| Exmoor Rumble |
Words and pictures by Duncan For me Gang On The Green started with leading the Saturday Rumble to Exmoor. Although there was some initial reluctance to a long days driving after most people having had a long drive to Wells the previous evening, it was a fantastic run out and all was soon well with the world. Although my attempt to navigate the group across the labyrinth of the Quantocks lead to a spate of formation reversing, generally we managed to stick to the planned route with the pace best described as entertaining. First stop was Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Exmoor and good views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Then on to Lynmouth grabbing the last few parking spaces and a spot of Lunch. Post-lunch we had a wander around Lynmouth. I indulged in three ice-creams (one of each local brand offered by the shops, it's only fair). Mrs TdF gave Mr TdF a scare; she bought a new dress, matching bag and a new hat in under ten minutes from leaving the pub; and there were still twenty minutes to go! Then a long exciting drive inland over Exmoor and the Somerset Levels to Cheddar Gorge and on to Priddy where we met up the Northern Rumble before dropping down to Crossways and the evenings festivities. |
| Northern Rumble |
Words and pictures by Dan Finally the weekend of the 19th and 20th was upon us. I had been detailed to organise and lead the ‘Northern’ convoy, with Duncan heading up the ‘Southern’ route. My meeting point was decided as Junction 18 on the M4 at Midday. First on the scene were Jeff and Lynda Morgan who disappeared into the car park that I was waiting outside, and then didn’t reappear! A number of minutes later there they were! Apparently Jeff couldn’t resist the pull of the burger van and its promise of a breakfast roll. I should have guessed. During the next quarter of an hour the group increased to six and we set off. Over the last couple of weeks a faint intermittent whistle from the front of the engine had become more distinctive, and after a little investigation the water pump was suspected, unfortunately this didn’t give me enough time to do anything to get it fixed. However other than the noise which was still not too bad there was no effect on the car, so playing a game of Russian roulette we continued onwards. The first part of the route took in the excellent ‘A’ roads looping north and east around Castle Combe, then south and west along the A420, before turning up the hill to Lansdown and our lunch stop at the Hare and Hounds Pub. The stop gave the group a better chance to get acquainted. As seems to be typical with TVR people, after 5 mins the ten people sitting at the table were like old friends. Following lunch we headed down into the centre of Bath to show off to the tourists, after looping round Queen Square we headed out on the A4. Then disaster struck!! Clare pointed out, just as I glanced down at the gauge the temperature was looking high, sure enough it was reading nearly 100 and appeared to be rising. It looks like in my game of Russian roulette I had picked the chamber with the bullet in. After what I hoped was a clear and detailed briefing I let the remaining five cars go on ahead while I investigated my options. The Griff, bless it, had got me as far as the local Rover/Land Rover dealer! Water pump anyone? I walked up to the showroom, where a surly looking salesman had been watching what was going on. As I walked towards him he started towards me. I said hello and asked if I could speak to someone in the parts or service department. He continued walking past me mumbling that they had left at 12:00. Thanks mate! I know where I won’t be buying my next car! RAC it is then. Oh well, in two and a half years it is the first time its let me down, and it’s not like it didn’t warn me. To cut a long story short, we got the Griff home, tucked it up in the garage, and headed down to Priddy in Clare’s MINI Cooper. The Northern team had successfully found their way down to Cheddar and then back up to Priddy to meet up with the Southern convoy, and although they didn’t manage the exact route planned I think the fact they ended up where the needed to, at the right time was great. |
