I’m gutted. And not just because it’s the last trial for 2011 …

We missed two of the six and my goal is to climb up the leader board. 4th is looking good?!? Ha ha ha. I’d be happy with better car control and having fun while learning.

We arrive at Beekse Bergen and follow the Landy trail to the Events section. It’s not raining, but an icy wind draws up our collars. Brrrr. We sign in, and join Jeroen for a warm cuppa.

Then we find our allocated starting point, and join the queue. As you inch closer, the adrenaline level creeps higher. I hand over my score sheet. Everything else is a blur. I see just a few things.

The pedals under my feet are ready for action – and so am I (I think?). Marcel directs me on the right. I keep my eye on the left. Are my wheels where they should be? Not sure… and damn, where’d that pole go? A couple of minutes flash by in a second. The marshall gets bigger in your rear view mirror and you pray he’s feeling kind. Expecting them to laugh out loud, I’m again touched by their encouragement and suggestions for “next time”.

12:30 and all stands still. We head over to Catering for a delish bowl of soup and a “broodje Unox” (smoked sausage in a roll). Yum! Thank you, it was VERY welcome.

Martin and Jeroen attach a GoPro cam to Muddy Boots. Liz at the ready with her handycam. I plan to drive my very bestest. Then, I don’t know why, I drive over one of the poles holding up the tape! 16 penalty points … where I could have just reversed for 3. I can see the video now, “how NOT to drive a Landy trial”…

There was one particularly tricky point, where two gates were added at the top of a hill. In soft sand. With a turn. Sure, it wasn’t a big turn, but our wheels pushed a bunch of sand up and bam … that nasty little ball fell off. And then on the other side … argh!

With four courses and eighty contenders, there’s a lot of time to chat and socialise in between driving. We chat with Eric who’s likely to take part in Croatia Trophy in 2012. I find myself wanting to quote our Bluesman often, but bite my lip, not sure if the floodgates will hold.

Trial days with the Land Rover Club Holland are relaxing social affairs, interspersed with jabs of adrenaline.

I didn’t come 4th or even 10th … but it was great being told by the marshalls how they can see an improvement. Something that I’ve felt, but nice to know it’s more than my imagination.

A huge thanks to the Trial Commission, and to the many volunteers who make these events so succesful.

Just one question, “When can I sign up for 2012?”

In loving memory of Carl Reuter

A great friend.

King of the One Man Blues.

RIP

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