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Attended by Nick, Dawn, Rob, Jean, Jerry, Jack, Iain and his friend Colin (Nick thinks that's his name!!!).  A very eventful start to the day with Nick arriving early at the meet point in Marlborough and receives a call from Jean, her battery was flat!!  So from Wootton Bassett to Marlborough then to Swindon to the rescue, on his way he past a mini going in the opposite direction, he suspected it to be Jerry, battery sorted and it was back to Marlborough where it was confirmed that it was Jerry on his way to the meet point.

With everyone at the meet point off they trundled, just outside Salisbury Jean lost all power and another rescue required but this time it seemed a bit simpler as turned off the ignition and turned the key to start it again and luckily it did start.

Not far from the forest Jerry got split from the group at a roundabout, not used to being in convoy he did not realise that a trip round the roundabout would be made to ensure all were together, not sure if he had gone the right way the group stopped in a layby to see if he appeared but after a few minutes it was apparent that he was not going to so the decide to head on their way again, but oh no another car disaster, this time . . . Dawns!!!  With that sorted they finally arrived at the motor museum to find Jerry had already arrived, they were directed to a parking area by the marshal which was right next to the dusty road!!!  Then Iain appeared and advised he was told to park there also but he ignored the instruction and found a space further in the field, there was loads of space around him so they moved.

Finally there and parked up it was out with the stove for well earned teas, coffees and of course bacon butties (can't break the tradition!!!)

The weather was fabulous, the show was low on traders but a good day was had by all with lots of chatting and of course food (too much as always!!!)

Jean, Nick and I, with my brother and nephew in tow, met at the services in Cirencester at 7.45am for a set off at 8am, although I went to the an old meeting point so ended up being late!!!!

We arrived and the stove came out and kettle straight on, then the banner was put up followed very closely by the sausages and bacon being cooked for butties.  Ollie (my  brother) went off for wander then so in true sister style I ate his butty, there were only 6 rolls between 7 of us so it worked out quite nicely for me!!!!!

The sun shone so after butties Jean, Nick, myself and my nephew Max ventured out for a wonder around some of the stalls then Max an I went in to the main museum, when we came out we realised our timing was perfect as it had rained.

We all reconvened back for lunch and a chat, then it was a look around the relatively new building that was an overflow of vehicles to the main museum and houses the first gear less mini as well as the last on off the production line.  We looked around the cars in the show and the last few trade stands before back for scones, jam and clotted cream!!!!  We then packed up the banner and loaded up the cars and then it was homeward bound.

The sun shone most of the day and I got sun burnt!!  There were a few showers but it did not spoil a good day and of course good company.

Rachel

So with The Legendary Grand Tour being cancelled along with many events in 2020 due to COVID-19 we decided to still have a long weekend away.

Meeting at Rachel's house in Bristol Rich Clark and Nick arrived around 10.00am on the Saturday and we made a sharp departure, stopping at the usual haunt just as we got off the motorway and Burger King and Costa Coffee before heading along the Atlantic Highway.  When we arrived we headed straight to the hotel to check in before going on a run in the afternoon, we were unable to check in until 3.00pm so we had a few hours to kill and the weather was good so we wandered down in to Bideford as we had a couple of hours to kill, what to do?  Shops were shut, to be honest shopping did not appeal!!  Well in that case it would be rude not to go to the Spoons for a pint!!  Well after a pint and still time to kill a decision was to make a call to Dawn and Rob as well as Luke and Len asking if they wanted the run in the afternoon, they were not fussed so it was another pint or 6!!!  At 6.00pm we all met up for fish and chips and a chat on the quay before Nick, Rich and myself stumbled back to the hotel to check in, check out our rooms and reconvened in the bar for a few more pints!!!

Sunday morning 8am Nick, Rich and I met for a hearty English breakfast and pastries before heading to the Atlantic village to meet up with the others for a drive out to Tintagel, on route all of a sudden Nick pulled in to a layby and started driving backwards and forwards quite randomly, I got on to the walkie talkie and asked him what on earth he was doing the reply had us all in tears of laughter . . . my speedo is just about to clock over and I want a photo!!!  Finally it clocked over and we set off again, still laughing!!  We arrived in Tintagel and we all eventually found a parking space relatively close together.  now what to do . . . yes you got it - to the pub!!  The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed the sunshine in the garden.  One pint trying to avoid the number of wasps later we headed to the ice cream shop and then back to the cars to reconvene and take a different route back  to Bideford to try and find a spot to have a BBQ, a spot was found on part of the Tarka trail and we enjoyed fine grub and company.

Monday morning the three of us met again at 8.00am for another full English and pastries before meeting the others on the quay in Bideford for a slightly shorter run than we would normally do on the LGT but taking in most of the same route to Ilfracombe.  Obviously we had a stop at the valley of the rocks which was very strange to see the road empty, no minis parked up causing bedlam or marshalls running around like headless chickens trying to get members of the public up and down the road one at a time!!!!  Unfortunately Rich had a call at this point from home and had to cut the day short.  At Ilfracombe it was a pint for me and Nick (are you surprised) and a coffee for Dawn and Rob!!  Dawn and Rob were bearing some fantastic cream teas in a box so after our pints Nick and I hunted down the shop and we got a bargain of 2 cream teas for £7.00, both comprised of 2 very big scones, a pot generously filled with Jam and another pot also generously filled with cream, mmmmmm!!!!!  We then made our drive back home.

A fantastic weekend was had by all and the weather also made it as it was glorious all weekend.

Nick was going to this one on his own, I showed a bit of interest on going but was not going to commit as I was not sleeping too well and was not fathoming early mornings at this time so I made arrangements that if I was feeling up to it then I would attend in the Citroen and park in the general parking.  I was up early and the weather was sunny so I set out with a stop at Tesco express to grab a meal deal for lunch to go to the Three Counties Showground where this event was being held, it was all outdoors and was well attended with show cars, traders and food stands, there was also a flea market but this you had to pay entry to separately.  After a look around the trade stands and the show cars and having a chat with a few mini owners we headed back to the car for a bite to eat.  After our stomachs were full another look around the traders and enquire about entry to the flea market, as it was late in the day they only charged us £2.50 each so we went to have a look, it was huge, in the outside as well as in the hangers, these had one way systems in / out and around them.  A cake stall took my fancy so we had some sickly sick (huge) slices of cake!!!  Then it was time to make a move home, it was a nice day and for me it was good to get out and do something and get my mind off my troubles if only for a few hours!!!  The good weather helped as well of course.

Rachel

Attended by Len and Nick

Attended by nick, Jean and Len