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Hi Guys. Gone very quiet on here, everybody in foreign parts enjoying the sun? Just a reminder that it is that time of year again. The steam and vintage show is on the 5th, 6th and 7th of August. Same deal as before if anyone wants to come, free camping Thurs till Mon and full access to show for a bit of help with marshaling etc. Don't forget it is a new site this year, hopefully easier to manage! The site is South Cerney airfield which is adjacent to the Duke of Gloucester Barracks (29 rgt) on the Cirencester to Swindon road approx 1.5 miles outside Cirencester Bigger show this year with a lot of stuff that has not been before, could be good. Let me know if anyone interested. Have fun. Sticky.

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Hi Sticky Looks like just you and me friend. Thanks for info about show - have passed it onto some friends in UK who I am sure will be interested. Cheers Steve

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Sorry guys been kind of busy recently, just had time to stick the odd comment on Facebook, must sit down and write something sensible soon.

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Hi Steve Stu and all. First of all thanks for spreading the word Steve. Looking forward to the show myself, hopefully nearly 100 steam vehicles not counting the miniatures or steam cars. I think our tractor section is trying to get 200 this year. Even the industrial trucks are aiming at forty which we believe is a world record. A special attraction in the countryside section this year will be a falconry on horseback display. As usual there will be about 450 classic and vintage cars with special displays put on by the various owners clubs. Oops! I'm rabbiting on again, but I think you get my drift. Oh! There will be aircraft again, last year we were treated to a display by the only flying Vulcan and the Red Arrows. What the aircraft section comes up with is always a bit of a mystery 'cos they never quite know themselves who will turn up till the last minute! Yeh Stu, you really must try to find a little time for us. What's happened to that nice Mr Williams etc, they have all gone quiet! Is he writing another book? Saw your posts on facebook, Amen Corner caused a bit of reaction. Unfortunately I was never fortunate enough to see these bands live like you city lads did, in those far off days I could hardly manage the bus fare and a session at Beau Street. Not much better off now!!!!!! Have fun. Sticky.

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Hi Stu & Sticky I am not a Facebook person. Are you not frightened of being groomed?! Cheers Steve P.S. Big fan of Andy Fairweather Low.

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Who's doing the falconry display John, if it's Jonathon Marshall from North Devon you're in for a treat, I bought Shirl a days falconry with him a couple of years ago and we had a great day out with a really nice guy. I use Facebook Steve to keep in touch with my non Tech friends en masse, there are a few of us there also, and the connection with most of my non Tech is through music, and it's been really valuable in finding new bands and artists that I may not have come across otherwise, a good number have become close personal friends as well, a good number of whom I/we've met now. Other than that at the moment I'm working 6 - 7 days a week, helping set up a promotional video for my department, organising another round of roadshows, and helping the town traders in setting up promotional events to attract people into the town at weekends, and being a member of the Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum, getting mentioned in despatches and press releases, will have to be careful or I'll become a local celebrity. It pays for the holidays, India's sorted for this year and we're in the preliminary stages of planning next year, hopefully Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, gonna have to work my nuts off but worth it. Got to contact a friend tomorrow to collect my boat, been looking for a while and was talking to him last weekend, he runs an adventure centre for kids, and is selling off some of the dinghies they use, got to replace them for insurance purposes, and offered me one, all I've got to do is collect it, so 'NoGoodBoyo', North Devon should be going fishing soon, beer cooler, pillow, sorted! No gigs on the horizon until October when my friend Christine Collister is appearing in Torrington, looking forward to that. Have to say Fleet Foxes at the Eden Project were amazing, has to be in my top ten gigs ever! that good!! Haven't heard from Bill or Tony in ages, assume they're doing their own thing, I do believe that Tony was doing a lot of research into the industrial history of North Somerset ably assisted by Bill, who also has his own projects in hand. Will try to keep updated more often Stu, PS Not much activity on the slipway this year, the weather's been too iffy.

