September 2021

 

A very quiet meeting was held at Gilpin Bridge on 7th September with only a small number of members attending. For two of our members, Les and Christine, it was probably their last one as they have retired and moved back home to Darlington to be with their family. They continue to be members and promise to join us whenever they can.We were keen to have another run before the winter sets in so John and Alex volunteered to plan a route. So on 26th September, despite fuel shortages, eight cars met at The Lakeland Motor Museum for a pre-run coffee. We were allowed to park in the V.I.P. car park and an area of the cafe was reserved for us. It was lovely to have Bob and Sheila join us again with Bob looking so well after his illness. We could have sat chatting all day but we had a run to go on. By our usual standards it was a fairly short figure of eight route making the most of the fells of South Cumbria around Broughton in Furness. On a clear day would have enjoyed beautiful views of the lakeland fells and later across the Irish sea but unfortunately the mist obscured most of it. One of the highlights which didn’t disappoint was our coffee stop on Birker Fell at the Crosby Snack Shed. We were promised excellent coffee, cake and views. Well I can vouch for the coffee and cake…especially the ginger bread!!! We ended a very enjoyable day with a late lunch at The Manor House at Oxen Park.Thank you Alex and John for a fabulous day out.        

August 2021

 

Our proper monthly meetings are back!  The Gilpin Bridge Inn welcomed us back on the 3rd Aug along with new members Martin and Yvonne from Arnside and Tony from Silverdale. It was as if we’d never been away!!

One of the drawbacks living in the South Lakes is that the roads can get very congested and planning a route can be very challenging,

but with good knowledge of the local area Roger and Sue were able to steer us away from crowds and lead us on a very enjoyable afternoon drive.

Ten MG’s left a very busy Sizergh Castle and using minor roads, some single track, we headed east to Killington then north to our coffee stop at The Orton Scar Cafe.

After refuelling on coffee and very nice cakes we continued further north to Great Asby then south through some stunning scenery, with the majestic Howgill Fells in the background, to Newbiggin on Lune, Ravenstonedale then on to Sedbergh stopping for a group photo on the way.

Up until then the weather had been dry and warm with just a few sprinkles but on the homeward stretch there was a heavy shower which forced some to stop and put up their hoods .We ended the day with a loverly meal at The Punch Bowl,Barrows Green,Kendal.    

Thank you Roger and Sue for finding a quiet route and taking us on roads even John B had never been on!!!!       Sue

July 2021

 I am delighted to report that our first run since 2019 took place on the 24th July. It was decided to repeat our last run of 2019 which we had to abandon due to flooding. There was a huge response and it was lovely to see 10 cars lined up raring to go. Les and Christine surprised us all by arriving in their newly restored MGBGT…and about time too!!! It was also nice to welcome back Peter and Loraine who used to join us on our runs 8 plus years ago! After supplying us all with a map, Roger and Sue took the lead and guided us to our first stop…coffee at the Bridge House Tea Rooms. After coffee and quick look round the garden centre we headed south to Slaidburn then east to Long Preston where we joined the A65 for a few miles before turning off towards Otterburn and Airton. This is as far as we got last time but as there wasn’t a puddle in sight we could continue to Threshfield, Kettlewell then through the beautiful Langstrothsdale to Hawes for more refreshments at the creamery. It should have been a straightforward journey on to The Station Inn at Oxenholme for a late lunch but due to an accident which closed the main road we had to turn around and take a detour on The Coal Road at Garsdale. We arrived a bit late and very hungry!! Thank you Roger and Sue for a fabulous day out. It was quite a challenge staying in convoy in very busy Sunday traffic.