Holiday Scrapbook

[seth]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who spent family holidays in my youth sticking random tickets/postcards/titbits into a book to, erm, I don't know what to do with actually. Anyhow, here's my modern internet equivalent of the last week and a half ish

 

Wednesday Aug 5th, all loaded up and filling with fuel for the trip ahead. Bikes on the roof were a new addition to the load this year but the recently fitted air shocks on the back proved to be perfect for load lugging.

 

 

About half way there...The near dead "Severn View" services on the M48 just before the old Severn Bridge, from which there is absolutely no view of the river or the bridge.

 

 

I haven't been over the Severn since my early teens so it was a bit exciting to do it again. We opted for the old bridge into Wales...

 

 

looking over at the new one.

 

 

 

Having joined the M4 at Junction 2 it was a relief to finally see this, J49.

 

 

though it was still some way to where we were camping, beyond Carmarthen.

 

First day didn't go too well. We parked in a pay and display to go off cycling on the coast, bought a ticket but it probably blew out of the car as we were unloading and we came back to this.

 

 

Bollocks. They'd tried their best to fit it by wedging it up against the arch. We ended up paying the extortionate fine when they turned up but by then this was the situation.

 

 

I was just about to get the wheel back on. Scissor jack, wheel nut wrench and a half inch spanner to get the bottom ball joint off the end of the strut so I could get the chain out. They'd never had anyone get one off before so I had some satisfaction and the energy expelled probably helped my frustration. So there is a reason for driving a low car. You can get clamps off.

 

Anyhow, we decided to try and spend as little of our holiday time and money on anything in Camarthenshire from then on. Here's a couple of spots.

 

 

 

 

Next day we went to the beach.

 

 

A special beach

 

 

There's a small, free museum with a thoroughly dated video playing relating "current" racing drivers like Nigel Mansell to the Speed Record holders of old.

 

 

Babs overlooks the beach it ran on, killed its Welsh driver on (there's no mention that he was decapitated by the chain), and was buried in for many years.

 

 

Back at our farm based camp site site we checked out one of its attractions. The chap is building up an enviable collection of old stuff in a loft and we get a personal guided tour!

 

 

 

That's the radios but check out the computers!

 

 

Cameras too.

 

 

He then showed us some of the vintage farm equipment he'd got but more on that later....

 

A couple more spots.

 

 

 

 

Obligatory car on a cliff/beach/sea shot.

 

 

Back at the site that evening we heard a rumbling so went to check out the tractor

 

 

A David Brown (later of Aston Martin) that was one of only a couple of thousand of its type built and was of a very novel design.

 

On with the holiday sights then... Tenby was good, even in the damp.

 

There's a lot going on here! Heralds, Superminx, Vintage.

 

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_028.jpg

 

The most bizarre car spares shop window display I've ever seen!

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_029.jpg

 

Do hope I'm also not the only one that loves spotting dream abodes...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_030.jpg

 

One for the recent old shop front thread.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_031.jpg

 

Enticing open garage door ...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_033.jpg

 

...contained this amongst moderns.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_032.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_034.jpg

 

Another interesting open garage.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_035.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_036.jpg

 

Since it was a dull day we headed up to something we'd picked up a leaflet for. Probably our most disappointing visit as it didn't live up to our hopes.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_037.jpg

 

Was basically a storage (and garage) facility for various privately owned cars which were absolutely crammed in. Loads of potential in the place and huge stashes of "stuff" but not well laid out and it seemed to have become a museum by default. Heres some random snaps.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_038.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_039.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_046.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_047.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_049.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_051.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_055.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_056.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_058.jpg

 

Sectioned Landcrab up a wall and partially obscured by a bush

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_059.jpg

 

This was the garage bit.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_061.jpg

 

The owner was obviously a Ford fan and the stuff round the back (that we sneaked too and got told off!) was more impressive in some ways than what was "up front"

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_040.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_041.jpg

 

This was the view out the back window from the museum itself.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_052.jpg

 

Favourite thing I found was this old Bearing/seal show display board.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_063.jpg

 

Saved the most strange thing 'til last though. The entrance was via this Pub/cafe type thing that was totally in a 1978 timewarp with bits of stuff and models for sale, oh and key cutting too. Sorry for the dark photo.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_064.jpg

 

I'd say our visit lasted about half an hour.

 

As I'm doing a general transport theme to this thread, when in Wales...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_065.jpg

 

Train line spot!

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_066.jpg

 

Our engine swapping ends.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_067.jpg

 

And some old rail shite.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_068.jpg

 

Back on the road.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_069.jpg

 

A perfect shot of the windscreen wipers with a motorcycle combination in the background...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_070.jpg

 

We just don't get roads like this in London.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_071.jpg

 

Or views like this!

