The 2003 and Belgium National, was the first Belgium that I had been too, so I was a little unsure as to what to expect. If you can get into the European frame of mind, can cope with a minimum organisation and just want to relax for the weekend, this may just be the event for you. We were lucky this year in so much that there was glorious sunshine all weekend, and it was a lovely and warm all weekend. Some may say this was a shame, as the ground was rock hard and dusty.

I had entered myself in for the adventure class, which was meant to be light off roading, with no damage to the vehicle. Seeing as it was the first National I had entered, I thought I would start off lightly and asses what the other course were like, for the years to come.

We left on the Friday morning, hoping to be at the Belgium National by 2pm. That didn't happen, we managed to miss the turning off the E40 and spent an extra couple of hours driving around Belgium trying to find the right place. (It didn't really help, by me leaving my GPS unit on my desk at home, and the map I brought along, being good for motorway journeys, but was useless for little country roads). We eventually arrived at around 4pm. The campsite is located between 2 high speed train lines, with the main tented village being at the top of the site.

On first impressions there did appear to be a lack of organisation, as we just pulled up on the site and pitched the tent. There was nobody to advise you if this was the right thing to do or not. We then wandered up to the main tented area to sign in. This is where you are giving the compulsory stickers and pay any of the outstanding money owed. We also had a quick look around the 4 or 5 stands that were there as well. Then it was time for stickering up the vehicles.

We had already made the decision not to go on the night run, as we had been driving for most of the day, and we didn't really fancy driving again late into the evening. We just went for the evening meal, and went back to the Land Rover to watch everyone else get ready for the night run.

The following morning we were hearing tales of people getting stuck in one section, and creating a huge traffic jam, and people not returning until around 3am. Glad we didn't go after we heard that.

Saturday was the day for the Road Book. Neither Pip or myself have any knowledge of Road books, or how to go about them. So we cheated and decided to follow the Land Rover in front of us, a French 130. That lasted for about 30 mins, until we meet the group of British people who were camping next to us. We then gate crashed there group. Seeing as they were kitted up with Teeratrips, and had been on a number of National's before we were now in safe hands. The group were very hospitable towards us, even though we gate crashed in by just tagging onto the back of the group. The day went past in one huge dust cloud, whilst we followed the road book, at times not being able to see 50 meters in front of us thanks to the dust. The routes were very tame, but that is what I expected. After numerous stops for tea, coffee and snack breaks, we eventually made it back to the campsite at around 6pm, covered in dust, but having enjoyed the day. I would just like to thank Steve Knight, Phil, and Adam and Emily from Milton Keynes 4 x4 club, for making us feel so welcome in their group.

Saturday evening was spent watching the days events on a huge video screen, some of the other road books looked very interesting, but also quite damaging. It was then back to the tents to consume some beer. It was also at this point that we thought about putting up washing up liquid in the fountains that were spread around the campsite, it was done and kept us entertained for a couple of minutes. (They had obviously got wise to this though, as it had to be done discreetly to avoid the security guards noticing what was happening.) .

Sunday was set aside for the trails course behind the campsite. Having looked at the course and walked it, I made the decision not to drive it. The reason being there were quite a lot of steep side slopes, and as I had the roof tent up top, I didn't want to risk a roll over. The queue to get onto the course was huge, and wasn't helped by brand new discovery on road tyres going round it and getting stuck, and having no recovery points. It took over an hour to get one out.

The guys from Milton Keynes were up for the course, so they duly waited and went round. Unfortunately for Steve Knight, he broke the rear diff on his Discovery. This meant a temporary repair was needed, in order for us to get the ferry home. It just meant disconnecting the rear propshaft and the rear halfshatfs. A job that was completed in about 30 mins. The drive back was uneventful, although Pip and I spent 4 hours, waiting for the Seacat to turn up, as they only had 1 running. This meant chilling out listening to the radio whilst we waited. There were a few odd looks from all the other passengers, as 2 guys from a muddy / dusty Land Rover opened up chairs, and sat down to chat. As the sun started to set over Calais, we moved up to the roof rack to experience the sun setting, and this just got everyone starring and pointing at us, as we sat up on the roof of the Land Rover.

There were some damaging parts to the trails course, as the Dutch guys we were camped next to, broke something on their Land Rover on the Saturday morning, and it still wasn't fixed by Sunday lunchtime. In the end, they had to phone a friend to come and bring a trailer down to tow them home and they were still happy about it all.

In all, I would go back to another Belgium National, now that I know what it is all about, but if your the sort of person that likes serious off roading or having a look around trade stands, this event is not for you. It is more of a social gathering , whilst having a drive around parts of Belgium. The event itself, is well organised, and the food they provide is enough, but its just not the way a show or a major event is run back in the UK, that makes people say it's not very well organised. In all fairness once you relax and get into the swing of things, the event takes a backseat to you catching up with old friends.