Happiness, Hilton and Petrol Fumes

I m never happier than when I am up to my neck in all things car related.  So Top Gear Live is an annual pilgrimage for me. When it is at at London it is a daily commute, but when at the NEC it is a relocation to the Hilton Metropole.

Now I am no brand snob, but to me the Hilton is the best. It has become a home from home, the staff friendly the rooms comfortable and the whole lay out is just perfect for the NEC. A few minute walk door to door, although it felt like a mile on sticks, but still do able. Normally we choose to stay in an executive room, but thisyear we had a standard de luxe twin room, as it was a birthday treat. To be honest the room was little different from the ex room so it was still more than comfortable, and the the service was still to the high standards expected. In the Hilton is treated as if they are some one whether they be world famous or Joe Blogs. I was in the lounge bar this morning with mum having pre journey coffee two sofas down from us was Paul Hollywood from the Great British Bake off and his family, yet the service we all received was the same high standard.

There is another side to the Hilton, it dark side, the nightlife, it is well a little mad. I am not going to tell you all tales of past stays there, what happens in Birmingham stays in Birmingham. But needless to say we come home to sleep after stay there. Sure the drinks and food come at hotel prices and their cocktail menu is  limited, but after a few drinks you forget about that and get on with what is happening in the bar that night. It could involve drivers stories, stuffed penguins or people dressed as Arabian knights. I have seen it all.

But the Hilton is the the by product of why I drove up and done the M40 this weekend. It was Top Gear Live weekend. That means lungs full of car fumes, ears blasted with noise and in my case throat sore from yelling at the presenters as they entertain us with their latest crazy ideas. My favourites are all ways the drifting and stunt work, and over the years got to know various drivers in those fields. It all helps to make the weekend more special. That and the company of great friends with the same interests. One of these friends went out of her way to make the weekend special insisting on arming me with a scooters so I could get round the whole day with a greater element of freedom, which in itself enabled me to get to seating in an area designated for my needs alongside her and mum. She is also the friend who is responsible for my hangover this morning, but the less said out that the better lol.

The whole show is always a laugh and worth seeing, at least once. My camera normally ends up over heating and this year was no different, there are spectacles and some time mishaps of comic elements,stunts and pure comedy. It is like an uncensored version of the show with a lot more. For any one who enjoys the show it is a must if you only make it once, but make sure you take ear plugs something will always go bang whether it is meant to or not.

There is always a display of the top ten cars you would want in a garage. This year I was torn between the Porsche, the Morgan and the Aston. So nothing cheap there.

For a car show this year there were a lot of bikes, from a world record attempt to flying across the arena as flaming pumpkins! I did say this was Top Gear. There was side car polo and a demonstration on centrifugal force involving car crashes, well remember it is Top Gear. On the track there was the standard car in a a reasonably priced car to half car racing, a Stig grudge match to hot hatches. There was something for everyone.


In my household there is a presenter for each of our tastes, and all things Top Gear is a family matter. So this event is taken seriously every year. It is a sacred event, which is relished from start to finish. The main difference from my lack of time there this years is apart from lack of photos (200 instead of 2000), I didn't find enough time and energy to see all the exhibits, and missed out on catching up with everyone. But considering my lack of mobility and strength I couldn't have done much more if I was there for another day, except maybe another 200+ photos.

My scooter was a godsend for me, if a little dangerous for those who weren't paying attention. It became a a case of they ran everywhere so I ran them over, and who ever made fully geared scooters needs a knighthood, I even had a speed setting, although the horn needed much improvement I could barely hear it, let alone any one else. May I suggest something more becoming a fog horn would be more useful over that noise. But that was the only bug bear I really had, except for the lack of disability awareness of a certain sandwich bar, but that's for another blog.


For those who can't tell, I am now a very happy little bunny, if a little tired. I have seen way to much stupidity on motorways in the last two days, but on the stage I saw pure genius. Can't wait till next year so praying I win the lottery, a trip to Durban to see it again sounds perfect to me.