Making Miles of Memories - Part 2
For Brad and his Dad Rob, their trip to Truckstar Assen 2026 wasn't just another weekend away, it was a bucket list adventure that neither of them will forget in a hurry.
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Looking back on the trip, Brad doesn't hesitate when asked if it lived up to expectations.'
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"Assen 2026 was an amazing bucket list trip for me and my Dad, and we'll definitely be back next year."'
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What started as the now memorable #Blackpool2Assen road trip became far more than just a journey to one of Europe's biggest truck shows. It was a chance to spend quality time together, share plenty of laughs and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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Their adventure started with a breakfast stop at The Hollies Truck Shop in Cannock to fuel up for the long drive ahead. "The food was 10/10," Brad says.
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From there it was on to Dover, where a fast passport check meant they were soon boarding the ferry and heading for mainland Europe.
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Their first overnight stop was in the beautiful city of Bruges. Rather than booking a hotel, the pair decided to sleep in the car beside the river.
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"That in itself was an experience being 6ft tall!" Brad jokes.
Thankfully, the picturesque riverside setting more than made up for a slightly uncomfortable night's sleep.
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After an early start, they continued on to Assen where they checked into Hotel Van Der Valk, located just over a mile from the showground.
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Brad couldn't praise the hotel enough. "For the price, the hotel is a must stay and the food was out of this world."'
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After a good night's rest, it was finally time for the main event.
Stepping through the gates of Truckstar Assen for the first time was everything Brad had hoped for.
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The pair were welcomed with ready-made tents complete with comfortable beds and a welcome pack, giving them the perfect base for the weekend.
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"I was like a kid in a candy shop." Says Brad
And it's easy to understand why.
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Truckstar Assen is far more than a truck show. Alongside thousands of incredible trucks are trade stands, tattoo artists, fairground rides, live music, food from around the world and in Brad's words, "beer... lots of beer!"
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One of the highlights was spending time in the famous arrival tunnel.
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"The tunnel is a must-visit on day one. Watching all the trucks arrive with horns blaring, engines revving and light displays it creates an atmosphere that's hard to describe. There's just so much to take in."
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With such a huge site to explore, the pair decided to make life a little easier and a lot more entertaining.
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"We couldn't pass up the opportunity of hiring mobility scooters to get around the ground. They were so much fun."
Whether they were racing around on the scooters, browsing the trucks and countless trade stalls, sampling different food vendors or picking up souvenirs to take home, there was never a dull moment.
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But, as with so many truck shows, it wasn't just about the trucks.
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The people made the weekend even more memorable.
"We met some great people and had the best first night. The laughs went down just as well as the beer."
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After an unforgettable weekend, it was time to point the car back towards home.
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Their final overnight stop was at the Ibis Hotel in Calais.
Although Brad admits the hotel didn't look like much from the outside, appearances were deceiving.
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"The food was 10/10 again and we both had a great night's sleep."
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Heavy traffic meant they missed the ferry they had originally planned to catch, but it didn't dampen the mood after such an incredible trip and they just caught the next one instead.
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Back on British soil, they enjoyed a steady drive towards Lancashire before one final surprise awaited them.
Just before leaving the M55, Brad's Wife and daughter, Landi, were standing on a bridge waving them home.
It was the perfect ending to a memorable Father and Son adventure.
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"Landi had missed her Daddy, and Nandad and couldn't wait to get home and see them."
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For Brad and Rob, the journey may have ended, but the memories certainly haven't.
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In fact, plans are already being made for another visit in 2027.
"There's just so much to see and experience that we have to go back next year."
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And for anyone wondering whether Truckstar Assen is worth the trip, Brad has one simple piece of advice: "Stop thinking about it, just go and do it."
Brad's Top 5 Tips for Assen:
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1. Stay at Van der Valk if you are not wanting to stay on site, it's only 1 mile away
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2. Talk to everyone, they are so friendly and welcoming
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3. The big wheel at night is the place to take it all in
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4. Spend some time at the Tunnel to soak up the atmosphere.
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5. Take your own drinks if you don't drink lager as that's all they sell at the show.
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