On the 18th of February, the Cambridge and District MGOC ran the
inaugural Snowdrop Run. This is perhaps the first big run of the year
and we took an obvious risk with the weather. As we met for the last preparatory
meeting on Wednesday evening, the forecast did not look good: rain and
low temperatures were forecast. Our combined optimism must have dissuaded
the weather gods. When the early crew turned up at Wimpole Hall they were
met with icy temperatures and fog, but this was quickly burnt away by
a sun that kept its presence felt till late in the afternoon. Wimpole
Hall had agreed to open its restaurant early for the arriving guests who
were able to enjoy the warmth and try their luck at the tombola. It was
a beautiful sight to see 60 cars assembled on the gravel area in front
of the big house.
From around 11 o'clock cars started on their run to Anglesey Abbey, another
National Trust property in Cambridgeshire. There was a choice of two routes:
a beautiful scenic route of 33.5 miles and a more direct route of around
18 miles. We were glad to see most drivers opting for the scenic route.
With hoods down, it was a glorious run. Anglesey Abbey is renowned for
its gardens and for its variety of snowdrops on display this time of the
year. It also has a beautiful winter garden. With the weather as good
as it was, the Abbey attracts around 4,000 visitors a day in the weekend.
On arrival we were directed to the overflow car park, where an area had
been reserved for us. There was then the opportunity to walk in the extensive
gardens before undertaking the drive home.
The run turned out to be a great success with over 60 cars coming in from
13 counties, as far away as Yorkshire, Kent and Devon. Neil and Trish
Doubleday travelled 248 miles to join us and we rewarded their enterprising
spirit with a bottle of champagne. The cars spanned many decades, from
a 1951 MG TD MkII (without a heater!) to the latest Z-series cars. The
oldest car was a 1946 Ford Anglia ED4A.
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