Busy shows make for terrible show reports on this blog I'm afraid, and Ally Pally this year was very busy. With our stand being just inside the door, the crowds, and sadly the draughts, found us early, and on Saturday at least, kept me busy all day talking about toy trains.
The NG7 layout went down really well with loads of interest in all aspects of its design and construction. Maybe it's a London thing, but building a roundy-roundy in a small space seemed to really catch peoples imagination. That, and kids loved watching the train go around and around.
Sunday, was as you'd expect, a bit quieter, but this simply gave me time to get another layout shoot in, the third of the weekend. I broke my rules about not shooting when a show is open here - but the model in question was in the West hall, and there was plenty of trade to grab the punters before they got to us.
From what I saw, the layout quality was really high, and appreciated by the audience. I asked our video guy to get some trains moving shots to accompany the various layouts appearances on the page, and he had problems because people were lined up along the barriers all weekend so he struggled to get in!
Anyway, all this means I just have a few random shots for you:
One highlight was that on the Saturday evening, we'd booked to go and watch ice hockey, or as the Candians call it, hockey, at the rink on the side of Ally Pally. To be honest, it wasn't that exciting, the place lacked atmosphere. But, we had to walk back to the car along the front, and I finally got to enjoy the spectacle of London at night I've only glimpsed in the past.
The photo doesn't do the scene justice sadly. Maybe I'll get the chance to try again next year.
Anyway, a busy show with lots of chat. Thanks to those blog readers who came along to say hello. Sorry I didn't know everyone's names. As I type this, I've fallen asleep twice today already, and by the end of Sunday, I'm not even sure I could remember my own!
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