Life on wheelsOne of my favourite things about exhibiting at steam rallies is the chance that I get to see and enjoy some fantastic displays that I wouldn't normally get the chance to see.
I try to make the most of the opportunity that I have by walking as far around the showground that I can and documenting my favourite exhibits as I locate them. The pictures in this section were shot over 2 different 3 day events with the first being in 2010 and the second being 3 years later in 2013... while I could have split them up by the year that they were taken for accuracy, I decided to place them all together because I took considerably fewer pictures in 2010 than I took in 2013. |
What a racket!
The barrel organ is something that I used to love because I found that if I stood close enough to it, I could hear it, feel it and admire the things that the moving parts were doing.
These days, I still like to admire the beauty of them, but I'd prefer to admire them better without the music since my hearing is hyper-sensitive in my left ear after I was affected by Bell's Palsy. I find that certain sound frequencies are now physically painful
These days, I still like to admire the beauty of them, but I'd prefer to admire them better without the music since my hearing is hyper-sensitive in my left ear after I was affected by Bell's Palsy. I find that certain sound frequencies are now physically painful
two for one!
Whoever owned this truck certainly spoiled us when they decided to leave their car on the back of it as well!
For something that was only traveling at 5mph (the speed limit is strictly enforced all around the showground for safety reasons), it wasn't easy to capture... and I wasn't able to locate it in the standing area to get a better shot of it.
For something that was only traveling at 5mph (the speed limit is strictly enforced all around the showground for safety reasons), it wasn't easy to capture... and I wasn't able to locate it in the standing area to get a better shot of it.
Funfair of old
I've got to admit that this funfair certainly has a certain charm to it that isn't found in it's more modern counterparts... At the same time, I have to wonder what future generations would make of the rides we have today in comparison to these ones and whatever they will have in their time?
Old Smokey!
Smokey here sure did a good job of clearing out all the spectators with respiratory problems (myself included).
On a side note, I think that it was having some problems running that year because I've seen it working before and don't quite recall it running like that before.
Not long after we left the immediate vicinity, they would have had a rev up contest going on... just to clear out the rest of that particular field! Fortunately, there are 3 other fields for those who can't breathe in this smog screen to go and hide in.
I was fortunate enough to witness this event on a slightly windier day than the one that I shot here, so I was able to stand and view the full routine on one occasion in my lifetime.
On a side note, I think that it was having some problems running that year because I've seen it working before and don't quite recall it running like that before.
Not long after we left the immediate vicinity, they would have had a rev up contest going on... just to clear out the rest of that particular field! Fortunately, there are 3 other fields for those who can't breathe in this smog screen to go and hide in.
I was fortunate enough to witness this event on a slightly windier day than the one that I shot here, so I was able to stand and view the full routine on one occasion in my lifetime.
Another "View one get one free"
Sadly, it was never going to be possible for me to get a good shot of this truck pulling a truck, so I had to choose only one of them to get.
I settled for the one on the back because there is something vaguely familiar about it... but I can't quite place what it is that is so familiar about it.
I settled for the one on the back because there is something vaguely familiar about it... but I can't quite place what it is that is so familiar about it.
sleep in your exhibit...
Perhaps one of the easiest exhibits to have would be a caravan like this because you can simply hook on and go, while other exhibitors have to load and unload their exhibits at each end of the journey.
Of course, on the other side of the coin, it does mean that you can't remain in your accommodation or take a quick nap during the afternoon because you are going to get people looking in at you!
Of course, on the other side of the coin, it does mean that you can't remain in your accommodation or take a quick nap during the afternoon because you are going to get people looking in at you!
Good luck trying to figure out if these are two different caravans or one and the same!
Even I used to struggle with telling these two caravans apart when I first started to share them... it doesn't help that their exhibit numbers aren't visible from this angle either.
After mistakenly sharing the same caravan twice on a couple of occasions, I have now reached a point where I can easily tell the two of them apart from the other - yes, they are 2 different caravans as opposed to the same one taken a few years apart (like I first thought they were).
After mistakenly sharing the same caravan twice on a couple of occasions, I have now reached a point where I can easily tell the two of them apart from the other - yes, they are 2 different caravans as opposed to the same one taken a few years apart (like I first thought they were).
