We meet again in December for Edd's birthday bash! Well another year has nearly gone and all the boys did look at least another year older. Never the best looking bunch in the first place; some, (I mention no names here, but you know who you are), have gained more than one year! Put it this way, if we went out for the night on the pull, a cracker is the best of most of them could hope for.

This year we had the pleasure of Flod, Deon, Sid, Spot, Martin, Marky, Edd, Paul and of course myself. I'd not met Martin before and it was his first time "barning". He was in for a shock. I think it was the smell that got to him the most.

Flod, Deon, Sid, Paul and Edd started the weekend on Friday night when they set-off to tour the historic buildings in Thame. I don't know how hard they were concentrating but when I arrived Saturday morning, they all looked like the walking dead. I got the impression that they must have walked into a pub by mistake a few times and were made to drink gallons of beer before being allowed back out. Flod in particular seemed the worst for wear and indeed had to have a sleep in his car on Saturday afternoon. From what I can gather, they all got as drunk as a skunk. Flod got thrown out of a Chinese for eating, dropped his keks somewhere down the high street and general made an arse of himself. Still the good news was he was paying for it today.

Spot arrived just before me on Saturday morning. Give Floddy his due he immediately started making breakfast, bacon butties and tea all round. I started by making a patch for an HB engine bay and everyone was amazed at how original it looked! (Can't think why). Everyone was working on there own thing, either cutting, grinding, bending, mending or generally making lots of noise. Martin arrived around lunchtime and started working on one of the many engines in the barn.

Flod then made "fajitas" for everyone before his enforced lie down. He is a bloody good cook in quite difficult conditions and this year we get fajitas. I don't know how he does it! Over the last few years we've had the usual fried stuff, but also a stew and dumplings etc. so all in all he deserved a lie down.

My next task was welding! Yes I know what you're thinking but I was asked to do it. Spot had made a patch for Mr Rusty’s chassis rail and because he knows that I'm now an ace welder, he asked me to weld it for him, as he wanted a good job done! I took ages, used a roll of wire and a bottle of gas but it defiantly won't fall off. All joking apart I did a good job if I do say so myself.

Dawn, Sid's better half, had made cake again and an afternoon tea break was a must. Dawn made Joanne a lovely banana cake which I hid in the estate otherwise the lads would have pigged it before I got it home.

Saturday night was quieter than usual and the Friday night boys left early for bed, (about midnight I think), because they'd overdone it the night before. We all had a meal and drinks in one pub then moved to another. Thame is full of pubs but I'm now too old for all this 'bang, bang' music being pumped into my ears. I want a pub with a dart board, shove happenny or skittles and no music. I'm putting it on the list for next year.

Sunday and Flod, Sid and Deon left for home in the morning leaving just Edd, Spot, Mark and myself to crack on and crack on we did. (Martin only stayed for the day on Saturday). We got a lot done and had a laugh. I made tea which tasted like a pigeon had crapped in the kettle but the second one tasted better. Sunday night we went for a curry and beer and then went to bed just after midnight. Probably a record for us. They must all be getting old. Mine you the smells don't get any better.

Monday and we got to the barn for about 9:30 I think. I finished off some welding. Any cleaned metal was covered in paint or rust preventer and the cars were moved around the barn to make it easy for Edd's next visit. (Probably next Christmas). I left for home at one, knackered but happy. I took with me some SL parts for the estate from Sid and an SL grill from Edd. I also got a Christmas present from Spot! God knows what it is but I'm sure you can hear it tick. Another great weekend with good company and more knowledge than I started with.

My only mistake this year, (well one that I'm admitting to), was a classic. One of my better ones in fact. Even I was amazed and I'd done it. I managed to weld a screwdriver to the floor of Mr Rusty. Yep, a screwdriver. Needless to say that won't be the last I hear of it. At least Edd fixed my welding helmet for me after I'd done it.