Cheltenham Steam Rally

Well that all folks, its all over. No not the blog, the steam rally season as far as Linkey is concerned.

We all assembled at Cheltenham this last weekend. The rally site is part of the Cheltenham Racecourse overflow facilities right by the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway. A wonderful setting.

The rally was fully booked and my young friend Matt Bisp and his Dad were not able to exhibit their little garden tractors. However they did come and visit us on Saturday and brought Mum with them. At the end of the afternoon, Matt had the chance to steer Linkey with me at the controls, then afterwards I let him have a go on my Ford 2000 tractor. I really think he enjoyed the day. Next year Matt you get booked in early!

The weather on Saturday was perfect, and much ploughing was done. Michael Davies from Avon Dassett in Warwickshire provided the other Fowler ploughing engine, 'Achilles'. John Garman presented the plough we used and we got on with it. The evening was cool, quite and we had a BBQ for several of us. Big Dazza was elected to cook and we all had a splendid time. I was the last man standing again, or at least I think it was standing.

However Sunday was the reverse. It rained and the day was effectively ruined. We had to take the engines out of a hole in the hedge and up the main road. Michael Davies's engine had that much mud on it that at 20 tons it slid across the road and up the curb. On witnessing this we cleaned Linkeys wheels so we did not suffer the same fate.

Anyway we all got home in good order and now looking forward to the steam boys end of season run on Saturday October 31st.

Steam Boys at Night

Oh dear, I was reminded to post one of the pics taken on the Saturday night in Cheshire at Mike Priestner's 'do'

Well here I am talking to 'safety' Kev a little the worse for wear. Kevin brought over from Europe some very strong beers, ranging from 8% upwards to 12% and more.

We had a good time and still got up on Sunday morning, had breakfast and steamed up!

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Well the steam rally season is drawing to a close. Next weekend 10th and 11th October I shall attend the Cheltenham Steam Rally, held on land adjacent to Cheltenham Racecourse and very close to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway.

A fantastic event organised by preservation enthusiasts. ' Linkey' will be there steam ploughing again and this time my Ford 2000 tractor will be in the tractor line up.

The next event for me after that will be the Newark Tractor show held on 7th and 8th November on the Newark showground, then that is it!

My thoughts at this time go towards steam railways. I will be visiting the Great Central on Sunday 24th October with Matt Bisp, but my real inclination is to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway sometime over the winter months. I just love Yorkshire and this railway. Perhaps I may just check out the winter timetables and go up for a couple of days. The photos are Levisham in the winter.