Thatched bird house, anyone?
Usually, for me to take a picture of a stall, it has to be something really special that grabs me completely... and this certainly did all that!
The only thing that I was sad about was the fact that I didn't manage to shoot the picture before the bird house to the rear left of the picture was sold.
I've been fortunate enough to have seen this guy's work before and I always try to take the time to stop and admire it but I'd not had the chance to capture it before because the first time I encountered him, He only had one item remaining in his trailer. Though the bird house he had remaining was pretty, it wasn't really worth grabbing my camera for the shot, so I silently vowed to myself that I'd get a chance to shoot his bird houses one of these days.
This opportunity happened by chance, though, because, although we had a copy of the program, it wasn't something that I'd routinely read at the event because of all the preparation work that goes on ahead of attending events like this.
While the public arrive to admire the vehicles, there is a lot of work that goes on in the lead up to the event opening its doors to them. The biggest job is getting the vehicle running because they often don't get used during the winter months and you can bet that it just won't want to start when you want it to! Then you have to get it to the showground... which isn't so bad in the summer months, it can be nice driving an open vehicle and enjoying the best weather that Mother Nature has to offer - but no one wants the experience in Fall when the weather is cold.
When you get there, you have to unload your vehicle from the trailer and site it in the right place and then you can finally site your caravan up for the weekend - you can bet that we'll get one of these 2 items wrong! One year, we had to leave the caravan behind for a few extra days because we blew a tyre out trying to comply with the instructions of the stewards.
For the two day event, an eight am start is mandatory - even if you decide that you can't be bothered to get up at that time, I guarantee that you will be awake at 8am when the engines all around the field roar to life as one!
So, yes, reading a program isn't exactly top of my list of priorities at the event itself - though I have managed to find the time to do it on a couple of occasions.
The reason that I found out that this guy was attending this rally that year was because I encountered the owners of the missing bird house in another field!
The only thing that I was sad about was the fact that I didn't manage to shoot the picture before the bird house to the rear left of the picture was sold.
I've been fortunate enough to have seen this guy's work before and I always try to take the time to stop and admire it but I'd not had the chance to capture it before because the first time I encountered him, He only had one item remaining in his trailer. Though the bird house he had remaining was pretty, it wasn't really worth grabbing my camera for the shot, so I silently vowed to myself that I'd get a chance to shoot his bird houses one of these days.
This opportunity happened by chance, though, because, although we had a copy of the program, it wasn't something that I'd routinely read at the event because of all the preparation work that goes on ahead of attending events like this.
While the public arrive to admire the vehicles, there is a lot of work that goes on in the lead up to the event opening its doors to them. The biggest job is getting the vehicle running because they often don't get used during the winter months and you can bet that it just won't want to start when you want it to! Then you have to get it to the showground... which isn't so bad in the summer months, it can be nice driving an open vehicle and enjoying the best weather that Mother Nature has to offer - but no one wants the experience in Fall when the weather is cold.
When you get there, you have to unload your vehicle from the trailer and site it in the right place and then you can finally site your caravan up for the weekend - you can bet that we'll get one of these 2 items wrong! One year, we had to leave the caravan behind for a few extra days because we blew a tyre out trying to comply with the instructions of the stewards.
For the two day event, an eight am start is mandatory - even if you decide that you can't be bothered to get up at that time, I guarantee that you will be awake at 8am when the engines all around the field roar to life as one!
So, yes, reading a program isn't exactly top of my list of priorities at the event itself - though I have managed to find the time to do it on a couple of occasions.
The reason that I found out that this guy was attending this rally that year was because I encountered the owners of the missing bird house in another field!
Coming closer...
There's just so much to admire about these products - whether yo happen to be a fan of the dying art of thatching or if you want to admire the detailing of the houses... they are something that I can never get enough of looking at.
I also happen to like the backdrop that he has set up in the background of the shot, too - even though the tree that is on it is fake and serves no real purpose to the product other than eye candy, I think that it adds a little extra depth to the stall and adds a little something extra that wouldn't be there if it wasn't for that backdrop.
