A CHALLENGING DAY ALL ROUND AT SHOWBUS

I think the organisers had been a little optimistic regarding the ground conditions on the field, as late as Thursday bus entrants were told that it had been tested and was satisfactory. Martin Isles was still nominally in charge of this and next year then 100% down to the railway team. A bit a bad luck with the weather and a big challenge but looking at it from the bright side with this under their belts it should be easy peasy with better soil conditions. 

There have been many rallies with bus parked far worse than ended up today and they made the most with some sensible arranging. We had a bit of a panic when Mandy felt ill with hypothermia coming on, I had to dash back but by then all the gates were closed so long way round. We got her wrapped up in quilts and blankets and with a couple of hot drinks she saw the day through and I went out again with the camera in the afternoon and recapped and filled gaps in coverage. We certainly weren't up to hanging on  to the end for departures.

The Chinese presence was almost overwhelming at times, especially the habit of everyone having turns to have their photo taken in front of buses. The weather went downhill with strong winds, shows why a risk assessment is needed, someone's gazebo went off like a Chinese lantern across the site. The breakdown rescue truck itself got stuck which by that time it had to be a laughing matter or someone would be crying. The staff at the railway endured challenge after challenge and were most helpful, particularly the lovely lady who made a point of looking after Many regards the cold and getting drinks and to the loo. It was also great to catch up with friends and viewers sorry if I had to be a bit single minded to get back to Mandy in great haste, probably rushed past a few who wanted to chat, you'll now understand why the panic.

I was astounded to find that the less common resin models from Hong Kong can now fetch £300, I assure folk that Brilliant Buses models will not cost anything like that. Anyway the journey home was in foul weather, will the rain ever stop, month after month. So a few shots I managed to get and already editing the film of the event.