Kicking Up The Spray
I will update my blog, as I go out and about, hopefully coming home with a few pics to share with you.
Holiday In France
Having just returned from an enjoyable holiday in France, I thought I would share with you some pics and and a few words about our time there. Some people give a quizzical look when told that instead of zooming off to Brittany or the Riviera, we always stop in the Pas-de-Calais region, and arrive in our destination of Guines within 20 minutes of getting off the Eurotunnel. With everyone rushing off to (hopefully) sunnier climes, this leaves us with virtually empty beaches to explore.
The coast around the area is very scenic, and differs from large sandy beaches to picturesque rocky shoreline. After walking over the rocky shoreline at Audresselles, we found ourselves down at the water's edge admiring the water movements over some semi submerged rocks.
The tide had done a good job of carving patterns into the sand.
Next door to Audresselles is Ambleteuse, and the main feature of the large pebbly beach is the 17th Century Fort Mahon.
The Fort is surrounded by large water eroded boulders, and the clinging Mussels are regularly harvested by locals, who can be seen with buckets along most beaches when the tides recede.
Sea life found on the beach.
The beach at Bleriot Plage is usually a bit on the windy side, as can be seen with the sand gusting along in this picture. Although a bit cold it wasn't as cold as the atmosphere between these two as they parted pretty smartly!
Windy conditions are welcomed by some of the more adventurous sports people and this windsurfer here demonstrates its benefits.
The glorious sandy beach at Wissant is a magnet for the windsurfing and kitesurfing community as well as attracting the usual beach users. The water is surprisingly warm, as we found out when we swam in it. All the activities are segregated to ensure safety, and a team of Lifeguards are always on duty.
See what I mean about deserted beaches? Don't forget this is peak time in August!
Plenty of room to get your deckchair out!
As you can see Wissant is a very big beach, indeed.
At this end of Wissant there used to be various left over WW2 concrete bunkers, but since our visit last year they have been removed, and the wooden posts planted in the sand.
I can only assume that the wooden posts are a form of sea defence system, and I couldn't help taking a few pics of them whilst I was there.
Not sure what has happened to the odd one at the end of the row that is leaning over.
Hard to believe that a few wooden posts kept me entertained for a while, but they did!
They may have recently been put in by human, but nature is already beginning to alter them.
There are always one or two not staying in line.
The running water soon moulds the area around it.
Of course not everyday was gloriously sunny, we did have a couple of showers, as these two fishermen could verify. It always surprises me how the sea can change in character so quickly depending on the weather, blue and inviting one minute, moody and chilling the next.
After a short drive up to Cap Blanc Nez, the rolling agricultural land around could be seen for a long way.
From such a high vantage point the beaches looked even bigger to me.
No, they are not ants but people enjoying the beach of Escalles.
Next time you get off the tunnel or ferry and embark on a long drive to your holiday resort, perhaps give yourself a little time to explore the local area first, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Brooklands Great War 100
On Sunday 3rd August 2014, we headed down to Brooklands for their Great War 100 Day, to commemorate the start of WW1. All modes of transport from that era, were represented, and it is remarkable to think that so many pieces of machinery are still in use some 100 years after they were made. I wonder if today's cars will still be serviceable in 100 years time, or will the plastics now used prove to have a shorter lifespan than than the large chunks of engineered metal from the bygone era?
A warm day greeted us, as well as a large amount of exhibits to look at, and there was a very sizable crowd of visitors too!
This modern trailer hides a much older set of wheels inside!
A few old style songs could soon be heard around the museum being performed by a musical duo.
A very well dressed singer!
HRH Prince Michael Of Kent came along in his role as Royal Patron of the Museum.
Not a bad level of shine for something so old.
All 4 words legendary!
Just in case of a puncture.
Pukka Luggage.
Curvy reflections.
The Clubhouse in the Napier's lights.
Nice bit of coachlining.
The flags were out.
