Snapper

Not bloody surprised. I was losing the will to live watching you drag that tyre about - but the truth is, it was very skillfully done..if not exactly photogenic as the light faded. We needed a bus load of oran-utans to add some colour. But all we got was a bloke in a red shirt with a complete lack of patience.....I'll try and do better next year. Note to Twickenham Off-Roaders. Can we make a serious snapping plan in advance for next year, please? I don't like letting people down. (daylight preferable, but not in your remit) MB

I'll see what I can do. We got the webmaster/cherrypicker guru Marc Summers to do the snapping while I did the ground ops. I hope you got your breakfast Clive.

When he's a ringer for Slim Pickens then we really are in trouble. Sounds like another job for the fireman. The throbbing monster between his legs was creating a raft of excitement among the turret-totty at the Hop Farm.

does all this mean that 999 is the Number of the Beast? Nee-Naw, Nee-Naw Barnes Fireman

V9 Last row by the dual carriage way. We didn't get any tea when we called. But I didn't buy a tent, either.....:-D Not sure we'll be at MO MM appeals so much more M

Well done Nigel....... We'll have to get the Southend HMVF to have a get together at some point - (once I've got my new toy :-D)

I only started looking at mine last night. I'm up to Tuesday. Once I make some headway I will start posting.....It'll all be over by Christmas.

Why did I spell your name wrong Inemga? We are all FIREMEN

I know someone who has been photo surveying wrecks of just about anything WW2 desert war related you can imagine in Libya for about the past two-three years. Unfortunately his work remains under heavy wraps for some time to come - but when it does appear you will not be disappointed. There are loads of MVs and aircraft in all manner of conditions out there in the Libyan desert - not just this small selection seen in the snaps.

Never seen one before. It looks like a nice bit of kit. If you don't need to sell it - then....don't - (I suppose). M

Sometimes the in-jokes can be something of a labyrinth - but the heart of HMVF is always in the right place. Stay on board and learn the important stuff you need from likeminded souls. Planks and firemen are optional. MB

Hey Bodge, Sincere condolences to you and yours... MB & James

A very good likeness....plank you very much

Put it down to post Beltring exhaustion.....as a well respected fireman I find that I need at least a week to get my return to The World in to full effect. Lights out...:sweat:

Catweazle, Lee, Horniops, Gritineye, Olaf, Tootall, Jack.

God bless him. I never knew him. I imagine it was difficult for his family to send him off in front of a crowd - but if it was appropriate - then all power to them for being so brave. The MV world never ceases to amaze me. best regards M

Lots of stories and speculation, as ever. Some of it may stick. There is no question that the new owner of the Hop Farm was less than enthused with the MV world descending on his caravan park of the future and H&S, the bloody ramblers and uncle tom cobbly were all out in force. I'm under the impression that the show organisers might be looking for an alternative location for some time down the line - but without getting it from the horse's mouth, we will have to wait. All I can say is that there was as much enthusiasm for the next event as there ever has been from the people in red shirts. I'm looking forward to 2009. I'm having to convince my wife to allow my son James and I to take time out from the show next year to enjoy my daughter's 14th birthday without coming back to Southend. She seemed receptive last night. Anybody seen a nice new plank?

Great snap of Lee and Adrian in the Fox. It's impossible to see it all. I completely missed the page three girls doing the rounds and my pix editor had phoned me to help facilitate their visit - daft world. My input: NIL. I've got a "few" snaps of my own. On one day I took seven - and that was pushing it. We managed to do the photocall on Sunday as scheduled and I'm sorry some of you missed it. We got a nice range of vehicles and a lot of people wearing green - except Jack - who looked like an extra from the English Patient. Nice plank. We even had a dog in the team group - not a MUTT - in case you make the comment. We need a nice big banner for next year...... Planks for the memory. M

Really sorry to hear this. If anyone on the forum can help you - they will. We do not suffer tea-leafs around here. Hopefully you will choose to stick with us in happier times. We welcome your input. Mark (Moderator).

Ask Patweazle....she knows

Hi Andy, Welcome - the more Bedfords the better......(not that I've got one!) As a new member you will be expected to take on a number of cleaning tasks in the club house during your probation period. You will receive a set of Marigolds and a mop in due course. DO NOT put your feet on the furniture, eat the Mods' biscuits or park on the lawn until you have passed your probation. Please remember to clean the trophy cabinet in the Biscuits Committee room. Mind the plank. MB - duty moderator

Greetings..... most of my stuff will be on the show site by Wednesday....one day I took a grand total of 7 pics (sorry Tony...seven) and on another I managed 954. Madness...motordrivemadness.com I've got to sort out a smattering of it all for CMV and another project and then I'll start feeding it on to the forum....... M

I'm trying to get access to a link to upload some snaps...but it largely depends on my work schedule and a friendly webmaster at the Hop Farm.

I think the Belgian ones are Bombardier, not VW. The GPMG types might show up at Beltring. The Canadians also mounted a MILAN post on theirs with spare tubes in the back behind the seat. M

French, if you are at the Hop Farm this weekend or so, keep an eye out for similar on White scout cars and anything else. I'm pretty sure the flaming grenade is an infantry formation sign - not Chasseurs - can't be overly strong on it - but probably motorised/mechanised in your case. Looks like an eight or a nine as the regimental or formation number. Could have been over painted a few times. M