SPTA team

R cubed I will get a guy to stay at the top of the road and keep an eye out for you mate.

Yes guys strait to the camp site, no messing with Rollistone VCP. come on down and get a cuppa. Dave sorry for being a turd but this one has hit me for six mate. You are still lead vehicle mate. Together we can get everyone lost, Do you know what, I had a bit of a brain wave today. It don't happen very often so when it does I have to tell everyone. Now the MOD/DTE have stopped all tracked vehicles from having a jolly we can take all the wheeled vehicles over the East via road. One is thinking if Jack can wangle it we could still meet up with the R2V just outside Neatheravon at ZULU crossing. We have a wooded area we can lay in ambush for them. Keep this to yourselves guys we don't want the enemy to find out. What do you think?, We still get to chase Jack around and splash him with dirty water HEHEHE Jack I will leave it with you to convince Keith & the rest of the R2V organisers to pull up for a hour or so and have a cuppa with the SALISBURY PLAIN MUD MOVERS. Hopefully see you Sunday at ZULU Tony and the boys.

Kettle will be on for your arrival guys, just got call from Dave Ives, he is already at the Bustard pub having a cool one. All the road signs are in place, see you all tomorrow. A very nervous Tony

The kettle will be on for your arrival Rosie.

Neil i thought you were on stag all night mate, Thankfully I will on the last stag of the night 4 to 6 then helping Dave with brekkies.

Once again guys you have almost moved me to tears, myself and the team are overwelmed with the responce for this event. You guys have moved Heaven and Earth to get down here and all we seam to do is give you bad news. Once again please bring your wet gear, we have just had a hail storm the likes I have not seen before. The weekend is a mix of sun and showers. lets hope more sun than showers. Jack did do the sun dance but he done it the wrong way round. You put your left leg in first not you right. Stupid boy pike HAHAHEHE. Thanks to Jacks wonky legs dance our first team building excercise will be stopping the tents floating of onto the ranges. Tony

OOFFF she means it as well. what time are you getting to us Rosie? I think I will go for a very long walk till its safe to enter the camp site.

Right guys, I have just recieved a email from SO1 Land Liaison Defubba regarding tracked vehicles. Due to the amount of rain full over the last week the MOD and Land Marc have had to place a wet weather restriction on all tracks and tracked vehicles. In short NO tracked vehicles will be permitted to take part in the drive out over the ranges. This has been one of my main worrys since I started this event and it has come true. Mark and DaveP if you have another vehicle that you can bring then please do so. I am so sorry to have to do this but this is totaly out of my hands. They have said you can still bring the FVs but not run them which is a kick in the nadds for me as me and Dave were to take point on the drive. I surpose this is the joys of organising such events, good news and bad news. The list of Westdown officers coming down for a look is growing by the day with SO1 Land liaison coming down with Bob Burgess Maneger of Land Marc. The COMDT is going to show his face at some point as is the Land Wardens and Range Wardens. This event has certainly raised a few eyebrows. Camping on Salisbury Plain is a no go BUT we have manged it some how. Apart from the little get together last year this is a first as far as Westdown are concerned so you are now taken part in something very rare. Guys and Gals please bring some wet weather gear, its still raining here and the out look for the weekend is brighter but with showers. This restriction is not just aimed at us this is right across the board, all Regiments training on this weekend have also been told to go static till further notice. Dave, Mark and the rest of the folk conected with the FV vehicles I will make it up to you some how. I will give you the full heads up when you get here. I am Very sorry this has had to be done but knowing the MOD they could have waited till you were here and then told me. At least this way I get to say good bye to my wife before you get your hands on me. Tony PS ALL WHEELED VEHICLES ARE STILL OK FOR THE DRIVE OUT, IF ANYONE HAS THE SPACE FOR A FEW HITCH HIKERS.

Thanks everyone, Jack now that the Dorset boys aren't coming it gives me a better chance at skittles. Just a quick heads up for the R2V mate. I have received a memo from Westdown regarding tracked movments on the ranges. A wet weather restriction has been put in-place so if you guys are thinking on a drive over please check before you go on the ranges. You guys have a great weekend with the R2V and remember Jack if you get board you know where we are mate. All the best and stay safe, don,t drink to much and and lookout for those AAC guys at Neatheravon. Happy days Tony

At the moment nothing is planned for Friday, We are lead to beleave that there will still be a fair bit of Army movment going on so its best we stay out the way till Saturday. If this changes it will be done on the day and the drive will only be a short jump just for you guys to get a feel for the tracks. Tony

Neil to have the OT-90 in the car park it needs to be T&T mate. Best have it sent strait to storage. Next year you can bring it, the ranges will still be here. We are well pleased with the turn out for this weekend and we are going to make a gooooooood one.

