Sunday June 22nd - SUMMER SOLSTICE RUN
We Long for Summer
It all started as the run before the run, as I knew the way to Lulworth cove on the south coast very well, to get pace notes with distances is a different kettle of fish.
I set off on Fathers day morning pen and paper in hand, or car, and headed for the Bridge. All went well until after an hour I got to Limply Stoke only to find the bridge closed----ah well not to worry a slight detour of 1/2 mile would be no problem or would it?
As well as the bridge closed they also decided to re surface the A36 (ready for next week I hoped) and after one and a half hours driving round ,detour after detour I gave up and came home on a wing, prayer and a few curses, hoping all would be sorted for next week!
Lovely Weather for the Time of Year
As it drew towards the weekend and it got wetter and wetter my thoughts turned to WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS...........ITS MID SUMMER FOR GODS SAKE!
Anyway Saturdays high winds blew over, grey and blue skies loomed on the way to Cardiff Gate services. Still a bit windy but dry................and the wait to see how many cars would turn up?
Here they Come
Cars started arriving at 9.45 and by 10.15 the last, Andrea and Rob with his brother Nick and Deb turned in. All told 9 in total would make the run including a new member Paul in his nice MK3 from Swansea.
As we headed off, for an invasion of England, the sky started to turn BLUE all my prayers were answered. After crossing the Severn Bridge we blasted down the M4 to the Bath turn off, and headed down to Bathampton and across the very pretty toll bridge (50p) for our tea stop at the just named George Inn.
After tea, a loo break and a chat, Paul from Swansea (on his first run) said he had expected a quaint sunday drive! We all laughed, as it was a bit spirited (thanks to Steve up my bumper - cheers mate.) and the roads were only going to get better. We turned off up the A36 and headed for Warminster then on to Blandford and up Membury Abbas with its stunning views over the valley and what a view it was, glorious sunshine all the way. The final stretch took us down past Bovington Camp, Monkey World and through Wool into Lulworth cove itself. Total drive time two and a half hours.
You Can't Park Like THAT Mate
We did try to park at an angle to show the cars off to their best, but the irrate car park attendant told us to move them with a comment "sports car drivers are all the same "and yes Rob you are right he was a JOB'S WORTH!
After parking up in the agreed spot we all split up for differing lunch ideas.
Donna,Kev,Pete and Jo went for the bargain pub lunch at £12.50 a head - a huge piece of fish and chips. (How much?)
Steve, Gareth, Alan and Beer opted for fish and chips from the local chip shop at the rip off price of £4.95 a head. (Hey guys you should have followed Peter!)
Paul from Swansea got back in his car to drive home as he had to pick his daughter up. We went for the common approach and had a picnic with lots of tea.
All Good Things Come to an End
After 2 hours of looking round the great scenery, and a few people coming over to admire the cars, we headed home with Nick in the lead, this route took us via Yeovil and Bristol. And guess what the sun was still shining. Arriving home at 6 pm with my face and head glowing like a beetroot I was reminded why I enjoy the 5 so much.
Great Driving with Great Friends----------Thanks to all who turned out (George)
Gallery
Credits
Route - George
Pictures - George & Robin
Report - George
