The Bill Targett Steam Rally Adventure

This is a collection of photos that tell a story of our two weeks with our traction engine "Victoria" and one we have to look after for this season called "Lady".

The Bill Targett Steam Rally is always a big trip, it's about 23 miles away so that's about 4 hours on the road before we even get to the rally field.

Jump to Lady Pride of England arrives Jump to The cleaning begins Jump to Victoria travels again Jump to Mrs Duck and her 11 ducklings Jump to Together on the field Jump to Fowell traction Engine "Cromwell" Jump to Aveling and Porter traction engine "Queen Victoria" Jump to Sentinel wagon and roller Jump to More engines, they're everywhere... Jump to Victoria taking on water Jump to Keeping an eye on us Jump to Lady coming home Jump to From the rear Jump to Lady taking on water Jump to Victoria on the A272 Jump to Lady on the A272
Lady Pride of England arrives

Lady Pride of England arrives

This is "Lady" arriving back in the south after some years away in the Midlands. She was gently unloaded and moved to the rally field where her season with us would start for the year...

The cleaning begins

The cleaning begins

The next day we were back to the damp chilly field and giving her a good clean ready for her weekend at the rally. All hands on deck or should that be all polish and rags on brass...

Victoria travels again

Victoria travels again

Mid week it was Victoria's turn to go to the rally field, so a 23 mile trip along the Hampshirw roads and 4 hours later we arrived at the rally field.
Mrs Duck and her 11 ducklings

Mrs Duck and her 11 ducklings

This photo was taken in the pretty village of Cheriton, Hampshire, where it has a wonderful clear stream running all through the village and I couldn't believe this mummy had 11 ducklings. So sweet!!
Together on the field

Together on the field

At last both engines are safely at the rally field waiting for the big weekend.
Fowell traction Engine "Cromwell"

Fowell traction Engine "Cromwell"

The next few photos were taken on Saturday of some of the 43 engines that were at the rally. This is just a hand full of them.
Aveling and Porter traction engine "Queen Victoria"

Aveling and Porter traction engine "Queen Victoria"

Sentinel wagon and roller

Sentinel wagon and roller

More engines, they're everywhere...

More engines, they're everywhere...

Victoria taking on water

Victoria taking on water

Here is Victoria on her return journey home after a busy weekend. Here we are taking water onboard from the stream in Cheriton once again, but this time sadly the ducks didn't show.
Keeping an eye on us

Keeping an eye on us

This Buzzard flew over us, although they were once quite an unusal site they seem to be getting more and more popular, especially around us locally. Still an impressive site though.
Lady coming home

Lady coming home

Here it's Lady's turn on the road, looking lovely chuffing along.

From the rear

From the rear

Lady taking on water

Lady taking on water

This is Lady taking on water on her return home only this time it's from a hydrant.
Victoria on the A272

Victoria on the A272

This and the next picture were taken at the same spot but a few days apart.

On Victoria we have Lloyd driving and Kev steering.

Lady on the A272

Lady on the A272

Lady at the same spot but Lloyd driving and Keith steering.

This for Lloyd was a new experance, having never driven a showmans engine on the road before and I think the smile said he was enjoying it.

So there we are, two engines and one rally, took us two weeks of elapsed time to get them both there and back but we had a great time and to two grand old ladies look wonderful. Their combined ages are 228 years old...