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_072.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_073.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_074.jpg

 

After a week in South Wales we upped sticks an moved to Salisbury. Some more M4 travelling...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_075.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_076.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_077.jpg

 

this time over the new bridge...

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_078.jpg

 

looking at the old.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_079.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_080.jpg

 

The next day we had to go from Salisbury to Malvern for a funeral of a good friend/colleague. A sad day but the spotting continued to keep our spirits up. This is the most incredible garage I've ever seen, in Upton upon Severn.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_081.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_082.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_083.jpg

 

I'd seen it before on drives to/from Malvern but on my own in the car and in the dark. Pretty sure it was a full service at the pumps too.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_084.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_085.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_086.jpg

 

That's the nose of a V4 Saab just by the Austin.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_087.jpg

 

Minor van was wearing Marina wheels (and other parts I dare say)

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_088.jpg

 

Came back via Bath to eat and added another mode of transport to the album.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_089.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_090.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_091.jpg

 

Dunno what happened here. Tranny anyway.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_092.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_093.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_094.jpg

 

Mrs Seth spotted these Bristols.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_095.jpg

 

There was a strong European contingent on the campsite. Some pretty old Eriba caravans from Germany and this funky '80's (?) Merc van.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_096.jpg

 

Salisbury itself provided some more to see, this Morgan presumably over from Italy for the Centenary do.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_097.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_098.jpg

 

There were some apparently very famous guys on bikes doing things that were pretty incredible in the Market Sqaure as part of a tour with some drinks sponsor company or other.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_099.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_100.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_101.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_102.jpg

 

But you really want to see rusty old cars though don't you

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_103.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_104.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_105.jpg

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_106.jpg

 

Last night away from home and comfy beds.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_107.jpg

 

We met some people while packing the trailer tent this morning who had bought possibly the last new one in the mid eighties as the company went under soon after. They'd not seen another for many years and are the only people we've met who knew what it was. Made in Yorkshire apparently.

 

Anyhow, back home this afternoon.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/sethke/Holidays/2009%20Summer/Carelated/Holiday09_108.jpg

 

We used the M4, M48, M5, M32, M3 and M25 on our travels, doing 1207 trouble free miles in a 41.5 year old car. Taking out the three days we didn't drive at all that was an average of 120 miles a day. Pretty chuffed with that! We also saw an incredibly varied selection of ways to travel, particularly above ground, from gliders to hot air balloons, bi-planes, microlights, twin rotor helicopters, fighter planes et al. Hmm, maybe we'll brave foreign lands next year...

[pbottomley]

OHHH crash test dummy shot.....

 

 

 

question is, which vehicle came off worse? the CF or the OLOP?

[reallyloud]

Interesting report! I'd be be gutted about the clamp business and probabily let it ruin my holiday spitting with rage at the very thought of it. But Some really neat shots and spots too, I love this one.

 

 

That Datsun is currently for sale at around the £1800 mark if any one wants a number for it.

[Guest]

Nice holiday Seth! Looks like those practical estate cars are worth having.

[Dukestar25]

Great story, great pics... just a shame those wheelclamp cnuts turned up when they did, if you'd have got the clamp completely off the car beforehand, you'd have got out of paying the fine. Still, glad you enjoyed yourself

[trigger]

I enjoyed reading that!, I'm going to North Wales in a few weeks but I won't risk taking the 02 and will take my modern instead.Planning to try and get plenty of photos of old tat whist on my travels as well.I thought you would of been at the RRG instead.

[seth]

It was a very good holiday. First time we've got away for more than a weekend since a very wet trip to Cornwall in the Sun-Tor in 06. We can't believe the luck we had with the weather with only one mildly damp day in nearly two weeks.Trigger, we went to the Gathering on Sunday and it was part of the reason for moving to Salisbury from Wales. Apparently had we driven off clampless we would have got a letter in the post probably chaseing us for even more money as they take photos of the cars they clamp and can use the DVLA database.... RL, Polarising filter for good blue skies Mines a cheapy from "Sevendayshop" and I can't focus through it when using my long lense but its good for pictures like that one.

[Dukestar25]

seth wrote:

Apparently had we driven off clampless we would have got a letter in the post probably chaseing us for even more money as they take photos of the cars they clamp and can use the DVLA database....

Is this the actual truth or just what THEY told you? If so the law must have changed over recent years, same as you could, at one time, avoid getting a parking ticket if you could drive your vehicle away before the ticket was placed on the vehicle. Why can't we be like the scottish and outlaw such behaviour from these leeches..?

[MrRegieRitmo]

Merc van is an MB100 which we didn't get over here unfortunately...You've made me want to get away from it all now!

[MrRegieRitmo]

Apparently had we driven off clampless we would have got a letter in the post probably chaseing us for even more money as they take photos of the cars they clamp and can use the DVLA database....

