Steam and smiles in the sunshine

Grubby black faces, blue overalls, shiny engines and steam...lots and lots of steam...combined with big smiles and enthusiasm. The heady mix of oil and water filled the air as we arrived at the Weald of Kent Steam Rally in bright morning sunshine.

There was a stillness and quiet in the air before the public arrived yet a buzz bubbled under the surface with the anticipation of the arena displays, air show and meeting new friends that share the love of engines, mechanical engineering and all things vintage.

The smell took me back to my childhood with funfairs, steam engines and ice creams! A fantastic show made all the more of a spectacle from sheer enthusiasm from the Marshall at the gate to the engine drivers to the air display pilots.

Exhausting, hot but oh so much fun and made lovely new friends along the way too from the friendly Chipmunk pilot to cheeky steam engine drivers to four legged fluffy friends. Looking forward to doing it all over again tomorrow representing fly2help and commentating for my Turbies.

(I've fallen asleep several times trying to write this so apologies if it doesn't make sense)!