High Jetter Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 2 hours ago, mark165 said: Well, funny how the internet and real life collide. I've really enjoyed reading this thread since you started it, thank you for all your efforts. Today I went with the wife and kids to Folkestone to see the circus. First time for my wife and I in about thirty years. Very first time for my kids. My wife was pondering how long it took to set up and I thought I'd check here only to find it's the exact one! My eldest (aged eight) now wants to grow up to be a clown. My youngest (6) wants to be a dancer, with the hula hoops. But no eating fire. Too dangerous apparently. Also not too keen on having their bum out. Seeing it all set up and in operation, with all the different people working really hits home how many hats people have to wear. In today's day and age, what struck me was how honest the whole thing was. A big thank you and please keep the updates coming. It's live entertainment! How many kids have never seen such wonders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Spottedlaurel said: As noted in the grin thread, saw the Puddlethumper combo myself on the M20 today: It came as a surprise to Mrs SL to learn that I knew someone who worked for the circus. Explaing the living/working arrangements etc gave us an additional topic of conversation as we plodded through the 50mph section of M20. She should really know better Spottedlaurel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 15 hours ago, mark165 said: Well, funny how the internet and real life collide. I've really enjoyed reading this thread since you started it, thank you for all your efforts. Today I went with the wife and kids to Folkestone to see the circus. First time for my wife and I in about thirty years. Very first time for my kids. My wife was pondering how long it took to set up and I thought I'd check here only to find it's the exact one! My eldest (aged eight) now wants to grow up to be a clown. My youngest (6) wants to be a dancer, with the hula hoops. But no eating fire. Too dangerous apparently. Also not too keen on having their bum out. Seeing it all set up and in operation, with all the different people working really hits home how many hats people have to wear. In today's day and age, what struck me was how honest the whole thing was. A big thank you and please keep the updates coming. In answer to 'how long to set up' stuff that is not absolutely vital is moved a couple of days before the rest. Last show is finished by 5pm and during the second half the foyer tent is pulled down and the water system is being wrapped up. By about 11, midnight everything is packed and being moved out. Building up takes a bit longer, no more than 2 days. First day tent goes up, circle built and all lighting in. Second day is fitting all the seats and some other bits. I've seen it all back up in a day although not normally. We are now in the OAP centre of Britain, so I believe, sunny Eastbourne. DodgeRover and BorniteIdentity 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 On 6/29/2023 at 2:56 PM, quicksilver said: I saw that big move coming up on the website. Newcastle to Folkestone must be just about as far as you can go in England. That'll take a good few hours. Not as far as Cardiff to Greenock. Vantman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 4 hours ago, puddlethumper said: We are now in the OAP centre of Britain, so I believe, sunny Eastbourne. Currently living up to it's old slogan "the sun trap of the south" puddlethumper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 Just found out that it costs 10 grand to use this site for a week up front. Also it costs the same per week for dizzle. Expensive things circuses. Total expenses per week, 60 grand. BorniteIdentity, Coprolalia, auntiemaryscanary and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntiemaryscanary Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 4 hours ago, puddlethumper said: Just found out that it costs 10 grand to use this site for a week up front. Also it costs the same per week for dizzle. Expensive things circuses. Total expenses per week, 60 grand. That's a helluva lot of tickets and candy floss to sell. A couple of duff weeks must make all involved a bit edgy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 Thread resurrection. As I haven't seen anybody from the circus since last October there was many hugs from every body saying they had missed me, when I met them at Haydock Race course to move everything to Norwich Showground. I've never had that much of a reaction before. They are a good bunch of people and there is rarely any problems between anybody. Going to be here for about 3 weeks and I have got a fair bit of work to do that would have been done if I had been there in Holland, 4 weeks Xmas New Year, Glasgow, 2 weeks, Haydock, 1 week so a fair bit of stuff to sort. Starting with 2 bunk wagons that have leaks when it rains. What joy, chasing leaks. The water system I had has been somewhat wrecked by those that didn't have much of a clue so there's a few days to get that back to how I like it. I knew that would happen but I've said that I need to show somebody how it's done when I'm not there. Which at my age could be at any moment, or if my ankle gets any worse then I'm going to have to give it up. There's been a few minor changes. A few different trucks, different performers, but not all, some new showgirls, etc. I shall leave you with 2 pic of my new circus 'rig'. One of where we are and a dizzel shot. If anyone wants to know what its like let me know. I'm sure you will notice a slight anomaly. Rustybullethole, auntiemaryscanary, Dan29 and 21 others 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2_craig Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 I hope that has a D5 engine fitted. 