Drive It Day 2010 - Club Triumph run to Holkham Hall, Norfolk

We were intending on driving up to TSSC headquarters for Drive It Day, but couldn't really justify the 4 hour round trip, for what would probably be a fairly short visit, so decided to stay in Norfolk. Holkham Hall was chosen as a destination and a quick look on the web showed the local TR club doing a run from Wymondham to Holkham Hall with, even better, a 10.30am start. Even Chris was happy to get up for this one. Got to Wymondham and joined a group of about 12 cars, including Spitfires, TRs and the odd Stag and also a Powder Blue Vitesse with a white stripe.

The rain started just as we set off on route, around half way we stopped off at County School Railway Station for a quick tea break (after navigating along drive with numerous exhaust bashing speed humps). By this time water was coming in and soaking those sitting in the front, leading to Chris wanting to sit in the back for the first time I can remember.

Around 12 we arrived at Holkham Hall just as the sun came out. We were allowed to park in the front of the hall (far better than parking in the car park with the plebs). It was kind of Club Triumph to let us tag along and to make us feel so welcome, it made for a really enjoyable day out.

South of England Meet (SEM), Leatherhead, Surrey, 9th May 2010

Following the weather all week as I knew I wouldn't get any passengers if it was raining again. I'ld just finished replacing the core plugs and rebuilding the carbs. It wasn't until the Sunday morning that we reckoned the weather would probably hold out, so at 9.30 we set off for the SEM show arriving just after 12, first call was the burger van. Followed by a walk around the field and auto jumble. A good cross section of Triumphs on show. Thought we'ld have time to have a look at the Leisure Centre, a promise to Chris to get him in the car, to let him have a work-out in the gym. Getting back to the field by 3pm in plenty of time for the 3.30pm prize giving, was a bit disappointed to find out it was all over, but the weather being as it was could understand the reason!

All was made (a lot) better when we were approached by somebody carrying a trophy - yes the old girl had won best Herald.

Got ourselves the last appointment with the mobile tuning guys (one of the reasons for going) and after half an hour ended up with a much quieter car. No tappet rattle, no pinking on acceleration or back firing when slowing down, making for a much better drive home.

A good day with a nice friendly bunch of people all saying nice things about the car, what more could a man want?

Standard Triumph Marque Day, Prescott Hill Climb, 23rd May 2010

After much deliberation on whether to go such a distance for a car show, Chris and I left on a very hot and sunny Saturday afternoon. Deciding to take the slow route via the A505. We arrived at the Oxford Travelodge around 7.30pm, hot and sweaty.

It took us another 1 1/2 hours to get to Prescott Hill Climb (nr. Cheltenham) on the Sunday morning, arriving a bit late and ending up in the overflow car park on the side of a steep hill. Having not pre-booked a run up the hill we had to wait until 3.30pm until we got the chance. I was going to go slowly, but couldn't resist putting my foot down at the start along the nice starting straight and once you start... I did mean to slow down at the corners, but they seemed to come up real quick and ended up with tyres squealing around most of them. Last corner was the worst, think we got a bit worried as it got tighter and tighter. But all great fun, next time I'll pre-book and get a couple of extra goes.

We finally left the event at 4.45pm and decided to go back the easy but longer M25 route. Arriving back in Norfolk at 9.30pm having stopped at the services for a break. Over 450 miles covered in the two days, taking around 8 hours, averaging over 50mph, not bad going for the ol' girl?

Bromley Pageant of Motoring, 13th June 2010

Thought it was about time we took a break from the just Triumph events and went to a multi-marque car show and, being one of the biggest, the Bromley Pageant of Motoring seemed the obvious choice. It must of been at least 20 years since the last time I took the old girl to Bromley. It would of been good to of compared it but things being what they are I couldn't remember that far back. Anyhow, we decided to drive down on the Saturday afternoon and stay over so we could get there reasonably early on the Sunday morning. This also gave us a chance to meet up with some friends on the Saturday evening.

We ended up being one of only a few Heralds (I think there was only one other 1200) in the one make parking area. Plenty of Stags and Spitfires though. It made a nice change to go to a car show and see such a large selection / variety of cars on display, from Jap imports, custom cars, yanks, supercars and of course classics. Chris (being a bit of an American muscle fan) got to see a set of Mustangs from '64-'68 and his day was made when a Dodge Charger arrived. Guess it's time we went to a Mopar show...

BK Museum Open Day, 11th July 2010

Glorious weather saw me heading to Hepworth, near Diss for a local classic car museums open day and car show. Not the biggest show but a nice day out all the same and made a nice change to go somewhere that only took 20 minutes. Left the family at home this time, I think there's only so many car shows I can drag them off to. And, with a couple of more shows I still want to go to this year, thought this would be a good one for them to miss. So instead, took a seasoned car show attendee friend on the off-chance I could learn what you're meant to do at these shows to stop getting too bored. Talk to people apparently, it's that simple... So amongst others, met a Midget driver eager to get back to Triumphs, and a Clubman couple with a long line of classics under their belt (with the photos to prove it).

As it turned there was a fair bit to do with stalls, model railway, farm machinery and even an appearance by the Stag Owners Club.

Stonham Barns Classic Car Show, 8th August 2010

The first outing with the new hood. Joined other Club Triumph members at Eye for a convoy to Stonham Barns. We also had Emily (neice) joining us for the trip down and had arranged to meet my mum and sister there for a family Pimms 'n' picnic. Plenty to see and do, enough to keep everyone happy. East Coast Truckers, hovercraft rides and Robot Wars as well as the cars and of course the shops and garden centre that is Stonham Barns. Chris managed to meet his favourite car "Brum" (at least it was when he was 4). He even managed to blag his way into a '66 Mustang for a trip around the field.