Weekend Road Trip 2016
The first 2-day Club run took place on the 23/24 April with six cars taking part.We set off from Morpeth where we all met up in bright sunshine but quite cold with a strong northerley wind. We had Arthur and Liz in the Lotus Elan +2, Keith in the TVR Chimaera, Bryan in Sharron's Porsche Boxter, John and Dorothy in the Hawke, Michael and Denise in a highly modified version of Ellie,and myself Alan in the Robin Hood.John, Bryan and Alan opted to go topless as we set out on the first leg up to Otterburn, stopping on the border crossing for usual photos where John Put the hood up before Dorothy froze to the seat, It was only 2 degrees by this stage with a wind chill to rival Siberia. A cuppa at the Woolen Mill soon restored us and we set off on leg 2 up to Hawick via St Boswells. A break for a snack at Morrisons and Alan and Bryan put the roof up for the run down the A7 to Carlisle and the Hotel. We all enjoyed the fast sweeping road with very lillte traffic We arrived at the hotel at about 4-30 giving plenty time for a rest and a shower before we all met up for a meal and a few glasses of wine, and a great night was had by all.
Day 2. We met back at the restuarant at 10-30 on the Sunday morning and had a full English to set us on our way, a short 30 mile trip to the west cost town of Maryport. It was tops off weather for Alan and Bryan as early morning snow and sleet was replaced by sunshine. After more photos we set off out towards the A66 and on to Penrith driving through the wonderful sceenery of the Lakes, we really are lucky to live in such a beautiful area.Tea and cakes at Sainsbury's saw Arthur decide to go the easy way home as he was starting to have problems with the Lotus' back brakes. Bryan went with him as he had a 3-4 hr drive to Coventry waiting for him when he got home, ready for work on Monday. Keith decided not to stop for coffee, As he had jobs to do and time was getting late and made the jouney over Hardnott to Hexham ,
So the remaining trio set off looking forward to nice brisk run to Hexham only for a Mercedes driver to hold us up all the way to the Hartside cafe where we stopped to take in the views over a coffee. We had a clear run down all the way to Hexham and got the chance to enjoy the challenge of the superb road. We headed off home after Hexham and having done 270 miles over the 2 days we all enjoyed the roads and the company of great friends. A really good weekend.
