The last day of May started early.

The alarm went off around seven in the morning. The Golf was already packed with food and iced tea, ready for its first proper car meet after returning to the road.

The destination was Blakertreffet, a veteran and American car meet held at Blaker Skanse. According to the event poster, the meet featured classic cars, motorcycles, live music, awards, and the usual mix of enthusiasts who are willing to spend an entire day talking about vehicles.

The drive

The plan was simple.

Drive to meet Marit, then continue together to the event. She arrived in her white Volvo 240, and after a quick chat we headed off toward Blaker.

The drive took around an hour and a half and turned out to be one of those trips that is almost as enjoyable as the destination itself. Two older cars cruising through the Norwegian countryside on a sunny Sunday morning feels surprisingly timeless.

Back on the road

What made the day special for me was not really the event itself.

Just a day earlier, I wasn’t entirely sure how much work the Golf would need after years in storage. I expected repairs, unexpected expenses, and a long list of things to fix before it could be trusted on a longer drive.

Instead, here it was, happily cruising along country roads as if the last few years had never happened.

That felt good.

The meet

Blakertreffet had exactly the atmosphere you hope for from a local veteran car gathering.

Rows of classic American cars, old Volkswagens, motorcycles, trucks, custom builds, and people walking around with coffee cups discussing engines, paintwork, and stories from decades ago.

The Golf attracted a surprising amount of attention throughout the day. Many people had owned a Mk1 Golf at some point, learned to drive in one, or knew someone who had one years ago.

One of the best things about older cars is how often they trigger memories in other people.

Family and friends

My dad stopped by on his Harley-Davidson during the day to say hello.

Toby had a great time as well. He spent most of the event meeting new people and receiving more attention than either of the cars.

I suspect he considered the day a complete success.

The biggest success, however, belonged to Marit.

Her Volvo 240 won her favorite award of the day, which was well deserved. Seeing someone drive home with a trophy always adds something extra to an event.

Looking back

Car meets are rarely about the destination.

They’re about the drive, the people, the conversations, and the stories attached to the vehicles.

For me, this meet was a reminder of why I wanted the Golf back on the road in the first place.

Not to keep it parked in a garage.

But to use it.

To drive it, photograph it, meet people through it, and create a few more memories before another forty years pass by.