: : August 2007 I know all of us MG owners are a hardy lot but the exceptional weather conditions experienced by most of the UK over the last few months have been enough to test the ultimate diehard. Looking back on our visit to Brittany the weather was positively glorious, only one rainy day, and the rest of the week a great deal better than the conditions at home. It has been a case of rain on and off ever since. That’s why it was nice to see such a good turn-out for the Poole Bay Classics Motoring Extravaganza at Breamore House near Fordingbridge on Sunday July15th. Linda - Midget, Lawrence - Midget (very tidy early chrome bumper model), Bryan - Midget (no Tania, she was off driving people about and cooking pasta… not at the same time!), Trevor and Michelle - B roadster (the car is looking really good, Trevor), Malcolm and Julie - BGT (don’t mention the fuel pipe), Derek and Jill - B roadster (modified), myself and Kris - B roadster, and finally Richard and Lucie - Peugeot 206 (what!). Breamore is on the doorstep for 1009ers, it’s an excellent little show, and I know everyone enjoyed it. The day stayed fine until mid afternoon and by then it was time to collect our exhibitors' plaques (plastic not brass) and go home. More brave 1009ers (Bryan, Tania, Linda, Kris and yours truly) ventured further afield over the weekend of July 21st-22nd to visit Classics at the Castle at Sherborne, Dorset. Hundreds of classic cars on show plus autojumble, club and trade stands, craft fair and road run, all in the stunning lakeside setting of 16th century, Sherborne Castle. Rather than rush down to Sherborne early Sunday morning we all decided to take up the offer of free camping on Saturday night and, yes, it rained all the way down there and most of the night. However we took the club gazebo with us (a very smart move) and managed to erect the other tents in the dry. Linda arrived early evening as she had to work until 5 o’clock by which time the BBQ was ready and waiting. It didn’t take long to cook steaks and burgers, etc., and while the girls enjoyed a bottle wine, Bryan and I had a couple of beers... we needed something to help us all sleep!  Sunday morning was totally different, the sun was shining, it was even quite warm.  As we sat and ate our bacon butties we watched as the JEC (Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) attempted to erect their gazebo/marquee. They didn’t have a clue and it took them ages. When they finally got it up nobody used it. It was hilarious. For our club stand we simply put one person on each leg of the gazebo and carried it into position, it took seconds. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the show, we even had several enquiries about the New Forest Run 2008. Bryan took his newly acquired Rover SDI 2600, it got more attention than our MGs. The tents, to our relief, had dried out completely and so at around 4 o’clock we collected our exhibitors' plaques (brass this time) and drove home. This is definitely an event to remember in future. The castle, the lake and the grounds provide a fabulous setting for the whole show and who knows next year it may not rain. For this month (August) I am pleased to say 5/6 cars are travelling up to Ripe in East Sussex for the Deanland Weekender Fri 3rd - Sun 5th. Another weekend under canvas (well, if we can drive open top cars, we can sleep in a tent). It will be our first time, look for a full report in next month's newsletter. Don’t forget your chance to join our neighbours 1020 for the MG Picnic and Gathering at Athelhampton House, Dorset on the 12th August. (Martin will be leading a scenic run down from the Blandings for those who don’t want the A31/35 blast all the way down. This will leave at 10.00 aiming to arrive around lunch time), and remember the August mid-monthly meet is a BBQ at Anderwood Enclosure from 6.30pm. Bring your own extras (and drink) as Martin is providing the meat. (Start praying to the Sun Gods, because if it is still raining, it won’t happen!) There will also be BBQ facilities at the Auto Gymkhana on Sunday August 19th at Copythorne Scout Hut. Bring your own grub this time. We will need numbers for the Hampshire Pageant of Motoring, Broadlands. There are spaces for 12 cars each day, so if you want to go, let us know. That is Bank Holiday weekend August 26th/27th. < Return to previous page