It was a bit of an odd day for us, as we have never been on an organised classic car run before. We were impressed at the distance people were prepared to come (from as far away as Surrey, some of them) and only about half of them were Powys residents, so many had put up in B&Bs to make a long weekend of it, meeting up with old friends and fellow enthusiasts they had evidently known for years.
We were the 62nd and most probably last car to register, as the first we heard of it was on Thursday when we got our MG Owners bumf in the post. The oldest two or three cars dated from 1954-6 and had beautiful curves and running boards, and at the other end of the spectrum there were a few MGFs from the late C20th and early C21st (eg left).
The other drivers, and the cyclists and walkers we passed were cheerfully tolerant, thankfully, and we also noticed that the locals milling about in villages and pottering in their gardens (especially if they were of a "certain age" ie 50s, 60s & 70s) seemed genuinely amused and pleased to see us, with lots of encouraging greetings called out and cheery waves.
I didn't expect that, and it almost made up for my misgivings about the car's occasional struggles at low speeds in low gear. But when the 90 miles were done and we could go back home the twelve or so miles on a smooth, wide A road she was much happier and so were we. The Dog, however, could NOT work out why we went all the way to Machynlleth the long and winding way round and then immediately came all the way back, without thinking to carry on to the coast...
The Seaside is OVER THERE!
Mummy-Daddy - DUR! Sort yourselves OUT!
We think he was spot on, so from now on we will endeavour not to take him so far without including a chance to run on a beach and paddle in the sea.
We'd prefer - we have decided, on balance - to drive out en famille, choosing our own route and our own objective, although we thoroughly appreciated the effort put into the organisation and how welcome we were made to feel, so we will do it again next year, for sure.
But we have a strong independent streak, we have found, so we will strike out on our own, mostly, from now on.
Didn't you have the most glorious day for it! You two are like us in not liking to be organised by others, so I'm not surprised you're not planning to attend this kind of thing often. I'm sure by next year the LGD's engine will have been tuned to perfection and she'll cope with it all without a murmur. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe event got underway very efficiently, everyone was most pleasant and friendly, but we'd have enjoyed it far more if it had suited the car (in its present state) better. It was an expereince we'd be prepared to do a couple of times a year, the nearest Welsh Runs, anyhow, but no more.
DeleteThe weather was a boon. The husband's head and face are a ruddy as a farmer's now!
Well done though! She made it through. And thanks for the report too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lesa. She was only coughing and spluttering in low gears but it was enough to take the shine off the day. I was very glad to get home afterwards and settle down in the garden to a refreshing well-earned drink while our dinner cooked.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteOh I do like the idea of cough mixture for a dragon! What a shame things weren't entirely suited, however, once or twice a year sounds about right anyway. Dragons are naturally solitary, I am led to believe, only congregating "in season"...
Given that pretty blue sky painted with fluffy clouds, the Trilby was definitely the hat of choice! Happy days. YAM xx