We have been members of the club for just over one year and enjoyed every run that we have been on, but this was different; this was our run. Our first attempt at organising.
After several weekends planning the route we were quietly confident yet slightly apprehensive. "What could go wrong?" we thought. Well, the weather for a start! The Friday and Saturday had been a total washout. Torrential rain and gale force winds, but on the Sunday morning the rain had stopped and the wind had dropped. So off we went to the meeting point - Swansea West Services. Then we started asking questions. "What if some of the roads are flooded? What if a tree had been blown down across a road? Is anyone going to turn up? Does a dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac lie awake at night wondering if there is a dog?" (How did that question get in there?). I was nervous.
We were so relieved when Maureen and Bram drove in with Martin and Wayne right behind. One by one cars turned up and soon we were 9 including new members Terry and Val from Abertillery ( who were there before us but we didn't recognise the car). We were just about to leave when we had a phone call from Pete and Heather who were only 5 minutes away, so then we were 10. We were delighted.
Fortunately I had borrowed a pair of two way radios (Ray usually supplies radios but he couldn't make this run due to raging toothache. Makes a change from Ceri's usual raging hangover). Ros and Bob volunteered to take one radio and bring up the rear of the convoy. So together with Keith and Stephanie, Dennis and Jennifer, Mark and Jane and Dave and Julia, we set off.
Less than one mile of motorway and we were on country roads with the service headquarters of the Wales Rally GB on our left and heading for Felindre. The road took us steadily up hill and out on to the Black Mountains with some beautiful views. On through Garnswllt to the outskirts of Ammanford, then a right turn through Hopkinstown. This road eventually joined the main road through Glanamman and Garnant. We then turned left to Brynamman and on to the Brecon Beacons. With no cars in front of us and nothing coming the other way, the wonderful twisting roads over the Beacons were a delight, with a chance to up the tempo a bit. The sprint across the Beacons with superb views was a real pleasure. More twisting country roads led us to Llangadog where we turned right on to the A4069 to Llandovery. Another quiet country road with an opportunity to press on.
Our first stop was in Llandovery where we made use of the conveniences. The lunch menus were collected and the orders phoned through. Suitably relieved, we were on our way again. Out of Llandovery on the A40 we drove to Llanwrda where we turned right on to the A482 towards Lampeter. Aware of not wanting to lose Maureen and Bram, Ros was simultaneously talking on the mobile phone to Maureen and on the radio to Sally (and probably to Bob as well). But we were still all together and on our way to Dolaucothi Gold Mines. While the smokers had a cigarette, I explained that we called in at the Mines for two reasons. One, because it fitted in with the title of the run and two, for those who were not familiar with the area, an opportunity to come back some time to visit the Mines, to which Terry replied "I'd never find it again. I don't know where the hell we are!"
The flying visit over, we set off through Llansawel, Abergorlech, Nant-Y- Ffin and through Brechfa forest. The trees were a sight to behold in their Autumn colours.
Up until now it had been roofs down, with the sun breaking through from time to time but the dark clouds gathered and a hasty stop was made as the rain pissisted (sorry, persisted) and boy did it come down! By the time we reached our lunch stop, The Cottage Inn, it was hammering down.
The lunch was a huge success. The food was very good and so was the service, (The soup was "different". It was curry flavour, but the majority liked it).
Suitably fed and watered and feeling sleepy, it was time to get some fresh air, so off we went but only 3 miles down the road to the local friendly Mazda dealer H.G.Bryer &Sons. We were made very welcome by Dylan and Simon and Maureen is now back on speaking terms with Dylan. Most people liked the latest special edition MX-5 the Artic, in Razor Blue. As far as I know, nobody bought a new car but Dennis bought some touch up paint, Mark collected yet more brochures and Ros had a little chat about her brand new but soon to be replaced MX-5. Maureen and Bram, Dennis and Jennifer and Dave and Julia then left for home. The rest of us crossed over the swollen River Towy at Dryslwyn Castle, where a gang of blokes were jumping down off a wall and one fell into the road right in front of Keith. Fortunately no one was hurt.
We then made our way to Pont Abraham Services via Llanarthne and the National Botanical Gardens. We had a little chat at Pont Abraham where everyone said that they had enjoyed the day and then we went our separate ways.
Now we could relax. Our first run had been a success. But we didn't head for home. We had to go back to The Cottage Inn because I'd left my umbrella there. Well, you can't remember everything.
Many thanks to Ros and Martyn or supplying the photos.
Roland and Sally