Four Frogs, two Midgets and an
MGF go to Burton Dassett!
We woke on Sunday
morning to torrential rain, which was to threaten for the next few days - the
three Frogs carried on to Whaley Bridge. Big John was to catch us up the
following day after fetching Vic from home.
Unfortunately, a
roundabout got the better of Alf, and his wheel fell off, overtaking him and
going in the wrong direction. Terry got undersealed when they all tried to lift
the car onto the jack, and they all got soaked through! The wheel was wired up,
and it was tightened up frequently during a 25MPH run. We did, however, stop
for coffee in a pub with a Bet Lynch lookalike whose passing shot was "Happy
Motoring, Chuck". In Whaley Bridge we had an evening of "All Barry's
Yesterdays" which was Frogeye, Midget and 1970's hair and flares. Did you know
how many gauges you can cram into a Frogeye dashboard? Just ask Barry!
Monday morning and
we took the roofs down, and although it was extremely windy, we enjoyed blowing
the cobwebs out! We found that the B6034 to Holmfirth (Suitable for light
vehicles only) was not only a superb Frogging road, but a road that you can
lose your hat on too!
 Heydon Moor
When we got to the
pub we were staying at, we found that the Girls would have to spend the night
on the side of the road ..... Oh!
L to R.
Terry, Alf, Barry and Big John
Norah Batty's
steps
We got on our way,
and were well on our route through some wet but wonderful |
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countryside (some of it twice over, due to taking
the wrong turning ...) when Alf had a loud clunk that was terminal. This meant
an unscheduled stop at The Buck at Buckden, lovely people, good food, good beer
and comfortable beds. Alf's Frog was recovered to have a day in Blackpool
before being taken home, but due to Big John having his modern car, both Alf
and Lynn could carry on - not quite the same, but at least they were
there.
The next day we
carried on to Skipton, having a wander round the town (have you been to the
museum - it's good) before repairing to the pub we were staying at. More food
and beer - holidaying is such hard work!
Thursday morning and
we leave for Chester - the sun is shining and all is well with the world. The
motorway journey passed without incident and we arrive in time to get the bus
into the city for lunch, sight seeing and a walk around the city walls.
Alf had previously
'checked out' the pub across the road to the B & B and booked us in for our
evening meal - nice one Alf
Breakfast over,
where's lunch?
Chester
Centre
Another good
breakfast under our belts and we head for North Wales. Along the way we take
the opportunity to do some Top Gear style filming of 'The Girls' being driven
through Horseshoe Pass.
Up the Horseshow
Pass - or was it down!
Taking in the
views
By mid afternoon we
are enjoying tea and cake, sat in the conservatory of The Old Farmhouse at
Clun. |
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We are assured that dinner is just a ¾
mile walk away - nobody told us the route was nearly vertical. Anyway the walk
down and exploring the ruins of Clun Castle gives us an appetite for our meal
and we all manage the climb back up afterwards although it was 'touch and go'
for a couple of us.
Waiting for Dinner
in Clun
Exploring Clun
Castle
Barry got the
jitters about a cupboard in our room, but we survived the night and woke to
another sunny day. Eighty miles later, with several stops to glare menacingly
at Terry's brakes to stop them binding we arrive at Much Binding in the Marsh
(who remembers Daphne Whitethigh and Spotty Minnie Bannister!) (Bourton on the
Water).
Outside
the Museum in Bourton-on-the-Water
 Our
last meal!
We check into or
accommodation and disperse in all directions; Alf & John to sample the
local ale, Lynn, Vic, Jenny & Barry hit the shops while Terry & Harriet
meet up with an old friend who happily (for all of us) owns a restaurant in the
centre of town, where we all spent a great 'last evening'.
It's Sunday and the
sun is still shining. We split in two groups; some to visit the museum and the
rest indulge in a little retail therapy. After lunch we all set off for home -
ten days and 700 or more miles after we started. Little did we know the
challenges we would meet along the way but that's what driving an old car is
all about. Isn't it? |
