landroversforever Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 So who went? best bit? worst bit? any other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I went and have just got back...it was my first time there. I thought it was great. The weather held for most of the weekend, just a few spits and spots until lunchtime today when the heavens opened for about 5 mins whilst we were in the arena. Best bits - the Shire stand getting a lot of attention thanks to Mouse, getting a good deal from SimonR, my Defender getting its first proper outing, the sound of Mouse turning up at about 3am on Saturday morning (vrmm vrmm ) Worst bits - my first bit of public speaking in the arena as the Shire's Public Relations Officer, spending money. Other thoughts - organisation was a bit iffy. The first part of our contingent turned up about 7.30-8.00pm on the Friday, not exactly late, yet there was no-one around from LRM, only normal site security. Had to get our wrist bands Saturday am, but again, we went up about 8am (not exactly early) and no-one was there until 8.30 which seemed a bit late if gates were opening at 9/9.30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Worst bit - Having to listen to Mr Bowyer on the PA admiring classic tyre tread patterns and telling an S1 owner to fit coils Best bit - Upsetting Mr Bowyer shortly afterwards with an application of throttle to his ring Twas good to meet a lot of forumers and friends, my lack of funds meant shopping was out so I was mostly sat on the SLRC stand eating sweeties and chatting to people, and a jolly good way to spend a weekend it was too. Security was tight this year, in as much as I actually had to show them a ticket this time and there were some actual guards around the place. Not that they helped much as a friend's tent full of purchases got thoroughly done over yards away from the security point Organisation in general was OK (in that there seemed to be a little bit this year) but not great - a trade stand had decided to take up the roadway in front of our stand which meant we had to lose a road's worth of stand to allow others through It was unfortunate having to go and rescue Zuz after the Pug exploded on the M1, but it did mean blatting about in Mouse at 5am, every cloud and all that There didn't seem to be as many stands as previous years but still a decent selection of stuff to not buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSi110 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Not as many people there as last year - or so it seemed. Some of the stands appeared smaller than before. OEC had very little stock, meaning that my new steering damper was bought from Devon 4x4. Still, no hardship there. We spent 3 days at Billing and still didn't see everything as well as we'd have liked. We had a really great time, though. Helped, in no small means, by a few good friends camping with us. I blame JSG for schmoozing me into buying a Mantec spare wheel carrier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 My first time. I only had the Sunday....Not enough... I got everything I wanted except two Land Rover Defender reversing lights..... mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 best bit? Driving Mouse around the arena Jez had decided the 'Ladies' should take it in so Zuz drove into the arena and did a superb job talking about Ladoga and then convinced me to drive it out (although I got told off for not reving it enough to make it growl! ) Still, it was superb and my face was aching from grinning most of the day afterwards. Dreams that night were of LS's and Boggers, I'll be hiding in the garage for the foreseeable future to try to finish my own Portal truck worst bit? Mm, nothing really. Weirdly it's still not my favourite show, I love the atmosphere of Eastnor. If we could get the number of trade stands with the Eastnor setting/number of club stands I think it would be my favourite show any other thoughts? Security I was actually quite impressed with. For some reason I spent most of Saturday night walking backwards and forwards to the toilet (don't ask ) and the first time I walked back through the trucks on the Shires stand - I was promptly stopped by a security guy and asked what I was doing - but I think the fact I was in my PJ's and looked pretty carp convinced him I wasn't trying to steal stuff Showers were good, toilets were clean, weather was ok - thumbs up from me (no straight series wings though ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Spent Friday at Billing with the Mrs. She and I had an excellent day, but didn't get to see everyone that I wanted to despite starting around 9 and leaving around half 5. Best bit was talking to people I haven't seen for a while, and getting some good deals on toys. Worst bit was not finding the shires stand to catch up with some other people and get my ladoga t-shirt... by teh sounds of it though, it didn't arrive till after I left, which might explain why I didn't find it! