Social Scene 307
Thames Valley Group – Social Scene Traction 307
David Goswell writes:-
It's always a concern when Carol Kirkwood gives the weather forecast, for the day of a TR Trip, and includes Lightning and the chance of Flash Flooding. But undeterred, we headed out on our annual Tim's memorial drive, this year to the House of Charles Darwin, near to Biggin Hill in Kent. A venue that is very much worth a visit but beware they are not good at handling groups.
Tim had been an active member of the TVG group owning a TR4 and at one point an impressive Red Grinnall, along with being excellent photographer. Alas Tim passed away, some years ago, but he's never far from our memories hence the reason we go on a run dedicated to him. Shirley, seen in the centre of the picture, is Tim's widow, and we are very pleased that she continues to be part of the club.
Suffice to say that despite the weather warnings the trip was excellent, the lunch, in an obligatory pub was great and the company was equally excellent. Roofs stayed up most of the times but the rain was minor, however for some the trip home was more challenging with roads to homes flooded in places. We were lucky……..Thanks Tim
The other ladies, in the picture, are but a small example of the ladies who form the backbone of Thames Valley. Our TR's are something that keeps the rest of us talking in the pub car park, bonnets up, and we are oblivious to what is happening elsewhere, however the ladies are deep in conversation, having lunch and generally getting on with a social life. When it comes to organising trips, deciding on venues then they are the one's that are actively involved.
We are lucky in Thames Valley that the group is about a friendly social gathering interspersed by the odd car.
Talking of Social Gatherings our European Tour kicked off 12th of June, with 5 cars heading for Jersey followed by Brittany where they hope to meet up with the French group and The South Downs group who happen to be in France as well. Alas the trip is missing Bryan & Jill Hirchfield, get well soon Jill, and myself and Janet. I was taken into hospital and suffice to say having had the equivalent of a Bosch pump upgrade on a 6, I'm feeling a lot better, thanks to everyone's kind messages.
For those who saw Alan Charlwood's excellent rebuild of Geraldine, his Green TR6, alas she didn't make the Mille Miglia as Alan wasn't too confident in her reliability. So Alan and Yvonne went in the Jag instead, as you do !
Our regular meetings continue at the Abinger Hatch in the evening of the second Wednesday of the month and at the Surrey Oaks for lunch from midday on the last Sunday of the month. Full details are shown on our website www.tr-register.co.uk/thamesvalley.