Far East Run ~ Sunday, January 26th, 2003

Rubber BalloonsWe started at Cardiff Gate Services, M4 Junction 30. A total of 10 cars came out, as did the Sun to encourage those tops down. It was also at this point our car was mysteriously filled with balloons and banners for my birthday.

 

Where did you get that hat?!Several new people came out including Phil and Lesley, Idris and June, and visitors from across the Channel, Jane and Frank. Hello to you all; and we look forward to seeing more of you all especially when we go to Ireland in May.

 

Swing low, sweet chariot

Our first stop was after only a few miles, at the Transporter Bridge in Newport (Gwent).

The Transporter in the distance Take it to the bridge. History. The first set of six crossing over. Second load.

Fully loaded Sedately we went across Organiser, organising. See you on the other side. 

This structure, built in 1906, carries hundreds of cars across the river every day for just 50p each way. It's usually closed for maintenance on Sunday morning, but Newport Borough had kindly agreed to take us across during the maintenance period after a special request to the chief engineer. The Gondola takes six cars at once, so as we were 10 we made it in two trips. It was great fun crossing the river this way, and if you're ever stuck with a closed M4, this route can take a lot off the route West.

Bizarrely, somebody told Ray that there is a video available of the bridge being built!!!

Caerleon Roman Ruins

Caerleon amphitheatreOur first proper chat stop was at Caerleon, about 18 miles from the start point. There are a very well preserved set of Roman ruins there, including the Amphitheatre where we had a 20 minute leg stretching stop.

 

Sadly it was here that technical problems forced Dave and Chris to head for home rather than risk being too far out if the problem worsened; and then there were nine.

Up the A48 with lunch on the radar.The next, and longest, fastest part of the journey was along back out through Caerleon and then over the top of the A449 behind the Celtic Manor Hotel, joining the A48 which we followed all the way to Newnham for Lunch at the White Hart. Unbeknown to most of our group, Michelle and I had arranged to meet up with the South West Midlands Region on their Forest Run. This made a total of 27 MX-5's. It was a bit of a shock for the kitchen staff, because even though both groups had both booked ahead, the SWM gang was much bigger than originally planned; they coped admirably.

 

Lunch at the White Hart

Welsh contingent Loads of MX-5's and their happy owners. More of them! The Mazda sign means topless motoring. (If you know the tune, you're too old for a sports car!) 

I did think it odd that there was no standing area.I had some problems with identifying which loo to use that resulted in a strange encounter with a young girl wearing rubber gloves (she was wearing them, not me).

 

After a long, leisurely lunch and a gossip in the car park, we set of towards Cinderford for a blast through the forest on our way home.

Off in a McFlurry of squealing tyres

My, my Madam, we have been busy at the fruiterers haven't we? Last port of call was McDonald's at the Coldra for an ice-cream and a coffee before all going our separate ways. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the drive, which makes the organising worth all the effort. The total mileage to McDonald's was 87 miles, and to the start point, 100.

 

No it's not a decade for each candle as someone suggested.We'd just like to say hello to the SWM group. If anyone of you read this report it was nice seeing you all; thanks to Paul and David for helping to set up the "meeting". Thanks to our gang for the excellent winter turnout, and for making my birthday an extremely enjoyable one, especially for the cake that Michelle made me share!!

 

Acknowledgements to Ray and Ros for the excellent pictures and, as ever, to Mark and Chris for the extra organising.

Great weather, great roads, great people, great food; Great Car.

Extra pictures, courtesy of Peter and Heather.

 

Hi Ho Silver