Sunday Lunch Run - 22 October 2006

Even the threat of rain didn't deter eleven intrepid MG'ers from the October Sunday Lunch Run.

Yet another lovely route devised by Colin and Valerie Wotley starting at Toghill Picnic Area on the A46 and taking us through Upton Cheyney, Keynsham and Queen Charlton as we swept around the outskirts of Bristol encountering the usual cyclists and horses.

The view was quite spectacular as we reached Dundry and came down towards Long Ashton on towards Failand.

Then Colin got clever and gave us two routes to choose from, one longer but quicker via M5 & Avon bridge, the other via the Clifton Suspension bridge.

We opted for Route B with the M5 as Ian and Val were leading and we just followed. We passed through Portbury then, a short sprint on the motorway and off at junction 17 and were soon at our destination The Plough Inn, Easter Compton.

It was good to meet up with old members but especially nice to see new members James and Tracey who had already driven all the way from Nailsea in their lovely MGC to the start of the run. Hope to see them and others on many more runs through the coming months.

Shame about the rain but thanks to Colin and Valerie for an enjoyable day.

Sue Gainey

Wessex Classic Car Show 2006 - Bovington Camp - Sunday 17th September

A really good turnout of Bristol members for this event. We met up at Evercreech (sorry we were a little late guys!) and drove down together to Bovington. Well, apart from Sue & Eric and Carol & Brian who lost us on the way but still made it.

Lots of MGs there (and other classics of course) and the day started out just fine. We all had a wander around to view the cars on show and ate our picnics (and bacon rolls) in the sunshine. Some interesting American cars on show and the display of hearses was a little macabre but, all in all, a good and varied selection. There was a band playing and the chance to win a Jaguar but disappointing trade stands and no concessions for visiting the Tank Museum.

Unfortunately, just after lunch, the rain started, car hoods were raised and people started to leave. We also left early to beat the weather as the thought of the lack of speed of our TC wipers is enough to frighten anyone!

So, a nice drive there and back but the show itself was a little disappointing.

Pauline

Good turnout by BAMGOC	Picnic in the sun
Martin & Ian contemplating	The Gainey's impressive picnic basket!
Eric & Chris discuss the merits of MG hoods	Elegant Jags
Immaculate!
Wonderful views under threatening skies
Mike Wright checks his paperwork	Adam takes a picture of me taking a picture of Adam
Helene's breakfast	Pauline enjoying herself

The road to the North West Scottish Highlands lay beneath a seething, drizzle laden mist. It was almost impossible to get anywhere north of Fort William and there was a trail of inverted articulated lorries beyond the Lake District. It was as if a big hand had swept up the motorway and flipped them over.

Severe weather warnings had preceded the gale force winds that had whipped the sea into 30 feet waves. The entire North West coast of Scotland had ground to a halt.

A good job we were going to Le Mans then. Particularly as we were going for the Le Mans Classic event. Three days of historic classic track action.

It was Wednesday 5th July and the overnight Portsmouth sailing to Le Havre. As usual I reverted to being 10 years old and ran around the ferry to:-

A. Check that all watertight doors were present and correct.
B. Find our cabin.

The next priority was to fiddle with all of the cabin fittings, lights, shower etc. We’ve had electricity in Clevedon for some time now and running water is practically taken for granted. However,it is still endlessly entertaining to play with all of this stuff. Behold … light !

With this pre flight drill completed it only remained to check out the rest of the ferry (sea doors left open, skipper slumped over the rail, minor hull leaks) and settle down for the night.

On arrival at Le Havre there was a who’s who (or what’s what) of British classic sports cars. Astons, Triumphs etc.

As I soaked it up it struck me that the Sunbeam Tiger was both an exciting and practical classic sports car. There were 5 of them growling away to themselves in the assembled machinery. We safely disembarked at Le Havre. This included the “extra bit of wood under the wheels” technique for allowing the low slung classics to exit the ferry. More entertainment, and all thrown in for no extra cost.