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Hi Stu. Glad you enjoyed your falconry experience, I must admit that most people are bewitched by these fascinating birds. Our falconer is Bob Edwards from Warwickshire, our family have known Bob for many years now, but I suspect that your man down in Devon is just as professional and dedicated as Bob, falconry is not really a job, its a vocation. Bob's website is www.falconry-days.com just in case you feel like a little look. What's all this about a boat and fishing, don't be silly, what time do you think you will have to go fishing. Seriously though, what kind of vessel is this you intend to give a good home. I might be a bit nosey, but a few more details would be nice. In my late teens I lived at Weymouth for about five years, used to sail quite a bit down there. A mate of mine had a 23ft sloop which I used to borrow on occasions, heavy old boat, lot of weather helm on her but she'd go well if there was enough wind. I was saddened to hear tonight that Amy Winehouse has passed away, it is so sad when such a talent is wasted under such tragic circumstances. Must go now. Have fun all. Sticky.

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It's about 8' John, just a little punt, if I catch anything above 4lb. it's liable to drag me down the river! but most importantly it is free. You're right about time though, I haven't got any spare, bought myself a nice Shakespeare sea rod and reel at a boot sale a month ago haven't had chance to use it yet. The only reason I mentioned Jon Marshall is that he does horseback displays as well, and micro light flights where he takes passengers with his Golden Eagle flying alongside, makes most of his living from supplying trained birds for film work. Yes, shame about Amy Winehouse, another member of the 27 club. Regards Stu

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Hi Stu. You really will have to try a little harder to spend a little time with Mr Shakespeare's fine products, you never know it may save you a bob or two down the chippy. Don't underestimate small boats, an old steam enthusiast I'm proud to have called a friend, now sadly passed on, once had a boat not a great deal bigger than yours and of course he converted it to a steam boat. It was a bit of a squeeze but he managed to get it all in! The only compromise was the use of LPG to fire it instead of coal. A totally different class to your friend that launches at the slip sometimes. I think I have a photo of it back in the 1970s somewhere. If I can find it I will post it on here to give you some idea of scale. Been a cracking week end here, got some of the jobs done for a change, the nice weather really helps. Even found the time for a nice glass of rose tonight. Have fun. Sticky.

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Forgive absence chaps. A few days in Northern Ireland followed by two weeks in Suffolk. I never take the laptop and hate mobile phones, so an e-break. Got to check out some buddies' armouries in NI and the back rooms of the museum at Millmount Martello Tower and Museum. In Suffolk went to Bressingham that I am sure you steam buffs know. A ride on the footplate, a steam carousel plus mini-railways. Grandson loved it too. Even travelled around on a vintage Bristol green painted single-decker in Southwold. They have a circular on-off system now. Mainly chilled in a nice cottage on the marshes, caught up with my Adnam's infusion and walked miles. Retired for 14 years now, but still like a change of scene.

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Hi Graham Welcome back. You do realise that you will now send Sticky off on a continuing orgasm thinking of steam engines and things mechanical! Cheers Steve

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Hi both. True Steve, true, how well you know me! Yes, Graham, I am fully aware of Bressingham, but never been fortunate enough to visit. I imagine that it was a very enjoyable day for you all. Steam still lives! If you want another infusion then pay our show a visit at South Cerney Airfield, week end after next, see earlier posts. Bigger than ever this year with 100+ steam engines not including miniatures or steam cars. I'm sure that you are still glad to be back at beautiful Biddestone, East Anglia is wonderful, but Biddestone is better!!!!!!!!!I think I might be a bit biased though. Have fun all. Sticky.

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Lads, We are torn about our sojourns in Suffolk. Have been going for over 25 years now. Such a contrast to the Cotswolds. North Sea, marshland, pretty villages and miles to walk without a vehicle in sight. My other self lives there I think, or perhaps it is in the genes as one side of the family came from Elm near Wisbech. Will tease you with some Bressingham piccies when I get the camera downloaded Sticky. I had forgotten the smell of steam power (and the smuts!) Think that steam fair overlaps one of my gunshows, but when the lad gets older (another grandchild on the way via a daughter we hear!) he may want to visit too. Graham

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