Oily Hand's Life with MGs |
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We had the grandchildren with us so the ZS was the transport for today. The video says it all.
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3 MGBs, a Midget, two ZSs (a Plus and a 160) and a modern TF met up at Yarm station for a delightful run over some great roads to Brimham Rocks. It's years since I've been there and little has changed apart from the car park fees. We had a short coffee stop along the way. Once we arrived at Brimham Rocks we went off to do our own thing and had a very enjoyable time. The weather was good and we walked our legs off.
Thanks to Geoff & Kath for arranging the day. Good roads and a super destination. This wasn't in the plan for today. Heading towards Stokesley for the start of the trail there was a slight bump and then no drive. My first though was that it had jumped out of gear but a quick check proved that wrong. It was obvious that we weren't going to make the start so I began the long process of getting the old girl home again and rang the RAC. While we were waiting I decided to see if I could find out where the problem lay but without lying on the ground, which I didn't want to do in my good clothes, I couldn't see if the propshaft was turning. When the RAC man turned up he had no problem getting down on the ground and he said that the propshaft was turning so the problem wasn't clutch or gearbox but had to be back axle. I suspected a broken halfshaft but that would have to be confirmed when I got it apart at home. Once it was confirmed that it wasn't fixable at the roadside (er...I told them that when I booked the call out) we now had yet another wait for the recovery truck. We finally got Numbum home and back in the garage. Having missed the start we got the maps out and looked for somewhere to join up with the rest of the gang and decided on Riveaulx Abbey. Then came which car to take. I preferred the B GT but it didn't have much fuel in it and we were tight on time so as the ZS had over half a tank we decided to take that. Parked up by the side of the road at the Abbey, I set up the video camera while we had a bit to eat. A few of our cars came past and were duly recorded. At this stage we had no idea if we were ahead of the pack or at the tail end, so we decided to follow the last 20 miles of the route book. 20 miles of great roads saw us at the finish at Mount Grace Priory where we found we were at the front of the pack and were able to get some video clips of the cars arriving. After wandering around this lovely old priory and chatting to other entrants, we watched the raffle being drawn before setting off for home. Well, not the day we had planned, but still a very enjoyable one with old & new friends
Tomrrow brings the investigation into Nunbum's troubles. Having our grandchildren with us meant that the ZR was the charriot of choice for today, it being the only four seat MG in the stable. It was a warm day but with the sun roof and all the windows open we managed to keep quite cool. It was the usual start time of 10am at Yarm Station and we were there in the company of members of the Teesside Yesteryear Motor Club who were meeting for a run to Alston. After the usual chinwagging we set off for an interesting drive to Eden Camp. On the way we managed to lose some of our group so there were four of us moving on. We had an impromptu stop along the way for a condenser change on a misfiring Midget and eventually arrived at Eden Camp to find that the lost souls had gone direct and were there long before us. Once we got parked up it was time for a picnic before exploring this great museum. There is so much to see that we couldn't do it justice in the time available. It would probably take a week to take it all in. We had a great time apart from my feet which were feeling worse for wear trying to keep up with two ankle biters. It was almost closing time when we got back to the car to find that we were on our own. A leisurely drive home with a stop in Whitby for fish & chips rounded off a very enjoyable day.
Seven cars, including our 1971 MGB GT met at Yarm Station on a bright but chilly morning for a gentle run to Castle Howard. Geoff & Kath led us on a lovely route covering country lanes and wide open moorland. We invaded Rosedale for a coffee break enroute and had an impromptu change of plan later as one of the roads we wanted was closed. Finally arriving at our destination we went looking for sustenance. One look at the cafe prices (seven quid for a sandwich???) had us looking for an alternative. The takeaway was much more resonably priced and we had a toasties & cake for little more than the cafe sandwich. The only downside was eating outside but we've been cold before and will no doubt be cold again so it wasn't much of a problem. We had a wander round the garden centre, gift shops & butchers before setting off for home by a rather roundabout route. OK we took a wrong turn or two, but we made it home after a super day out. We took the MGB GT to meet up with other members at Yarm Station for a scenic run to The Golden Lion in Northallerton for a good feed. It was a pleasant run with some treasure hunt questions to add some interest. We got them all correct but there weren't any prizes. Other members who lived nearer to Northallerton went straight there and there was a good crowd of us in the end. Good food and great company! That's what it's all about
Yarm Station saw 6 MGs and one Toyota join up for this run. One B GT, one roadster, 3 MGFs and our ZR set off not knowing exactly where we were going. Three different destinations had been mentioned and we'd packed up a picnic. It turned out that the plan was to go to the Wensleydale Creamery for lunch. This wasn't our plan so we followed along to Hawes where ate our sarnies before meeting friends for a drive though some of the back roads. Despite the rain, torrential at times it was a good day even though the sunroof decided that today was the day it would start to leak. Ho hum, another job on the list. The ZR is now under a car cover until this rainy spell passes.
