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Jersey Spring Rally, May 2001 The Secretary's Diary

Thursday 3rd
Simon and I set off at 5:00 am on the Thursday morning. After a brief stop Fleet Services for Coffee we arrived at Weymouth soon after 8. No sign of the rest of the club at the ferry terminal so we had a coffee in the cafe when they started loading the ferry! Trying to finish a steaming hot cup of coffee in 10 seconds we had to dash out and board. Once boarded we saw the remainder of the L&D MGOC queuing - waved at Glyn but it wasn't him – "sorry" to whoever it was. Transpired that all had arrived safely the night before. The crossing was very calm. While on board this guy, Bruce, introduced himself - he was organising the coaches for the Fri & Sat night shin-digs. I had to get money off everyone so he could book the coaches when we got to the island. The most notable memories of the crossing were the excellent hot bacon baguette and Harrogate's green sweatshirts everywhere. After a brief stop at Guernsey it was onto Jersey where we disembarked into the car park at St. Helier via the foot & mouth spray. I had the roof down - whoops! Some warning wouldn’t have gone amiss. Anyway, as threatened, the BBC Spotlight TV cameras were filming. The f&m spray had left nasty marks on our pristine cars so it was time for the first leather of the holiday. John even had sponge and water. Found our way to the hotel. After the evening meal, a few of us drove to the Harvest Barn to join up with the Jersey club meeting. Simon navigated and we had a small detour via a petrol station forecourt. The pub had a big screen telly. There we were! Graham first, coming off ferry, then Simon. Then Simon and John cleaning their cars - fame at last! Completely knackered, we had one last drink in hotel bar. Weather for the first day was dry, sometimes sunny, and cool.

Friday 4th
 One great thing about British holidays is waking up to a cooked breakfast. Went to check out the motor museum then off to Gorey drive-in BBQ. Excellent plaice al fresco but a bit nippy, then off for a stroll around the village. Went round to Bouley Bay and had tea in the hotel on the front. On our way back to the hotel we got our first glimpse of those elusive but precious Jersey cows. Because we had to catch the coach for the evening's entertainment, the evening meal required a visit to the local chippy for pie & chips on the sea front and dessert courtesy of the local 7-11 shop. Just made it back in time for the coach to Pomme D'Or Hotel for the Jersey tourist board reception. Lots of wine and beer later we got the coach back to the hotel. Again cool and mostly sunny and dry except at Gorey where it was overcast with a few spots of rain.

Saturday 5th - The Rally and the Fancy Dress Party
Bright sunshine greeted us today but yet again there was a cool breeze whipping across the rugby field. Gave the car a quick dust down. Simon, Graham, Glyn and Rod entered the concours. We walked to the Garden Centre tea room for jacket potatoes and to warm up. Later in the afternoon we drove round to St.Ouen's bay for a club photo-stop. A beautiful spot and probably the best club line-up in a long time. Then it was onto the Goldsmiths for tea. Alan & Graham swapped cars for the drive back to L'Hermitage. Each loved each other's (cars). Another quick dinner in the evening. While waiting for the coach, Graham and Sheila revealed themselves as choir persons - excellent! Got the coach to the Royal Hotel. Bruce and Nicky were Tin Man and Dorothy, Glyn & Lynda were Great North Elastic Band, Rod was a barbershop singer, Lyn was a Peruvian panpiper, Simon was Johnny Rotten, Steph was Jennifer Lopez and I was Mark Knopfler. Other notables were Sgt. Pepper Beatles, a grand piano, Abba, Elvis, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. A great evening of dancing and drinking was followed by the longest raffle on record.

