Arranged to pick up Graham in Southampton on the way to Beaulieu and arrived about 2:30. We got the tent up before it got too wet, yep just like last year wet on the Friday. Didn’t take any pics that evening, but we did end up in the bar, the band on for the evening were the Ace Trio, I have to say they were very good. Well I thought so.
   Saturday started with a wander round the full camp site to take pictures of the motors, some nice machinery on display. Then off to the show field for a butchers at what had arrived. Not a lot so went for a wander round the museum. More pictures taken, just wish the flash was a bit better on the camera. Back out to the show field to see what had arrived. Whilst taking pics met up with Jay Jay and Chevy Rick, arranged to go on the cruise later to take pictures. Off Rick and I went to find a spot to catch the rods, great spot found only to be screwed by someone then parking in front of the cottage we were gonna use as a backdrop to the cars. We found another spot just before they appeared on the horizon. After they’d all gone past it was into the car to catch up, but we hit traffic and as Rick lives in the area he knew a way round the hold up. We got to the Cliffhanger Café before some of the rods. The expression on the faces of some them wondering how we managed to get there before them. Back to Beaulieu for a few more pictures before the evening entertainment.
   And so to the evening entertainment, this started at 7pm and finish late, drinks prices were quite good as I was expecting them to be higher, less than a tenner for 4 of us. The evening started with DJ Mick Mears, this year the music played was for a wider selection of tastes, mainly 60’s and 70’s. This caused one of the campers to break out his ‘air guitar’ this caused a few smiles etc from the punters in the bar. At least he was gonna have a good time which he did. Late Dr. Blue took to the stage playing a selection of tunes from various era’s, again accompanied by the man with his ‘air guitar’, yep he was getting into it now. Back came the DJ for another session. Then came the tribute band ZZ Top Eliminator, by now the man with the ‘air guitar’ was well into it. So much so he was invited onto the stage to join the tribute, boy did he get into it. Then came the Burlesque acts, they had a couple sessions each. I had to stand on a chair to take pictures need a better flash though, never mind I got some.
   Onto Sunday for the ‘Show n Shine’ up early to start clearing some of the camping stuff away. Over the tannoy came the message to start taking the cars onto the show field. Yep the Triumph went in there again. Then off for a wander around to take more pictures, went on the monorail later in the day to get a birds eye view of the show field. The Ace Trio were playing live again during the day http://www.myspace.com/theacetrio. So if yer into rockabilly pay a visit to their site, they’re based in Southampton.
   I’ll be back next year 17th – 19th June.

-Renegade (Dave)