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyb Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 It was my first Billing. I went on Sunday. It wasn't as big as I had expected and I got to see everything that I wanted to see in just over 3 hours.......mind you I didn't have a shopping list (no spare cash) so I guess I walked straight past a lot of things. Great to see Mouse in the flesh and have a crawl walk underneath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 How did I miss Mouse? I had a good wander round - I rarely buy anything big but it's my annual enthusiasm injection to get on and do some of the bits that I've been meaning to for ages. Most impressive vehicle was a tube buggy from the Netherlands(?) with so much bespoke fabrication it made me simply walk round it twice slowly, looking. Enjoyable show and good to see a few familiar faces too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_a Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Saw the shires in the Arena, started searching for FF mobile number while he was talking, but it was on the other phone, so I couldn't see what his ringtone is for the whole show First time I've been to Billing (well the show, I drove past every day last year) and I thought the show area was quite good, was impressed by the amount of effort the likes of Devon 4x4 had gone to. Spoke to the guys on the X-Eng stand, wasn't planning on buying anything, then saw the ground anchor, after hefting it I desperately wanted one, but I struggled to convince the Mrs Best part was the wife took the discovery round while I took the 90, first time off road driving for her and I was very impressed, only one spot of damage which was caused by a nasty side slope without a marshal, I took the 90 through a few minutes later and hoped she hadn't gone that way. A few scratches that should buff out hopefully. Gave the mud run a good go, and managed to remodel a wing doing so Will also be our last Billing I imagine too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 <br />Spent Friday at Billing with the Mrs. She and I had an excellent day, but didn't get to see everyone that I wanted to despite starting around 9 and leaving around half 5. <br /><br />Best bit was talking to people I haven't seen for a while, and getting some good deals on toys.<br /><br />Worst bit was not finding the shires stand to catch up with some other people and get my ladoga t-shirt... by teh sounds of it though, it didn't arrive till after I left, which might explain why I didn't find it!<br /><br /><img src="style_emoticons/default/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /><br />Mark<br /><br /><br /><br />I was there on Thursday til last night but the Stand didn't arrive till Friday night so you missed us. I gave the RR to Bearmach to have on their stand. I feel like I could sleep for a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Adrian Turner lyeing Jims Truck over on the twist off , The look on your face Jim "priceless" Cant remember much more about sat night after getting a bit twisted on Buckies Leg bender juice . Great show , great stands and a great craic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve 90 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Excellent time had by us, excellent atmosphere and plenty to see. Also quite enjoyed trying to look knowledgeable on Jims stand and helping out where I could. Nice to meet a few new people and put some face's to names. I also don't remember much about Sat night but I do know that if Paul Bass says "Follow me, I know where there's a night club" Be very careful The only low point was Waking up on Sunday morning with a hangover, opening my eyes to find I was between Jim and Chris :o , not a pretty sight first thing. Adrian tipping Jims banger in the ring was brilliant! Cant wait to go again. Thanks to Liz and the D44 team for their excellent hospitality on sat evening, Very much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 best bits; meeting friends, old and new, sitting round the "Staz-a-que" balancing objects on a very socially tired Vinny, seeing Fridge and Dave "livening" up the arena, the help and favours after Mrs Jez blew the pug up on the M1 (thank you all so much ), Jen and Zuz's faces after a bimble around in the yellow thing oh and pressing the turbo button on the front winch for a laugh, power sliding round almost every roundabout on the A43 on the way home worse bits; finding out one of our friends had travelled 1400 miles only to be robbed, nice one, next time I hope Pali hears you- the guards wont be able to help you then you ****ers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shtmekanic Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 First time for me and the boys at Billing (sunday), as always it's an interesting experience going to new places, plenty to see and do, organisation seemed a little lacking in places but overall was a good day out. The offroad course was excellent especially the water and mud runs.. looking forward to returning next year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebbe Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 How did I miss Mouse? I had a good wander round - I rarely buy anything big but it's my annual enthusiasm injection to get on and do some of the bits that I've been meaning to for ages. Most impressive vehicle was a tube buggy from the Netherlands(?) with so much bespoke fabrication it made me simply walk round it twice slowly, looking.Enjoyable show and good to see a few familiar faces too. I'ts