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Welcome to todays diary entry! Another full-on day today as things start to really ramp up ahead of the Blakemere show. Had a couple of trips back and forth between the site and the shop, ferrying stock, displays, and bits we forgot the first time—standard show prep chaos.
It’s funny, we didn’t think we were going to need a Luton van this time around, but if there was ever a show where we needed one, it’s this one. We’ve definitely underestimated the sheer volume of kit required to get this thing off the ground. Between the awnings, demo gear, stock for sale, signage, and all the bits and bobs that make the event flow, it’s a full-blown operation.
Me and Jen headed over to the showground earlier to mark out and flag exactly where everything’s going. Thankfully, it all looks like it’ll fit, just about—but it’s tight. That’s always the main concern, trying to squeeze everyone in and still leave space for people to move around without tripping over guy ropes or queuing outside awnings.
We were on the verge of inviting another manufacturer but didn’t get around to it in the end, and to be honest, that’s probably a blessing in disguise. It would’ve pushed us over the edge in terms of space, and I’d rather everything be comfortable and tidy than crammed in like sardines. There’s a fine line between maximising opportunity and making the space unmanageable.
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One of the best decisions we made was arriving early and getting our pitch set up properly. It’s such a relief knowing that side of things is sorted—there’s enough stress going on without having to think about where we’re sleeping or setting up in the dark. Getting in early has given us a bit of breathing space, which you rarely get in the final run-up to something this size.
Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to fire up the new BBQ soon as well. I’ve been itching to test it out along with a few of the accessories we picked up for it. There’s something really satisfying about cooking outside after a long graft. It might sound daft, but having something to look forward to at the end of the day—like some decent grub off the grill—keeps you going when your legs are tired and your back’s sore.
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Today was mostly about getting the van packed up with as much as possible. I ended up staying at the shop until 11pm, going through boxes, ticking off lists, and trying to pre-empt what we might have forgotten. It’s always those small, annoying things that end up missing—a roll of tape here, a spare cable there.
But no matter how well you prepare, there’s always something. And with Jen arriving tomorrow, I can pretty much guarantee I’ll be back over at the shop again doing another round of pickups—because let’s face it, she’ll have spotted half a dozen things we didn’t think of. She’s got an eye for that stuff, which is both a blessing and a curse when you’re already knackered!
The momentum’s building now, you can feel it in the air. Still plenty to do and a few hurdles to clear, but we’re getting there. One delivery, one late night, and one job list at a time. It’s shaping up to be a great event—now it’s just about keeping things on track, keeping morale high, and trying not to forget your own toothbrush in the chaos!
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