BRITISH LAKES RUN SUNDAY 3rd MARCH 2002
For our second monthly meet we decided on a club run out to the Lake
District. The event had been organised nationally for a while but it was the
North East members who came to the rescue.
09.30am and it was a phone call from Martin Stacey eager to set off in his
new Mica Blue MK1 which he had just purchased from me a few weeks ago.
10.00am we met John and Claire Moore and Mac and Jackie Sheavills at our
local gathering place the Church Mouse, just outside of Durham City. There I had
arranged to meet a new member, Paul Woods and Becky who had a very interesting
modified car. Time served mechanic Paul had converted his car to run on LPG with
the tank mounted in the boot. He has also modified cosmetically the front
spoiler using a Vauxhall Carlton!
We set off from the Church Mouse and journeyed South to pick up Mike Johnson
and Viv Allison in their Supercharger and Rob Copeland and Marcia who had
travelled up from Scarborough for the event. Seven cars in total and 14 members
then headed the A66 towards the Lake District.
The first stop was Pooley Bridge for a quick pint to calm nerves before the
run up and through Kirkstone Pass. What an amazing drive, fantastic road’s with
spectacular views. Here we took the opportunity to take a few inspiring
photographs.
The stop at Kirkstone was absolutely breathtaking but we couldn’t rest. The
next stop was Grassmere, but first lunch. Our venue for lunch was the Glen
Rothay Hotel in Ambleside. Here we were treated not only to a wonderful roast
but a rather eccentric, not to say mad waiter who entertained us throughout the
meal. After lunch we gathered around the front of the hotel and the owners
insisted we all took pictures and send them a few prints. We must have made a
good impression as we were all invited back to stay at the hotel.
After lunch we continued towards Grassmere and decided to stay here for a
one-hour browse before continuing to the most challenging part of the run,
Helvellyn. What an unbelievable drive. Luckily the roads were quiet which gave
us the chance to use most of the road, which you needed. For me this was the
best part of the trip, we climbed to a height of 1900ft through Alston before
the descent through Weardale back to the Church Mouse for a well-earned pint.
Here are a few quotes by members.
“Bloody Hell! This lot don’t hang about” - Paul Woods, en route to Scotch
Corner
“Where’s the Bloody road gone” - Mike Johnson, drive through Helvellyn
“Is this 14 seater table ours!” - Viv Allison, Glen Rothay Hotel
“I couldn’t help thinking we had walked into Fawlty Towers for lunch” - John
and Claire Moore
“Michael, slow down you idiot!” - Joanne Thom, Michael Sheavills passenger
“Can we do another lap!” - Martin Stacey, now obsessed with rear wheel drive.
We had a fantastic day, thanks to everyone who came.
MICHAEL SHEAVILLS
