I had never been to the Pres's Weekend before, so I'll try to tell the story as I go.  The weekend isn't a show as such and it's not a "Southern National" contrary to some speculation or anything else that is particularly formal.  What it is, is an opportunity for club members to meet and chill, have some fun, have a meal and/or a few beers, generally kick back and do whatever they fancy.

Saturday was and apparently always is a get together day, as various people will arrive, at various times, on various ferries, so no show to attend.  A bunch of us met in the evening in Shanklin and went for a meal. Lots of Marina and Ital blah, blah.

Sunday was Robin Hill, an adventure park, so great for children of all ages. The weather wasn't great and we had to be there before 9.30, so they could get us into the show area before they opened to the public, as for some reason they don't like their punter's children getting run over.



Some cars got in after the 9.30am deadline, mainly because they had only just got off the ferry, having come for the day.  In total there were I think 24 cars, these are just a few.

Balmy made it there


Can't recall whose this was - but it was in really good condition


Fruity made it to


First sight of Philips daily driver - soon to be given the Uncle Frank treatment


Balmy covets this Suntor - even the lack of clutch slave wouldn't put him off.


After a while some of us got bored (alright Darren and myself).



We stayed until about four'ish and could have stayed for the evening as they were showing an outdoor film show, Saturday had been Grease, but the Sunday film was Jungle Book, I think only I knew all the songs and it was too cold to sit in the open, so we didn't stay.

Different groups went different ways, with most of the islanders going home.  Some of us visitors started in an hotel bar and ended up in a restaurant pub and then found an amusement arcade where we raced one another on linked NasCar games.  When we finally got back to the hotel the car park was full of Marinas and there were even more Marina-ists in the bar and the booze flowed.  As some of us were guests, it went on a bit (was it 2.00 a.m. Andy?).

Monday opened much warmer and everyone gathered at Calbourne Water Mill, which is both a beautiful spot anyway and was sheltered in a little dell.  Together with the Marinas and Itals were a Mini club, some odds and sods (including Ben Clayton's 2.8 Capri) and a large display of Military gear and stationary farm engines.







Every now and then the exhaust would fill with unburnt gas and there would be a CRACK like a 12 bore shotgun - kept everyone awake though.










Come on in the back - pedal faster!


Take two!


Towards the end of the day, we took some posed shots of individual cars by the little windmill on site.

Franks Mumford


Jim's TC with new green leather interior


Paul Mondey's Rally Car


I know it's not a Marina or Ital, but a running joke all day was that Ben Clayton's Capri was in fact a rare Ital Sport.


Can't recall whose it is - if you'll let me know I'll add a note.


Can't recall whose this is either - if you'll let me know I'll add a note.


Steve's TC saloon


Paul's award winning Jubilee


Richard's Ital just back from some small paint improvements.


Once again I can't recall whose it is - if you'll let me know I'll add a note.


So the President's Weekend - was it worth going?  Yes it was.  It's not a general show and it's not a National, it's just members getting together and having a good time.  Would I go again?  Definitely, I'm already checking calendars, hotel bookings and ferry schedules.  See you there next year?