Just back on the red-eye (as better-paid-than-me people like to call it) from Monterey, exhausted but elated after another spectacular trip to the Americas' leading celebration of classic cars.
It isn't just the quality of the events, but the sheer quantity of them: nowadays, you could practically spend two weeks there and do classic-related stuff every day.
That, of course, comes with some fearsome costs. The prestige events of Pebble Beach Concours itself and The Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge will leave all but the well-heeled near-penniless.
And if it isn't the stuff that you actually want to be there for that cripples you, it will be the little necessities such as accommodation.
My room for five nights in an OK at best motel cost nearly £800. I've just checked on-line and the same room in the same place for the same nights next week would be, wait for it… £154!
So, because I think everyone should visit Monterey week, here's how to do Monterey on the cheap. Naturally, if you are going to make the effort, you should see everything, but accepting that that just isn't possible for most people, these are my top tips.
Flights: best international airport for Monterey is San Francisco, but to do it in one jump is one pricey long-haul flight. No one likes an indirect flight, but do it in two steps (changes at places such as Buffalo and Minneapolis are popular from the UK) and it can cost half as much.