The most distinctive part of this was the uniquely Gallic shrug, as only they can, by one of the high vis - jacketed crew. He walked away from the precariously perched classic as if the driver had suggested that the French really never had made a decent sports car.

As if.

Once on the road we reached a quiet settlement and stopped at a local café for croissants, coffee and more croissants. After some more croissants it was then a blast along uncongested roads – yes, I was told, quite normal - to the Le Mans circuit. Mulsanne Straight, Porsche Curves and all of that history that money can’t buy.

The campsite itself contained most of the candidates for a brilliant classic car event. Everything from 1930’s Bugattis, (camped opposite) to Astons, Ferraris, GT 40s and E types.

We had booked tickets that allowed paddock access and the attendance, although in the 50,000 range, still left plenty of room to secure a great track side place on the Porsche Curves.

I had thought of all of this valuable historic machinery trundling around the track fairly carefully. We are talking about examples of Le Mans marques, many of which actually competed, from the late 1920s up to 1979. In fact the racing is for real and at least one GT40 got properly tangled with the tyre wall.

The event was superb from the 1960s, full on, Ferrari 250 LM, AC Cobra and Porsche 904 to the fire breathing Lola and De Tomaso of the 1970s.

There was a good 3 feet of flame on each upward gear change of the later Porsches. As they shot up the pit straight away from us you could time the gear changes by the blip of fire from the tail pipe.

The Dutch Porsche 356 club were camped behind us. It was like watching the SAS on exercise. Within hours they had erected tents, marquee, bar (with barrels) and barbeque. For the evening of the world cup final they unveiled their big screen, trailer mounted, TV.

The next day I congratulated them on the effort. “ ah yesh, we are not really car club, we are military in dishguishe”. Yep, the Dutch do speak like that. Brilliant.

Some of the entertainment sprang from the, clearly chaotic, access arrangements for pre race scrutiny. Millions of pounds worth of thoroughbred hardware centimetres away from bending each other’s panels. The temperatures of cars and drivers started to reflect the, sun factor 40 inducing weather.

Apparently, on one of the evenings they opened the Mulsanne Straight so you could get your own perspective on maximum cornering speeds etc.

The British contingent seemed to out number everyone else apart from locals who day tripped. There were certainly just as many British classics there.

We sped back to Le Havre on the Monday and promised that next time, in 2008 (the event is every 2 years), we would be back and have a run along the Normandy beaches.

The event has an enthusiast feel to it. The camping was good and even the weather in Northern France played ball. You just had to choose your favourite marque and there would be prime examples parked up across the circuit. If your blood octane count starts to fall this is the perfect tonic.

Anybody on for 2008?

Steve Vaughan

Harrogate Weekend - August 2006

On Friday 4th August, as the mist slowly lifted over Michael Woods Services, 6 intrepid explorers set out towards the frozen North to sample the delights the Harrogate MG Club had to offer, Armed only with cameras, we joined the M5 melee, which then joined forces with the M42 and, after battling our way through lorries for a while, we abandoned the motorway madness and slipped onto the relative calm of the A38. (Sorry, I got a bit carried away with my narrative there - I'll continue normally!)

Anyway, we had a fairly comfortable and uneventful journey, stopping for morning coffee in a transport cafe (it has to be done) and eventually arriving in Knaresborough at 1pm(ish), just in time for lunch in a pub. The girls had to twist the chaps arms to get them in but they eventually gave up the struggle. Afterwards we took a leisurely stroll by the River Nidd, trying to spot the flat caps (not one in sight!), we made our way to our hosts for the weekend, namely my brother-in-law Noel and his partner Helen. Helen runs a very nice B&B in Rufforth, just outside York. After a very pleasant meal, complete with drinks and lots of chatting, we decided an early night was needed as we had to be up and out at 9.am latest.

