Okehampton 2007

Another successful visit to Okehampton Camp, I love the place.

After a mind numbing journey from Birmingham on Thursday, we arrived in sunny Brixham in time for tea. This was a different plan to last year, when me and ‘Small Child’ traveled on the Friday and arrived in the dark after nearly killing ourselves (and the Land Rover) on the steep climb up to the camp. So we had all Friday morning to pack stuff into the trailer and get ready to meet at Ian’s at 1300.

After hitching up the trailer and testing lights we negotiated the hazards of Brixham and Paignton to arrive a fashionable 5 minutes late on the Chick doorstep. There we were greeted by the sight of a very sick TJ and an aching Ian. Ian was not in good nick considering he’d just come back from his hols, just what he got up to, god only knows. Still we blagged a drink, after conning his daughter, Gemma, into making it and after bidding the Chick Hospital farewell, myself, Paul (Pop Larkin) and Small Child set off for Okey.

Seeing as Paul was Chevy less and was driving his Toyota, I asked him to lead. I also thought he’d know some secret quick ways, but he didn’t and we trundled along on the A380 towards Exeter. Here things got a bit fraught, I’d told Paul my truck wouldn’t go above 50. Well it doesn’t, except downhill, so I found myself holding the Landy back, jut when I needed to gain speed to get up the next hill. So in the Ideford dip, Paul found a Land Rover & trailer steaming past at 60 in the inside lane, well we steamed past for about 100 yards before normal speeds of 30 mph for uphill bits was resumed.

We soon got to Okehampton and by sheer luck found all the right turnings towards the camp before the clutch burning climb into the camp itself (I really should have stopped and selected ‘Low Ratio’). Then it was book in and wait for all the school kids to finish (there was a school trip going on) and take our place in the shed.

Seeing as we were down to 2 vehicles (SAS Pinky [Karl] was to join later), we decided that the shed should be used just for camping and the vehicles displayed outside, unlike previous years. Later on the 29^th Infantry Div display set up in the shed, so we kind of led naturally into their display. Karl turned up just after we’d fed ourselves courtesy of a local kebab emporium seeing as Small Child could not see the chip shop when sent on a recce. Friday night was spent in the NAAFI and after having a late night session in the shed with a few bottles of ale we, retired to our tents.

Up bright and early for breakfast in the cookhouse and then we put the vehicles outside. We left a space for Ian, but that was soon to prove unnecessary as he couldn’t make it due to another domestic tragedy.

As can be seen, we looked a bit sparse, I suppose I could have moved up, but didn’t bother. However, Karl’s Pinky attracted a lot of attention where it was.

At the 0900 briefing, the Camp Commandant asked for vehicles to go into town and distribute flyers advertising the weekend. So, the Pinky, my Landy and a collection of Jeeps set sail to do the rounds. We went the car parks distributing the leaflets to the local populace, or rather sticking them on their windscreens. All went well until we met Mr Jobsworth in Lidl’s car park, who said we must get permission etc. We apologized and left, whereupon he carefully removed every flyer and took them away. It must have worked though, as on our return, there were plenty of people about.

Here’s a few pics of what was about:

In the afternoon we were treated to The Rifles ‘Salamanca Band’

and a fly past by Austers and Piper Cubs that are the types used as spotter planes immediately following the war.

After the show closed it was down to the chip shop (now located) and a fish supper. The NAAFI opened at 1900, so we wandered down to listen to the community wailing (I think it supposed to be singing) and watching the goings on. At this point, the Ford family turned up ready to re-enact any war at any time. Once the NAAFI closed we retired (merrily) to our beds.

Sunday provided much of the same, so while taking it in turns to guard vehicles, we had a good look round. The stalls were sparse, but some of the displays were very good. The Small Arms Trainer proved popular and me and Small Child took the chance for a bit of target practice using the SA80 (I beat him). About 1400, Karl packed up and headed for home (6 hours away), so we moved up into his spot while we packed up the trailer in readiness to go ourselves. By 1630, the masses had departed, so we said our goodbyes and left ourselves.

Okehampton once again proved to be a small, but likeable show. You can park up your vehicle and pitch your tent wherever you like (within reason) and the Camp staff are really friendly. I learnt a lot about my Landy from an ex Marine and Karl gained a few contacts for bits to finish off his Pinky, all in all a good show.

Nige.