> Ok ...... from a Yanks point of view ... here are a few thoughts and ideas
> from this summers adventure, in no particular order and reason.
>
> Get your passport now....... if you don't use for Beltring you can always
> use it later.
> Driving is do-able however I recommend two people. One for navigation
> the other for actual driving. Hertz tossed me the keys and told me to have
> a nice day. After finding the car (easy) I sat in the drivers seat laughing
> like a
> fool.
>
> I'm taking their Ford Focus, driving from the wrong seat, on the wrong side
> of the road, shifting with the hand that has spent the last 36 years on the
> armrest,
> Ok I'll have a nice day. However, it was sort of fun but... finding my way
> along with
> the road signs was somewhat tougher. Pulling over to read the map was tough
> because as Doug said there is no place to pull over or park. Even out in the
> open
> country the edge of the blacktop is the end of the side of the road. There
> are
> hedges planted everywhere except for the drive ways or other road openings.
> The area around Beltring is very pretty country side.
> The towns that you go though are right up against the road and pretty as a
> picture
>
> Flying ..... Fly into Gatwick if your going to drive, it will make life
> much simpler.
> Get a direct flight. Mine was only 8 hours from Cinny Ohio and cost in the
> range of $1000.
>
> Rooms ...... I stayed in Royal Tumbridge Wells in a hotel for about the
> same amount of money as a Holiday Inn here.
> I had a 15 mint. drive to the Hop Farm
> everyday with hot showers and a quite room. (In 2002 I am planing on
> camping some of the time a the show.)
> Watch out for some of the B & B 's they have a curfew for their visitors
> to be in by or else you have to sleep on the front step.
>
> Take lots of film the take some more.
> Jim Gilmore gave me a few tips at Knob Creek. One of those was to take a
> empty suitcase. That was an excellent idea and worked like a charm. Thanks
> Jim!
> You can get lots of small stuff and books in your luggage if you remember
> dirty laundry makes good packing material
> .
> I spent 6 days at the 5 days show with an average of 12 to 14 hours per
> day.
> On Saturday evening I found one whole camp ground that I had missed. This
> place is bigger than you can believe. Everyday there is something new
> arriving.
> Walking the display areas or camp grounds people for the most parts are
> friendly and happy to show you there pride and joy be it jeep,
> truck or a tank.
> The language barrier can be a problem for some of the people from the
> European countries but most everybody speaks some english.
> Maps ... Get your road map before you leave this country.
> Research .... hit the web .... there are a lot of good sites with
> information and maps. Start a hard copy folder to take with you.
>
> Parts ...... being a jeep guy I found that most parts found over there can
> be found over here.
> Small stuff and small NOS parts are packable, but the prices are roughly
> the same.
> Custom s.... I didn't have any problems anyplace but then again I wasn't
> trying to move anything I could hurt myself with.
>
> Fun ... I got to meet several members of the list, I met and made a new
> friend with a guy from Tenn. that was also there by himself.
>
> Caution ... When you leave the stall area (vendors) and cross the small
> concrete bridge head to your left.
> Follow the outside edge around to the left until you see
> an old British truck with a polson(SP) hanging on the back, a sign with
> some kind of deformed dog, a flag with a red leaf, and a half-breed
> motorcycle/dozer...... beware.
> Bewarned these are list members and be careful they are friendly.
> That's enough for tonight ... I anyone has any question please fell to ask
> Nige will help you with rooms and questions. I didn't get to meet him but
> saw him at work everyday in the arena.
>
> Gavin .... I got to see him drive by twice but neverdid get to meet him
> either.
> I met Doug, Raimondo, Jeff, Richard, Dennis, Danny, Andres, and a few
> others
> from the list. It was great fun ... do it...... you won't regret it.
> Tom Woodburn
> MVPA 16138 and IMPS
> 1944 MB completely apart for a body off
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 23:13:20 PST