I went today.....well just for a long morning really. Got there around 8.30, parked on hardstanding, 5 minutes walk, paid, walked in, no queues, no crowds. Result
Bought some reloading stuff from Norman Clarks, spoke to Colin at Onelesscharlie mods, spoke to Carl about the Drone and other impending stuff for a good 20minutes (Apparently I'm famous for my tits!! or is that infamous??
). Went and spoke to people on various other stands........notably Adam at TJ's about the HD38S's duff design battery holder being it's weakest point in getting the batteries out of the bloody thing to charge them (Nope I didn't buy an external battery and think I'll start another thread on building a charger cradle to take the whole thing!
Erwin at Alan Rhone on custom length pic rails to fit the Drone if needs be
Simon/Dorg at Joe West rifle stocks, Evo/Third Eye on stocks, the new Blaser man - everyone happy to talk about their products - Thanks chaps! Good to speak to you all, much appreciated.
Had a ferret around the various s/h shotgun stands - got a hankering for a nice little english 20 bore SBS. In fact those were the stands it was more difficult to get on (and out of!) otheriwse plenty of room to walk around although it did get busier as the morning went on. As you'd expect... but it wasn't overcrowded at any point. Someone on the SD raised concerns about last years dangerous overcrowding but I did notice staff on every exit door and the aisles were pretty wide in Hall3, a bit narrower in Halls 1 & 2. The Airgun/airsoft hall was virtually deserted.
People didn't seem to be weighed down with shopping bags etc so I guess kit n clothing prices weren't that much of a bargain - understandable at this time of year although there were the usual sale rails and some offers.
Apparently breakfast was a decent price but I had a crap, bland Cheese and Tom Pannini at £5 and a cuppa for £1.60 at the nearest of the vans outside the walkway between Halls 1 and 3 - if it hadn't been pishing it doon I'd have done the circuit of the vans. Bleeuurrgghh. Phtooey!
And I met Marky!! Good to meet yer mate..and I wus only joshing in accordance with the rules of the forum
Then it was back to Carl's to pick up me Drone and offski around 12.30. Home by 2.15
Result! All in all I probably saved the entrance and the fuel in getting to see and speak to the various stands all in one place.
's me...
Fizz
