Snapper

We found mooching about in bunkers to be a really good day out. One of my mates does geocaching and the two cross over nicely. I like photographing the things. Some of the engineering is amazing. The best thing is we can have a full day without a massive drive from Calais and still get back there in time for a decent meal at the Café de Paris before we get on the train. In fact the worst part of any trip is the drive from Southend to Folkestone.

HBTs, helmet by Olaf, snappers brassard, WW2 Agfa Kompur, WW1 wristwatch, acute embarrassment, migraine. I will not be posing for photographs.

Don't be daft.

I believe the modern term is "lol". Cheers Mark. I have a stash of DPM. I don't look half as silly wearing it. But what sort of message does that send?

Probably true.

Nice to see this thread has continued during my long absence. MB

The whole place is coming on great guns. We went to an open day cum fly-in last year which was afflicted by high winds but was still interesting. The renovations are superb and young Rob Langham and his chums put on an excellent living history display. The event was marred by a couple of other mv owners who were rude to me and my passengers apparently because I turned up in my MUTT. My passengers, who had no experience of the mv world were astonished. Stow Maries will only get better and better. MB

Mimoyecques is OK, but a right mess. Eperlecques (or as Watten) is much more substantial and although the museum aspect with random vehicles is nutty, the overall experience is good. If you visit the Batterie Todt museum at Audinghem on the coast below Calais at Cap Griz Nez make sure to walk past the little café outside (great steaks and moules - plus a weird outside loo) and go down the road to see the other casemates.The road arches round to the left. Continue along and you will come to the wreck of one casemate on your right. There are three. One is a bat sanctuary in the woods to your left, but the gun port has a viewing platform. Amazing fungi in the woods around it as well. The one on the road was completely destroyed by a Tallboy bomb, worth looking at the destructive power. The third, reached down a path on your right, which is nearest to the coast; is amazing. It has original German graffiti and murals in the lower accommodation and magazines. This is quickly vanishing due to modern graffiti artists work - so don't delay. There is a picnic site as well. It's all free access in a country park of sorts. MB

Same thing happened to me in April. The C130 went over us at Bowness as we were driving to Kendal to see Bodge. I got a distant shot of a Hawk and saw the Tucanos, but nothing else. We did see HMS Ambush being finished in Barrow. Very impressive. MB

I can't believe this, but I have bought some HBTs. It was never going to happen, but that hypnotist Keith Nisbet worked on me. The shame of it. MB

What? Now I know it is worth coming. Joris will you be bringing that Dutch beer - begins with A, can NEVER remember it? MB

All the battles will be in the arena. It's a shame, because it added variety to the event.

Makes me want to dig out the snaps I took of them en route and opening champers when they arrived in Brighton.

This is the truck that did the London - Brighton run a few years ago, isn't it?

Still producing quality products, Olaf! Good stuff. MB

Sincere condolences. God bless. MB.

Terry, Just at the point when I came close to giving up the hobby altogether, I found myself at an event where I parked with some other MVs out of vague brotherhood. As soon as I got out of my MUTT I got insulted by another MV owner and his mate - and I mean insulted - not joshing - over my choice of MV. It wasn't WW2 and it wasn't greeen. I've been involved with this forum for quite some time now and the cliques thing ping-pongs into threads - showing how HMVF works so positively to combat that sort of rubbish. All this poor example of behaviour did was make me appreciate the friends I have in the wider hobby - dressing up, dressing down, post war, WW2 yank etc, etc. So walking away after one bad experience is not the best idea. It takes all kinds. The good outweigh the bad a thousand-fold. Stick with us. MB

Just back from R and R in France. Always essential after WP. Good snaps from Scot, as always.... I had a much better show than I expected after so long away from the green world, with big thanks to Lee for the tent space - and the excellent work of Harry. It was nice to catch up with everyone - especially at the emerald dissidents bbq. I am sorry I missed you, Joris. I didn't realise you were only on site for one day. Having Jack in the back of my MUTT was as low as it gets, he was moderately well behaved and didn't embarrass my relatives this time. Sprry I didn't get longer time to chat with Olaf, too. MB

Cheapest Beltring, ever, for me. No son to feed or buy guns for/with - no need to visit the sultry sites of Paddock Wood. No steel helmets to add to my pile. So I spent £40 at the show and £50 on gas and a pint of milk. Top banana.

This discussion crops up every year around Beltring time. The arguments are trenchant and presented with sincerity and so it should be. But the whole thing is something of a revolving door. It spins round and people come in and go out - sometimes new members, sometimes old regular posters - even people like me who disappear for a year and then - hey presto! The debate remains the same. There are no "new" arguments. This does not mean you should not have your say - please do. It is all interesting.

See you there. I am doing Tuesday to Friday - will bring the MUTT - she needs work, but that must wait til September. MB

Congratulations, Mark!

That is a thing of beauty.

Very nice to see them....

Is your hat going to be like Trigger's broom?