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We all assembled at Thurrock Services. Mike led a convoy on a non motorway route with a lunch stop at Petworth. Despite a couple of short sharp showers, it was a very pleasant run.
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The others went the 'quick' way and I don't think they had the sort of views the convoy enjoyed. Eventually we all arrived at the hotel on the outskirts of Burley, tucked away up a long drive.
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Saturday promised to be the better day as far as weather was concerned and we took advanatage to do an impromtu photoshoot.
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Some of the cars only rarely make it to club nights and events so it was a chance to feature a few different ones.
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We had booked to go to the Motor Museum at Beaulieu, so after the photo shoot we set off in convoy for the 15mile run across the New Forest.
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I'm not sure we took the shortest route - we seemed to go along every road and lane in the forest. Indeed some of those that weren't part of the convoy
arrived at the museum first. Still it was a very pleasant drive.
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We were privileged to be allowed to park in the arena inside the museum grounds. This meant we could display our cars and feel a bit more sure of the security. |
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Even so we did have to stop one enthusiastic group of visitors from trying to sit in the cars!
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Naturally a lot of time was spent in the museum itself looking at the cars and other motoring displays.
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There was something for everyone - the luxury of Rolls Royce, and the more modest cars that many of us knew as children.
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There were early vintage models......
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... and an exhibition of the gadget loaded cars of James Bond.
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Beaulieu is set in extensive grounds that include the remains of an abbey and the palace where the Montegue family were brought up.
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There are also landscaped gardens, mill pond and reed beds that grow the reeds used in local thatching.
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As predicted, the weather changed and Sunday was a cold, wet day. |
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However, that did not stop some intrepid (aka mad!) folk from going horse riding.
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However, the weekend wasn't a complete wash out and and people took advantage of the sunny spells to see other sights around the area.
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As is customary at these events we managed to take a 'team photo' before dinner one evening.
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The Hotel Bar and Lounge made an ideal venue for people to meet up before dinner.
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The group was spread between 5 tables in the dining room and the seating plan changed each night so you got a chance to speak to different people, sometimes for the first time! There was some TR/Petrolhead discussion, but most of the conversation was civilised!
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Saturday evenings entertainment was a quiz run by Mike and Sunday evening Andy produced a set of 'wingdings' puzzles that kept people occupied most of the evening. Overall a very enjoyable weekend. Now where will we go next year?
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