Air show cont'd.....

I never used to like the RAF parachute team display when I was a kid, but now I've got my own parachute, it suddenly seems more interesting. Still, that label that was attached to it troubles me...."Certified scrap, All liabilities denied, all explosives removed safely". It's nice to know it's not going to blow up, but I won't be jumping out of any planes with it!

The well choreographed display, declined into an out and out race. I don't know whether they had a bet or whether they could just see the beer tent!

Helicopters, I like these. They stay put so you can photograph them.

Tornados are great. They are swing wings so are constantly changing shape.

The nose is pointing at the ground, and you've got the afterburners on?! Are you sure that's right?

Are you sure you shouldn't be pulling up now? Are you sure you're sure?!

Maybe the ectoplasm is obscuring the ground. Yes, it is called ectoplasm! Yes, I know they had it in 'Ghostbusters'! You'll have to go and look it up then....

A quick tug of the handbrake and he levels out. You can tell it was a humid day, as the wing tip pressure leaves condensation trails.

A Wasca plane flies high overhead, probably keeping an eye out for more microlights.

There were three Tornados flying simultaneously. They make a great noise when there is so many.

I love some of the WW2 fighters, they have such a dynamic look. For a 60 year plus plane he's still throwing it about a bit!

A Dakota (I think) comes into land (no, maybe not a Dakota, it's got English markings; I don't know) and so ends the show. Back to my secret parking place and bypass the traffic home...

Tuesday night is Bike night!...

This is 'Bassetts Pole'. Here there is literally a pole/ signpost that marks the boundary between two counties. It is now dominated by a large traffic island, and adjacent to this is Bassett Pole pub. In the summer, Tuesday night is 'bike night'..... A couple of years ago this used to be a huge weekly event (over 2 thousand), with racing, stunting, bareback riding and knee sliding. Unfortunately, following the death of a spectator, the police have become obsessed with squashing this meet.

Despite some rather 'unfair' tactics on behalf of the police, this get together is still popular.

As you approach, all you can hear is a distant thunder, a combined rumble of a thousand illegal exhausts!

'Big Brother' is watching you! I counted 4 traffic police cars equipped with ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), 2 vans with ANPR, 3 patrol cars, 2 vans, 1 unmarked pursuit car, 2 mobile motorbikes, 3 parked bikes, an occasionally circling helicopter and this mobile CCTV unit complete with 20ft camera topped mast! This isn't a Hells Angels meet! Most of these bikers are just ordinary business men. The police really don't like these gatherings, but thanks to the bloody mindedness of the bikers it continues every year!

If you ever wondered what your tax was being spent on... Well of course they need a Mercedes! Our 'under funded' police force couldn't be expected to run a budget car. They obviously have a legitimate use for the 28 speaker surround sound stereo, the self levelling gas suspension, the 12 point adjustable seats with 8 air bladders, heating and massage, the split cabin environment system...you can't expect them to be uncomfortable when they're sat on their bums all day!!!

The plain clothes team have their cover blown again. 'Something' was giving them away...

This Suzuki was a work of art. Extended rear arm allows transmission of all the power without flipping you off the back. This mod isn't as simple as it seems, if you notice, the bodywork and even the exhaust have been altered in sympathy in order to maintain the proportions of the bike.

Oversize sprocket with 'cush' drive and one cool wavy edge disc!

Bennilli Tornado, this is one of my favourite bikes. That's one distinctive back end, and it'll be getting very small very soon! You know that it is delivering some awesome power to warrant that sort of cooling.

There weren't as many trikes as usual. This one is OK, but some of them are just crazy. There is often a big black one running a Jag V12, and just to give a little extra umph he's fitted it with two Garrett T3 turbos...madness (and I love it!)

This is my cup of tea. Ugly as fuck I know, but it'll do everything. Fast and comfortable on the road, big enough for two plus equipment.

And when you get to the end of the road you can keep on going, anywhere you like! I could have some adventures on this...

I was just about to leave when I heard a noise I liked. There are a few of these around my local area, but this is the gorgeous Lambo I see arse tailing it down my road late at night!

These don't come cheap, and the owner had more labels than a jam factory.

When you stand round the back of this beast, the up swept exhausts jet scalding gas at your face, and when the throttle is blipped it blows your hair back. It's one of the most fun ways of losing your eyebrows!

After what seemed an eternity of careful reversing from the cramped car park (you don't even want to think of the consequences of knocking a line of bikes down), the Lambo made it's escape, the crackle of the exhaust spitting flame on the over run as it scrubbed speed for the island!

With the sun beginning to set I made my way home, until all I could hear was a distant rumble...