Leeds Castle Balloon & Classic Cars Festival (12 Sept 2004)

There were two starting points for the drive to Leeds, the Duke of Normandy pub in Normandy (South Central area's usual pub meeting place) and then the Grasshopper near Westerham along the way. My mum and I joined in at the Grasshopper where tea and coffee were served and people gathered for a good old natter and look at the cars. The two rows of MX5s in the car park looked a real treat!

From the Grasshopper we were taken on a really pretty drive through Kent villages and countryside to Leeds Castle. Leeds Castle had said that we couldn't have our own parking area, but miraculously when we arrived en masse the parking attendants opened up a fresh parking area for us. I think we made a good display for other members of the public as they arrived!

Once everyone had parked up it was picnic time. Several big circles were formed and there was much debate about what everyone had brought with them (admittedly I came in for some stick having brought the whole picnic kit with me - but I was not alone!).

Then it was time to head into the Castle grounds. Sadly, the weather conditions were not suitable for the hot air balloons, so we didn't get to see any of them :-) Instead we had to make do with the car displays.

There were several different areas with cars, each of different vintages. There was one area for the really old cars (early 20th century) that was fenced off; another for classics mainly from the 50's, 60's and 70's and then a further one for modern sports and supercars (including an Invicta, an Aston DB7 and DB9, a Ferrari). My favourite was this old BMW.

When the heavens threatened to open it was time for us to head into the castle itself - just as everyone else decided the same thing.

Back outside later on we bumped into some of the others who had attempted to tackle the Maze. It sounded like at least an hour was required for this challenge, so with time moving on, we gave it a miss. Still, there was plenty of time to look around the impressive aviary before heading back to the car as the heavens opened.

Thanks to Keith & Jo Visser for organising another great day out.

Robert Pain