Drive It Day – Colchester Castle
26th April 2015
With an occasional “click” instead of firing up the week before resulting in a new solenoid being fitted. This was the Heralds first outing for a while having not been used since the end of last year (having been too busy renovating house to get the old girl out).
A wet and cold Sunday morning saw us motoring along the A12 to Writtle College for the start of the CCVC ‘I Claudius’ Drive It Day run to Colchester Castle. A great turn out with around 300 cars, taking over a hour to send off for the sixty mile trip through Essex and Suffolk ending up at Colchester Castle. Where the cars lined up for a good show.
We came away with two rosettes – Christina won best dressed (to the age of your car) and the Herald Classic Car Weekly choice (who had earlier interviewed me and taken photos of us with the car). So, yes, a great day in spite of the weather.
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Rosette winning at CCVC’s Drive It Day at Colchester Castle 
Great looking VW Beetle Good splattering of American muscle
Over 260 cars giving a great selection of classics and sports cars at Colchester Castle
Fame at last…
South Suffolk Classic Run
10th May 2015
Following what had been a rather rough week, weather-wise, we were glad to wake to the promise of some sunshine on Sunday morning. Although it was still a bit chilly first thing it was definitely going to be a top-down day! We arrived at Stonham Barns just after 8.30, signed in and collected the route, and just had time for a quick look around the car boot sale before setting off. The route was well laid out, reminding us what pretty villages exist in our counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. The first 15 miles took us to the HQ of the 100th Bomber Division where we were welcomed by volunteers dressed in American wartime costume with music of the period playing – not actually for the Classic Car drivers but for some American war veterans who were due to arrive later in the day. The panorama from the top of the control tower looked out over fields of rapeseed, with a diorama showing where the WW2 runway would have been.
The next stop was the Norfolk Tank Museum where we paused for refreshments and an interesting wander around (for some) and a ride on an all terrain vehicle.
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Start of the South Suffolk Classic Run at Stonham Barns
The last leg of the route took us across the county (via Banham) to Ampton, and our destination, the South Suffolk Show. By now the sun was shining and we enjoyed a welcome picnic in the sunshine. The show provided plenty of entertainment with a variety of animals, side shows and a funfair. We even got ourselves a ride on the Ferris wheel. A great day out!
Stop off point at Norfolk Tank Museum Museum Nice looking Peerless (based on TR3 running gear)
Views from the Ferris wheel
North Norfolk Railway Vintage Transport Festival, 5th July 2015
First time to this classic car show. Spent the Saturday night in Sutton Bridge enabling us to pick up parents in the morning for the day out, so my usual passenger was replaced by Christina’s dad, who was quite happy to have the roof down until he realised how cold it was. Day before had been scorching. Sunday turned out to be colder and wetter. But managed to have a wander around the cars and get on a train to Sherringham for lunch before the rain started. Caught a bus back, had a look around the 60s market that was also there. Shame about the weather but it was a great show and being able to go off-site by train or bus made for a much more interesting day.
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North Norfolk Railway, just before the rain came down 
Nice looking VDub camper and trailer Bus trip back from Sherringham
Vauxhall Viva convertible Tatty looking Herald brought back some memories
Heveningham Wings and Wheels, 11th July 2015
Another first for this show and probably one of the more interesting shows with plenty to see. Arena events included knights jousting and a motocross display. With aeroplane acrobatics including wing walking it was certainly a show with a difference.
Although the weather was good, being the Saturday, numbers were low so not a vast selection of classics but then there wasn’t any queues for toilets or food.
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Marching jazz band at Heveningham Wings and Wheels 
Roof chopped Morris Minor Nice looking MM convertible
Aeroplane field Modified Ford Capri