murrel and I had just gone back a few years and mixed up the info in my bonce Ha Ha If anyone knows him please apologies for me ;>)
A nice leisurely drive round the rows of Rods was the order of the day and a quick shufty round the camp site just had to be done, I couldn't believe how many Rods had just not bothered to line up in the show field, there were dozens and dozens, which was a great shame as I now had no time to have a proper look at them or take photo's ;>(
The uk-hotrods group get ta gether was soon in full swing and it was brilliant just taking in the banter and it was just so good to talk Rods and Rodding with so many people who are well into our Hobby what a great way to spend a few hours *Heaven* But it was all over so quick I could of sat there all night. After we had eaten it was Marquee time, Bad Manners had been booked and rumors he wasn't coming were ripe but the marquee was buzzing with anticipation and the DJ was saying Buster Blood Vessel the lead singer would be on stage soon. A few hic ups happened where it was announced he would be coming on stage soon this went on for a while and a few got a bit agitated and started to get rowdy which I think spurred things on a bit and in no time the big tongued dude was on stage to a rousing reception, and he didn't disappoint Bad Manners put on a great show complete with mini go go dancer who I guess must of been Buster's daughter she was ace boogying away and singeing along showing no sign of nerves must of only been about 12yrs old. The songs were all from the groups early days and sounded just great and was real party music I loved every minute of their set. Once they had finished I ventured into the Bar area and met Gaz O'Conner and finished of a great night in great company Gaz is a proper dude and I get on Ace with him, his misses got mine into the Vodka laced Jelly and we had a Ball............. Great weekend, Great Night, Excellent entertainment and Excellent company what more could ya want.
Monday I woke to an overcast sky and a bit o drizzle, people were leaving as early a 7.30am and it was a steady stream from then on. I saw Rods going out I had never even seen while there and some very tasty ones aswell. There were a large French contingent all leaving together which was a very impressive sight. But I had the unenviable task now of pulling down our camp but not till I had my full English eh! I just sat with a plate full of grub a big mug of coffee and watch the rolling Rod show go by *Cool*
Me Owd mate Gaz O'Conner came by in his posh Explorer and we had a fag and a
crack, he had ok'd it for me to stop till Tue I would of helped tidy up honest
;>) but the fridge in the van wasn'y working everyone was leaving and ya know
what its like when you have it sorted in ya head your are going you are going, I
thanked him and said me goodbyes and got the van awning dismantled and we were
soon hooked up and ready to go Yam! I nearly got stuck on the speed ramp getting
out of the Nats as the 34 rocked on it for a bit till I managed to rock it over
the godamn thing grrrrrrrrr.
I decided a cruise home of nearer 50mph than 70mph would be a good idea to make the drive a bit more leisurely and less demanding on me and the car also the fuel consumption might be better Heh Heh! It was a brilliant drive home but we saw only one Rod around the Brum area a matt blue 32 highboy and he was hiking it. Got in major traffic jam around the Preston area. Got talking to a couple of wagon drivers who just loved the 34 and said they had seen loads of Rods on their journey North, which passed some time on as the air ambulance removed the biker who had upskittled himself and passenger in the middle lane with his Honda Goldwing and trailer .. it made me feel very sad and sick as I drove passed the debris of the upturned bike and trailer and I just gave a prayer they would be ok... It was weird to think they had come past us just moments before and now he was being rushed away by air ambulance Man you just never know the minute do you!!
It was a much more somber drive home now, and quite uneventful till we were about 20miles from home when the traffic going in the opposite direction to us was slowly coming to a grinding halt as the shear volume of traffic was to much for the Cumbrian highway.. It soon developed into a massive traffic jam that went on for miles and miles.. As we got a bit nearer home the cause was soon made obvious to us, it had been Cartmel races and this was all the race going punters making their way home. I rounded the top of the hill that then drops down to where the majority of race goers was having to cross our carriageway. There were bollards every where, police trying to make some organization out of this chaos. It was an absolute Nightmare but as I was waved through by the Copper on traffic duty, he pointed in a manner that brought back memory's of the end scene from the invasion of the body snatchers when Peter O'Sullavan points and makes that hideous noise with his gob wide open. I thought he was impressed with the cool looking 34 Hot Rod pulling a Caravan but Oh No in true Copper Fashion he shouted " That Cars got no front Number plate" Jeez welcome back to Cumbria.