A trader's stock brought back many happy childhood memories.
The aircraft section were represented too, both on the ground.
And in the air. Four WW1 planes provided a great air display.
After lunch the cars headed over to Merc World for a few demonstration laps of the circuit. The large appreciative crowd enjoyed it too!
Had to take it carefully on the wet slippery surface of the skid pan.
More wood than metal in this vehicle.
Proving three wheels are just as good as four.
The cavalcade continued on its journey.
Look, no hands!
Pedal power, rather than horse power.
Drivers don't look too displeased to be stuck behind the cyclist.
It was then back to the museum for some runs on the finishing straight and the banking.
The early Ford swinging round the corner.
It might be steam driven, but still had a fair turn of speed.
Who called the Fire Brigade?
Of course whilst enjoying the excellent event, it was a time for reflection too, as we remembered those that had made such sacrifices to let us live the life we now do. Let us make sure they are never forgotten.
Brooklands Reunion
On Sunday 13th July 2014, Brooklands Museum hosted their Reunion Day, to commemorate 75 years since the track closed to motor racing at the outbreak of WW2. The day was intended to give an insight into how Brooklands would have been in its heyday before war broke out. Lots of cars and bikes from that era turned out to support the day, and some of the entrants and crowd dressed in period attire too.
A gorgeous Lagonda racer resting outside some appropriate shed doors.
A sharp shower of rain was the only interruption of the good weather on the day, but this trio still shone.
To give us an idea of what a racing start would have been like in those days, grids of cars and bikes were formed and flagged away.
Looks as if he has found one of the infamous Brookland's bumps, sending his front wheel into the air.
Just stunning!
Sunbeam 350 hp record breaker in all its glory.
Built for speed in its day.
The biking brigade were keen to get in on the act as well.
Proper silencer on this meaty Norton.
Full 'yesteryear' scene.
One tend to get a bit oil smothered riding these old bikes!
Raindrops didn't last long after the shower, as the sun soon made an appearance to dry them up.
Now that is what you call a horn.
Nice Mascot.
A credit to its owner who keeps it in such magnificent condition.
When coachbuilding was a definite art form.
Need a steady hand to paint those red coachlines.
Firing order on show.
Plenty of pipes to get the hot exhaust gases out of the way.
Teddy Bear taking part in a Charity event at MB World.
At lunchtime, action switched to the Mercedes Benz World track where the old cars were going to circulate. The 'Silver Arrows' display team were a very good warm up act!
The mighty Napier Railton stretching its legs.
It is only when you see the Napier Railton at this angle, that you realize what a monster of a machine it actually is.
A very stylish car with very stylish passengers on board.
No Brooklands event is ever complete without some action on the trusty Test Hill for the drivers to attack with gusto, and they didn't disappoint.
Ace Cafe Ton-Up Day
Brooklands Museum hosted the Ace Cafe Ton-Up Day, on July 6th, for all things motorcycling. Although aimed at the Cafe Racer post war type of machine, motorbikes from all eras were invited. The museum site was soon filled with all types of two and three wheel machines from the earliest days of bone shaking biking right up to present day superbikes. The riders came in from all directions, including a group that road down from the infamous Ace cafe.
The Ace Cafe memorabilia on show for the tea drinkers.
Modern take on the Cafe Racer theme, packing plenty of punch.
How they used to look. Big single cylinder thumping away, classic riding leathers and proper open face helmet.
The right look.
Plenty of burnt rubber from the modern brigade.
Jewel like small Honda, that unfortunately crashed at the top of the Test Hill.
Plenty of tassels and chrome on this immaculate Harley.
No, I am sure you are not meant to ride an outfit, side saddle!
Underneath that jacket was indeed the legendary Phil Read MBE, with a mighty haul of 8 World Championships to his name, a true legend in motorcycling circles.
Italian bike with a British Helmet.
Some of the helmet designs started catching my eye, particularly those with paint schemes to match the bike.
