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[Seth]

Well, we is back from our annual foray to the shadow of the Malvern Hills.

The weather was reasonably favourable, with only a day or so of unsettled weather ........ except that is, for some torrential rain yesterday (Sunday) and absolute monsoon-like conditions overnight (Sun/Mon). However, the inclement weather failed to dampen our spirits ....... us OOFers all gathered in m.ian's spaceous (and heated!) awning for a superb Chinese takeaway on Sunday evening. After this, our host plied dad1uk and I with some dubious alcoholic cocktail from north of the border - friggin' excellent stuff, I can tell yer!

The OOF spirit was truly in evidence this morning (Mon); when a phenomenal team effort saw the three outfits made ready for their homeward journeys in appalling conditions.

So a massive 'Thank You' to Ian and Simon is in order for all your assistance over the last few days - your efforts are sincerely appreciated.

Oh, and I mustn't forget to thank the OOF ladies for their sterling efforts in keeping us fed/watered throughout - thanks Helen and Pamela!




Here's a few pictures:





Welland-bound, here's the Seths convoy taking a rest 'twixt Newport and Monmouth on the preceding Sunday.







We have 24-hour security on both entrances.
The portakabin for the campsite entrance arrives on the preceding Monday.







Next job was to unload my quad-bike from it's trailer.
Our hoond is getting quite excited with his new-found freedom!







After erecting 17 miles-worth of roadside directional signage, the end is in sight!
Tuesday's always my 'road sign day' as the campsite opens at 9am the following morning.







It's Thursday afternoon, and my team take a break from their campsite duties.
L-R: Moi, Mitchell, dad1uk; Morgan, Jack and m.ian.







Our grandson Morgan celebrated his 9th birthday at Welland on the Thursday.
Watched by his younger brother Jack, The Ross-on-Wye Steam Engine Societies' newest junior member has a crack at the candles!







Our grandsons posed with our walking balloon vendor on the Saturday.

   






Young Morgan was supposed to be assisting us in marshalling the Historic Commercial Vehicle contingent into the main arena.
Instead, he cunningly cadges a ride in this superb Atki Borderer tractor unit - a quite rare Cummins-powered job.







We like to add a few surprises each year at Welland:
A brand-new Hitachi loading shovel was positioned at the end of the tractor-pull arena!







Here's another surprise:
A 1918 Kerr Stuart 0-4-0 Well Tank in action on the recently-laid Great Welland Railway.







It ain't all vintage stuff at Welland -  here's the 'Swedish contingent':
A 1980 LHD Scania 111 tractor unit makes it's way into the main arena.







Mike Panes' hybrid Bedford TM wrecker has Holmes 'twin-boom' recovery gear.
IIRC; this example is powered by a Detroit Diesel two-stroke motor.







The 'Yank contingent' now:
From the local Richard Read fleet comes this Freightliner 'under-reach' recovery truck.




More to follow!

[grain.ben]

Glad to see the OOF spirit and glad you had a good time

Some nice piccys there too 

[Vamps]

Some excellent Pics, obviously a lot hard work for the organisers, well done...........

[YZ250]

Some good photo's there Byron. 

Glad you all had a good one. 

[Plomien]

Looks like all had a good time

[Varche]

Nice pics, thanks. 

[dad1uk]

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were great but Sunday and Monday were a washout.
All in all it was a great weekend, good to meet friends from last year.
There was a good turn out despite being rearanged due to the weather in July.
At least this show went ahead, so many went to the ground.
It was good to see Seth and Ian again and Pam was a superb host once again - thanks Pam x x

Here are a few photo's


Nice to see these 100 year old beasts doing what they were designed to - powering the fun fair




we were safe because the Army were here




some lovely old cars and as you can see plenty of onlookers so this must have been Saturday




[imghttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg200/dad1uk/Welland%202012/Welland2012009.jpg]http://[/img]

The fair at night.....




and a couple of Byron and Pam's grandson




and finally Sunday evening was, as Byron said earlier, was spent eating a Chinese takeaway and drinking in Ian's very comfortable abode, thanks Ian for a nice finish to Welland

[Seth]

Just to show that it ain't 'all work and no play' for us stewards, here's a few shots of the proceedings on the Saturday evening:




A ceremonial fly-past as we devoured Dear Pamela's BBQ feast!







Grandson Morgan (supposedly!) assisting Andrew (aka "Wizard") at firing Nancy, a 1911 Burrell showmans engine.
Andrew certainly had his work cut out, as the engine was actually powering two rides!







A general view of the Old Tyme Fairground taken whilst enjoying our fish'n'chip supper.





And a few more shots taken from David Downs' 1940's Big Wheel:












David Downs' steam gallopers.

[Seth]

Oooops ........ I nearly forgot to give these 'Welland stalwarts' a deserved mention!
(Photos below nicked from last year's event!).



Young Liam (dad1uk's enthusiastic grandson) who was unavoidably unable to join us this year.
Good luck with your football-training Liam!







Dear Pamela (aka 'Mrs Seth') our unsung hero, who keeps us fed/watered for the duration of the rally.
That good egg Wood fella cried-off this year with a pretty 'convincing' excuse though ..... Hmmm!

[Darth Loo-knee]

It does look a great weekend Byron. Maybe something I may try myself

[Seth]

It does look a great weekend Byron. Maybe something I may try myself

As it just so happens, I currently have a vacancy for mean-looking geezer charming gigolo gentlemanly steward on the public campsite.
Just forward your conquest list CV ASAP!


Oooooooh .......... just remembered .......... guess who I bumped into (literally) at Welland?
 

[Darth Loo-knee]

It does look a great weekend Byron. Maybe something I may try myself

As it just so happens, I currently have a vacancy for mean-looking geezer charming gigolo gentlemanly steward on the public campsite.
Just forward your conquest list CV ASAP!


Oooooooh .......... just remembered .......... guess who I bumped into (literally) at Welland?
 

When are these meets Byron?

[Seth]

Next year's dates should be:
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 26/27/28 July 2013. Campsite opens at 9am on Wednesday 24 July.

Will post in 'Meetings' section once our website has been updated!

[Darth Loo-knee]

I have to comment on the "Council looking" picture with yourself & Simon etc

[Seth]

Whilst wandering through the massive sales stalls area on the Saturday, I happened to (literally) bump into none other than Gail - our campsite host at Newent.

Gave her your love Dazzle!

'Tis a small world, eh?