Harwood House's Steam Rally

Some friends of ours asked us if we wanted to go to a steam rally at a local manor house. Having never been to a steam rally (in all honesty, I didn't even know what one was), we agreed to meet them there for the afternoon. 

Steam engine calliope

A steam rally turned out to be an event where steam engine enthusiasts from all over the country (and the continent) bring their beloved machines to show them off to other steam engine enthusiasts. 

Another view of the calliope

The steam engine in the first two photos ran the calliope machine in the short video below.

There were lots of steam-powered vehicles. Tractors,

A bevy of steam powered vehicles

saw mills,

A steam powered lumber mill / saw thingy

and even steam rollers!

Steam powered roller

They certainly aren't the cleanest environmental machine, but they were still pretty darned cool. Bill and our friend Nick, both engineers, really got a kick out of talking to a few of the people about the mechanics of the steam engines. 

Yet another steam engine

At one point Bill started up a conversation with one of the people showing this traditional traveler wagon. They talked for so long, I thought for sure Bill was going to become a mark for one of the infamous traveler long cons. But it turns out they were just really friendly people :-)  

A traditional travelers wagon. 

The rally was in the gardens of the famed Harwood House. The house's interior (which I've been in, but didn't go on this day) is currently being used for filming of the ITV / PBS series, Victoria. I actually want to go back there sometime this summer as they currently have season one's costumes on display. 

A few of our friends with steam engines in the background

Even more steam engines

But I digress. This day was all about steam engines and the steam rally. Some of the engines had incredibly details, like the brass below. 

Brass detail 

I had to include the photo below of Portsonachan. If you are ever tempted to buy a weekend at Portsonachan, don't. There is a reason they sell cheap vouchers at fairs, rallies, and markets… it's an old, run down resort. The people there were nice enough, but no. Just don't. 

Noooo!!!!

And what's a steam rally without a visit with a wee owl?! Whenever I see birds of prey available for holding, I just can't stop myself. This little guy was super cute. He had lots of friends hanging out with him, too. 

My new buddy

A wee owl

But I was too chicken to hold any of the hawks. Their beaks are a little too sharp for me, thankyouverymuch!

Hawk

And last, but not least… Apparently you can't go to a steam rally without watching a death-defying, Evil Knievel-style super bike show before heading home for the day.

Motorcycle jumping