probably Dieters truck you mean from D&G tuning, for the record he is from Belgium. Must be my 5th Billing. Was the first time helping on a stand tough. I was thecatering guy at the D&G tuning stand. Was a wonderfull show. Less stands then before my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I thought it was good, met loads of people, saw mouse and the belgium stand was interesting with many discussions about preparation. More importantly, they had beer. Daan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 My first Billing (or any other Land Rover show come to that). I thoroughly enjoyed it apart from the indigestion on Saturday night (though it did give me an excuse to miss out on Paul Bass's magical mystery tour. Great atmosphere (generally) and caught up with lots of mates and made some great new ones too. Highlights of the visit were when Adrian rolled Jims truck on the twist-off ramp. Best bits were the generosity of many of the traders especially Liz and the crew on D4x4 (for Chilli and Leg-bender cider!), and to Anton and crew at OEC for breakfast and for helping me out in my hour of need. Only small bad bit for me was the bad taste left when I got rudely told-off by a foreign lass for apparently getting too close to Mouse on the shires stand (I was admiring the ingenuity and engineering of the door catches) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 the foreign lass is my wife, Im sure you can appreciate that having spent 40 minutes with the police translating for our friends after they got ripped off why she would be err'ing on the side of caution, as it was 2 packs of fags and a pair of shades went missing from mouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 It’s such a shame I love going to shows and enjoyed billing as always as I've only missed one since 92 or 3 can't remember which. Within minuets of being there on Thursdays afternoon I was told to be careful as several caravan awnings had already been slashed and tents robbed which always puts a massive damper on things. I must admit the security van nearly had it horn forcibly removed Friday morning at around 5am and the little golf cars running round at 3 am with out any light made me laugh as all I though when ever I looked at them was the campus police from Dukes of Hazard film..... Big Thanks to Dan for helping with the RR wheel bearing when I was at the end of a short fuse and also fridge, Ryan and Foundry 4x4 for lending me stuff. Otherwise I had a grate time but only bought two rims for the racer but seen loads of cool new stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protoprincess Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 It was a great weekend - very tiring albeit ... Managed to destroy the peugeot on M1 at 5am, getting a tow from Mouse to the camp (hihihi) Big thanks to Shires club - Jen and Dan - are great hosts and Jens BBQ skills are awesome - She is a food goddess (and soon to be a food goddess on portals toooo... : ), Rich and Tracy who we very tolerant of dog slobber and Ryan who helped us to become a land rover "only " family Show was good, bought a foldable BBQ for a £4 - worth going just for that. Lots of things to look at, lot of people to talk to and see again. Love to look at the camping stuff (even when it is way...... out of my price range), lots of shiney things to look at (no idea what they do but if it is shiney it is worth looking at), seeing that big disco by the toilets and wondering if they drove it there or did it came on the trailer.... Was really pleased that the showers were clean and hot, same goes for the toilets. Never get drunk with Richard and Dan around - they are a double trouble but great at balancing baby tomatoes on unsuspecting victims head..... Fridge is a bad boy!!! Clasicall restorations are not supposed to be driven round like that!! Weather was ok - but that is the english summer for you - all together a nice weekend away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I claim diminished responsibility - beardy said Series were slow, a vicious slur that couldn't be left to stand And I only ran over Scrapiron's banner a little bit on the way out... oh so tempting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D9OSV Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Great people, Great fun, Awesome event Have been attending since 1994 and have never seen a bar so well stocked as that of D&G tuning. Stunning trucks and really nice guys and girls. Am very tired but looking forward to the next one already. Only downside not finding time to go and have a look at Mouse I did laugh though when my little boy came back from the Devon stand with a huge Devon sticker on his back...Brillant Cheers everyone Jim Ps: Adrian, i can wait till Tay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Very sorry to hear that so many people had problems with damage and thefts, would certainly explain why Zuz was a bit on edge over at the Shires stand and fully understandable. Next time I will have to change the Gigglepin T-shirt for the HFS one before wandering over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 nah - just bring anadin and a bivvi bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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