Churnett Valley Railway Car Show, Staffs Sun 23 Oct

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

...mmmm chrome lights!

b*******, more re-wiring than I remembered needed, plus once I got the nose off I seem to have sheared both upper rad mounts! Doh!!

Ah well, at least I've already got a spare set of mounts - I knew one side was on the way out. Will get those on as a temporary fix this afternoon. But looks like it'll be out with the welder in the near future, I'll copy current Factory practice and make some steel weld on mounts.

Sorry I couldn't make it, but at least I found out before the rad fell off!!!

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

My we have been busy, AndyR proudly showed off his new paint job and his improved seating arrangement, we didn't get to see the lights though. Martyn has been busy getting hot and Dave sounds like he is just getting busy, very busy.

 

It's a good job Trevor came, everyone else had a red car, I thought yellow was the popular colour         

We picked up AndyR at the petrol station and met Trevor and Big Andy and Debbie at Matlock before going to Ashbourne on the cold, wet roads...steady.

 

 

Martyn and Sue were only just sitting down to breakfast in the M&S cafe as the road they had come to Ashbourne on was closed and a numpty had set the diversion route. I love driving in the big circle to nowhere but it is better when you can choose to do it. Plus the lost key, oh my we have all done it. That was it then, everyone grabbed a coffee and set to warming up, we were never getting to the car show for 10.30 now.

 

We drove the 20 minute journey to Froghall station on the Churnett Valley Railway. Good job we were booked in as it was nearly full, we went down to the far end and found just the spot. Shame about the photographer hey Julie, well the sun was in my eyes.

 

 

 

We had a good view of the steam train though. One had just pulled in as we were leaving, it must have been quite a sight for everyone as they got off the train and all these beautiful cars drove slowly past.

 

 

After a look at the steam trains and cars, and a refresh in the quaint station cafe it was time to drive.

 

So funny, I briefly explained the route to the other drivers, just so they have an idea of where they are going, it's only polite I think. I get these dozy faces looking at me, smiling, saying 'we haven't got a clue where we are we will just follow you Julie' Well it is a good job because as we were driving along towards Leek I had a brainwave, if I can find the right turn I can cut out Leek all together and get the scenic route up past Warslow and come down to The Roaches. Yep, I found it and suddenly we were on empty roads, more twisty, more hilly and thankfully drier. So my instruction of Left, Right, Right, Left was utter rubbish in the end, good job nobody listens to me 

 

AndyR had to get back on his mammoth journey and left us at this point, we soon arrived at the Roaches Tea Room. We didn't get parked on the front but this was the view from our table over Tittersworth Reservoir.

 

 

Our table, you may laugh at our blankets but at Stickle Barn - a cafe in the Lake District - they provide you with hot water bottles and blankets..mmm...hot water bottles...now there is an idea!

 

 

We managed to park at the side of the Tea Rooms

 

 

Cake is never far away either

 

 

Golly, the conversation, how do we get onto these subjects, we are mad I am sure. After much merriment, and this is on tea, can you imagine if we went to the pub and got drunk, as I said after much merriment it worked out that to avoid closed roads it would be better for everyone to go down the Via Gellia road and split up at the traffic lights.

 

Next weekend is the Matlock Mystery Tour, some people can only make Saturday and some people can only make Sunday but the day will be chosen by the weather forecaster, biblical and torrential rain is NOT invited this year. Thanks for coming everyone and hope to see some of you next weekend.

[Andy_R]

Thanks for the great day out ... I had a really good time and luckily got back before the heavens opened.

 

On the way back I ended up going through Matlock Bar and saw a lot of lovely motor bikes and then went up a VERY steep hill in Matlock where some very crazy bikers (pedal ones this time) had an uphill race!!! After Rotherham I passed about 10 different groups of kids who all shouted out how great the car was ... so naturally a lot of wheel spinning was required to say thank you 

 

Finally when I arrived home my son was waiting and wanted to have a spin in Roary! He's autistic and while he loves the car he's never wanted to have a ride. We spent 10 minutes going down fast country roads and he loved every minute. The perfect end to the day.

 

Can't wait till the next time.

[Big Andy]

hi everyone 

yes really enjoyed it on sunday thank you all and yes julie im one off those that give you the vacent look when you are telling us the root lol 

and there is only a few of pics from sunday at the moment as the photo bucket is playing up but i managed to get the one of someone leaving the boot open on his westfield i wouldnt like to mention there names there Martyn and sue 

and sorry we carnt make it this next weekend as we are away with our woble box and i here that you like them julie 

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

AndyR - I think the road that you went steeply up hill on in Matlock is the one called Steep Turnpike, yes, google map it because it is really the name of the road. Glad you enjoyed the day and look forward to the next time.

 

Andy Big - keep the pictures coming, love em. It's always good to see other peoples take on the day and your Debbie takes a good action shot, even though her hands freeze when she takes her gloves off to take the photo, what a good sport she is. I just need to work on you two to ditch that damn tent thing.