Admins Corner

This month Ian spent part of his Land Rover Life sat in the back of Minty watching the rain, then played tin can top trumps.

So, for the first time, I am actually writing this column from the back of a Land Rover. Minty my 1967 109” to be precise. It is the Leafer’s at t’pit weekend, a show for Land Rovers with – as the name suggests – leaf springs. It’s a wet one. Very wet one, hence sheltering in the back of Minty doing some admin work. It’s a completely different experience from last weekend, where the sun was shining and everyone was in shorts and t-shirts.

And this got me thinking. Classic Land Rovers are not the best when it comes to inclement British weather. For a start, they leak. Little droplets of rain will drip on you from various gaps as you drive along. You are forever having to wipe the inside of the windows as they steam up. And as for the wind screen wipers, they on the whole just manage to keep up. It isn’t the greatest driving experience if I am honest, yet here I am in a field of other like minded people who endured the same challenges just to be here. We must be mad.

People are wandering around, umbrellas in hand chatting to owners and other show visitors alike. One Land Rover is under a Gazebo, with the owners trying to find out why the lights stopped working on the drive here. Others are there to help whilst others just like the catching up with old friends.

We have said many times that Land Rover Life is as much about the community as it is the vehicles themselves, and the Leafer’s at t’pit show embodies this very well. Whilst you may not know everyone in the field, you do recognise them (or at least their Land Rovers). Its friendly and laid back. Its a weekend to chill if I am honest.

Come the evening three traditions take place. Firstly the organisers will man the BBQ’s and feed the masses. We usually sit outside, but this year saw us all hundled in the Old Land Rover Arms escaping the relentless rain.

Second there is the charity auction, where various Land Rover badges, hats and other memorabilia are sold to raise funds for the light railway that is also located at t’pit.

An finally, the Tin Can top trumps. A firm favorite of the regulars. You bring along your tin and pick an ingredient asking if anyone has either more or less than yours. Mechanically separated Chicken has never sounded so tempting. Afterwards, all the food goes to a local food bank. Its all good fun indeed.

Next week I will be manning our stand at the LRO show – A completely different weekend indeed. I just hope my sun glasses are more in demand than my boots.