OK folks, I have put together a selection of photos (see bottom of this post) from the weekend, which I hope will stir some fresh memories.
Saturday at the Vintage Sports Car Day. Well what can we say about this event that has not been said before. The relaxed atmosphere and amazing mix of cars, smell of Castrol, tyres and brakes, combine with the noise from those engines attacked all the senses. Personally I think this is one of the best events held anywhere.
The trip to our hotel in the evening was straightforward (well almost) and we arrived ready for our evening meal in the restaurant, having met up with Gavin, Clayton and Valerie. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of SAABs in the car park, but our numbers added to the total.
Needles to say we were last to leave the restaurant having enjoyed the food, drink and company. Next morning we met Don and Barbara, long standing GWS members who were attending the International and who were to join us for the evening meal
Sunday morning arrived and we were joined for breakfast by Chris Redmond. After taking our fill, we set off on our GWS Tulip Run (still not sure why it's called 'Tulip) through some stunning village and countryside arriving at Foxton Locks, where we were all pleasantly surprised by what greeted us.
It really is a place worth visiting with cafes and coffee shops along the banks, narrow boats travelling up through the locks and plenty to see and do. In fact, we spent more time there than expected, so decided we would travel direct to Sywell Aerodrome for lunch.
A table was booked and we sat on the veranda looking over the airfield, watching the helicopters and planes landing. The restaurant is in front of the petrol station, so we were treated to aircraft taxiing to the pumps, refuelling then setting off again on their trip.
After a longer lunch than usual, we then strolled down to the Sywells Museum, where a fascinating selection of WWII memorabilia was on display, including a concrete mock-up of the bomb (to test that the plane would be stable) dropped on Hiroshima. A gentle drive back to the hotel followed, where we met up with Paul and his son (also Paul) who kindly joined us for the evening meal. As there a number of us, we were were put both sides of a long table, against a wall which meant that the person sat in the middle with back to wall had to move people to the left or right to get out. A new sport of 'GWS Bum Shuffling' has now been officially recognised. Again and as happens when you are enjoying yourself, the evening disappeared and we were last to leave the restaurant.
Monday arrived and we set of for our visit to the Morgan factory in convoy, managing to get there without losing anyone - no mean achievement, especially for GWS. We were joined at the factory by Will and Bridgett. I later found out that Etienne and co were unfortunate stranded after a problem with their car - hope they got it sorted.
The factory visit started with a much needed hot drink, followed by an introduction from Robert, our guide and a video from Charles Morgan. The tour included a look at the original factory building and we then we were treated to all the stages of how a Morgan is built. Unlike many manufactures Morgan encourages you to take as many pictures as you wish as no area is 'off limits'.
From the chassis to the ash frame, engines, through to the paint shop, upholstery, finally to the polishing and finishing. No aspect was missed out. We were even given off cuts, with the Morgan logo stamped on them, from the Ash frame and also included some Morgan leather as a memento.
So many thanks once again to everyone who joined us, either for the weekend, the day or just to stop and say hi. You all made the weekend great!
Here is a ten minute collection of photos from the weekend
http://s653.photobucket.com/user/Naranto/media/The%20GWS%202013%20Weekend/GWS2013WEEKEND.mp4.html
