Once again, it was model show day, and once again the model-show gods decided to turn it into an ordeal. This time it’s the turn of the Hinckley show and our resolve was to be tested by Storm Kathleen. It seems the gods are determined to make getting to model shows something of an trial. Only those with hearts strong and true will be able to brave the elements and turn up at a show. So it was that Chris, Andy, Gav, Terry and myself headed south for the return of the Hinckley show. Storm Kathleen turned out to be a bit of a strange beast. We seem to have skirted the outskirts of the storm and though we did see some rain it was mostly blue skies, rainbows and unicorns for us.
Getting up at 6.00am was a bit of a stretch but upon checking Whatsapp we saw that Gav was already on the road by 4.30am, meaning he must have been up at about 4.00am. Now that’s dedication for you. Setting off it was an uneventful two-and-a-half-hour journey for Chris and myself, designated Team Alpha. It was a bit longer for Team Bravo in the other wagon. This was a trial run for Gav’s new “Jagwar” (American pronunciation) EV. Not sure of the range on a full charge, Terry and Andy were each instructed to be armed with 1600 AA batteries as a back-up. Obviously, something went wrong in the battery changing sequence as they sailed past the M18 turn off during a Sat Nav blackout and continued down the A1. Realising their navigational malfunction they detoured via the A46 and probably didn’t lose much time.
Team Alpha, me and Chris, arrived in good time. It had been a while since we’d been to this show and it was nice to see that parking was still the same old chaos as in previous years. There isn’t much parking at the venue and those inconsiderate keep fit freaks seem to think they can continue to use the leisure centre while a model show is on. Strange creatures. After a tour around two car parks we decided that we would use the visitor’s slot in the local solicitors. We were visiting after all, just not visiting the solicitors. The devil’s in the detail.
Once inside, it was great to see IPMS Abingdon, one of my previous clubs, behind us. Chris and I started assembling the display, thinking that team bravo would be arriving soon to assist. However, we were blissfully unaware of their navigational mishap. They eventually rocked up like a barn owl, on wings of whispering death, leaving a trail of AA batteries and extension cables in their wake. Leaving them to finish the set-up we went to pick up our models from the car, hoping the solicitors remained closed on Sundays. Mission accomplished.
The biggest issue when we got to our tables was the lack of chairs behind the stand. This was apparently mentioned in the email but unfortunately, I obviously missed that very important piece of information. We managed to scrounge a chair from the very kind guys next door to us. Once fully set up I decided to speak to the staff to see if we could scrounge some chairs. There weren’t any to be had anywhere. I even tried to use Andy as collateral in exchange for a couple of chairs but the lady behind the counter was completely unimpressed! She did offer us the use of a bench which she described as being 5ft in length. Yeah, that’ll be ok we both said. When the lad rocked up with the bench, nearly wiping out part of IPMS Abingdon’s display in the process, it was at least 10ft long. I’m guessing this lady has no idea how big 6 inches actually is either.
Once the bench was in place it was time for “Five go benching.” The five of us decided this would be a great opportunity to practice for the inaugural Teesside boat race. Many jokes ensued about “strokes” and “cox” etc. Though unlike the actual boat race we won’t have to worry about the sewage level in the Thames river. The only things we’d have to worry about is dodging syringes and condoms in the Tees river.
As the show is a bit off our beaten track it was nice to see some clubs and models that we don’t normally see. Some different traders as well though a lot of the products are the same. This became apparent a day after the show as Terry, once again, spied a book on Luftwaffe WW2 aircraft that he was 100% certain he did not have in his collection. True to form, he purchased said book and even truer to form, he discovered he already had the book when he got home. Face facts Terry, If you spot a book at a show and decide to purchase it, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already got it.
Mid afternoon it was time for a snack. Chris and I had brought our usual pork and chorizo pies and decided to treat the others to one of Kitson’s of Northallerton’s finest delicacies. Offering one of said pies to Andy he looked at us like we were offering him roadkill covered in rat poison. “I don’t do spicy” he said. “Besides, chorizo sounds too much like cheese.” I love you as a mate Andy, but sometimes your palette has the sophistication of a paving slab. Everything tastes better with chorizo. You could probably put chorizo in sticky toffee pudding and it would taste better.
The show finished it was time to pack up and head home. An uneventful trip home, everyone arrived back in God’s country safe and sound. There being no competition at the show there wasn’t any awards to report on. However, special mention has to go to Gav for putting in a 17-hour day to visit a model show. He definitely gets “Hero of the day” award. At least the next show at Darlington is a little closer to home.
