NEW CLEAR DAY RUN

Sunday 6th November 2005

Sssssh -  it's a secret !

It was a little damp and windy when we met up at the Halfway House at East Horndon. Fourteen SEFers turned up despite the weather which was an excellent turn out for a Winter Warmer Run. Even Elaine turned up in the concours winning Woof to brave the elements. Once we'd let the trap racers leave the car park we were ready for our secret briefing - a 64 mile run to the secret bunker with clues along the way and a stop for lunch. Once everyone knew what they were doing and tulips were dished out  we headed off into the Essex Countryside. Adrian had found some excellent winding country lanes in search of as much mud as possible which were great fun to drive along. Although the weather was grey and overcast with intermittent rain it added to the atmosphere of this particular run with it's  cold war theme.

We made it to the half way point and all gathered for lunch in the Red Lion pub where we had a back room all to ourselves. After downing the roast beef, pork and even some huge lamb shanks it was time for the final part of the run. This time we really were heading for the Secret Nuclear bunker.

After negotiating some more tiny lanes we spotted a huge sign pointing to the "Vast Ex-Government Secret Nuclear Bunker" - a bit of a giveaway then !

Once there we slithered down a muddy track to pull into an area in front of a small verandered bungalow in the middle of the woods. Innocuous as it seemed there were one or two giveaways - the huge aerial on the hillside behind , strange exhaust pipes emerging from the side of the bungalow, an array of cameras lining the roof and the doodle bug outside all indicated that this was not your standard retirement home.

After an obligatory photo shoot of all the Fs and one TF outside - just what Mr Phjillips with that doodle bug is anyone's guess ! - we climbed the steps to the front door. Predictably we didn't find a cosy front room with your grandparents sitting by the open fire but a cold iron cage and mysterious steps disappearing towards the back wall. We carefully descended with our new orange mobiles to our ears with a man telling us exactly where we were - the entrance tunnel also doubling as a blast defence and useful for shooting civilians who may try to storm the bunker in time of emergency. We gingerly descended but made it safely to the end and entered the massive iron bomb proof doors to actually get inside the ten feet thick concrete walls of the bunker itself.

It proofed to be a fascinating trip through the realms of what may have been - enough room to hold 600 personell as well as government officials, ministers and even a room for the Prime  Minister - just why John Major was in bed in that room was a bit of a mystery. Most of the equipment was still in place and seemd to be 70's vintage - in fact some of us were nostalgic about the old cable switchboards and ticker tape telex machines that we used to operate  - the younger ones amongst us looked bemused at all the "ancient" equipment. The bunker had areas for each government ministry as well as a complete BBC studio for broadcasts to the nation in time of emergency

Passing by the sick bay where a grizzly operation was under way we walked through the dormitories operated on a three shift pattern with each bed used for 24 hours a day. The whole place was kept at a constant temperature by a giant refrigerator mechanism with huge extractors that could rid the whole place of gas , in the event of an attack, in a matter of moments. Frightening stuff but at least there was a warm cup of tea at the end in the canteen.

For those that had brought their answer sheets with him Adrian quickly totted up the scores and certificates were duly awarded by Tim to those successful Treasure Hunters.

First place was shared by Suzanne and Tim who had to don a special sergeants uniform.

Runners up were Dave  and Amie at just one point behind who were spared the jackets but had to were the russian army hats instead !.

It was a  great run with a fascinating ending - thanks to Adrian for organising the route and we promise not to venture too far into the Essex Roadster territory next time !.