Snapper

First time through the village....

Into Maiden Newton.....love those DRs.

The snap of the Chaffee and one of the Sherman pix in this set were taken by my son James. Rosie calls him the Whippersnapper. He he. He is 6 ft 2". That girl has a sense of humour.

On our way to Maiden Newton....

Off we go.....

Last from the campsite....

The kick off. Time at the campsite before the convoy headed off. If you spot yourself, let me know...unless you know I know who you are then...well, you understand what I mean. I have been awol for a while and there are some faces I might not necessarily know.

Here some more. These have all been from the Friday evening, including the driver's briefing - described by one clever soul as the Sherman on the Mount.

As promised to Jack, here are the snaps also seen elsewhere. I have a lot still to edit and tidy - so this will take time to complete. I haven't put any snaps up on here for ages. Patience please.....

Blimey - not so new then. It sounds like the sort of thing Pen&Sword pick up and reissue.

Welcome to the forum. Keep cool and keep safe....in which ever order suits you. MB

Good stuff. MB

Can you give us the publisher details please, Barry. ta, MB

Very impressive.

This is a fantastic thread and I really appreciate what Richard says here. I would think myself entirely unworthy of any kind of self checking and would rely on someone with experience. I could almost see a form of a co-operative building from this suggestion and it would pay the recognised MV/other classic "governing" bodies to consider sharing the idea. Responsibility can be shared provided the owner has the nous to use it in the first place. I have a 71 MV which has to have an MOT. The idea of it not having one maybe distant in reality, but remains nonsensical in principle. Cheers, Richard! MB

I've been working as a snapper in the twin orbiting halo of MVs and living history for well over a decade. I had no illusions it would make me rich, much less famous, and have always held true the belief that everything ends. One day it really will. Until then I keep plugging away and although times are thin to say the least, events like Armour & Embarkation act like a defibrillator. Being out on the road in a circus of olive drab knocks the spots off sitting in a field and being able to engage with a bewildered public only adds to the fun. If the last outing of this event could be deemed as ground breaking, then the latest party should cement the realisation that road runs are a way forward. This takes nothing away from traditional events, because in a conservative universe like ours, tradition is king. How these things are organised is way outside my vista and long may it be so. It takes courage, bone headed determination and the patience of Job to organise events like this one - especially if the thing does not involve committees and meetings about meetings etc etc. I would imagine the only option is to remain fixed on the prize. In his own way Jack Beckett has won the roll-over. I've tried hating him on occasion. I find it next to impossible. I joined HMVF a good while ago, attracted to the idea that a "club" could grow without a top table of grandees or the inevitable clutch of nay sayers who put the thumbs down on anything that scares them. In no time at all we had a virtual clubhouse, an inexhaustible supply of Custard Creams and a troupe of dancing girls who were ever ready for anything we cared to do. You really cannot make this stuff up...unless, of course, you actually do just that. The friends I have made on this forum come from far and wide and I have actually met some of them. This can be scary for both parties. The reality is, HMVF has created friendships that will last beyond the lifespan of active forum membership. It has been that good. The down side is that some things inevitably got too big or plain did not work. Even in the virtual world we cannot like everybody and we all have our own motives for being here which sometimes take on the constitution of Marmite. I reached a point where I had to walk away for a while and throw a few toys around. Calm returns. The success of HMVF, which will not fade, was found in a windblown dunghole of a hillside last weekend. Here were a mass of complete idiots - you might call them pilgrims, who were prepared to career around the B roads of Dorset in any weather - or should I say every weather for the fun of it. I have never been into "dressing up", but I was convinced to shell out on suitable uniform to fit in with the image of the convoy. I looked ridiculous and realised how much so when my son James and I started to find that we enjoyed doing it. The road run itself was a classic, if a little less free flowing as 2010 appears to be in my memory. Maiden Newton had too many cars but the DRs kept the roads clear and remain the giants of our Big Weekend. Jack Beckett was his shaggy haired, vein popping self. The picture in his attic appears to have been chucked out. The commitment was written all over his face like a Banksy and I am glad I was not him. We smashed the main event and gave the hapless folk of Dorchester their town back again. How they lost it for two years is open to question. Perhaps we'll have to go back, but I'd like to see us take the circus somewhere else. On Saturday Mother Nature saved her worst for after nightfall - the bitch. Sunday morning was one of the most miserable I can recall in Khaki Land and I was glad to ease my car up that muddy road back to the 21st Century. James and I stopped at the Tank Museum where I took a breathtakingly inept set of photos and ate one of the worst sausage rolls ever. Somebody set the fire alarm off. It was that sort of day. Riding in Colin's WC63 with Sloppy But Safe breathing down my HBTs will remain a very happy memory until they put me in the pine box. You had to be there. I salute every one who attended and all the people who worked their butts off to make it happen. I have found a big bruise on the inside of my upper left arm which comes from the tilt frame. Only driving around in a WW2 truck for a day explains how it got there in a way to satisfy a suspicious spouse. Mine looked and tutted. Nuff said. When Jack and HMVF won The Plank back in 2008 it really peed off the dinosaurs and above all else it showed that winning the thing was easy if you try, but earning it is another matter altogether. A&E seals the deal. HMVF has changed, Jack has changed - if only his socks - and the whole crazy thing rumbles on. A&E 2012 made me realise I can never walk away from this hobby. I'll see some of you at W&P and hope the road rises with you all. MB

Big Ray is right, Dave. Well done! You've come to the right place. Show us some snaps of your pride and joy and enjoy your time with the best forum on the planet bar none.

You'll find an audience for your work here because we all like to learn stuff. Welcome aboard. MB

Nice one, Clive.

Great snaps, Joris. It was good to see you after too long and a pleasure to make acquaintance with Paul. It was a great event and so good to catch up with friends I haven't seen for a while.

None taken. I'm glad, actually, because I looked ridiculous. I had a WW2 Agfa in my bag - but it decided to die a short time before A&E (broken shutter release) so I had it only in case anyone challenged me over original kit. I'm having similar issues with Simon Thomson's mate (nice bloke - sorry I cannot remember your name) who was on the bend. I'm removing him from my stuff where necessary. You have done a great job with your shot.

I take it the "other guy" was me?

Sleep well, Jack. You deserve it. Thanks to everyone - except Mother Nature for a stunning weekend. Saturday was another classic. I've even learned to live with "dressing up". It was great to see everyone again and I am so glad James and I brought a back-up tent. Hope the Rixons are feeling better. MB

Ta. I remember it last time....the old Toyota was bouncing about.

Looks like Frank Spencer made it as well. The Barnes duo depart tomorrow am. Just been stocking up on beer and stuff. I doubt if Jack will be cooking us breakfast. I might be able to get him help us put our tent up....