On Saturday morning we set off for the Pately Bridge showground where the run was scheduled to start at 10am. We arrived at 9.45am and, apart from a few tents, cars and lots of white tape, the field was empty. Hardly a soul in sight! Trying not to panic (had I got the wrong weekend?) we made our way to a large white tent and, lo and behold, found Alan the man who was organising everything. Blimey, talk about laid back! We were asked to "chuck a few bob in't box", given our run sheets, made to promise to report back after the run and advised to stop at all the places of interest marked on the map. Our first stop was Island Heritage, a sheep farm with rare breeds and the usual shop - only the shop was bare and not a single sheep in site. So after all backing out of the deserted farmyard, we made our way through the Yorkshire Dales towards Leyburn, stopping at Jerveiux Abbey enroute where Carol took photos of old relics at an old relic.

Talk about uphill and down dale, at some points the road would go up and you didn't know what was at the other side or even which way the road went. There were some very hairy moments with sheer drops, wandering sheep and big tractors. Passing through one village we even had a brass band blocking our route. We went through Nidderdale, Coverdale, Swaledale, to name but a few, picked heather (it obviously wasn't lucky as we didn't win the lottery), paid a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes (very educational), bought tons of every variety of Wensleydale cheese imaginable including garlic, apricot, ginger, blue, chive, mature, blueberry as well as the standard stuff. We eventually arrived back at the showground at 5pm, after a marvellous run, tired and thirsty. The Yorkshire Dales cover a large area and although beautiful, need more than a day to appreciate their remote splendour.

We headed for Noel and Helens where we had a Barbeque and drinks (well it was Sue Gaineys birthday!). Sunday dawned (at about 10am) and, after a sustaining breakfast, we headed for York where we went for a boat trip on the River Ouse, wandered round the Shambles and just generally ambled until it was time to head back. After a quick shower we had to go out for supper to the Nags Head (yes another pub!). Another perfect end to another perfect day! Mid morning Monday saw us all back on the road heading for home with the occasional stop (yes another pub) and we arrived home at around 7pm(ish), tired but happy. We had a superb weekend, mainly due to the company and the clement weather (it can be very damp in the Dales but I didn't tell them that before we went!).

Sue Talintyre

Exeter MGOC Weekend 23rd-26th June 2006

We attended at the new venue and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We travelled to Dawlish on the Friday morning, meeting up with Gerald at Taunton Deane services and arriving at the Lady's Mile Holiday Park at approximately 1 o'clock. The weather was overcast but warm. The camp site had closed off the top two fields for the event. We set up camp and, as usual, proceeded to relax with a drink. We thought that it was going to be just the three of us from Bristol but at about 6.30 p.m. the ‘Carter mob’ arrived (4 cars).

The camp site, we thought, could not be faulted. The grass was cut very short and throughout the weekend we did not have grass in the tents. We inspected some of the other shower blocks and one of them even had a bath. At 7 o'clock we all retired to the club room where a buffet was available. It was lovely, not a sausage roll in sight. We had plates of fresh turkey, ham and beef, together with salad, coleslaw, quiche, pork pies, spicy chicken wings, and various other things. There was a disco until midnight. Everyone was very friendly and sociable. It was a very good evening.

On Saturday we awoke to a lovely sunny morning. Val & Ian Scott arrived for the run only; roof off and ready to go at 10 o'clock. The first part of the run was approximately 78 miles. At about 45 miles we found a pub (of course!!). The garden was huge with plenty of tables and even a lovely marquee if it had been raining. The menu at the pub was very very good. They even had a carvery. The service was very quick and the food lovely. On the road once more, the next stop being for a cream tea at the village hall at Cristow, some of us did not partake of this activity (thinking of our figures). The next part of the run was only 18 miles, finishing at the Lady's Mile holiday park. The run was very enjoyable. It was nice meandering through the countryside, along the esplanade of Exmouth and Sidmouth, with some nice views along the way.

