A good old Charabanc
I went to Llandudno to drop the Mother -in-Law off yesterday, Saturday 2nd May. I had to go in the car as she didn’t fancy being a pillion passenger on the trike. In fact she has never been on a bike or a trike in her life and at 80 plus she says she doesn’t want to start now.
I have been to the Transport Festival on previous years so I know it is a good event, which attracts all forms of engines, buses, cars , lorries, motorcycles and many other forms of transport.
On top of that, the town closes down the Main Street and sets up all sorts of entertainment for the thousands of
Steamers on the Parade
visitors to the Extravaganza, which lasts over the weekend.
Having dropped off the M-i-L at her home, with the wife to sort her out, I abandoned ship and went into town to see the parade. From previous years experience I was struck by the larger crowds this year watching the parade.
Following the parade passing my vantage point, I decided to walk down to the main field for the Festival in Craig Y Don, where all the vehicles would be displayed.
I think that the number of exhibitors this year must have been up on previous years as the field was huge and fully packed out.
Coaches on display
I enjoy looking at all forms of transport and this year I was struck by the quantity and quality of the exhibits to see.
There were some superb goods vehicles on display from small delivery vans (steam and petrol) up to some of the great Scammell heavy lorries. There were some American lorries there which were dwarfed by the Scammells. It was also good to see that the lorries were seen carrying loads, which were disguised living quarters.
The section where the buses and coaches were displayed bought back nostalgic thoughts, as I recognised a large selection of the buses from my childhood and later years.
A moped similar to my first motorised two wheeler
I must admit that I fancy a ride in one of the early open top charabancs that were on display.
Moving on, I came to the bicycles and motorcycles section, and on looking around for a Capitano Moped, similar to the very first powered two wheeler that I owned, I find Bill Squires with his white monster parked up in the “Mopeds under 100cc” section. He and 5 or 6 other Wing owners from GoldWings North West were displaying their Wings and having a good time talking to the crowds.
Big mopeds on display
After helping Bill out by chatting to some of the interested passers-by, I managed to carry on and have a good look around the car section where I spotted many older cars that I grew up with and learnt to drive with.
All too soon, my afternoon was over and I had to leave the field to get back and pick the wife up and make our way home.
Next year I might just buy a motorhome and go and display my trike at the field and find any excuse to stay there for the weekend.
Dave T
Mr Squires chatting to interested parties