It is My Birthday!

Well today 29th November 2009 is my birthday.

We are off to Woodstock in Oxfordshire to visit my other sister Janet and husband Michael.

I really should have been with the boys today as it is wash out day and a lot of work to be done and I know I have let them down. However this is the latest we have ever been in washing out the engines and normally does not interfere with birthdays and stuff.

Anyway just a couple of pics for you to amuse yourselves over. The one with the beer can was taken this year at Evesham Steam Rally at Easter, the other we cannot put a date on. Taken by my old school friend Paul Townsend, who I met up with recently, on the Norfolk Broads.

We had several boating adventures over there, fantastic pubs! Just moor up and join the fun, but the real fun is finding your boat later in the dark and there are three distinct possibilities. Falling in; boarding the wrong boat; or finding the correct one.

Not sure of the date, but I would say about 1974.

NTET AGM

Following on from my last blog, just another couple of shots taken on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at S.E. Davis and Son.

Photos taken by Matt Bisp of 'Linkey' K7 Fowler ploughing engine with yours truly driving and Chris Beale as steersman.

NTET AGM

This last weekend, 21st and 22nd November, the National Traction Engine Trust held its AGM.

Following on from the formalities, many gathered at S.E. Davis and Son on Sunday for a threshing demonstration and a number of steam engines were in steam as an added attraction.

The weather was not up to standard however, but this did not deter a number of guest assembling at Astwood Bank.

Do you remember the movie, The Three Amigos?

Well here we have the Sandhills Farm remake. The 'Linkey' crew. An unscrupulous trio of layabouts. From left to right, Peter Waghorn, Mark Jones (owner of 'Linkey') and Chris Beale (Maggot)

Photo courtesy of Vicky Egginton, fiance to Paul Davis, many thanks.

Newark Tractor Show

On the 7th and 8th November 2009, The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show was held at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society showground.

Organised by the Showground in conjunction with the Nott's Group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, headed by David Green their Chairman and ably assisted by Pat Scarborough, National Secretary and Nott's Group member.

This was the largest and best event ever to date with some 800 plus exhibits.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club was well represented as shown in the photographs. My Ford 2000 tractor was supported by two smaller garden tractors exhibited by Matt Bisp and his family. Together with photographs and other literature ensured the stand was well appointed.

I must thank the Bisp family for their support together with Jon Boyce also from the same club.

Well done to you all.

Pictures courtesy of Matt Bisp.

End of Season

The End of Season usually spells completion of events, wash out and bed up for the winter. Now that's just the engines, as for the owners and crew that is a different matter.

Sometimes things can drag on a little bit, for example me and Chris took 'Linkey' to a bonfire party at Maurice Allely's farm last weekend, the 14th November, and on Sunday 22nd November some of the engines will be in steam for a demonstration in conjunction with the NTET AGM.

However here is a small selection of photos taken by Matt Bisp of 'Linkey' at the End of Season' held October 31st 2009.

You can see more photos of steam and vintage tractors on Matt's blog.
tractorlad-at-the-steam-rally.blogspot.com

End of Season

Now here we are at 'The Moat House' at Coughton, near Alcester in Warwickshire.

Yet another shot of 'Linkey' and living van on the way to Coughton, but as you can see from the others, Chris is reversing the engine for parking for the night with Matt Bisp steering. Now Matt was not expecting to join us. He came to the yard in the morning to take some pics and I thought it would be a wonderful experience for him to join us on the run, so a seat was found in Bob Davis's trailer and he therefore came with us for the entire run.

The other shot is all the engines lined up before much merriment was had by all in the pub that night!

End of Season

Now one task that is always performed with the steam boys in what we call 'the end of season' steam run and social gathering.

There were several engines in steam that weekend of 31st October 2009. We left Davis's yard sometime on Saturday morning and called at 'The Why Not' on the Evesham road for breakfast. Following on from that we all assembled at 'The Green Dragon' at Sambourne for another social interlude.

From there most of the engines went onto 'The Jubilee' for quaffing of more ale, but Chris Beale and me took 'Linkey' direct to 'The Moat House' at Coughton as we were the slowest engine.

The photo is taken on the way to Coughton with living van and Land Rover in tow.

Severn Valley Railway

Monday 26th October, we all had a day out on the Severn Valley Railway. Meeting at Kidderminster, there was Matt, his mum and dad, Chris with grandad and mate Jake plus me.

Tornado was in steam that week because it was half term so the place was busy. However it was a lovely day weather wise and we all finally got to have a ride with Tornado heading the stock.

Having had reserved seats, we sat in a 1930's carriage having just been restored to the tune of £120,000. This carriage was largely made from teak and it was an excellent restoration.

A good time was had by all and we returned home later that evening.

Back again!

Sorry folks, it has been a long time since I last updated this blog. My old computer blew up!
No seriously, we identified a serious fault in the motherboard, so a trip to PC World was in order, and here we are.
Don't worry, I will now be sorting through the photo selection, so please be patient and shortly I shall return and bring you all up to date.