Sunday 6th - Driving Tests and Prize Giving
Overcast and very cool, no, actually it was damn cold. Got to the driving tests just in time to see Bruce's first attempt. An excellent 46s put him in 3rd spot after the first round. Didn't go quite far enough into the garage on his very quick second run so 37s became 47s. Bruce's biggest mistake came in the 3rd round when he employed Geoff as a co-driver, went the wrong side of cone and got completely lost. Made our way to "Living Legends" for the cream tea and presentations. The first prize to be given was for the fancy dress and Bruce and Nicky got it for Tin Man and Dorothy. We were to get a second prize when Rod picked up 1st in the MGF pride of ownership. We got a mention as the 3rd biggest club entry behind Northants and Harrogate. In the evening it was off to the Windmill for wind-down noggin and natter. Chatted with Sandra and Jenny plus another guy from Jersey who worked on the Marsh Farm flats in 1971. A very inebriated local almost fell on our table. Back to hotel for yet more noggin & natter until 1am. Quote of the day: "That looks very rude" said Hilary as she looked at the driving test route map.

Monday 7th - Quiz
Got to the Harvest Barn in time to enter the quiz. Coffee and cake laid-on on the heated patio. Started gathering answers. Nicky rang her mum to find out who Boz was. I rang my dad to find out the area number of the JMGOC. We also had to collect a self portrait, a virtual pet and a piece of JMGOC regalia. I drew a picture of Geoff, Nicky went and got her cuddly dog from her Dorothy costume and the JMGOC clock Bruce and Nicky won for the fancy dress. Made our way to the Smugglers Inn for lunch. Very busy but food was excellent. Then onto the Goldsmiths again for cream teas and a round-up of the quiz. Despite our great attempts, we didn't do enough to win a prize. Went for a drive around the NW corner. Went for a stroll at Plemont Bay. We drank in the bar until 1am again. Must stop having these late nights. Nipped out briefly to catch up on the snooker final - just in time to catch Ronnie O'Sullivan collecting the cheque and lifting the trophy. Overcast until lunchtime but a sunny afternoon. Still cool.

Tuesday 8th
So, the rally had ended and we were left to our own devices. Short drive to St. Aubin. Walked around harbour and visited to the tacky gift shop to buy postcards. Bought a pack lunch and went onto Ouaisne Bay to eat and relax. Wrote the postcards and went for a short stroll along the beach. Simon arranged for some champagne with the evening meal and then it was into the bar again. The evening's entertainment was a magician who could turn £1 notes into £20 notes and do the most amazing things with a pack of cards. Just when things couldn't get any more bizarre, Bruce got his kit off and dived into the outdoor pool as part of a £30 bet by Nicky that he wouldn't [she still hasn't coughed up yet, allegedly]. Overcast start but sunny for most of the day. Still cool.

Wednesday 9th
As my wife and I were staying on for a couple more days, we saw everybody off in the morning. Everyone seemed to have a really good time. Not a bad word from anybody about anybody or anything. All in all, a great and successful MG holiday. It was back to our room where I wrote this report, interrupted briefly but the Battle of Britain flypast as part of the Liberation Day celebrations. After a visit to Corbiere lighthouse, we made our way to Greve De Lecq to meet Sandra and a few others. Quaint little bay where a fisherman got his tractor stuck in the sand. A mate appeared in a boat and another mate in another tractor and together they towed him out of trouble. Drove back to St. Aubin for a walk around the town and its pretty winding streets. Back at the hotel and it all seemed so quiet without the rest of the gang, especially the bar and the restaurant. Overcast but bright. Cool wind again

Thursday 10th
A warm start at last. Took the coast road to Gorey. Stopped off to by a Jersey cow fridge magnet and a "David" pen. Then continued on the coast road to Rozel Bay for a tea stop. Then onto the Pearl centre for lunch. Then onto the sea front at St. Ouen's Bay for a Magnum and Ribena. Got some petrol (58.5p/l - excellent), then back to the hotel via the lavender farm and the valley with the reservoirs in it. Had to stop briefly in Red House to put the hood up as it started to rain. Started to get a bit humid. Ate in the hotel again then went to St. Brelade Bay for a walk along the front. Back to the hotel to pack.

Friday 11th
Another warm and sunny start. Made our way to the ferry. Who should be there but Sandra and Bruce? After saying our thanks and goodbyes, we had another calm crossing to end a fantastic week. David Asquith Area Secretary - 0814