a fairground life(its not a job! its a way of life!)

to day was spent running around paying for materials for the water laser project. although we are not open with any equipment at the moment, we are still spending. everyone else still needs paid, telephone,car payment,food etc. thats how i know this isn't a job its a way of life! who else would work ,spending on maintenance for weeks in advance? or spending money on items that you will only use in the summer(vehicle insurance renewals came in this morning), when its still the winter. i know other showmen who work through the winter months doing usually agency driving. in the early 70s my father and many others drove oil tankers. then into the early 80s many drove road gritters for the council. these were good jobs, but then when the spring came around they all left to go travelling again. it must be something in the blood. thing are a lot different now. the closed season is shorter. there are more 1 day events being done, especially as the season draws closer to its end-firework displays in november, x-mas light switch on's in december and other events. this is definately due to most equipment being fold up and easily , quickly moved and assembled. in the 80s most rides were carried in vehicles and assembled piece by piece, but now 90% of all equipment is trailer mounted and folded out using winches or hydraulics. this has created some problems itself though, we now need more room for parking equipment, extra vehicles leads to extra expense etc.. i hope the scottish executive doesn't impose mileage charges on vehicles, that could be the last straw! tune in tommorrow, we should have started building by then.