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It was the second day of summer at the Watermill in Dorking when 28 MGF/TFs gathered to follow in the footsteps of  Don Quixote across the plains of Surrey and Sussex in search of windmills. Second thoughts perhaps it was Camberwick Green we were emulating with fond memories of Windy Miller and his unerring skill at avoiding being clobbered by the passing sails. We had a similar experience, as the above picture shows, when we put some of the cars around the base of the windmill with the dire warning from the Windmill keepers of "don't wander too far from the cars as you might need to move them quickly if the mill starts to move ". We looked tentatively at the clouds as the wind did, indeed , pick up a little. It was therefore very brave of Emma to put "Green With Envy" at the end closest to the dangerous tail so she would protect the rest of us !

Before that though we had the start and four other windmills to see en route. Tim wore his best cowboy hat to wave us all off much to Liz's embarrassment as he gave the Millers there briefing and warnings of potholes, motorcyclists, and pedestrians they would be likely to encounter on the way. He forgot to mention the huge Goliath of a motor car that pulled out in front of Richard in Outwood - see the picture - what a giant !

Tim got into football mode with a St Georges cross flag to wave the cars off on to the A25. Richard Creese and Helen turned up after everyone else had gone with a car smelling like a burnt out clutch  - ah yes it was a burnt out clutch but little things like that didn't stop Richard and Helen from completing the run  - they were seen at one point on Ditchling Beacon amongst plumes of blue smoke but still managed to get to the finish ....and then back to Portsmouth afterwards !

Richard was not the only casualty as we had two battery failures - one in Norfolk where Sean and CLaire failed to get the TF started at all and one at the Watermill when Elaine couldn't get a whimper out of WOF51 and had to have a little tickle. That's not bad - 10% of the cars due to go or actually on the run breaking down - must be a record !. 

We started with  loop over Box Hill for some tight twisty bends and speed bumps and motor cycle avoidance  before some great views from the top across Surrey to rival those to be found at the finish on the South Downs. Dropping back down to Reigate we encountered the first windmill at Reigate Heath - not many stopped here to see this windmill virtually in the golf club house yet with a consecrated chapel inside. Richard and his ailing F managed it though and you can see the picture here.

It was then across country to Outwood and a nicely restored mill which has just been taken into new ownership. I think they were quite surprised to see a whole gaggle of MGs turn up at the gate - especially as they were closed but at least Dawn could buy some plants.

Then across to Lowfield Heath just outside Charlwood. A mill moved from the end of the Gatwick runway to a strange position in a low valley. We skirted the airport to give the plane spotters something to do and some of them even spotted a strange bloke taking photos - this time without the cowboy hat !.

By the time some of the cars got to Shipley Windmill the Mill was actually opening up and so a brief exploration could take place. This is the mill made famous by that amateur sleuth  - Jonathan Creek . However before that it was owned by Hillaire Belloc and was the scene of many a wild night - indeed Oscar Wilde was a frequent visitor. 

Some of the drivers and navigators were now thinking about lunch so a scattering of Fs could be found in some of the country pubs along the wayside as they made the last stretch of the journey skirting the South Downs and over Ditchling Beacon

Finally arriving mid afternoon in our special field we parked up overlooking some great views with the Jill Windmill behind us. Teas and cakes were made by the kind ladies in the mill and thanks to Simon Potter from the Jill Windmill Trust for putting the cones out for us early in the morning. Most of us ventured up the steep staircase to get inside the mill and Angela even managed to do it in her stilettos closely followed by Andy and Elaine should she not actually make it !.

After everyone took some great photos in the field we mustered the remaining cars at the end of the day for a quick photo shoot around the base of the mill itself once again thanks to Simon and the helpers at the Mill.

Finally exhausted we headed back for the pure delight of the M25 and home.

Thanks to Liz Morris, Sarah Morris and Michael Noto for help in the organisation.

All photos Tim Morris except :-

* Neil Sutton

+ Adrian Clifford

& Richard Creese

@ Emma Jackman