New Years Day Run 2012 ( a virgins view) by Peter Griffin

   “Are you going on your car club’s New Years Day thingy ?” asked the C.O. “Yes” says I, “it’s a good opportunity to exercise the old lady, especially as the longest run she had done was about thirty miles”. Meaning of course our 1966 Fiat 600 (called Tassi), not any other female that may be around the house of course. “So what happens then” she says. My reply was something along the lines of “don’t really know as its my first time, but I presume a few club members will meet up in Sturminster Newton and after a run round end up at the pub for lunch”. The Chancellor of the Exchequer did mention that a few rain showers were due. I countered by saying that I had checked the forecast and yes a few showers were due but not until late afternoon, by which time Tassi should be tucked up in the garage.

   The day started off well. I found the correct car park. Thanks to the Rover 90 that I followed. There were a few more cars than I expected. By the requested arrival time of 10 a.m. there were cars, tractors, army vehicles, and even some motor bikes, as far as the eye could see. One of the organizers told me that there were over one hundred and sixty registered entries! Our gallant stalwarts Len and Dave were busy meeting and greeting all comers, ably assisted by all the other marshals. Marie, bless her, was up to her neck in the registration area booking everyone in . Len put his vast knowledge to good use and commentated on almost every car as it arrived or departed. But I must mention for future reference that the Fiat 600 has an engine size of 767 c.c.! As the departure time grew close the Town Crier welcomed everyone and Len introduced Valerie Singleton ( of Blue Peter fame) who very generously gave up her day for us for free.

   After some encouraging words from Miss (Mrs?) Singleton we were off, just as the first rain drops drifted down. I was amazed to see so many of the good people of Stur lining the route, clapping and waving us on our way. Having read the route instructions I decided that the best course of action was to follow the car in front! We then proceeded to wend out way through parts of Dorset I have only seen on the map. Very narrow country roads, a short burst of secondary roads, a very narrow bridge, some steep’ish hills, all awash with ever increasing rain, saw us arrive at the hotel in Sherbourne. Unfortunately the by now driving rain stopped the Air Ambulance attending. A quick comfort break and we were off to the Green Man in Stur for lunch (at least I got that part right).

 We couldn’t use the farmers field for parking as it was flooded, so there were cars parked all along the road, and in every possible gap.   The food was good, and the company even better.  

   So Tassi and I then wended our way home via Blandford and Bere Regis. The rain was still pouring down but we managed to avoid most of the flooded parts of the road, and arrived home in one piece.  Well apart from the two interesting incidents of aqua planning! Tassi was dried off and put to bed in the garage with the dehumidifier humming away. We had covered exactly one hundred miles in mostly appalling conditions of pouring rain and mud covered roads. It was great fun and my confidence in the “old lady” has been considerably bolstered.  Both of us now feel that we can tackle almost anything.

   The Weymouth Vehicle Preservation Society had a resoundingly successful day and hopefully the Air Ambulance will benefit. I do feel that just for this New Years Day run we should have be known as the Weymouth Voluminous Precipitation Society!!!