More pictures to come today, but now the dust has settled it's time for my reflections of such a great event.
The Good
As ever the company was excellent. Huge thanks to my fellow Lazy Bastards for great craic, the jokes, amusing tales and general hi-jinks.
Martin for his hospitality, friendship and for keeping his lengendary snoring to a minimum (so much so that I laid awake worrying that I could not hear him, I almost went to check if he was OK!), it was a busy trip this year and I don't think I really got time to have a real good natter with Mart- something I always enjoy.
Fran for being the responsible Adult, translator ('Le Big Mac,,, erm,,,, avec chips love' was a distant memory this year
), for the good company whilst on the road, top map skills (who said women can't read maps?), for keeping the conversation going during the long exhausting drive home in the early hours and for being a good egg all round. So glad that you joined us this year and hope being cooked alive in an old Alfa didn't put you off joining us again.
Andy Plenty Sideways for the constant enthusiastic banter and craic, Mick for being Mick and how the hell you can sleep as 60 odd cars from plateaux six blasted past the grandstands inthe early hours I will never know. Finally Dutch Bas, hope you enjoyed your first Le Mans my friend?
Also nice to briefly meet some new faces from CA, Bob, Lawnmower Tom and Werner all at different times over the weekend. Completely missed the CA meet for the seventh time in a row- it always seems to be during my catnapping hour. Nice to see Newcastle Dave on and off track, shame we didn't get more time to chat etc.
The cars, stunning as ever, some real racers out there amongst the Sunday drivers.
The drive down. Glorious weather, nice towns, other Le Mansers waving and smiling as we made our way south to Pompy.
Portsmouth docks, the fun started there, some great cars and people, you just don't know where to look next. Better than 99% of the classic car shows you will ever attend.
Super U breakfast and clean toilets, my first and only taste of air con all weekend. Big deal you say but oh so welcome after sitting in the car.
The Museum, my first visit since the refurb and well worth the effort. Top marks!
Little Big Mans. The cars looked great and most of the kids looked thrilled to be there. Entry form downloaded for 2012 and plans now drawn for a scale replica Lola T290 as spread all over the kitchen table.
The Bad
The weather. Just too darn hot this year. I really suffered in and out of the car. Heatsoak in the footwells melted my soles and blistered my feet which made walking around quite painful. I like the sun but 27 rather than 37 would be much more pleasant. The heat really held us back this year and there was so much I wanted to see but didn't.
Food and drink prices. Was it me or was it rather expensive this year? Lots of shortages too. Not good enough for a big event.
Has it got too big?? There is so much to see at the classic now, is 3 days enough time to get round it all? If it gets any bigger I think it needs to open on Thursday morning to allow enough time to see it all.
Camping. As ever I hate it. Even more in the heat. I say it every year- no more! Hotel for me next year for sure. See you on Maison Blanche again then
So that's about it. So many other things I loved- Arnage meal at night, Indianapolis corner for practice, the general friendy atmosphere and knowledge, campsite craic with neighbours, bumping into old friends etc etc.
Finally and most importantly I would like to thank my lovely old Alfa Giulia. She drove beautifully and didn't miss a beat all weekend. She coped with the distance and heat like a trooper and made me smile from ear to ear everytime I got behind the wheel. Loads of nice comments especially from the three cockernees in Arnage on Friday evening who shouted 'Feckin lurverlee mate, best car we've seen all day!' Thanks whoever you were, you made my day. Despite extreme tiredness when I got home at 3:30am I could have got back in and carried on for a few hours I enjoyed it so much.
To any residents of Morpeth who were out at that ungodly hour who saw a grown man climb wearily from an old travel stained motor, turn, look admiringly, then tenderly kiss it's roof, I'd just like to say it was emotional and I'm not a wierdo. To steal a phrase from Mr Zarse 'She's a f**king Beauty'
Roll on next time.