We found some mucky roads With Numbum out of action because of gearbox and clutch problems, it was the turn of the 1971 MGB GT to do this great run. It felt strange preparing to go as I missed the routine of packing all the stuff into the TA. Food, flasks, coats & hats all had their alotted places in the limited space available. With the GT it was a case of just open the hatch & chuck it all in. It was warm & overcast as we set off for the short drive to the start at Ormesby Hall where we had parking in front of the hall. Even though we were early, we weren't the first to arrive and there was time for catching up with folks we rarely meet as well as meeting new faces. There were also the usual reprobates that we see regularly. After free tea & coffee it was time to set off. The run was just over 100 miles and covered most of the North Yorkshire Moors from the coastal roads to the more inland ones. It was a great drive with a good mix of roads. The single track roads were fun, especially when we met a gaggle of Mazda MX5s coming the other way. Our day was largely uneventful apart from a couple of things in the afternoon. The day had warmed up quite a bit and after a stop we had trouble. Underbonnet temperatures were pretty high and I think we had fuel vaporisation problems. Once the car was started it ran fine. The exhaust got progressively louder as the day wore on and we were getting fumes into the cockpit, which was a pain to say the least. This exhaust has been patched a few times and I think it's now well past its sell by date and it's time to let the moths out of my wallet and spring for a new one. Thanks to Geoff & Kath for all their hard work in planning this run and also to those who helped out at the start & finish. With the B GT still in bits after its repaint and the TA out of action with gearbox & clutch problems, the ZR was the only MG option for this run, organised by the Tees Valley MG Owners Club. Just as well really as we had our grandchildren with us. The usual meeting point of Yarm station saw a good turnout of members. Confusion reigned at the start as we didn't have a route map and were relying on following somebody who did. Unfortunately nobody seemed to know who was leading the run and at least one driver added extra miles to his trip by going round Kirklevington roundabout a few times. We thought we were following the wrong person and decided to turn round. I reversed into a gateway and found everybody else going the way we had been. Our grandson thought this was hilarious. Eventually things settled down and we had an enjoyable run though Stokesley and Helmesley to Nunnington Hall where we had reserved parking to display the cars outside the hall. Our first point of call was the tea rooms for lunch. Sadly this turned out to be a bit of a disappointment with a rather pricey limited menu, particularly for children.
We then set off to wander round the gardens and found an outdoor draughts board set up. we played a couple of games whilst dodging the passing showers, had fun trying to catch a frisbee, and enjoyed the gentler pursuit of Pooh Sticks on the river. Eventually the rain became more persistent and it was time to head for home. Thanks to Karen for this great shot from above. Only six cars, 2 MGB roadsters, 2 MGB GTs, an MG F and our MG ZR turned up at Yarm Station for a mystery run for a picnic. It was a cool, overcast start to the day, but it brightened up later and by the time we eventually arrived at Jervaulx Abbey it was very warm indeed. After a pleasant picnic & some good crack we had a wander around the old Abbey trying to work out what was what. We were pleasantly surprised to find later that we'd indentified some of the listed changes. As the afternoon progressed, somebody had the idea of going just down the road to Brymans for ice cream. What a good idea that was. Super ice cream. We could have spent a fortune trying out all the flavours. Thanks to Mal & Mary for organising the day and the thoughtful breaks while they worked out which way to go.
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AuthorHi, I'm Owen and I've been having fun with MGs since 1970, starting with my 1937 MGTA. Since then I've had three Y types and a couple of Z Magnettes. I now have a 1971 MGB GT along with the TA and my wife and I are still having fun Archives
September 2020
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