Report on the
2009 Anglia Road Run
The Participants in
the 2009 Anglia Run gather for the Event evening meal at the Esplanade
Hotel (click on the photo to see yourself in the enlargement)
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This Roadrun is designed for people who like to use their
Standards. No standing about in muddy fields, kicking tyres.
Instead, we visit tourist attractions and local hostelries and
enjoy good food and drinks in the company of like minded
enthusiasts.
The Event is
enjoyed by many members and their families. If anyone breaks
down, which they rarely do, there is always someone on hand to
assist. If you havn't participated before, please consider
joining in the fun next time, like all these members and cars
you see here.
Wish you were
here? |
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Day 1- Friday:
Lynda and I set off mid Friday morning for the Rally, heading for
Hertford, up the A10, then across country to Stansted Airport and
Braintree on the A120. This eventually runs onto the A12 before
Colchester before picking up the A120 again towards Harwich. The
Flying 12 purred all the way in the improving sunshine.
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1934
Standard 10 with a very appropriate AA sign at Elmstead Market
(click to enlarge) |
We
arrived at Beth Chatto Gardens near Elmstead Market in time
for lunch and a look round these impressive gardens. Lots of
opportunities to purchase plants to try to make Webmaster
Towers a little prettier but we could never really compete, I
have to admit.
The first run is
to to Thorington to view the Tide Mill, the only working Tide
Mill in the UK. The cars took pride of place outside whilst we
were given a conducted tour of the workings inside. Everyone
thought this is an idyllic spot and envied the job of the
"Miller", whose role it was to show people around.
There followed a
short run to Clacton where we booked into our Hotel, the
Esplanade, right on the Promenade.
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The evening meal was
arranged at a local Indian Restaurant, called the "Unique",
of which we had exclusive use, but the splendid meals came from their
all English menu.
Click to see
enlargements:
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The Tide Mill |
Standard Line-up on the
front at Frinton |
Maritime Museum at Walton |
Day 2: Saturday.
Away smartly after breakfast we visited
fashionable Frinton where we were able to see the level crossing
without its famous gates, then paused on the seafront to enjoy the
sunshine. The route then took us past many of the interesting Art Deco
properties on the seafront to our next stop, the Maritime Museum at
Walton on Naze. Moving further along the coast we stopped for
coffee at a seafront cafe at Dovercourt, near Harwich. The afternoon
was free and returning to Clacton, the majority took time to explore
the town, while we "took lunch" in the local Wetherspoons
Beer Festival.
In the evening was the
main event dinner at the Esplanade hotel, you can see almost everyone
present in the title photograph. Afterwards, in the bar, there was a
non-motoring pub quizz, which Lynda and I won overall by just one
point. Our prizes were a book on Beth Chatto gardens and a sweetie
prize that was shared around everyone.
Click to see
enlargements:
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No truth in the rumour
that the Chairman tried to buy the Clacton Land Train! |
Cars at the Wildlife Reserve |
Waiting for Sunday lunch |
Day 3: Sunday.
Arising somewhat earlier than we are used to, the cars set of for
Fingringhoe Wildlife reserve, set in a disused quarry and mudflats
close to the sea. The major attraction here were Nightingales and
though many members wandered the site looking for them, one of the
wardens told us that the best place to hear them sing was right in the
carpark. It was here that Zena Lucas shot this excellent video
of the cars.
Lunch was only a few
miles away at the Queens Head at Tolleshunt D'Arcy. This delightful
pub served us the best meal of the weekend and everyone complained
(not too loudly) about the size of the sweets, in particular. It was a
good job that there was only another short ride to the Museum of Power
at Langford. In addition to the very interesting museum set in an old
water pumping station, there was also a miniature steam railway that
was a great interest to a number of our train enthusiasts. The
"one man" model village was a sight to see!
Click to see
enlargements:
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Left: pumping
engine
Above,
miniature Steam Engine
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The model
village |
Sunday evening was spent
on the front at Clacton where freshly cooked fish and chips were the
order of the day, washed down by a couple of Wetherspoons real ales.
There we were joined by Alfred Betts, a club member from Austria, who made
an unexpected entrance. Good to see you Alfred!
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Dedham
Village |
Below: 1074
Gnomes in the wood
Right: Gnome
1075 |
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Day 4 Monday: The
morning consisted of a visit to the village of Dedham, made famous in
Constable's paintings. We then moved on to the last formal visit,
Gnome Magic hard by the A12. Here we first took a buffet lunch,
followed by an exploration of the pretty 5 acre garden. Everyone was
set a task, to count the number of gnomes in the garden. The answer
was 1074 and the closest was 10 year Josh Lewis, who was just two gnomes
short. One of them appeared to be the chairman, who donned appropriate
headgear for the occasion. (Actually, he often looks like that!)
So it
came to saying goodbye to our friends as we pushed the Flying 12
back down the A120. We had managed to keep the hood down for all four
days and it wasn't until we reached home that we felt the first spots
of rain falling. Maybe the forecasts are correct and we really will
have lots of good weather this summer. Lets hope so then we really
will get good use out of our Drophead Coupe on runs like this.
I am sure that
everyone present will join with me in thanking Ian and Vera Leggett
for organising such a fantastic friendly family event. The next event you can
join in with is the Standard-Triumph
Marque Day at Duxford Airfield, where a huge turn-out is expected.
You would be wise not to miss it.
Report by Phil Homer
Photos by Zena and
Stuart Lucas and Phil Homer
Video by Zena Lucas
This report, which also
contains over 60 photos, took several hours to prepare. If my efforts
were worthwhile, ask your friends to view it, if you don't like it,
let me know