Obviously an Ace Cafe fan.
Eyes in the back of their head!
This Vincent showing a more stylish way to transport some luggage.
Reflective BSA.
Triple chrome Harley lights, with a lovely blue and fluffy cloud sky.
Must be a hog!
As this modern Morgan car only has three wheels I guess it makes it an honorary bike for the day!
Some of the riders displayed a good selection of badges in true biker style as modeled here by 'Lofty'.
Chequer design hat part of the Ace Cafe culture.
A rather stylish look, complete with refined sun glasses.
The live band were great, and played some suitable era music.
I guess this guy didn't travel to Brooklands on a bike with his Double Bass!
All the usual Brooklands were open for viewing as well.
Even though it was a biking day, couldn't resist taking a pic of this pristine Mustang.
With so much to see and do, some people found the whole day very tiring indeed!
Once again another great event from the Brooklands team, with a very wide variety of bikes on show to appeal to all tastes.
Festival Of Speed 2014, Goodwood
We headed down to Goodwood for the Thursday of this event in the hope that the crowd would be reduced and this would hopefully make photography a little easier. This indeed proved correct as we arrived around 7-30am to be pleasantly surprised by the near empty car parks. Although the Thursday is officially called the Moving Motor Show, all the other attractions are up and running, the only difference being that the classic cars don't run up the hill as that is reserved for people taking test drives in new cars instead. Although the Festival Of Speed is a fantastic event, the large crowds do tend to take the edge off of the enjoyment, but we now seem to have found the answer to the problem, go on the Thursday, just don't tell anyone else!!
The customary statue in front of the Goodwood House (Only this year over it) had a Mercedez theme with these two racers from vastly different eras on show.
This racing McLaren was lurking by the side of the walkway to the Driver's area.
Macca 650s shown in a lurid green colour that attracted all the flying bugs as the day went on!
There were the usual glittering array of Supercars on display in the Supercar Paddock, and for me this La Ferrari was the pick of the bunch, but then I am a bit biased towards Maranello's finest.
It really was gorgeous, and all the better for being displayed in the traditional Ferrari red.
Never thought I would say that an Orange paintjob suited a Mercedes, but in this case I rather think it does!
This Nissan had a rather eye straining graphic running all over it.
Don't envy the touch up guy if you scratch it!
A bit of quality engineering on show at McLaren.
The bikes on display were pretty impressive too, this little jewel of a racing Suzuki caught my eye, if for no other reason than the thinness of those tyres.
Of course the big and bold Victory brand of bikes have plenty of room for ornaments on the front mudguard.
A wide range of classic racing machinery was on display too, and I really liked the way the driver had displayed his crash hat for us.
All the 7's.
Back end of a fast Pug.
One of the more iconic sponsor liveries displayed on an iconic car.
Besides the cars on display some people were just sitting round, whose pictures had to be taken.
Even posing without knowing it!
The Concours lawn was filled with some very sparkly cars and to my surprise some not so perfect, but this Macca was of the former variety.
Even small details on these cars are beautifully presented, no white dried line of car polish dust here.
A bit of French metalwork, polished up.
A nice group of trumpets under a perspex cover to keep them clean!
Haven't seen this paint finish in the touch up spray can selection in Halfords.
Beautifully turned out David Brown Speedback on show to prospective customers, of which you could be one if you have a spare £½million burning a hole in your pocket.
One of the big attractions of this event, is the large display of F1 machinery on show. You must need a pianist's fingers to operate this steering wheel.
A coupe of Ferrari's peaking out from their garage.
How the factory racing cars were transported once upon a time.
How they are transported these days!
We walked up the hill past the Porsche demo area proving that it isn't only horses that like playing in fields.
These buggy racers looked great fun, and managed to cover us in dust on their way past.
Finally arriving at the Rally Stage at the top of the hill, and yet more dust.
Once again Lord March and his team put on a fantastic event, and we returned home happy but exhausted.