Bristol & West Land Rover Show 2012

Last weekend we joined BLESMA, the charity for limbless veterans, at the Bristol and West Land Rover Show in an attempt to break the record for the most landrovers in one place (by making the shape of a Defender 90). We needed over 1000 cars to make it work, but unfortunately due to the poor weather prediction (unfounded until Saturday evening) the turnout wasn’t as good as expected and only about half that number joined in. So instead, a massive convoy around the grounds was the next best thing, and altogether about £8000 was raised. Add to that a couple of grand from the auction in the afternoon and BLESMA did quite well in the end!

In amongst all the scrap metal and food stalls there were a few landy-free displays – my personal favourite being the owl stand – and I spent a little time admiring a beautifully converted shepherds hut too.  Saturday evening the BLESMA guys put on a bbq for the team, which was much appreciated and saved us trying to cook in the rain.

A gloomy start to Sunday morning.

OK it rained – LOTS – Saturday night, but Sunday became a glorious day with pink faces and truck driver arms everywhere.  After a bit of archery (I scored a respectable 42 out of 60) I waited patiently for an hour to catch Griff and the rover in some good action shots on the off-road course – ‘muddy’ doesn’t cut it!

Lets off road!

It was great to have a few ciders with friends and to make new ones. We got to test out the trailer and roof tent in some torrential conditions, and all in all the weekend was quite a success.