Words by Bob 'The Planner' Lodge, pictures by Jeff Morgan GotG started on Friday night for me. Start washing the car ready for the green on Sunday. Ok so it woukd get dirty again before Sunday but a coat of polish would make the cleaning easier. I got the washing bit done and started polishing at the front. I had not polished the Tuscan before and the cheese grater takes ages - even more than the bonnet ! I was due on the quay at just after 7 and by just after 6 the wings, bonnet and grater are polished. The sun is out and the light fantastic, I take the car down to the park and take a few pictures. A quick shower later and I'm off to the quay and a boat trip round Poole harbour and down to Swanage. A BBQ and bar on board help the evening disapear in no time at all - bed at 2-ish. Seven in the morning and I am back finishing the polishing of the car and packing for the weekend. No breakfast and I'm off to Tesco's for some fuel and on to Upton Park to meet Kevin, Jack and the Tasmin at 9:30. We both arrive early so head off north. The journey starts well and we progress at traffic speed until we get towards Blandford. An unexpected stop on the A350 as we approach signals 20 minurtes waiting to turn right at a roundabout - Aaaaargh. The A357 is much better with the occasional 45-50 mph in traffic along the way but a few bits where we could get a roll on. The A371 was a bit better but not much. Kevin peeled off at Shepton to find his camp site and I head solo towards the northern meeting place at the M4. The tuscan roars along the A361 as I aim to make up time. Many cars are despatched as I head East the north on the A36 to Bath. For a Saturday Bath was not too busy and I blast noth on the A46 and arrive at the meeting place with 5 minutes to spare - Phew ! The layby at the meeting place has toilets and a greasy spoon. I sample a cheese burger and a large cup of tea. Wandering back to the group there are two Griffs, a Chim, a Cerb, a Wedge and my Tuscan parked in the layby. The engines start and I'm still struggling with my piping hot tea - I'm not going to waste it as it was 4 hours since my last drink. I burn my mouth on the tea and get the Tuscan fired up. We are away north on the A46 led by Dan & Clare then onto the B roads around Castle Combe before heading towards Bath. Lunch at the ???? consists of the biggest sarnies in large bowls filled with salad or most but I am not hungry but manage a pint ! We head down the hill with the exhaust rumbling nicely on a closed throttle. We approach the town centre I manage to get seperated from the rest, luckily Dan had made sure that we know where to go. I blast round the square and shortly afterwards the goup is pulled up on the side of the road. Its bad news as Dans water pump is squealing. A mile down the road it gives up entirely and we pull to the side again. We abandon Dan to the vagaries of the RAC and we head further down the A4 and a piece of dual carriageway where Ed gets some video of the rest of us going past, unfortunately its busy so not as quickly as we would like. Left onto the A39 takes us west towards our afternoon stop. We miss a turning on the planned route but find some excellent roads as we trundle south west. A tractor and a car pull over to the side of the road as we approach - thanks guys - and we find ourselves at the top of the Gorge. We enter the Gorge from the East and park half way down for a photo shoot. Discussion ensues about a stop for coffee in Cheddar but senxe prevails and we aim for the Queen Victoia in Priddy. Being half way down the Gorge we head down into Cheddar, round a roundabout - a difficult task in a Cerb or Tuscan and then back up the Gorge. The sound is fantastic as we head East with 5 differnt models climbing the road between the sheer walls. A pint in the Vic and the southern group join us. We drift away in dribs and drabs to the Crossways Hotel on North Wooton for the evening. I talked my way though the evening meeting new people and people met at other TVRCC and PH events over the last 2 years. Dan & Clare kindly put me up for the night - Ta guys. |
| Saturday Social |
Words and pictures by Duncan The evening was planned to be informal and informal it was. The first photo shows Mark Chipperfield (GOTG Organiser, aka Pebbledash), Steve (aka Stainless Steve), Tony DeFerry (aka TdF) and Bob Lodge (aka Bob the Planner) in their natural habitat propping up the bar. The remaining photos show the demise of TVR Monkey from Surrey. He started off quietly nursing a pint listening to the conversation and soon was rather worse for the wear. By the end of the evening, TVR Monkey was lying face down on the table unable to move surrounded by discarded bottles. After Le Mans and Pistonfest, TVR Monkey is starting to get a reputation; and it's not good! 
I scrounged a lift back home from Bob The Planner who was staying with Dan and Clare. Rough roads, rock hard suspension and a drunk photographer don't make an ideal combination; but I think these came out quite well... |
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Words by Dan After picking up Duncan at what is affectionately known as the ‘Priddy Shed’ we headed to North Wooton for the evenings festivities. It never ceases to impress me how TVR people always seem to get along. Here we were with people from all over England and Wales, many of whom had never met before, drinking, laughing and chatting, in some cases into the wee small hours. A really great friendly atmosphere, thanks everyone for that. |