An ancient trade...

....in a modern world!

A day out today - yippee!

Gail and I went to a BMW Z3 & Z4 meet at Shepshed Water Mill. 
We had been right past this place thousands of times and never knew it was there. It sits right beside the M1 between junctions 22 and 23 right under the barrier.

Anyway - we were amongst the first to arrive and were directed into the first paddock. In total, there were we're told exactly 100 BMW Zeds there. One Z1, the first time I've seen one as far as I recall, many Z3s and quite a few Z4s.

There were a couple of Bertini Z3s - these are custom built cars based around a Z3 donor. Quite different from a standard Z3 on the outside and nicely coach built customisation on the inside.

Also, a monster Z3 complete with a V8 shoe-horned under the bonnet. Not sure how sensible it is from a driving perspective, but, it didn't half sound great. Somewhat like a Lancaster bomber taxiing for take off!

Lots of people to talk to about cars and a lovely warm summer day to boot.

The mill is built around the water wheel and is a fully operational mill grinding its own flour. In the car-park there is a smithies forge and this guy was hammering away on red hot bars of steel. That brings back memories of school days where we had two similar forges. It was great fun working those - I always looked forward to it.

The mill is open to the public not every day. Still a lovely and worthwhile place to visit even if as a stop on the way to somewhere else.

There's a complete set of images of both the club meet and the mill here!

A nice leisurely drive home cross country afterwards and a well earned rest.