This photo is something of an antidote to a comment made last season by someone who said that 'they would like to go to Buckminster, but it is too far'. During the 1920s hydro competitors were travelling into France via public transport and carrying everything, including 18lb boats. By the 40s cars were more common, but a trip to Switzerland, even then, was a major expedition. Throughout the 50s, British tethered car enthusiasts would regularly go to Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, which involved cars being craned on and off ferries, very ordinary roads and with motorway service areas still to be invented. This did not deter people when it was expensive, difficult and with less than reliable and comfortable cars. Ken Procter and Jack Cook seen here at Dortmund with Jack's wife immediately behind him would travel from Sunderland to be joined by the Moores, Jim Dean, Les Williams and many others at International events and championships.

We well remember our trips to Hannover, Bordeaux, Basel etc, long, yes, arduous, yes, expensive yes, but too far, no, because we wanted to do it, just like Ken, Jack and all the other travellers from these shores. Imagine though extending that to Russia, China, Australia and the USA as happens nowadays, still not too far for those that want to go.

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