A welcome return visit

The Special stayed just within the Welsh border as once again it paid a visit to the Three Cocks Vintage Show, a hop, skip and jump from bibliophile heaven Hay-on-Wye.

And again it was the C15 Romahome entered for the day, providing a useful base for cups of tea and sustenance as The Special explored the show fields and whiled away a fair few hours admiring the displays.

A goodly selection of classics included a Swallow Doretti a MkI Ford Zephyr, as well as, parked next to the Romahome, new mate Tom’s smashing Volvo 240GL which, at one stage, was referred to by one visitor as a 190E. Yes, really.

Displays by several local clubs showed just how vibrant border country is when it comes to old cars – but not just cars, as a selection of trucks, and the ever-popular traction engines offered a useful diversion. The Leyland Beaver, in Carnation Milk colours, was an especially pleasing sight, as was a Scammell Mountaineer.

Of course the Three Cocks show remains a must-visit events for anyone who likes their tractors not only old, but in working condition. While it’s always pleasing to see a tractor that’s fully restored it’s the grubby, the patinated and the knocked-about, still-working models that aways fire up so much interest. And rightly so, because it seems the patinated condition trend that’s more acceptable with cars today has been in the classic tractor scene for many years.

We weren’t the first to arrive, but we were one of the last to leave. Saying goodbye to the show field for another year gave cause to reflect on what a great event this always is, so here’s to the next one.