Radio Radio

Colin dragged us off to a radio rally at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire this morning. Oh what fun (NOT!). We spent about three hours wandering around while Colin chose himself a new amateur radio rig. He passed his amateur radio licence last week, after several weeks of being messed around by the radio club he's joined - let me explain: Colin's Dad is the leading manufacturer of morse keys in the World, and not only did Colin grow up with a radio in his hand, so to speak, he also designed some of the electronic keyers that his Dad manufactures, and having spent a long time working in the family business has assembled hundreds if not thousands of keys, and basically knows everything there is to know about morse and amateur radio - plus he is an electronics expert. He was totally disgusted that the radio club made him go through the whole amateur radio course, and his disgust levels rose considerably when they made him do a morse appreciation course (knowing full well who he is and what his history is). Unfortunately for him, when he moved down here to Birmingham he let his licence lapse, hence why now that he's regained his interest in radio he's had to redo his licence test. Anyway, Col is a happy little bunny tonight as I let him buy himself a new rig, plus all the aerial paraphernalia he needed. I'm not going to think about how much he spent though!

Ethan was bored most of the time, though we managed to distract him with a few goes on the bouncy castle, and a big ice-cream. As for me, I took my camera in case of any photo opportunities, and managed to persuade Colin to buy me some jewellery (they had a crafts tent there too) - two pendants, hand-made by two girls who turn out to be just up the road from us. It turns out that these girls do jewellery parties too, so I might think about booking one, because their prices were really reasonable and the quality is very good.

Two photos for your viewing pleasure - the one above is one I took of Ethan when we were bored in one of the tents while Colin was drooling over a big expensive radio, and this picture of me was taken by Ethan (even at age 5 he shows a huge interest in photography and I think has done a fabulous job) while Daddy was drooling over yet another radio! He did actually take quite a few more of me later in the day when we went to have a sit down while Daddy went to go and buy himself an aerial and some other bits and pieces.

One thing I did notice today (and please don't take offence if you are a radio enthusiast - this is just my observation) - a lot of the people that we saw at this rally were, um how can I put this politely ... a bit freaky-looking! Yep, a lot of people who appeared to have been hit by the ugly stick. Women in very bizarre outfits. An old man in a baggy red kilt and an even baggier red t-shirt. Some very very very strange people ... and there were we in the middle of them ... so I guess that probably makes us freaks too. Oh joy of joys!

Well, it's late, I've got a splitting headache and I need to go and empty the washing machine and get the tumble dryer on before I head off to bed with my amateur radio freak!