I also happen to like the backdrop that he has set up in the background of the shot, too - even though the tree that is on it is fake and serves no real purpose to the product other than eye candy, I think that it adds a little extra depth to the stall and adds a little something extra that wouldn't be there if it wasn't for that backdrop.
Stationary engine
The only thing I can do here is state that this is a stationary engine in operation. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about it to say what type it is or what it would be used for.
Baby Barrel organ!
This barrel organ is usually the very first thing that you encounter when entering Cromford Steam Rally.
As far as barrel organs go, it is rather on the small side - though you shouldn't let that lull you into a false sense of security, because, what it lacks in size... it makes up for in guts! I maintain that this is the noisiest barrel organ on the whole showground!
Unfortunately for me, the tune that it plays happens to have a lot of high pitched notes in it and this is as close as my sensitive ears will allow me to get to it.
Because of the fact that the public entrance to the showground is just out of shot to the left of the image, I didn't get much time to set up getting the perfect angle from this distance so this is the best picture of it that I was able to get to date.
As far as barrel organs go, it is rather on the small side - though you shouldn't let that lull you into a false sense of security, because, what it lacks in size... it makes up for in guts! I maintain that this is the noisiest barrel organ on the whole showground!
Unfortunately for me, the tune that it plays happens to have a lot of high pitched notes in it and this is as close as my sensitive ears will allow me to get to it.
Because of the fact that the public entrance to the showground is just out of shot to the left of the image, I didn't get much time to set up getting the perfect angle from this distance so this is the best picture of it that I was able to get to date.
Miniature traction engines
These traction engines happened to be parked in pairs! They can often be found ferrying people up and down the showground, usually increasing in quantity after the showground closes to the public at 6pm. Because of their nature, they can't be left running unattended since the boilers can explode or they might catch on fire. These two were supervised by an owner standing beside me just out of frame,
Bringing out the Big 'un's
Now that we've admired the babies, it's time to bring out their big brothers!
I actually feel sorry for some of these guys because they are the first to arrive on the showground - and the last ones to leave at the end of the event... in wetter years, it hasn't been unheard of for them to have problems getting about the showground, too.
I actually feel sorry for some of these guys because they are the first to arrive on the showground - and the last ones to leave at the end of the event... in wetter years, it hasn't been unheard of for them to have problems getting about the showground, too.
Steam and beer
This one is a steam engine that I'd wanted to get for some time... but the opportunity was never quite right for me until I spotted it out by the beer tent one night as we were eating at the burger van opposite.
Glancing at this picture for the first time in a few years, I couldn't help but feel angry because at first glance, I thought that the children had been left alone with this huge piece of machinery - but then, I spotted the bucket on the floor and the owner leaning on the wheel which made me feel a little bit better.
Glancing at this picture for the first time in a few years, I couldn't help but feel angry because at first glance, I thought that the children had been left alone with this huge piece of machinery - but then, I spotted the bucket on the floor and the owner leaning on the wheel which made me feel a little bit better.
Lighting up my life
I've seen this collection of lamps on several occasions now... and they are something that I eagerly await the chance to see again whenever I get the chance to do so.
Even though they are unlit, I find the display so eye catching because of the multitude of different designs and colours (it looks beautiful when the sunlight reflects off the brass, too) and I think that the sacks used as a backdrop also add something extra to the display.
Even though they are unlit, I find the display so eye catching because of the multitude of different designs and colours (it looks beautiful when the sunlight reflects off the brass, too) and I think that the sacks used as a backdrop also add something extra to the display.
i can't forget my banner!
Initially, this picture was taken to document the moodiness of the sky that day and it was never intended to be used as a banner. It was only as I was looking at it a later date that I saw the potential of the picture and made use of it.
Fortunately for exhibitors and spectators alike, the bull in the picture isn't real, so no one was in no real danger when the picture was taken.
During the weekend, they had a nice firework display for us to enjoy set up in the woods on the hill. I enjoyed watching those while i ate my tea.
Fortunately for exhibitors and spectators alike, the bull in the picture isn't real, so no one was in no real danger when the picture was taken.
During the weekend, they had a nice firework display for us to enjoy set up in the woods on the hill. I enjoyed watching those while i ate my tea.