South Staffs March report
"NAVIGATE THIS SITE"
I don't have a Satnav
I do however have Blokenav v1
Which means that when Geoff and I went to the MG Spares Day at Stoneleigh I just "knew" the way, of course
Which explains (a bit) how two Midgets and a "tagged along too" MGB were found exploring the back roads around Stoneleigh Abbey on the 24th February. At one point we even had another but he passed us and made his own sweet way.
I knew from years ago that if we turned off the A45 towards the Stoneleigh signs we could drive up right to the door, what I had forgotten was that, yes there is a right turn to make. But NOT not until we passed the edge of Stoneleigh Village
Oh well with the welcome help of a passing AA man we did find the place, Ahem, "just where I expected it to be
" The spares day is great when you are in the event, hall after hall after hall of dedicated MG Car Parking, indoors out of the weather.
Sadly I can't say the same for the event, not as much Spridgetty stuff as I would have liked. Which is grossly unfair to the organisers 'cos I didn't have any purchases in mind before I went and would have rung up "insufficient funds" if I'd seen owt. We did have a good wander around, noting happily that there were quite a few Spridget 50 posters and flyers on display. For many of these I have to thank the help of Alistair Shaw, who trades as Magic Midget Man at shows and autojumbles. He brought me his card as Geoff, and I left the cars in the parking sheds. As fair exchange was deemed to be no robbery I gave him half a zillion Spridget 50 flyers, which he kindly offered to display on the screen of every midget in the joint. Thanks Alistair see me at Spridget 50, I'll get the drinks in.
The club stand, ably presented by the stalwarts of Warwickshire was well presented and a constant stream of visitors kept them and Chairman Nigel busy all day. I had an inlet manifold to sell which the guys from Warwickshire kindly put on their autojumble stall, but it didn't sell. Presumably not many people there were looking for a "rare" MG 1100 twin carb manifold, never mind maybe next time.
Several of our members were at the show, nice to see them all, and Anita and Mark making good recoveries after their terrible crash a few weeks ago. They had a stall selling autojumble and Anita stood out in her bright yellow Spridget 50 cap and top. Very good pre-event advertising though!
When the day and Geoff and I were exhausted we drove home in time for the heavens to open just as we were stuck in the usual traffic around the outskirts of Coventry. Sudden and shattering we hoped it was going to be a short one but it lasted for ages. One of those "shall I shan't I moments" as I debated putting the hood up but safe opportunities on the main road were few so I left it down. It wasn't TOO BAD later but I never got dry again until I reached home. A few slithery moments as my tyres reminded me that old tyres aren't as good for grip as newer ones. Too.
On Wednesday night there were a goodly selection of us in the pub, at the table near the fire, guess who had the chair nearest to the fire saved for him?
Yup, muggins.
Not to worry I am used to taking the heat.
We had a good chat and a visit from Mike, who I often meet at Le Mans made the evening even more of an event, conversation flowed like the beer.
Rounded off the evening with a superb drive home on a quite mild dry night, I'd take nights like those any time
Most of us seem to be ready for Spridget 50, only a couple of months to go now.
1 Comments :
Bill, Glad to hear you noticed the reserved chair near the fire, we were all certain that the hood would be down! It was good to see new faces at the club and Mike was in entertaining mood as he reeled off tales from Le Mans and the camp site! Geoff followed up on his lap top showing us all the pictures of Hope Cove to Dartmouth run in 2007. See you at the next meeting. Bob
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