Nice one Rambo, can't wait till Saturday for some cake. Tell you what I will look after them friday, just put them in my tent HAHA. Tony

Neil when the papers are through mate then as far as Im concerned you are legal. I think the best thing to do is have a H licence holder as commander and when you get here we will go some where quite and give her a spin. Like last year all tracked vehicles will be up front of the convoy for safty reasons. The speed limit on the ranges are 30 mph for wheeled and 25mph for tracked so we will go for the 25mph and keep everyone together (safty in numbers) Sorry to hear about the pig HF hope its not to bad.

Dave, the mileage will go on what time we get up sort brekkies and do all the security checks. We have routes layed out which I will go through with eveyone when they are settled. As for Roy giving away free beer, its only the warm stuff. Any news on Dougie?

Hi Chris, can you just give me what he may be bringing mate. Neil just full docs for the vehicles that will be driving around the ranges. Untaxed civvie cars will be delt with by civvie police. I have spoken to Chris at Land Marc Neil and without all your full docs and plates the OT-90 will not be allowed on the camp site nor the ranges mate. If we could have got around it we would have. All vehicles must have full MOT, TAX, and insurance. Full current driving licene also required. All drivers of tracked vehicles must be H licence holders. These laws are MOD and MOD plod not mine, I can only protect you so far. As I was once again informed today if we abuse it we loose it. The weather for next week looks abit of and on, rain first part of the week then getting brighter by Thursday onwards. We have at least three Regiments in the same location as us, we have a rough idea where they are going to be so you never know maybe visiting or visited. Anyone still siting on the fence please sign up by Wednesday dead line. Tank you and hope to see you all soon. Tony

Im sure I have had a lot worse in my mouth, keep your thoughts to yourselfs thank you.

Paul how could you think it was anything other than a mass piss up. The days of running around trying to find the enemy and killing them has long gone mate. This is more of relaxed affair with no enemy, no guns and diffently no shooting people. Mind you if Rambo fails to bring the cakes................... Tony

Neil the thing is mate as this event is being held on Military land and I have had to sell my soul to get what I want. Like last year, were ever we went we were being watched and things were being logged. The same will happen this year and for many years to come. Something else I must say regarding the ranges, the Army are trying to dig up every bit of c**p they can to shut the ranges down to the public. I for one don't want to be on the receiving end of such actions nor any of my team. Im 100& sure if you have to come down in a car there will be plenty of room in some ones vehicle for you and the girls. All the best and hope to see you soon.

Hi Neil, As Chris has mentioned, I would be very careful on this matter: All range tracks are subject to public rights of way. All vehicles that attend this event must be fully road legal. I can make a few phone calls for you but I really can't see any way around this other than hoping DVLA can get you sorted before the trip! The plains are patrolled constantly by MOD plod and civvie alike. Please mate don't take the chance, We can get around most things but we are not above the law when it comes to driving unregisterd vehicles. We see folk every weekend turn up on the plains with un-taxed 4X4s and moto crossers and they don't like the outcome of the fines. At the end of the day you have the FFR to bring and you will still have a great time driving in convoy. We do not descriminate anyone, it makes no difference whether you turn up in a tank or on a push bike... The thing is you come over and support what we are trying to do down here. There will always be next year and the year after so you will get it here at some point. All the best, Tony.

Neil is the OT-90 fully road legal? if so then there is not a problem. All vehicles that come to the ranges will be treated the same as if they were on the roads. Full driving licence, tax, MOT and insurance. If you can give me any more on your sutuation reguarding the vehicle I will find out just how it stands. Would it be legal to drive at W&P, so on, if so I cant see anything wrong.

Ok mate I will get you sorted, i will meet up with you at Rollistone at midday'ish. For insurance reasons we will not be able to use the camp site till Friday. I will be seeing Roy at the weekend so can find out if pos for you to hunker down in the car park. I have asked him before and he was OK with it but I will ask him again just to make sure.

Ok Neil see you then, are you booked in the Bustard for that night or will you need to big down some where?

I will be around, We will all be there to help if you need any help mate.

R cubed there will be plenty of room just don't camp on Rambos and Daves spot. How big are you talking? 12X12 or bigger.

Dave are you still wanting to set up your tent in the corner by the Bustard pond?