Brian and Danielle's birthday bash (or - thats a big hill!!!!!!!!!)

Well, I though I would post a couple of teaser pics that do not fully capture what was going on and in particular the scene behind the camera as the shots were taken. more will be posted in the next few days, of that I have no doubt. It is my 50th and my daughter's 18th this year so my wife suggested we have a joint party to celebrate but we had no idea what would happen and the result was amazing, my wife is the best when it comes to things like this.   The day could not have been better with the weather and the atmosphere in out garden right through the day up until midnight - I will never forget this day and in particular those that took the time out and the expense to come and join us with their engines.      

We had 6 DCC engines together at once and they all went up a nice steep hill following me on the full size Garrett, Little Billy pulling a trailer full of people up in front of them. Once we got to the pub at the top everyone was raving about how much fun they had, even those on the trailer getting all the crap from the chimney. People were coming out of there houses to see what was going on, taking pictures and waving to us all. There is video of the climb which will be coming to me soon so watch this thread. Oh and I finally got my revenge for when Dwain burnt my chimney at Little Leigh Steam Party last October, both of the Morgan's chimneys are now missing paint and even Kev's came off too - Blackbeard's chimney was of course fine along with Andy and Lynn's.   

A special thanks to Lynn for travelling the furthest of all and for all her help leading up to the day as she helped out during the week getting things set up and big thanks (in no particular order) to Brian and Dwain Morgan for bringing their engines and their families along too, Kev Chambers and Andy Cole for travelling a great distance to be with us for the day and bringing Kevs fabulous organ to tempt Dwain and Brian. A big thank you to Anthony Cowell who provided an organ, generator, chairs, fridge etc.. and brought his own full size Burrell Gold Medal Tractor called Laddie for the afternoon and evening participating in our little road run and also played on the hill. It was very humbling that they all wanted to come. One final thanks to James Tilbury and his lovely girlfriend Claire who cleaned and looked after Blackbeard for the day to ensure he could take part and driving up the hill in top gear overtaking everyone. I think James will be looking to change is 4" agricultural engine in as he could not stop singing Blackbeard's praises.  

Looking forward to more pics and the video
looks like a lot of fun was had
Kev

Couple more quick snaps from the day..











Shovel breakfast of course.



Night night shot of the fair.

A few more pictures.
Video of the road run still to come.

Nice photo's lynn looking forward to the video . Is that Dwain with a pint or two

Brilliant photos Lynn, must have taken forever to up load them... Thank you for doing so!!

What a fantastic gathering, congratulations Brian... a job exceedingly well done!!

I bet the local community were pretty amazed!!.... I take it you don't live in a "smokeless zone"   

Regards,
Tony.... Totally Impressed!!

Just carrying for someone else. Honest.

Fantastic set of pics, really looking forward to video even more now   

Great photos Lynn but can't see your smiling face in any. Happy birthday Brian from STW builders down under. Looks like all attendees had a great time. Perhaps you should make this wee gathering an annual event. Cheers Shane

What an awesome post and brilliant pictures. Sorry Steve and i weren't there to help you celebrate but it looks like you had an amazing time any way.

Well done to every one involved. You should be very proud indeed of your engines.

Dean

Looked a great little event,
thanks for posting the photos Lynn
Are there more events like this planned?

Kev

Amazing pictures, looks like it was a lot of fun

Thanks Lynn for posting; the pictures are great.

The day was a really relaxing one and the road run top draw. The best bit for me was the double header using a push pole, the two engines flew up the hill and we had to slow down because Brian was in the way with Little Billy. Yes I have to say a Road Loco and Showman working together      WHAT DID I DO   . I have got to say thank you to Kev as he took my wife on his engine and she really enjoyed it. (we may have started converting a wife to steam    ) Also I nicked Kev's push pole (cheers mate very much appreciated you letting me take it). If you have never done a double header you have to try it.  

That was the first time Brian and I generated both engines at night. It was a shame Lynn was not able to join us, that would have been a good photo.

By the way Lynn was right Andy I was carrying the beer for two people and it was the same set of shots...........honest.

A big thank to Ann, Brian W, Andy, Kev, Brian M, Lynn and Tony for a get steam day and my wife for letting me do it.

We must do the same next year maybe near me as we have another 3 STW engines that did not go to Brian's near me (plus two 6" forden's that must be ready by then)

Best regards,

Dwain

Great Do and the bacon and egg butties were top notch...

Lynn - Thanks for posting

Brian M

Thanks for your replies and photos, I was able to get to them late in the evening while in Cornwall at the Cornwall Show before going to bed, the picture of Danielle in front of Little Billy will probably be framed as it is so good.

I have got some videos from my friend Kevin who does the Levens Hall collection and he got good video of Blackbeard following up the hill then overtaking plus Kev with Nicky (Dwain's wife) steering also following. Awaiting Lynne's GoPro camera footage from the top of her dynamo and other peoples before I try and edit some video together.

Tony

We actually live in a smoke controlled zone but everyone was well behaved.

Dwain

I would love to come over to Cheshire for another informal event with you guys and the other STW engines. BTW, Ann just mentioned that she is 50 next year and Declan is 18 so she is thinking about what to do next year   

Lynn

You need to put on a couple of pictures of the Blues Brothers.

Trying to get the photos and video sorted for sending this weekend.

Right. Sorry for the delay. Now I have my faster broadband. 54Mb down and 10Mb up. Here is the long waited birthday road run.

Great video Lynn, what camera where you using?

With best wishes
Simon

GoPro Hero 2

excellent, it is on my Christmas list already. Just purchased a series one Landy so the funds are a bit low at the mo!

Fantastic Lynn, I watched both clips from start to finish, which took a while on my "steam driven internet"!! I was totally "entranced" by the whole journey.

A wonderful gathering & I bet you're delighted you went so close to the equator!! Weather just perfect!!

Regards to you & all who took part,

Tony

Great video's Lynn, you lot are totally mad, the bit on the main road scared the livin daylights out of me and I was only watching it LOL

Thanks lynn great videos it was a great weekend thanks to all shame it was only one day ..

Thanks for posting Lynn,
it looked a great event

Kev

Thanks for posting the on-board footage Lynn, a great reminder of what a good day we all had. I must point out to everyone that the first few minutes of video part two is all about the fact that THREE engines burnt the paint off their chimneys if you listen carefully. The Morgan twins and Kevin all had work to do after this event but all said they would do it again, it was a great challenge.

I must also point out that the organ you hear playing on video part one is actually the miniature one Kevin built and everyone was blown away by how good it sounded on the day, it is a superb bit of engineering and all Kevin's ideas are in it.

I am just putting some more video footage onto YouTube so I can put it on here. I am going to try and get other people's video footage in the coming weeks and hopefully edit it all together into a little movie if I can.

Cheers

Brian