Tales from the bottom of the hill - A Gathering Story!

[Speedman]

Are we there yet? Thats been the question on most people lips in the last week. And just after lunch on Friday I was. Pottling along in the driving rain on the countrylanes it was starting to look like 2012 all over again, but the showers stopped and the field stayed dryish as I took up my usual spot. The signs were good for the weekend.







Wandering to the top of the campsite and over Prescott I lent a hand hammering stakes in for the show for a bit before setting up a chair, a cold cider and the latest copy of RC magazine and watching the world go by. Slowly the field filled up.





Brian and the love of his life turned up.





And after a bite to eat and long wait, the rest of the "bottom of the hill gang" arrived, the M25 tales were a knightmare. But we settled in for the weekend.



A few people were doing the rounds saying hello.





Soon BBQs were lit and meat eaten while twaddle was talked.





At midnight, weary from the drive our little corner of the field hit the sack for the night. ZZZzzzz

[Speedman]

Saturday dawned a bit dull, but with the promise of sunshine and showers. Breakfast was a meaty affair of bacon, sausage and black pudding bap, washed down with a pint of orange juice. All of my five a day covered in one meal!







With a broken Damaged in tow I set off round the field, snapping as I went and meeting up with old friends.







This Singer was spot on in my book.



Reference for later when the bottles arrived





The lowriders were out in force, the green Continental the cream of the crop for me. Its vast double doors weighing about the same as my Camper!



This Talbot brought back memories of picking up my dads first new car, a Peugeot 309, in 1986. I remember the dealership still being branded with both marques.



Had a bit of a chat to Huxley about his drift Volvo, a BMW V8 beast with bodywork to match. A date with some sideways action is on the list for next year.



Before heading back to the Camper we stopped by A52 and admired Bruce's Daimler, a musty wagon full of history and should be left just as it is.

[Speedman]

A spot of lunch and a nap followed before another lap of the field and a wander into the paddock to see the first guest cars arrive and some more stake hammering.



1050hp sounds amazing when blasted out of a drainpipe!.







The face of a happy Pollitt.



By the time I got back to my van, the beer fairy had delivered (cheers Ben) and others had arrived.





With a bit of drizzle turning into a shower I cut another lap of the field short to take up the wonderful hospitality of James, Michelle and Ruby in the palace. Beer and meat fresh from the smoker combined with good conversation with Will and Vanessa made the time fly by.

Proud dad and daughter.



Proud dad and meat!



With a full stomach I headed back to the bottom of the field and for some random reason climbed aboard a ride on mower. From memory I drove like a god and at no point got it on two wheels with full opposite lock on and a flailing foot waving around....never.



The tat auction was in full flow as I passed, so I joined the hundred or so campers bidding for stuff. As the drizzle returned I parted with cash for a Pollitt owned t-shirt and rare DVD!





Over the course of the next few hours we visited the clubhouse for drinks, talked worldwide shows, J bodied GM cars, toad licking and much much more before another night on the R'n'R bed.

[Speedman]

Sunday was a sunny one from the start. With Camper packed and many bin bags dumped on route I joined the queue into the show and took my place on the TAB and South East stand at the top of the paddock. Despite the moaning about the walk up the hill, it at least made me go up there for the first time.













I then started my walk down the paddock and headed for the signing on office, a quick briefing and a passenger band was attached. I was ready.







The guest cars were getting ready for the hill to open so a quick snap and I ran like a man on a mission to the top hairpin.







Just in time for the 1050hp Audi and Forge Golf to pass.





I watched from the hairpin for a bit, hoping to catch as many cars at least once before heading for the show field.









Down on the level again I walked the rows of club cars, by now the lone apple and water for breakfast taking their toll.

[Speedman]

One dirty burger and another can of coke later and I felt human again. A bit more walking around and another trip to the top hairpin beckoned.

Loved the RAF look to this MGB.





The Chaparral repro is a wonderful beast, needs more pipes out the top though!









Hats off to the Skoda drive for really giving a little car some beans.





The lowriders closed the morning action.







Then it was back down the hill to the paddock for the awards. As ever Bryn did a superb job getting the crowd in the mood and the worthy winners were announced.











As the afternoon session started destiny called, she bellowed from inside a 600hp Pro Street Escort driven by Mark Nightmares. I've been in some quick stuff, I've been in some powerful stuff, but nothing is like this. The noise, vibration and sheer force pushing into the seat is brutal. I videoed my run up on my phone, its very shaky and noising, but you can just make out the screams and swearing. Ride of a lifetime? Who knows what else I'll be lucky enough to passenger in. But its something I won't forget in a long time. CHeers Mark and Karen.





Still shaking I slowly worked my way back to the hairpin for the last time. I wanted to see the car from the outside. A straight line car in a curvy world.













At last he arrived, blasting up the hill before coasting the corner and disappearing into the trees beyond.









Back in the pits the next victim was strapped in!



Hot and tired I set off for the Camper, saying goodbyes to who ever I could find on route. I kept with tradition and slapped the show sticker on the screen, joining the others and making my seventh RR Gathering complete. All that was left was the drive home.



The show was amazing, from the chilled camping to the track action, the people, the auction, the cars everything was just right. The orange crew did sterling work making it another year to remember. Roll on 2014

[octagonalpaul]

excellent pictures, really great 3 wheeling ones on "the bend"!

[bstardchild]

Aug 19, 2013 19:54:33 GMT Speedman said:

Steve - Brilliant - how the chuff you remember the random ramblings on sat night I do not know. You captured Paul taking Gillian up the hill on the first run to show her the lines and she was not happy about the way he treated her baby MX5 or his pace.....

For the rest of the morning she drove and from passenger accounts she got quicker and quicker

PS Gillian refuses to accept the colour is nasty nappy brown........ but it blooody is!!

Rest of the thread - yep I think you've pretty much got the whole weekend nailed

[Speedman]

I had a vague memory of a nappy coloured MX-5, but couldn't for the life of me remember who it was! Drop me an email address Chap and I'll send over a a hi-res version for them.