I'm surprised that they didn't want to take action or anything about the fact you were clearly 'intending' to drive off scot free, whether the clamp was damaged or not...

[VWPowered]

im off to the south of france next month, now getting more excited great post & pics btw

[morris_ital_lover]

OHHH crash test dummy shot.....

 

 

question is, which vehicle came off worse? the CF or the OLOP?

Is that near Bath???!

 

Seth I must thank you for taking pictures of the scrapyard near salisbury its residents have bugged me for a while as I only gwt a fleeting glimpse through the train window!

 

m0rris

[Mr Lobster]

Thanks for posting, looks like a really good trip. Some lovely pictures there.

[michiel]

Fab words & pics, this makes me want to jump in the car and drive to Wales:

 

 

The only time I've driven there (well, in northern Wales actually) was in a shabby 1990 Transit, no power steering and lousy brakes... great roads & views, shite van.

[Pillock]

seth wrote:

Apparently had we driven off clampless we would have got a letter in the post probably chaseing us for even more money as they take photos of the cars they clamp and can use the DVLA database....

Is this the actual truth or just what THEY told you? If so the law must have changed over recent years, same as you could, at one time, avoid getting a parking ticket if you could drive your vehicle away before the ticket was placed on the vehicle. Why can't we be like the scottish and outlaw such behaviour from these leeches..?

It's TEH TRUUF.

 

Anyone with a legitimate commercial reason for using the DVLA database can apply for keeper details. If you buy in enough bulk, like a clamping firm would, it costs around £1.50 per request or something.

Even traffic wardens issuing tickets now take photos to prove you were there, and that the road markings are present, any signs etc. They also take a photo of the ticket on the car - I know, they did me! I came back as she was writing it and she wouldn't let me drive off until she'd got all her photos so being caught bang to rights in a bus-stop, I made sure I got a silly face into every picture. She also told me as soon as she puts the registration into the handheld computer, which is the first thing it asks for, she can't abort issuing a ticket. She also then told me exactly how to dispute the fine...!?

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks for posting, looks like a really good trip. Some lovely pictures there.

Ditto, thanks for sharing them with us Seth.Getting me in the mood for the SL family’s week in Somerset, camera(s) will be on hand at all times. At least I won’t have as much of the M4 to do as you...

[Mash]

Proper British holiday, looks great fun and the pics are excellent qulaity; thanks for sharing

[ayd]

Since it was a dull day we headed up to something we'd picked up a leaflet for. Probably our most disappointing visit as it didn't live up to our hopes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

should have popped round for a brew....5 mins from my house

[AnthonyG]

Hi Seth, I recognise some of those places, having lived in Ceredigion, the county above Carmarthenshire. Museum looks well crap, the 'pembrokeshire vintage vehicle society' stand is always a joy to behold at local shows, a G reg XJ40 comes to mind, standard car, reasonable nick but loaded with extra badges and general old giffer crap, e.g. 'XJ40' spelled out in VW or Audi letters (makes a change from Ford ones) along the wings by the side repeaters. They also have little flags mounted on the rear windows like the crappy football ones. A couple of years ago someone turned up in an XJS that looked ready to go round the oval!I'm fairly sure I've seen that Marina pick up at local shows.Nice to see that lorry garage still going in Upton on Severn. Haven't been to that town for what, 18 years?

[seth]

m0rris, that roadside spot was on the way out of Bath, yes. We saw the scrapyard on our way out from Salisbury in the morning and decided to get a couple of snaps when we came back in the evening. There was someone there though and I didn't want to risk nosing around with a camera to see if there was anything else.SL, ende to end of tehM4 was interesting. Certainly the bit though Reading/Swindon is pretty bland but the worst is probably the concrete walled section around Cardiff I think. Some of the other Welsh stretches are really nice.ayd, Are you familiar with the museum then? Do you think my assessment was fair?Anthony, that Upton place really is amazing. I can imagine its not changed for about 50 years. I wonder how much hauling the big old tractors get to do?

[bigstraight6]

Great set of pics there Seth, looks like a good time was had by all! That old garage business looks incredible, are those old recovery lorries still in use? the 4 wheeler looks like an ex-army 4x4 Commer, not sure about the 6 wheeler, maybe a 1940's ex-army Mack?.....

[morris_ital_lover]

not sure about the 6 wheeler, maybe a 1940's ex-army Mack?.....

Not 100% but I think it is a diamond t! Thanks seth for the reply, the place on the way out of bath is recognisable by the strange fench/lush trees/parked shite varies but normally something noteworthy!m0rris

[brammy777]

i used to have a massive knowledge of trucks, but sadly that was when i was 13.It does look like a diamond T though.Its weird how the body looks completely out of date with the wheels.This is a quality thread, id go to that musuem for the nostalgic values haha