I can't believe it's been over a week since meet #8, where does all the time go... the weekly count down to it flashed by in no time at all!
Unlike the lucky squad members who made it for the Saturday start, my meet didn't start till the gathering at the Civic Centre car park in Elstree on Sunday morning due to a late finish with work in the early hours, I didn't have long to wait though as the rest of the familiar faces arrived in good time after their earlier breakfast just down the road. It was really good to see everyone again after what must be a couple of years. Despite missing a few, these meets really do get better each time, each one in a different way to the last. Gene's incredible organisation and detective work as ever was much in evidence just yards from the car park with the first location being just round the corner, they then came thick and fast (the locations, not the squad members ) one after the other, each one a surprise to me certainly. Del Boy's day long Blakey impression kept us all amused and the locals no doubt somewhat confused. The long walkabout in the morning was very enjoyable then it was on to the appointed watering hole for some very welcome liquid refreshment and a spot of nose bag before setting off again, this time down various country lanes in the Elstree area, this is where we came to my favourite location of the day and a real highlight (not forgetting Del Boy's soaking of course!), the farm / barn location just out in the sticks where the bus crashes and also where my favourite episode of 'The Avengers' was filmed in 1967, 'Dead Man's Treasure'. The owners came out for a chat and revealed various bits 'n' bobs about all the filming that's taken place their, including the bit about Reg Varney rolling around in the mud to dirty up his uniform for the next scene - all great stuff.
Pretty soon we were all back in Elstree to go our separate ways - a brilliant day once again and a big thanks to Gene for making it all happen, along with the other members, a big thanks too to Brown Granada for ferrying us around in the blue Beetle and the in car banter .
Roll on October...
Villain
''You festering pig...!" ''Meet Vic Dakin, then wish you hadn't...''
I don’t need to say I missed a great meet again! It’s pretty damm obvious you had one of the best meets again lol! great write ups to, think it’s just amazing how somehow del manages to morph into any character he wishes and just pulls it off! altbough in the video I’m sure he got more water than Blakey did! Just hope I see ya all at the next one!