June 2017

     Well “Flaming June” really lived up to its name this year. We had two events planned for June and fortunately both fell during the heatwave. John & Alex planned a high Pennine adventure for the 18th as an optional “tulip”.  We all chose the “tulip” and six cars left Sizergh Castle heading north east using the back roads around Kendal towards Tebay. Reversing skills were tested when we met a milk tanker and then a tractor coming the opposite way on a single track road. No question as to who would give way!  It was then onto the garden centre cafe at Newbiggin on Lune for coffee. Resetting our trips we followed the A685 through Kirkby Stephen, turning right at Kaber to Tan Hill. By now we were high on the North Pennines with dramatic scenery and a very welcome cool breeze!  We then dropped down into Arkengarthdale to Reeth for lunch at The Charles Bathurst Inn. The homeward journey was Reeth to Thwaite, south through Buttertubs then the A684 to Sedbergh stopping to say our goodbyes. Thanks to John and Alex for a fantastic day.

     Three days later ten cars met at The Crown High Newton for a short run to Coniston Water, lead by Martin and Brenda, where our annual BBQ was once again being prepared by Brian & Sue. Other members were already there…..two had arrived by Kayak!  After the burgers,sausages etc we were treated to Christine's sticky toffee pudding…..with cream and Kate's lemon drizzle cake. Delicious!!

The sun had set & the midges were starting to bite so we broke camp, waved off the Kayaks and left for home.

     We also managed to fit in our monthly meeting and a few members joined the Burnley and Pendle group for their annual “Pendle Run”.                  Sue     

May 2017

The main event of the month was our Ireland holiday. We met in  Morrison’s car park in Kendal on the 9th. Everyone arrived on time, some needed last minute shopping whilst others topped up with fuel. Seven cars left the car park onto the A6 to Lowther Park for coffee. But where was Brian? He hadn’t even left the car park when his B spluttered to a halt. Not wanting to hold us up he urged us to carry on and he would catch us up later. An eighth car joined us at Lowther and a ninth met us at a garden centre near Dumfries for lunch. We stayed overnight in Newton Stewart ready to take the morning ferry to Larne. Brian arrived in his B in time for dinner.  It had been an ignition problem!  After a smooth crossing we arrived in Larne under glorious sunshine. We made our own way along the Causeway Coastal Route to Ballycastle where we spent two nights. Everyone had their own agenda, the most popular sites visited were The Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and The Dark Hedges. Leaving Ballycastle we followed the coastal route to Londonderry and once in Southern Ireland continued on the Wild Atlantic Way stopping overnight at Letterkenny, Kincasslagh and Killybegs. There was much talk in the evenings of places visited & sites seen then all too soon it was time to return to Larne and the ferry home. I must thank Christine who with a little help from me organised such a fantastic holiday.

For those members who didn’t go to Ireland Colin and Carol arranged a “ Remainers” run. Meeting at “Chez Caroles” for coffee and cake four cars left to explore the West Cumbrian coast. Lunch was at the Kellbank pub at Gosforth.       Sue

MGs on parade at Kincasslagh

April 2017

Once again our events calendar is filling up and as always there is so much to do in such a short season.

 A 'tulip run’ was planned and organised by Roger and Sue for the 9th April.  This time the sun was shining and 8 cars met at Sizergh Castle.

 After being given our ’tulips’ and carefully following instructions we drove towards Sedgwick and Crooklands joining the A65 towards Kirkby Lonsdale turning left at Devil’s Bridge to Casterton. After Barbon we took one of our favourite routes through Barbondale to Gawthrop, Dent and eventually joining the A684 at Garsdale Head. Our first stop was The Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes, by this time a ninth car had joined us for coffee.

 With trips reset we continued through Hawes, North through Buttertubs to Thwaites, Keld, Birkdale then eventually arriving at The Fat Lamb Inn Ravenstonedale for lunch. As the landlord is a classic car enthusiast the inn is a popular watering hole for car clubs and whilst we were there a group of Burnley & Pendle members arrived. After a very nice lunch but before we could leave Alastair’s car needed a bit of TLC. That done, we all made it safely home.

 Thanks to Roger and Sue for another successful and enjoyable ’tulip’.

Sue

The Fat Lamb