Social Scene Report - TR Action Issue 310
TR Action 310
Publication Date: : 3rd December 2018
Alan Ford reports:
Wow, what a scorcher the summer of 2018 has been; what a superlative end-to-end tops-down opportunity - most of the time. And now, as I start to write this review at the end of October, it is snowing, the Derbyshire and Staffordshire lanes are being gritted, and my TR6 looks like having to be put away for the winter well before I expected to schedule it. Yes, I know that they are meant to be driven, but salt is a killer of old cars, and I have no intention of driving our pride and joy to its death! Mind you, there is a chance of some heavy rain washing the salt away, so I'll keep it ready for use for a month yet.
During September the Derbyshire Dales Group had six cars at the German International in Papenburg, joining lots of old friends for yet another memorable European International. Once again, good organisation-mostly(!), good weather, good food, good friends and an action-packed itinerary made for a very worthwhile trip. Well done, Germany. The trip took in Europe's narrowest road bridge and the world's biggest single door, and the funniest sight ever – a classic motorcycle and sidecar combination, of a 1970's German-made Hercules Wankle-engined motorbike and Monza style sidecar, made an appearance ridden by one of the German team, but with a golden retriever(?), sitting up as happy as Larry, wearing Biggles-style goggles! After all the festivities and trips of the meet were over we all wended our respective ways home. As with most of the British contingent, Liz and I had already had a few days on the continent prior to joining the event, so we chose to head south down to Rotterdam Europort and a calm North Sea crossing only just ahead of Storm Ali. We're not so sure as to how the others who followed on later fared.
The Derbyshire Dales' last run of the season took place in mid-October in pouring rain. Organised by Simon Cowling, Liz and I, we met as usual at The Amber, Oakerthorpe, nr Alfreton, to a collection of five TRs including Alan H's pristine TR3a, (come on guys, if Alan can do it, where were your TRs,?) Peter C's E-Type and Steve B's Ferrari-engined Maserati, and a fair collection of Euro-boxes. The run took in the lanes of Derbyshire and Staffordshire with autumnal views of the moors and woodlands thereabouts. Interestingly enough the rain seemed to enhance the brown and golden colours, hence the views, as ever, were stunning. We stopped off at Tagg Lane Dairy's ice cream parlour for Jersey milk ice creams, cake and coffee (ok, ice cream may not be deemed appropriate for a dreich Derbyshire day, but it was sunny when we planned the run), then on into Staffordshire for more autumnal wooded lanes and extensive moorland views before dropping down to Blackshaw Moor and the Three Horseshoes Inn, close to the spectacular Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches.The Three Horseshoes has been awarded the best informal dining in Staffordshire, and produced an excellent lunch.
Meanwhile, welcome to new members Bob and Hilary Griffiths and their new-to-them TR6. We look forward to seeing you on yet mote future runs.
A couple of Club Nights at The Amber Hotel, Oakerthorpe, nr Alfreton have been well attended as usual, the one in October offering a quiz hosted by John and Lynne Biggin on the theme of birds, but the questions all with unusual and humorous twists!
Up-and-Coming Events:
Wednesday 12th December 2018
-Club night at The Amber Hotel, Oakerthorpe, nr Alfreton. Start 7.30pm.
Sunday 16thDecember 2018
-Derbyshire Dales Pre-Christmas Lunch at the Devonshire Arms, Beeley, organised by Alan
Jones and Val Bardsley-Jones
Wednesday 9th January 2019
-Club night at The Amber Hotel, Oakerthorpe, nr Alfreton. Start 7.30pm.
Saturday 2nd February 2019
-Annual Dinner at the Peak Edge Hotel (a.k.a. the Red Lion), Darley Road, Stone Edge, Chesterfield, organised by Dave Burgess.
Next year's Derbyshire Dales Peak Weekend will take place over the 7th to 9th June 2019 based at the Palace Hotel, Buxton, organised as ever by Dave Worne. Plenty of rooms and plenty of spaces but our room allocation is filling up! Make a note for your diaries!
For more events, and a full 2019 Derbyshire Dales calendar please see our webpages