Not just a Bus rally, this event also has a large classic car display, free bus rides, and the opportunity to ride a steam train on the water cress line.

I attended this last year with several Classic Panda's and had a very enjoyable day. Other members of the Classic Panda section expressed an interest in attending so we hope to have an even larger presence this year.

The show is open to all classic cars so other Fiats are welcome just send off the application form from their website......

http://www.altonbusrally.com/

Entry is free!


Itinerary for Sunday:-

8.30am - Assemble at 40 Grebe Close, GU34 2LR to convoy to showground.

9.00am - Leave for showground. (Those that wish to make their own way to the show can arrive at any time up to 11.00am, but I would
recommend that we are set up by 10.00am if possible).

5.00pm - Show ends.

Ok, basic info above, anyone wanting to attend please print off the application form from the official website and post it in to them. We are too late to be included in the programme as I've waited too long to remind everyone but we are still welcome to attend.

The organisers have recommended that we convoy in to make it easier to park together, I did this last year and there was no problem at all. Don't worry if you can't meet up for this, as long as I know you are coming we can save you a space, just tell the marshalls you are with the Panda club when you arrive. It's a big park area so there is plenty of room.

For those who can meet up early for the convoy I will post a meeting point and time a little later.

Separate to the event I will be organising a trip out on the Saturday. This was to include some softroading for those so inclined but my resident expert in such matters informs me that so many of the routes have closed to vehicles by the local authority that there is nowhere to go.

I will, therefore, plan a nice scenic route in the countryside starting early afternoon to give people plenty of time to travel down, and maybe ending at a nice pub for an evening meal.

I will do a little research on accomodation and post my findings asap for those wishing to stay over.

I will get as many of my own cars there as possible so with the other members I am currently aware of attending we should be able to make Quite a presence.

Looking hopeful for the whole weekend......

The mention of steam trains as a birthday treat seems to have offset the spectre of Southend Bus Show's, so Mum's sounding onside! To do the whole weekend we'd need to stay Sat night - VmanC we need quiet, clean comfortable, not too posh - any recommendations?! The cats will be ok for one day away if I throw enough food at them, so that's sorted....

How worried are the organisers going to be about the right Panda turning up? I don't know which to book!! Any preference?

Palio said:

Looking hopeful for the whole weekend......

The mention of steam trains as a birthday treat seems to have offset the spectre of Southend Bus Show's, so Mum's sounding onside! To do the whole weekend we'd need to stay Sat night - VmanC we need quiet, clean comfortable, not too posh - any recommendations?! The cats will be ok for one day away if I throw enough food at them, so that's sorted....

How worried are the organisers going to be about the right Panda turning up? I don't know which to book!! Any preference?

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Well I am a little biased so I would say Panto wouldn't I.

We will have a couple of Sisley's and at least two more 4x4's so they are covered, I could also A frame Casper there so that we have the Mk 1's represented.

Barbara has mentioned a good B&B she's heard of but we don't know where it is or what it's called. We are on the scent though and will post the details asap.

Anyone wanting to ride the train will need to book tickets well in advance through The Watercress Line as they do fill up places fairly quickly.

VmanC said:

Well I am a little biased so I would say Panto wouldn't I.

We will have a couple of Sisley's and at least two more 4x4's so they are covered, I could also A frame Casper there so that we have the Mk 1's represented.

Barbara has mentioned a good B&B she's heard of but we don't know where it is or what it's called. We are on the scent though and will post the details asap.

Anyone wanting to ride the train will need to book tickets well in advance through The Watercress Line as they do fill up places fairly quickly.

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Well I was going to book Panto, but call me cynical, I wasn't convinced he'd be 100% ready this coming weekend (there seem to be quite a lot of things to do still - air filter, roof lining, carpets, etc) as per plan Q (Stanford Hall). That being the case we're starting to get quite close to the Alton show - is he going to be back with me full time before then?

there's a good b&b somewhere, probably, that no one can find? Did I get that right? Sounds perfect though

Oh ok, what's the best way of doing that? The show site seems to suggest that tickets can be bought from the show ground on the day. Clearly local knowledge says otherwise - thanks. :worship:

Palio said:

Well I was going to book Panto, but call me cynical, I wasn't convinced he'd be 100% ready this coming weekend (there seem to be quite a lot of things to do still - air filter, roof lining, carpets, etc) as per plan Q (Stanford Hall). That being the case we're starting to get quite close to the Alton show - is he going to be back with me full time before then?

there's a good b&b somewhere, probably, that no one can find? Did I get that right? Sounds perfect though

Oh ok, what's the best way of doing that? The show site seems to suggest that tickets can be bought from the show ground on the day. Clearly local knowledge says otherwise - thanks. :worship:

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I wouldn't wait till the show myself just to avoid possible disappointment. They mention on their website that they will run free classic bus trips to the stations on the 10 mile track, so maybe they won't take public bookings for the 20th to leave the day reserved for show go-ers? Would you be able to ask if you are contacting them today, I will see what i can find out from the organisers.

When it comes to B&B's in Alton we're at a disadvantage as, already living there, we've never needed one , but I will pass on anything I can find out.

Panto's air filter system and roof lining are well under way, but yes you could be right about Stanford Hall, damn it! I've never carpeted a car from scratch so that could be the thing that trips me up, but not for as long as 25 days!

VmanC said:

I wouldn't wait till the show myself just to avoid possible disappointment. They mention on their website that they will run free classic bus trips to the stations on the 10 mile track, so maybe they won't take public bookings for the 20th to leave the day reserved for show go-ers? Would you be able to ask if you are contacting them today, I will see what i can find out from the organisers.

When it comes to B&B's in Alton we're at a disadvantage as, already living there, we've never needed one , but I will pass on anything I can find out.