808 Estate 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 4 minutes ago, mk2_craig said: I hope that has a D5 engine fitted. Buggered if I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieman Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 That certainly doesn't look like any Volvo I've ever seen before. Good to see you back too, I love this thread. Dan29, puddlethumper, auntiemaryscanary and 2 others 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Norman Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 41 minutes ago, Pieman said: Good to see you back too, I love this thread. WHS ^^^ MOAR PLZ. 😛 mk2_craig and puddlethumper 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan302 Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 This is one of my favourite threads jon.k and puddlethumper 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustybullethole Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Volveco? Ivecovlo? wtf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Aye, welcome back. I was just thinking of you yesterday and hoping you would update us.Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk puddlethumper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 The fake Volvo, or is it a Fake Iveco? Story is it was something a Volvo dealer had and the trailer was used for promoting Volvo stuff. As to driving it its shit. It's ferkin gutless and you have to wring its neck to get anywhere. Hills on the motorway sees it down to under 40mph and getting back up to 55 takes about a bloody week. The back wheels of the Iveco/Volvo bounce on the slightest bump and bangs you back against the seat, which after about half an hour is enough. Ergonomic my arse. I don't know how heavy the shop trailer is but its got to be 4 ton or so. So I am with @Cavcraft. Ivecos are shit and it looks like I will be driving it all season. What fuckin joy*. UltraWomble, Coprolalia and Cavcraft 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieman Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 If you're driving a Voveco, what's happened to Big, or have I misread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavcraft Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Sounds pretty much exactly like the 75E14, except you haven't mentioned stopping for fuel 25 times a day. At least there's enough room in the trailer for the chimpanzees who made it. puddlethumper and Morris 63 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Pieman said: If you're driving a Voveco, what's happened to Big, or have I misread? I still have Big. The Voveco is for moving the shop from site to site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieman Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 So do you have to make two trips to pick up both Big and Volvic? You can't drive both at the same time. Sorry if I'm being thick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Jetter Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 1 hour ago, Pieman said: So do you have to make two trips to pick up both Big and Volvic? You can't drive both at the same time. Sorry if I'm being thick. You're not. I doubt any of us can drive two vehicles at the same time, unless one conveys or tows the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 3 hours ago, Pieman said: So do you have to make two trips to pick up both Big and Volvic? You can't drive both at the same time. Sorry if I'm being thick. Quite often I have to do 3 trips. UltraWomble 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morris 63 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Great to see an update on this, even if they've given you the gutless wonder to drive! Do you/have you ever get to play with any of the bigger stuff, like the Peterbilt? Even a whizz round the field in that would be something to enjoy I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verysleepyboy Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Do you have an itinerary for the year yet? Would be good to catch a show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmwdumptruck Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Cracking read, only found it this morning, keep em coming👍 Wheres the 305 now? Had one myself for work 93-95 till I bought a nearly new C15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 It was sold to @RetroShite who raffled it off iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 22 hours ago, Verysleepyboy said: Do you have an itinerary for the year yet? Would be good to catch a show! The full itinerary isn't up yet. If you go to the Circus Vegas website you will know as much as I do. The first 4/5 are on there and will be added to as they are confirmed. auntiemaryscanary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verysleepyboy Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 On 29/02/2024 at 11:20, puddlethumper said: The full itinerary isn't up yet. If you go to the Circus Vegas website you will know as much as I do. The first 4/5 are on there and will be added to as they are confirmed. Thank you - found it now UK TOUR 2024: Lakeside Shopping Centre, Grays, RM20 2ZW Wed Mar 27th to Sun Apr 14th 2024 Swansea, Mumbles Recreation Ground, SA2 0AU Wed Apr 17th to Sun Apr 28th 2024 Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, KT10 9AJ Wed May 1st to Mon May 6th 2024 Stevenage, Fairlands Valley Park, SG2 9BN Wed May 8th to Sun May 12th 2024 puddlethumper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddlethumper Posted March 1 Author Share Posted March 1 19 minutes ago, Verysleepyboy said: Thank you - found it now UK TOUR 2024: Lakeside Shopping Centre, Grays, RM20 2ZW Wed Mar 27th to Sun Apr 14th 2024 Swansea, Mumbles Recreation Ground, SA2 0AU Wed Apr 17th to Sun Apr 28th 2024 Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, KT10 9AJ Wed May 1st to Mon May 6th 2024 Stevenage, Fairlands Valley Park, SG2 9BN Wed May 8th to Sun May 12th 2024 If you, or anyone, comes to a show if you pm me before I may be able to give a bit of a tour. mat_the_cat and Mrs6C 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
808 Estate Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Welcome back, looking forward to a new season travels and tribulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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