Beetle Gallery 2024

February 2024

It's Cake time again this month. I have to say this does look like the best cake we have made. The sponge turned out pretty much perfect, the marzepan topping went on without too many issues and the decoration was pretty much spot on. A good job all round. It was a lovely cake and tasted delicious.

May 2024

This month saw the opening show for Southern Classics held at the Lavendar Line in Isfield, East Sussex. The Lavendar Line has come to be home for shows and breakfast meets for the club.

Bertie went really well, not missing a beat there and back. He was a pleasure to drive and enjoyed it. I can't say the same for some of the roads, they are now quite shocking and not something I want to travel along too often.

I enjoyed the show, the weather was nice, not too hot or cold, there were a few autojumblers to browse their goods (not as many as previous years). The selection of cars was high, the club always seems to fill out any large area and today was no exception. The Lavendar line was open with trains running regularly and many took a ride. There is also a Cafe on the station as well as small shop selling toys and books etc.

May 2024

I suppose it had to happen sometime, but this month Bertie had his first real breakdown that couldn't be fixed at the side of the road. The bearing on the alternator pulley decided to give in and he pulley started to rub on the Alternator, making a horrible screeching noise. I was going down to Laughton with Bertie, instead went the other way to my Garage. I did get to go to Laughton, but not in Bertie which was a bit of a let down, but a good day none the less. The good news is Bertie was fixed and is back on the road.

June 2024

This month was the second show and second visit for Southern Classics to Leonardslee Gardens. The date had changed from September to June and this made a huge difference, the sun was out, it was warm and humid all day and they had a large selection of cars which trickled in all day. They filled out both fields they had been allocated and as this was their charity show they raised a large amount towards MNDA.

It was a lovely day, there was plenty of wildlife to look with Deer in the same field, Wallaby's in the enclosure next to us (they were bothered by the cars coming and going) and plenty of fish and geese in and around the lower ponds and lakes. Well worth a visit.

Bertie went really well, back on the road after his little hiccup. The journey down was good, so was the journey back. The roads are pretty good with only one stretch along a narrow road and you have to be careful for vans and lorries.

July 2024

The start of July saw a new show for Southern Classics, they had been invited to be part of the MNDA Show at Broadwater Green in Worthing, West Sussex.

The day started rather dismally with the rain coming down in bucket loads and kept raining until midday, although it rained the ground remained firm. After lunch we were finally able to have a look around the show and the many stalls for adults and kids alike.

I think the weather put most people off, but around 20 cars did show up, including several emergency services vehicles such as Land Rover Fire engines and such. The weather from midday onwards was perfect with just a gentle breeze to keep temperatures down. We stayed until 4pm as the show was starting to wind down. It was a good day and hopefully we can attend next year.

July 2024

Back in January I had been asked by a member of Southern Classics and the former events organiser if I would be interested in taking photos for the Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club during their 58th Internation & 60th Anniversary Rally celebration week, specifically could I attend GoodWood Race Circuit and the Avisford Park Hotel. Pretty much straightaway it was a yes from me and we exchange several emails and had a meeting about the event.

The club were having a procession around the GoodWood circuit on the Friday evening (the hotest day of the year so far) which turned out to be more of a stay in order but go as fast as you dare event. Everyone involved had a fantastic time and all had smiles on thei faces. I got to take Bertie and park in Paddock 1, bay 133. I took initial photos of the cars all parked up in Paddock 3 before moving onto the Pitwall to take photos of the cars as they sped around the track. I was invited to take a photo from the fron of the cars as they lined up on the grid and then mingle amongst the grid to get individual car photos. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the hour and a half or so we were their. My Dad was up on top of the Pits using a camera to record the cars as they came round. If you want to see more photos from the day, head over to the DLOC webpage.

July 2024

Saturday was a rest day as the DLOC had a small event going on and I didn't need to attend. I had a fairly new wide angled lens for my Canon Camera and decided to give it a go for photographs of cars and I don't think came out too bad, Bertie looks at good as ever.

July 2024

Sunday was the last day of the week long events for the DLOC Rally, with the event bein held at their base for the week the AvisFord Park Hotel. Whilst he exterior of the hotel may seem plain, the interior is absolutely stunning.

The show started at 10am, I arrived around 25 minutes early to get the lay of the land as the cars were packed into the small grass area at the back of the hotel. They certainly did pack the area with as many cars as they could. Many people asked me if I was part of the club and which car did I drive, many had a story about Beetles which was nice to hear. I have to say I learn't alot about Daimlers and Lanchesters during the day and now hold them in a different light thanks to their knowledge. Please head over to the DLOC website for more information and photos.

I parked Bertie in the hotels car park trying to keep away from the main crowd, with the sun stil shining at the end of the event, around 4pm I thought I would take a few photos before heading back to the Caravan and then onto home. The entire journey, from leaving Home on the Thursday to GoodWood on Friday and AvisFord Park Hotel on Sunday to Home again Bertie covered 243 kilometers (150 miles) without so much as a hiccup. It was a pleasure to drive.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Friday trip to GoodWood Race Circuit and the event at the AvisFord Park Hotel. It was a pleasure to be the Official Photographer for the DLOC.

August 2024

This was supposed to be the third show of four for Southern Classics but turned out to be their last show of the year due to heavy rain washing out the Lavendar Line show in September.

Southern Classics had their home show at Worthing Rugby Club and I had the honour to be the Official Photographer for the day.

It was one of those days where the sun shone and hid between the clouds and the breeze poked it's head up inbetween. The hot days had taken their toll on the Rugby Clubs grass as it appeared to be burn't in places and needing lots of nourishing water!

I enjoyed the show, with around 200 cars turning up over the course of the day, what was said to be the most they had achieved here to date, hopefully next year they can beat.

Bertie again ran faultlessy all weekend and once again I enjoyed the drive. I did pickup a couple of models during the day and will take photos once I get time and add them to the models pages.

September 2024

This time I was headed down once again to Laughton for the Laughton Autumn Show. The weather had been bad all week with constant rain and wind. Upon arrival you could see how wet the ground was with standing water and muddy paths. Throughout the morning it rained on and off and made it a game go out if you dare. Finally after lunch the weather improved. There were a fair amount of cars (not as much as previous shows) and there was a lack of tractors but the Steam Engines made up for this.

Despite the weather Bertie ran well and we had a good time travelling along the Sussex roads.

JAW’S VW BEETLES