The GDSF 50th and largest show ever drew to a close yesterday.

A few days ago this field was rammed with caravans. One of about half a dozen caravan fields.

Ours had 6A electric hookup but this was disconnected late yesterday afternoon.

The infrastructure to deliver all of that was incredible.

We had a great time and met folks who’ve travelled from all over Europe and as far afield as Australia and the USA. Everyone had a great time and we felt it a privilege to be here.

(Except perhaps those arriving Saturday on a day ticket who queued for 4 hours to get in and a similar time to get out of the showground!).

This is the fith and final day of the show. The weather has improved and caravans were leaving the camping grounds in the morning without the assistance of a tractor.

We rustled up a breakfast brunch for the four of us and headed back to the showground for one last visit (to the Real Ale tent…).

Moe visited the World War I display / re-enactment which we had visited a few days earlier to take a few pictures.

 

Months of hot summer weather had created a very dry showground but all of that changed today. Torrential rail turned the showground and camping grounds into a mudbath. Hope things have dried up by Tuesday.

Sunday lunch in Chris and Alison’s van was a great way to spend the wet day… Delicious roast.

Thursday was the official opening day of this five day event – the 50th anniversary of the show – 520 full size steam engines in total on site but the official record stated only 472 as some of the engines were not rideable. This is still a new world record. The weather was generally ok for the first three days with Saturday being the pick of the bunch. It wasn’t as warm as much of the summer but just about acceptable. The weather for Sunday looks a little more ominous…

The quietest area to grab some food and drink (especially some exquisite cider) was the Food Hall area. To be honest, there’s no shortage of street food (of varying quality) throughout the entire Steam Fair.

A summary of the first few days is documented in the many pictures below.

 

 

 

The Great Dorset Steam fair is the world’s largest heritage and cultural event, showcasing Great Britain’s National industrial, agricultural and rich leisure legacy… And this year it got much bigger.

2018 marks the 50th Anniversary show and is starring 500 full size steam engines, never before has such a gathering been attempted….

A short drive from the campsite and then organised chaos in entering the site. There are a lot of “travellers” here for the event.

It then took a little while to find an ideal camping spot and to mark out the territory.

The GDSF is huge show. Six music venues, 500 steam engimes and lots of stuff to see and do.

A few pictures to follow.

Music highlights…

 

We are en-route to the Great Dorset Steam Fair. An event highly recommended by our next door neighbours and some friends we met out in Spain (Chris and Alison).

We arrived at Summerlands Camping and Caravanning site following about a 2 hour drive from North Hampshire. The campsite is located south of Salisbury and close to the A354, which will be the route of our short journey to the Steam Fair tomorrow.

This is a lovely site with a small and pristinely kept toilet block consisting of two toilets and a shower in both the Mens and Ladies sections.

This is our last piece of civilisation before the show. The view from our van is stunning.

Our friends (due to the height of their “horsebox”) are parked up in the rally field.

Dinner was at the Fox and Goose, Coombe Bissett. Very good pub grub.