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We got out to
Arnage just as the half-way point arrived, having no difficulty at all parking
in the primary car park there. By now I was really beginning to feel the
cold, even wearing a pullover and a bodywarmer under my coat - actually, my top
half was like toast, but my legs, sporting just one relatively thin layer were
really very cold!
For the time
of the morning, there were a heck of a lot of people still out at Arnage and Indianapolis
and it seemed to me that over the last 2-3 years more people than ever are
trying to brave it out through the night now. Of course, I firmly believe
everyone should, although I'm also kind of glad that they don't!
So I settled
down for a good long stint with the cameras, both still and video, gradually
moving closer to the fencing right in the corner at Arnage - where all the action is -
and can just about be photographed, although the fencing is still awful. I always knew the chances of getting
any decent shots with both very slow - and I mean very slow - shutter
speeds and the heavy debris fencing were virtually non-existent, but as always
I was determined to try. So I spent around 45 minutes snapping away,
hoping for just one good photograph.
I'd intended to take some
more video footage as well here but alas, when I retrieved the camera from my
bag it was hors de combat, the battery was completely flat, I can only think
that I'd left it running in my bag and exhausted the battery. Very unlike
me, and as I'd been using my largest and most powerful battery which should have
easily lasted all night, I hadn't bothered to pack a spare - note for self in
2012!!
Before going
to Le Mans this year I'd wondered how I would be likely to feel at this time.
By the same time in 2010 I'd begun to suffer with a badly aching back, arms and
shoulders, which I put down at least in part to my old traditional (and very
heavy) camera bag. I'm not getting any younger of course and definitely
not any fitter so after last year I was a little concerned about how I would
cope. Thankfully, aside from the cold, I was feeling much, much
better than at this time last year and I put that down almost entirely to my new rucksack. James had
been completely right about it when he first suggested that I ought to change to
a rucksack before the race last year. I really ought to have bought myself
one years ago!
We spent a
long time at Arnage but eventually the desire the keep snapping waned and I just
stood watching the race while listening to Radio Le Mans. Tony and Tim had
brought some fold-up chairs from the car and I confess that I was beginning to
feel a little envious. But I also knew that sitting down now at close to 5
am could be fatal!
We finally
left Arnage and Indianapolis as the dawn began to make it's presence felt.
I really needed to move my legs - for circulation if nothing else - and the walk back
to the car put some welcome exercise into my now fairly well-frozen muscles.
I really think I may have to invest in some thermal long johns for next year!*
*
Post-Le Mans note: the thermal long johns were bought just before
Christmas 2011. I believe in being prepared! Of course, this fact
alone probably means that it will be a blisteringly hot night in 2012!
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