It was raining as we loaded up old Numbum and set off for the start of this great run at Stokesley.
On the way there we were alarmed by clouds of smoke coming from under the dash. It's a good job we were topless as the car would have been unbearable with the top up. I found somewhere safe to pull over and investigate. The smoke didn't smell like burnt wiring so I decided to look under the bonnet. I saw that the engine was covered in oil and the cause was in plain sight. Somebody had topped up the oil before we set off and hadn't put the oil filler cap back on. I wonder who it was? Oil had splashed out of the top of the rocker cover and once it ran down to the exhaust manifold it produced the huge clouds of smoke. Thankfully that was the only problem we had all day.
We arrived at Howards Cafe in Stokesley and collected our route book and plaque. Over a cuppa we chatted to other entrants and studied the route before heading outside into the wet to prepare for setting off.
On the way there we were alarmed by clouds of smoke coming from under the dash. It's a good job we were topless as the car would have been unbearable with the top up. I found somewhere safe to pull over and investigate. The smoke didn't smell like burnt wiring so I decided to look under the bonnet. I saw that the engine was covered in oil and the cause was in plain sight. Somebody had topped up the oil before we set off and hadn't put the oil filler cap back on. I wonder who it was? Oil had splashed out of the top of the rocker cover and once it ran down to the exhaust manifold it produced the huge clouds of smoke. Thankfully that was the only problem we had all day.
We arrived at Howards Cafe in Stokesley and collected our route book and plaque. Over a cuppa we chatted to other entrants and studied the route before heading outside into the wet to prepare for setting off.
The route book was great and easy to follow and we had no trouble at all. About 20 miles in we ended up in a long convoy and decided to take a break. The village hall in Boltby had a pop up cafe so we stopped for a cuppa & a scone to allow the convoy to get well ahead of us.
Once on the road again we realised that the light refreshment had only wetted our appetites and we soon stopped again for lunch. The halfway point was Helmesley, which we knew would be busy, so having eaten, we didn't stop there but kept on driving.
The route was superb with some amazing little lanes. The two fords were good. The first had little water and I could get through it briskly. The second had more water and a left hand bend which meant I had to be a bit more gentle.
Once on the road again we realised that the light refreshment had only wetted our appetites and we soon stopped again for lunch. The halfway point was Helmesley, which we knew would be busy, so having eaten, we didn't stop there but kept on driving.
The route was superb with some amazing little lanes. The two fords were good. The first had little water and I could get through it briskly. The second had more water and a left hand bend which meant I had to be a bit more gentle.
As the day progressed the roads dried out and we had a very enjoyable drive arriving at Roots Farm Shop just after 2 o clock where we spent a pleasant couple of hours chatting and taking pictures.
I won a box of toffees in the raffle. They're probably the most expensive toffees ever, not because of the cost of the tickets but the cost of having my fillings replaced.
As the oldest car in the run I gladly took the prize of a bottle of wine.
As the oldest car in the run I gladly took the prize of a bottle of wine.
A great day out with super people and lovely roads. A big thank you to Reg & Babs for all their hard work in planning the run and Derek for managing the raffle.
RSS Feed
