MX-5s VISIT HEARTBEAT COUNTRY
ALISON AND DARRELL STORY
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12TH
An early start for some for the “MX5’s Visit Heartbeat Country” as there was a 9:30am breakfast on offer at the starting point of Wingfield Farm, Boothferry Road, Hull – others arrived later for the briefing time of 10:15– a good turnout of 18 cars saw the participants split into 2 groups for a staggered start. With the A team lead by Alison & Darrell away at 10:30 and the B team with Shirley & Tim at the helm around 5 to 10 minutes later. The weather was conducive to a topless run – no sun but no rain either! After lap of the roundabout (due to the left turn only out of the car park) we were away north bound for a run up the roundabout riddled A164 – a left turn avoided the junction with the A1079 for us to join the A1035 and then the B1248 for a good 7 miles of “making progress” Some may have been tempted to call in at the Wolds Village as we have stopped there on previous runs out but today it was straight past onwards to Wetwang… (Comedy Sponsored on Dave but not by Dacia today!) once more on the fast flowing B1248 and a right turn to bypass the bottleneck that is Malton town centre via Settrington & Scagglethorpe onto the westbound A64 then off north again on the A169. There were a couple of NY police unmarked interceptors with the blues & twos on heading in the opposite direction at some speed – perhaps a bit of sheep rustling going on 😉
It was a little slow into Pickering (and I would have been tempted to call off at the NYMR but I don’t think there was anything running!) but we stuck to the route and headed out on the A169 (one of my favourite roads – when there’s no traffic!) A good run past the Hole of Horcum, down Saltergate and under the radar at Fylingdales then a left onto the road to Goathland – looking out for Greengrass in his Maroon Morris Truck or PC Rowan’s MG!
We filed into the village and into the “opened specially for us” carpark just about opposite the post office, shops & tea rooms.
A nice surprise waiting for us there was a True Red Mk3 belonging to Jean & Ray who’d made their own way to Goathland.
I think the majority of our members took advantage of the numerous tea rooms to re-fuel for the next leg of the run and to have a look around the gift shops.
Once all gathered back at the carpark it was ready for the final part of the run, again as team A & B we turned left out of the carpark so as not to retrace our tyre tracks and headed out of Goathland past the railway station and over the bridge and up Cow Wath Bank to join the A169 toward Whitby – for a third of a mile! Then left towards Grosmont…
Following the road and down the step bank over the level crossing at Grosmont station (again no trains!) we headed out towards Egton and the lovely twisty North York Moor roads on to Glaisdale, Danby & Castleton… we headed out of Castleton onto Blakey Ridge (another one of my favourite roads – so long as you look out for & avoid the sheep) we were making good progress again and as we passed the Lion Inn there was a distinct absence of on coming traffic… as we continued along we then saw in the distance some blue flashing lights of a couple of police cars blocking the road. We all stopped and as we were going to ask the police officers “which way is the diversion” they started to walk away from the roadblock and away from us. By the time we had turned around the B team had caught us up, so as we headed back towards the Lion Inn it was now an 18 strong MX5 convoy… we turned right on Knott Road towards Rosedale Abbey a nice diversion route! And as we came into Cropton we had re-joined our original planned route and had the fortune to see a couple of rally prepared Ford Escort Mk1’s one of which had some mechanical issue as the driver rolled it back into the side of the road. A left onto the A170 towards Pickering and back onto the A169 to head south for a couple of miles to the NY500 café, they had stayed open for us so we could take advantage of the facilities and refreshment offerings. Oh, and a look around at some of the rally & racing cars they had on show.
With that the days run came to an end and each of us said our farewells and departed for home… a good day had by all… thanks to Alison and Darrell for organising a great run out.
CREDIT: ANITA AND NICK HUGHES
BREAKFAST SOCIAL
MAUREEN AND PETER WEST
SUNDAY FERUARY 26TH
A select gathering of nine people attended a breakfast social at The Dalesman in Bingley. Unfortunately, Shirley was ill and Tim was there an hour early, obviously starving. We all got stuck into the all you can eat breakfast and were joined later by Michael Cooper who declined food. Bob and Carol journeyed over from York and were visiting relatives further up country so killed two birds with one stone. As it was a small group it made it easier to chat amongst ourselves. We had the customary raffle, organised by Tim. He thought the money was short until he realised he hadn’t paid for his own ticket. Mistake rectified and all square. It was nice to see Carol and Ken who we hadn’t seen for a while. We finally said our goodbyes as we were about to be thrown out ready for the lunchtime bookings. Thanks to all who attended.
EAST SIDE STORY RUN
SHIRLEY AND TIM PICKETT
SUNDAY MARCH 5TH
Sixteen cars met up at Pear Tree Farm in York for the start of the East Side Story Run. Many of us enjoyed breakfast first which, I have to say, was much nicer than the one last week at the breakfast social, and more importantly to us Yorkies was cheaper as well! Tim briefed us all at 10.15 and we were off. Despite the recent inclement weather and the forecast, we all set off with roofs down. Kevin Tweedy was prepared and had brought an umbrella so he could keep the roof down all day. We had a short run to leave York and the ring road and turned off towards Elvington. Some lovely roads then led us through Fridaythorpe and Driffield to Skipsea where we stopped for our comfort break. It was heaving, with lots of families and it was difficult to find a seat. Plenty of our hardy souls enjoyed ice cream but it was tea/coffee and cake for us. Back on the road and some lovely sweeping roads, ideal for the MX5s and these gave us a chance to give our 5 an airing after being laid up for winter. We headed out towards Hull and Beverley and through Pocklington for our final stop at Allerthorpe Country Park. It was a lot quieter here and more tea and food were consumed. Nice to see some of the members we hadn’t seen for a while too, especially Cath and Andy Conolly, Helen and Mick Boyes and Antonia and Richard Hirst. Best of all, the weather remained kind to us and roofs were down all day, quite a surprise for March, and Kevin could leave his brolly in the boot. All in all, a very enjoyable run. Until today I hadn’t realised how much I missed driving the MX5.
SOCIAL
BARBARA AND MICHAEL SENIOR
FRIDAY MARCH 17TH
The Crooked Billet at Saxton was chosen by Barbara and Michael for their social which was a Fish & Chip supper. The staff had kindly set aside the conservatory for us and although we were limited to twenty people the event was oversubscribed, with Shirley having to make a reserve list. Most had fish and chips with a choice of mushy or garden peas while a few had a la carte. The fish and chips were excellent and exceptional value. Some of us also had a sweet which again was lovely. The area was rather noisy as usual, even when we were eating, which is unusual. Shirley organised the customary raffle with quite a mix of prizes. Conversation carried on until people started drifting off for home. As far as I can tell the whole evening was a great success, so much so that the Crooked Billet has been booked for a rematch on April 7th.
Thanks to Barbara and Michael and for assistance from Shirley.