There was one catastrophe. A member from Bournemouth filled his midget with diesel instead of petrol and had to be recovered by the AA and taken to a garage to be flushed out.

Back at the campsite there was some time for relaxing before adjourning to the Clubhouse for another buffet and disco. Again the buffet was sumptuous. There was a presentation during the evening – the prize going to the Bournemouth member for his ‘mistake’. The comany was good, around 80 people, and the music enjoyable, finishing at midnight. Everyone then adjoined to the campsite to party for a little longer.

Sunday morning was again warm and sunny. All the cars were parked in the top field and there were raffles, various stalls, engine tuning, car driving test, etc and, of course, the car judging. We left a little early, approximately 1 o’clock, in order to avoid the traffic. However, our thanks to Exeter MGOC for a brilliant weekend and for all of our members who did not attend you missed a brilliant weekend.

Footnote: Who left the campsite to get petrol, and travel home, leaving their trailer in the field?

Carol
See you all at Brunel

The annual International MG Meeting at Silverstone is often neglected by our members maybe because it's an MG Car Club event. However, some of us have been regularly for a good few years and it's always worth the journey (and the somewhat basic camping facilities!).

This year it clashed with the Devon Classic Rally so only Chris and myself were present. Chris had booked a Trade Stand to sell all those "useful" bits and pieces left over from his garage.

We arrived in a howling gale on the Thursday and tried to put up our tent. Two of the poles split (accompanied by much bad language) so we gave up and found a hotel room for the night.

On the Friday we set out our stall. Most of it looked like incomprehensible bits of engineering and bodywork to me but, of course, Chris knew what each piece was. We chatted with French, German, Dutch, Belgian, Italian, New Zealand, Australian and American visitors plus, of course, those from the UK. They were all MG enthusiasts. Some made purchases and some just reminisced about "the one I had just like that!".

Being tentless and having found that all local hotels were booked solid, we had planned to sleep in the van but were rescued by the trade stand opposite. They were one of only two "ladies" stands, selling floaty tops and skirts to those women who had had enough of all that auto-jumble. They agreed to let us sleep in the shelter of their "shop" which was a white tent with lots of windows so we were awake with the sunrise and the dawn chorus!.

I had thought I would be bored and looking for escape but the sun shone, we met up with friends usually only seen annually at this event and we sold about 75% of our stock plus one car.

The downside? Ablutions in the public toilets and someone stole £80 worth of books which was annoying as you don't expect that sort of behaviour from MG people.

So, all in all, a great weekend. We didn't see any of the racing this year nor wander amongst the fields full of different models of our classic marque but I can recommend the event to any of you. Maybe give it a try next year? See you there………………

Pauline

The Hereford Hike June 2006

Yet again this was a superb weekend with BAMGOC being rewarded for being the most represented club. We are honoured to have received a club cup which Hereford awarded .This cup will be used as an annual award for ‘club person of the year’. So there’s an incentive to work towards helping BAMGOC with the many events and activities that we do. (we are one of the most active clubs in GB so let’s keep it going).

The weekend was bathed in sunshine and the run itself wound its way through the Black Hills and the surrounding valleys. We even drove down the famous road seen at the end of Antiques Road Show!! Approximately 200+ cars took part so, on the odd occasion, junctions proved to be rather challenging. Thankfully we enjoyed a breakdown free weekend which is always a bonus.

The run finished at the famous Baskerville Hall, where refreshments were available. As well as the cup I think Bristol members did quite well on the raffle too.

The weekend fun was even greater as the majority had booked onto the same hotel and we enjoyed copious time resting, drinking, eating and of course celebrating Gerry’s big 70!!! Thanks Gerry for adding to the festivities of the weekend. If you were unable to join us think hard about 2007 it is really an event worth making space for in your diaries. Happy motoring for the rest of the summer and hopefully see you ALL at Brunel!!
JPJ