Our annual pilgrimage to the Mini Mecca in Oxfordshire took place in August. We took our three minis to the Mini in the Park, courtesy of the Border City Mini Club. On the stand with us were a number of minis including Chris Allen's red Mini Sprite, which had been to Minimaster for a bit of body attention and respray.

The weather was fine with a bit of cloud, and the turnout to the show was once again impressive. According to Nick Payne from the magazine, numbers were up by over 20%. Noticeable were the number of new minis, which adorned the show ground, particularly at the British Mini Club stand.

Along with us were our friends, Mr and Mrs Vidler who had brought their Riley Elf and entered it into the concourse competition. It was up against four other Elf's, two of which are regulars at many concourse competitions. Although, sadly they did not win, they were commended by the judges, and gained respect from the other competitors. With the problems identified, Mr Vidler intends to learn from the show and make the necessary amendments: watch out for him next year!

Once again the MkI Mini Cooper 'S's stole the show, and new to the crew of immaculate concourse condition exhibits was this white one, which had been very recently completed. What a beauty! All I can say is, "one day!"

The show threw up some interesting items. This one is of the last mini engine (allegedly) to be built. All the engineers and engine assembly people have etched their names on to the engine. Some how it had slipped through the fingers of the Heritage Centre.

There were plenty of weird and wonderful minis too. There were quite a few twin-cam minis including this rather brash Elf. This one had been completely customised, with the front end cut off to shoe-horn a beautifully prepared twin-cam engine into it. Others were demonstrated on the sprint circuit on the top of the hill.

All-in-all, it was a pleasant trip out, and a nice busman's holiday for the family. The next day, a combined group travelled home with the obligatory stop at the KFC. The group of minis parked in the motorway service station attracted some attention.