We have been at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb today which is a glorious event full of charm and intrigue. Who will win? How do these old cars survive? Will that one get up the hill? Why does that one make so much noise? How much fun can be had? You know the sort of question!

Our little bug sat proudly in the classic car park drawing admiring glances from strangers and making us very proud. We “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed” at the other beautiful cars in the same location – these are the ones that are on the road, even if this is an unusual event (like ours). It’s a really fab day to sit under a tree and just watch all of these rare and delicate beauties coming in.

The even itself is as quirky as a quirky thing. Imagine a couple of hundred cars/vehicles , all very old, many not obviously driveable queueing up to time-trial race up a bendy, twisty hill. Quite a few don’t make it to the top, either breaking down or spinning out at one point or another, a really sad sight is the one that doesn’t make it off the start line without being pushed! here is even a car that has giant flames spewing out from the exhausts into the air. It’s exciting and great fun.

Build in to all of the above a stunning location, lots of “sideshows” and other attractions, enough supercars to sate even the most hungry spectator and a generally convivial atmosphere and you have an excellent day out. We sat in the shade of a stand of mighty, ancient trees watching the world and his wife go by and enjoying the picnic that I’d (rather miraculously even though I say so myself) prepared before we set off!

The brass plate on one of the entrants made me smile – even though most of the modern-day hill climbers were very male, there is still a point to be made about women’s rights. I’m not a feminist – why would I be? There has never been a glass ceiling holding me back – the only thing that’s ever held me back is my own inability or lack of ambition. What I do believe in passionately is women’s right to vote and to be treated fairly in the workplace…along with every other human being, whatever their background or beliefs. “Votes for women” could just as easily be “racial equality” or “LGBT rights”. It’s a beautiful rainbow world out there.