AUSTIN SEVEN OWNERS CLUB CAMPING WEEKEND JUNE 2005 BRIAN GRETA WEST NELSON KRUSCHANDL SHARON TEDDY MARIA GREGSON REIDLER JAMES SCOTFORD SMITH HOG ROAST

AUSTIN WEEKEND JUNE 2005

It was all set for another superb Austin Seven Club get together in Hampshire. The first port of call was a drive through the forest on rough tracks, with permission from the park ranger, ending with a luncheon at a local pub.

A lovely cream and black Austin Seven, New Forest 2005

A lovely cream and black Austin Seven

Teddy and Judy Reidler are members of this club and Brian and Greta West are related, where Judy and Greta are sisters. I was invited as a friend of the family and took with me Sharon, Gemma and James. Sharon is Brian and Greta's daughter. Maria Gregson was also camping overnight to watch over Anna, and Charlotte, cousins to Gemma and James. Hence, it was a great big family adventure starting with a trip to the New Forest, following the grandparents in their large modern, but slightly underpowered camper wagon.

New Forest road stop - Anna, Maria, Judy, Greta and Brian

New Forest road stop - Anna, Maria, Judy, Greta and Brian

Once we'd found the campsite (a field belonging to a fellow club member) we set up home. The next morning all the assembled Sevens trundled out to the hardly used forest roadway, which is normally closed to the public. We followed Uncle Teddy in our ordinary 5 series BMW (no sold), with Maria bringing up the rear in her trusty white Citroen. See below the fabulous selection of Austin Sevens which attended this rally and completed the course with flying colours, though we got slightly lost and had to ask directions at a local sweet shop.

Finally, carving the Hog Roast, Austin Seven camping weekend

Finally, carving the Hog Roast

That evening we had a delightful hog roast which we enjoyed by a huge bonfire with seats all around. Hog roasts take many hours to cook, but you can enjoy watching the roasting spit turn slowly over hot coals, which of course makes trying the meat and crackling all the more delicious.

A rugged, almost military looking Austin Seven

A rugged, almost military looking Austin Seven

Austin Sevens are not that expensive to buy and spare parts are easily obtained thanks to a network of enthusiasts. Some Austins sport Reliant engines, and this is a fairly common conversion, which adds a few mph, but not that much.

Beautiful dark scheme on this classic Austin Seven