Main event of this holiday: The Hotrod Hayride, a big hotrod event taking place for the fifth time, west of London. It was the first time that Erwin and I visited a four-wheeled event instead of the usual two-wheeled ones.

A week before departure the popular Dutch weather site buienradar.nl forecasted rain, starting Wednesday August 12, the day of our departure. Well, it wouldn't be the first time that we we'd get a drop of rain ;-)

Trip 1, Wednesday August 12, 301 km.
On our way to Oudenburg (B) it was very cloudy but we kept our feet dry.

Last year we were there early July: then there was not much going on. We assumed that this was because we came so early in the season and the bad weather. But again there were only a handful of bikers. Nonetheless: the beer tasted good.

We planned the route to England: no TomTom, no Garmin, just with an oldskool map.

The Loft Hotel is a beautiful place. In order to disguise the emptiness some bikes from the museum were added to the parking circle.

Trip 2, Thursday August 13, 240 km.
In the morning we made ourselves an extensive (read: English) breakfast.

On our way to Dunkirk, or 'Dunkerque' as the French say, the km-counter jumped to 20,000. To me that seemed worth a photograph.

It was the first time I rode the CBX in France, even though it was a short trip to the ferry. Didn't enjoy France that much: it was raining cats and dogs.

The crossing to Dover would only take two hours. Therefore, the bikes were not so carefully strapped.

The Dutch owner of the Virago (right) asked me, after studying the CBX for a while: "Based on a Harley?". Some questions just take your breath away, and this was one of those.

... but the closer we came to England, the more threatening the clouds became.

The camp site was situated at Lingfield under the flight path of Gatwick Airport: one plane every three minutes raged on.

We lucky bastards: it's karaoke night! Yay!

One lady had a fine voice.

Trip 3, Friday August 14, 90 km.
Another good breakfast, accompanied by the sound of planes.

The Hotrod Hayride is not a meeting for shiny polished cars. Most look as though they were drawn from the hay barn yesterday. The oldest models date from the '20s, the latest from the '60s. All American made and all V8.

... which, despite their age, also proved their practical use. A bizarre combination though.

It was not allowed to park vehicles, including my bike, next to the tents. But with some persuasion I was granted to. I just have no peace when the CBX is parked out of my sight.

For the first time I tested my compound cooking set: I converted this Triangia set to a gasoline burner.

I was introduced to Dutch acquaintances of Erwin, from the forum chopperstyle.nl. This is Tjeerd, a well-known Citroën 2CV specialist and also V8 enthusiast.

Bands played music from that era: rockabilly, the precursor of rock 'n' roll. All in style but not my thing.

Coincidence or not, along the track was a railway on which an original steam locomotive came by. To complete the atmosphere.

The stock cars raced as if their lives depended on it. Old, classic, valuable but nonetheless used cars. I liked that a lot.

The track was dry so there was plenty of dust. In no time everyone was covered with it.

Again we were back in the '50s.

A bit desaturated, a touch of sepia and a snif of noise: totally authentic.

The sound of such an undamped flathead V8 is incomparable, really great.

This pink stock car was driven by a 72 year old man who had over fifty years of race experience. Despite his age he won every race.

Many cars were equipped with a so-called "air ride" pneumatic system which can lower the car until the chassis touches the ground. A modern addition with a strong aging effect ...

There were, except cars, many bikes as well: Harley's, BSA's, Nortons, and some brands I have never seen life.

Trip 4, Sunday August 16, 175 km.
We started the day as a group with a tour along the cars. Many owners, like this Scot (with cap), really took their time to tell all about it. Although I understood only half he said..

After almost a week calluses and blisters appeared on my hands: that's what you get when you replace rubber grips by stainless steel ones.

Straight after arrival we roosted at the bar, had ourselves some beer, and were introduced to a nice couple from IJmuiden.

At 00.30 hours, shortly before closing time of the bar, we put up our tents and then had a final beer.
The next and last day, Wednesday August 19th, we went home after a good breakfast.

1.476 kilometers in one week is a new record. It was a good holiday.