Once the stand was looking respectable (not finished as more bikes were arriving in the morning) it was time to look for our camping spot. Lots of driving round and round the site, then eventually we found our allotted space - between the Jawa owners and the Cossack owners. By now, the sun was shining and putting the tents up wasn't as much of a chore as it might have been. A trip to the supermarket for vital supplies was necessary and then time for a stroll around the campsite, a drink and some very welcome bacon butties and burgers, thanks to the hard working chefs of the evening.
The next morning was time for an exploratory trip to the showers, these weren't too bad but the hot water ran out. Still, it was nice to get clean after a night camping. The sun was blazing, there was lots to see at the show and the BSAOC stand looked very impressive. Although the show is organized by the VJMC, it is not limited to Japanese bikes and there was something to interest most people. I did find the layout around the main building a little frustrating - you could only get out of the building at either end so there was no quick escape when you were half way through and wanted to dash outside and escape the crowds, but that is just a minor criticism. My main gripe was the lack of choice in food - either expensive shit-burgers or expensive shit-burgers and not much else, a little disappointing given the decent variety of food you see at most shows these days. The burgers weren't a patch on the quality food provided and cooked by our own members.
There were some interesting stalls in the autojumble, with British parts available as well as Japanese parts, and I stocked up on a few necessities such as fuel filters, o-rings and fuel pipe (pink, would you believe it - hooray!). The sun was so hot I managed to get painfully sunburnt and had to spend money at the hippy-stall on clothes to cover up with. Later, another trip to the supermarket for after-sun and alcohol. That evening, the BSA camp again provided plenty of food and good company for all its members and the intrepid chefs were smartly dressed for the occasion.
By now, it was starting to get dark so it was back to the BSA camp for good company and frivolity. Colin P seemed to have acquired an impressive head of hair and various folk were singing and playing guitar, all of which was interspersed with the occasional downpour of rain. Happily, we mostly avoided getting soaked because Cliff and Daphne (as well as working incredibly hard on the BSAOC stand all weekend) had cleverly provided a huge gazebo for shelter.