Panto's air filter system and roof lining are well under way, but yes you could be right about Stanford Hall, damn it! I've never carpeted a car from scratch so that could be the thing that trips me up, but not for as long as 25 days!

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I've eventually navigated to info about the trains. You can book in advance http://www.watercressline.co.uk/eve...&xRunningID=209&xFwd=product.php%3FxProd%3D29

I'll be doing that when I can get a definite answer from Mum. If anyone else is going & wants me to book their train ticket let me know - scout ?

Ok thanks for the update - I'll book Panto then.......

Yep I appreciate you don't need a local b&b often!

Thinking about the Saturday run I have two options so far.......

1. Meet in Alton, scenic drive to submarine museum in Gosport, drive to sea front, have an ice cream, scenic drive to pub for meal and drinks.

2. Meet in Alton, drive to Brooklands museum where there is a supercar day, drive back to pub for meal and drinks.

Feedback from those that will be attending on the Saturday please.

VmanC said:

Thinking about the Saturday run I have two options so far.......

1. Meet in Alton, scenic drive to submarine museum in Gosport, drive to sea front, have an ice cream, scenic drive to pub for meal and drinks.

2. Meet in Alton, drive to Brooklands museum where there is a supercar day, drive back to pub for meal and drinks.

Feedback from those that will be attending on the Saturday please.

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Definitely number 1! Submarines, sea & scenery.

Seen plenty of Brooklands, and Supercars are a bit

Alright dudes, I'm in!

Although I don't think I'll be there on the Saturday event now. We are staying with family and there is talk of taking my daughters to the zoo on the Saturday, so for now just count me in for the sunday. If I were able to make it though it would also be option 1 for me

Option 1 for me, If we went to Brooklands I'd feel as if I was driving home.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Alright dudes, I'm in!

Although I don't think I'll be there on the Saturday event now. We are staying with family and there is talk of taking my daughters to the zoo on the Saturday, so for now just count me in for the sunday. If I were able to make it though it would also be option 1 for me

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I wanted to click 'dislike' for you not coming but 'like' for choosing no.1, unfortunately the Forum does not provide that option so I have to do it the long way.

Does your Daughter like submarines and ice cream Andy?

VmanC said:

I wanted to click 'dislike' for you not coming but 'like' for choosing no.1, unfortunately the Forum does not provide that option so I have to do it the long way.

Does your Daughter like submarines and ice cream Andy?

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Ha - well when I said to our lass that we were off down south to this Panda meet she said "lets stay with Auntie Jan, then we can all do some family things together." Now when I said it was down south, I failed to realise how much more down south you were Vern. So to cut a long story short we are staying in Aylesbury, which is infact down south but also an hour and a half away from you guys

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Ha - well when I said to our lass that we were off down south to this Panda meet she said "lets stay with Auntie Jan, then we can all do some family things together." Now when I said it was down south, I failed to realise how much more down south you were Vern. So to cut a long story short we are staying in Aylesbury, which is infact down south but also an hour and a half away from you guys

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Yes that's Palio/Scout territory.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Ha - well when I said to our lass that we were off down south to this Panda meet she said "lets stay with Auntie Jan, then we can all do some family things together." Now when I said it was down south, I failed to realise how much more down south you were Vern. So to cut a long story short we are staying in Aylesbury, which is infact down south but also an hour and a half away from you guys

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I live in Aylesbury and I'll be staying overnight in Alton because of the distances involved

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Ha - well when I said to our lass that we were off down south to this Panda meet she said "lets stay with Auntie Jan, then we can all do some family things together." Now when I said it was down south, I failed to realise how much more down south you were Vern. So to cut a long story short we are staying in Aylesbury, which is infact down south but also an hour and a half away from you guys

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Wow small world! Yep Scout's in Aylesbury and I'm just down the road in Princes Risborough.

Whipsnade is a good day out if that's where you're thinking. You can even do a little pretend offroading through the Asia track - it's not off-road but a bit dusty/gravelly. It's not cheap though & you pay though the nose to take the car in!

If you want to take your Panda up the Kop Hill climb (just round the corner from me) I'll point you in the right direction - tbh it's much better in the snow when no one else thinks it's a good idea......

Thanks for the info Gav but I think our stay is already planned out! I will see what I can organise though, might be able to persuade her that the girls will appreciate submarines more than meerkats and elephants.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Thanks for the info Gav but I think our stay is already planned out! I will see what I can organise though, might be able to persuade her that the girls will appreciate submarines more than meerkats and elephants.

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Sorry might have been at cross purposes - I thought you meant you were going to Whipsnade Zoo & I was just saying that's a good choice. Of course you might have meant another zoo (Woburn maybe?) in which case ignore me!!

Kop Hill is just the scene of the oldest hillclimb in the UK and is so close you could go up it without anyone noticing you were off route! It's no problem for a Panda, but might give you some idea of the sort of hills Howie loves to play in when it snows.

Palio said:

Sorry might have been at cross purposes - I thought you meant you were going to Whipsnade Zoo & I was just saying that's a good choice. Of course you might have meant another zoo (Woburn maybe?) in which case ignore me!!

Kop Hill is just the scene of the oldest hillclimb in the UK and is so close you could go up it without anyone noticing you were off route! It's no problem for a Panda, but might give you some idea of the sort of hills Howie loves to play in when it snows.

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Ahh right I see now! I will have to find out which one it is - if it's one where you have to drive through we may just take the Fusion, don't want my car spread accross the monkey enclosure

Option 1 sounds good to me not that I'd grumble at option 2. Been having a quick look for somewhere to stay and it seems that most places nearby are fully booked so may have to go further afield.