Updates

I have been a little lapse with the Blog of late so I think an update is due. Winter seemed a long time ending this year, the start of our car season began with a run out in late February to Wells next the Sea for some of the Phoenix CVC members. Not a warm day, but we enjoyed a run from Wymondham to Wells and then had fish and chips in the famous Plattens on the harbour front. We followed this with a blustery walk down the 1 mile sea wall down to Holkham Beach. It was quite cold and windy so we cheated and came back on the little railway.

Wells next the Sea.

Looking down the sea wall towards Holkham Beach.

Early March I visited the NEC Classic Restoration Show with friends, we spent a long and full day looking around at lots of cars that had been restored, looked at a few barn finds that where for sale, then searched the halls for info and parts for my friends recently imported Austin Hereford from Australia. Not as big as the November Classic Car Show but very interesting with lots of restoration demos on the go. We watched the 2 guys of Wheeler Dealers for a few minutes, before deciding they where both a couple of nobs who loved their voices. However up the other end of the halls we spent time listening to a talk by Ant Anstead from The Love of Cars and Fuzz Townsend from Car SOS who where genuinely helpful, knowledgeable and down to earth.

Barnfind Volvo P60

Early Saab

Nice Jag

Chrysler Imp Van.

For the weekend of FHBVC Drive it Day I managed to borrow a mileage accumulation car from work, so we put a few miles on it on the Saturday with a trip to Bury St Edmund's, the long way round via Norwich and Newmarket.

The Beast I borrowed.

Unfortunately it was LHD which restricted overtaking sometimes, been so low to the road I had to rely on Gills word to go when stuck behind larger vehicles, and she would take no chances!

Bury St Edmund's Abbey grounds.

Abbey Gatehouse.

Bury St Edmund's Cathedral.

Exige S - IPS

The Drive it Day run was on the 26th April, again we did not have brilliant weather, Gill and I had planned the run from Thickthorn Services near Norwich to a pub near Swaffham for Sunday Lunch. Again we went the long way round, via Bawburgh, Ringland Hills, Felthorpe, Swannington, Cawston, Saxthorpe, Briston, Melton Constable, Ryburgh, Brisley, Mileham, and finishing in Necton, in other words in a big circle. We then followed this with a quick run to a members fine house near Stoke Ferry.

Drive it Day

Drive it Day

The TR7 is still in my friends barn, all welding is now complete, though there was much more than I thought needed, it is back together again and the underside has been under-sealed and wax-oiled, however it now needs a full paint job. Won't be this year I fear.

Current State of TR7

Under bonnet view.

We are now using the MG TF for shows and runs as well as been a daily driver.

MG TF.

Sunday the 17th of May we took part in the Iceni MG Owners Club Boadicea Run, Starting as usual from Rougham near Bury St Edmund's. We had a few Phoenix CVC members with us. The run on a fine sunny day went around Suffolk and into Essex with a halfway stop at Lavenham, before loads more country lanes back to Bury, approx 100 miles in length. Who says MG,s don't do anything.

Lined up at Rougham.

Rougham Airfield Control Tower and Museum.

Well worth a visit to this interesting and free memorial to the USAF in WWII.http://www.rougham.org/

Typical roads on the run.

There are some wonderful houses on the route and nice villages and towns to stop in such as Kentford, Gazeley, Whepstead, Long Melford, Claire, Cavendish. We stopped for a very nice snack in the Horseshoes Inn near Cockfield. The Horseshoes Inn

Lavenham.

Back at the Control Tower at Rougham we had a coffee and cakes in the sun, an added attraction on the airfield was the Large Model Flying Club Show with some excellent and quite large models flying around, including jet propelled ones. We made for home around 4.30. A good day out.

Back at Rougham.