However, the most exciting part of the weekend was when the suggestion came that we could go to the Cambridgeshire Steam Rally on the Sunday, which was conveniently being held in practically the next village. Now, steam rallies are not things that normally stir great excitement in me, but then I though, "hmmm, steam powered vehicles, with large wheels, that are basically giant tractors... I think I know someone who may like this..." So I suggested it to the small man and he expressed his enthusiasm for seeing steam tractors. It was brilliant! he was excited even as we were driving across the field to park - and this was just a field and he was excited...! And then, just as we got through the gate, another of Nataniel's favourite activities reared it's head - there was a line of vintage lawnmowers!
In fact he was so excited, that before I could restrain him, he was under the fence and examining the first of them, so was not too impressed when I retrieved him and we discussed how they weren't all for playing with as they are in Homebase (which he knows as "the lawnmower shop"). From that point on he was just fascinated by item after item that came into view: lines of vintage cars ("that Grandpa Beard's car!") rows of old diesel tractors ("that modern tractor") and what he referred to as "spinning things" which were effectively old steam, or petrol engines all lined up performing various tasks such as pumping water.
But then we rounded a corner and saw what we'd come to see...
Steam Tractors!
And as if rows of steam tractors wasn't enough, he then spotted...
We obviously had to have a ride. As with most things, he thought this was brilliant. Afterwards we went to look at the engine more closely, which he was amusingly cautious about. He didn't want to blow the whistle when offered (so I obviously had to do it for him..!)
We then saw many other things including a model railway (which he would have watched ALL DAY had I let him) and a roundabout in the fairground. He's never been on a merry-go-round before as we try to avoid it, not least because they're never cheap and we live in York, where there is invariably some sort of fairground rides present in the town centre and if we let him on one once we'll end up £10 lighter every time we try to go into town! However, this was a little different, so after he'd examined it closely for a while I asked if he'd like to have a go. He took a while to choose which item he wanted to ride on - he was toying with the various cars but then the train (obviously!) caught his eye.
He wanted to go on the Big Wheel afterwards...
After a loooong discussion about how he wasn't big enough (there was actually a height limit - it wasn't just a parental excuse!) we moved on, and quickly found something more exciting to ride on...
He was allowed to turn the wheels and everything! People are so friendly at this sort of thing and are surprisingly happy for small children to clamber all over what is probably one of their prize possessions! He was a very happy man.
(arbitrary steam tractor to end with)
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