IPMS Belgium Plastic & Steel Show 2nd & 3rd October

Finally after a global pandemic and almost three years Stonehenge Modellers bravely ventured beyond English shores to attend our favourite model show hosted by IPMS Belgium in Affligem. After a very early start fuelled by the obligatory staples of a sausage and egg butty and strong coffee we arrived early for a change at Folkestone for our eurotunnel train.

Across the water or rather under it we were quickly on the road to Belgium with only a couple of road works to negotiate before we arrived at the show venue and an even quicker display set up. After a catch up with Erwin and the hard working guys from IPMS Belgium it was off to Aalst & the Station hotel for a few well earned beers before a pleasant evening out on the town sampling even more liquid refreshments and excellent food.

Saturday quickly arrived and the show proper had the reassuringly familiar friendly atmosphere we have both missed so much. As ever there was a superb selection of club stands to admire and plenty of traders to relieve you of your euros with some good prices. This year there was no competition area due to part of the venue being sectioned off for use as a vaccination centre. But hopefully the competitions will be back next year as it really does draw in a vast amount of top class models and modellers.

Also after three years a certain Mr Paul Badman travelled over from Germany for the weekend. So in true continental fashion we celebrated his arrival with a few beers, or should I say I had one as I was duty driver & Brian & Paul had several! It was also great to again catch up with many modellers and visitors including a few who follow the blog. As is usual for this show the standard of models displayed was truly inspirational and certainly helped to make me want to build models again.

Saturday night followed the now sadly familiar format of even more beers back at the hotel followed by a quick wash & brush up before heading out for a superb meal and yet more beer! Then the inevitable scenario of yours truly being sensible and heading for bed at a reasonable hour, and the dynamic duo deciding it would be a good idea to hit the scotch before falling over and forgetting how to gain entry to the hotels front door! 

Needless to say Brian and Paul were not in the best order on Sunday but I was fresh as a daisy! However we did have a bloody good laugh and let off a fair bit of steam which I think is also why we enjoy this event so much. There is really nothing like having a nice evening talking modelling bollocks with friends whilst enjoying some of Belgium’s finest beers. Sunday at the show again had a steady flow of visitors and a few different club displays to enjoy. 

So after a quick pack up it was again time to digest and reflect on the show with a beer or two back at the hotel. We all agreed it was a great show and something we all really missed attending during the covid outbreak. As ever a massive thank you must go to Erwin and the very hardworking members of IPMS Belgium who always put on a flawless show.  

And finally some very nice stash additions, went a bt mad but then again I've not bought a kit in months!