Braderie de Lille (Day Un)

Got back from the Braderie De Lille yesterday.

We went over on Friday morning on the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then drove up to Dunkirk turned right and then about an hours drive down to Lille.

We stayed in the Ibis hotel in Villeneuve D'Ascq a suburb on the south-eastern edge of Lille again this year as it's really handy for the Metro and the V2 shopping centre which has eating places.
We walked there on Friday evening and had a great Italian meal, a nice couple on the next table acted as translators between us and the waitress.

Up Saturday morning and straight to the Metro for a long queue at the ticket machines and then 7 stops later crammed onto the small train (not much fun with a claustrophobic wife) we arrived in Lille.

The streets were heaving already.

We walked almost non stop for over 6 hours only pausing to look at goods on sale and stopping to queue for some frites with mayo and a beer.
Only one skateboard spotted, a 1980's Toys R Us type complete, loads of rollerblades and a Snakeboard.

Loads of cameras though, some looked as though they'd been dredged up from the bottom of canals at times though.

Above is a Zenith Photosniper kit that the seller wanted 100€ for, although that was open to negotiation. I didn't negotiate.

There were also a load of Velo Solexes (Solexi?) and various other assorted motorbikes and mopeds, including a nice looking Peugeot.

Back on the Metro early evening which was quieter, a rest, and then into the V2 Centre for dinner at a nice Belgian themed restaurant.

More tomorrow in Part Deux

Braderie Bargain

Just got back from the Braderie de Lille.

Full report tomorrow (hopefully)

Picked up these for 3€, XL Once Upon A Time Kneepads.

I know Trevenen swears by the elbow pads, couldn't believe my luck spotting them and then they fitted and were so cheap.

Going in the washing machine in the morning, caps just velcro on so they've been removed.
Open backs. Saved me a few quid.

Chilli Fiesta

I thought I'd missed this years Chilli Fiesta at West Dean House just outside Chichester. It was originally scheduled for the same weekend as the Olympic cycling events that more or less had us confined to barracks due to road closures but thanks to a very good friend at work who tipped me off that it had been rescheduled to this weekend I booked some tickets and headed there today.

The forecast was for rain but we only had one small shower and I think the forecast kept the crowds down a bit on previous years.

There was some great stuff on sale...

 A lot of Chilli Fudge on sale this year, must be the new chilli chocolate

 Awesome Citroën H Taco Truck 

I ended up slightly overdoing it maybe...

If You Can't Skate...

...Buy A Big Hat.

Thanks Trev, great shot of me and a rare frontside moment, must be the new Skaterbuilt, felt right straight away (well 2nd run after I'd tightened the trucks a bit).

More of Trev's photo's of Tilehurst here

Smilehurst

Had a great morning of skating today at Tilehurst with Gra, Trev, Dan & Paul. 

Had the park to ourselves for the 3 and a half hours we were there.

Not a scootard in sight just blue skies and loads of lines.

Cockier

Then again I could have been wrong

Cock

I love this deck.

Been thinking about getting one made by someone like Factory13 in my size (36" x 10")

Gotta be the most cock shaped deck there is, The Z-Rocket...

Rubbish

Rescued this deck out of the bin in Surrey Skateboards a while back, came across it again yesterday, I'd forgotten all about it.

It's a handshaped cut down summat or other.

Skater-built Up

Spent the afternoon pottering about building this up.
Random stickers removed, polished up with a bit of Mr Sheen.

I originally thought about fitting the Z-Rollers but realised that had old school drilled baseplates so discounted then as the deck is drilled for new school trucks.

Indy 215's were way too wide, 169's were a good fit but still a bit wide with the BDS Dub Cons
I thought I'd get away with it though and started getting the Stage 5's ready only to realise that they had old school baseplates, DOH!

I had a set of Stage 8's but in the end decided to fit some Tracker B2's.
A bit of hammering and cursing later and they had Grind King kingpins fitted and black Bones Hardcore Mediums. Wedged risers slapped in between and it's ready to go.

Think the grip tape job was done by Stevie Wonder though so will have to be redone.

Built By Skaters, Ridden By A Kook

Picked up a Skaterbuilt Skatercult 2 off of ebay, arrived today.

Always liked the look of these.
Just scrapes into the acceptable size for me.

Hardly worn, needs cleaning up, non relevant and randomly placed stickers removing etc.

Not sure what to set it up with yet, must have some trucks and wheels somewhere...