Friday, 18th May

9 cars left Hurrans at 10.30 a.m. with a changed itinerary to go via the new Severn Bridge and meet at the Sedgemoor Services.  The original idea was to go over the old bridge and visit Haynes Museum at Sparkford but due to dubious members travelling thro’ Bristol we altered the route.  We arrived at Sedgemoor about lunch time which being a Saturday was very busy.  Trying to travel in convey we found very difficult even on the motorways.  Something to consider when travelling in convoy again.  It was decided that we would make our way straight to the hotel at Teignmouth due to the traffic situation.

Our next destination was Exeter services. This was even busier and afterwards we found out it was the Exeter Show.  We all managed to start off together and made our way to Teignmouth with Wayne leading. 

We arrived at the Hotel with much ado about parking the cars on a very small forecourt.  You could say “sardines in a can”, although it was quoted as having adequate parking.  Our our arrival we caused quite a stir with the local townsfolk. 

Keith got to talking to the town clerk who followed us in his ZR.  He welcomed us to his town and introduced himself as Mr TICKLE. It appears he had spent his earlier working life in the tuning dept of MG Garages.  The evening meal was booked for 7 p.m. but we had to wait a wee time so fortunately Beryl had bought the Champers (which she won incidentally, very nice of her) and the committee toasted the members and wished them a good weekend.

Saturday, 19^th May

Saturday morning we arose to a hearty breakfast ready to tackle “anything”.  The first on the itinerary was the Marble House in Bovey Tracy.  A fascinating place where they make all kinds of glass objects including Arleys. 

The next stop on the tour was Canonteign Falls at Chudleigh/Teign Valley.   All the lasses went into the  Tourist Centre and eventually into the Café whilst the men fixed Phil’s Exhaust.  We had decided that it was too expensive to pay £4.50 to see some waterfalls.  After a while we went in search of the men fixing Phil’s car and they couldn’t find us so they missed out on the coffee break. 

Next stop was Powderham Castle , with Phil's exhaust as good as new. We left together but soon got lost and I mean lost.   The head took a sharp turn and the tail went straight on.  The tail that includes yours truly and Adrian and Ann ended up in the middle of Dartmoor forest with roads no wider than bicycle tracks and no signal for phone or sat/nav. We tried to head for the main road.  We finally emerged on some B road 30 miles from the destination (Powderham Castle)

Adrian was desperate for petrol so we asked the local innkeeper which way the nearest petrol station was 15 mile away.  We finally filled up with fuel and Anne (map reader) found Powderham Castle but guess what - it was closed for a function.

No wonder the animals in the field were going “ deer”  “deer”.

 We found the others in the Café well tucked up in Fresh Cream and Scones, Chips etc., We had a look round the garden centre and with a few photos to take we all left for Anchor Inn.  But alas Scout Roger had already reconnoitred the route and found the car park was full at the Anchor Inn.   So we went home for dinner. 

We all arrived back for the evening meal early looking forward to our “prompt” meal.  The men disappeared for a while because it Saturday and what's on a Saturday - football of course.  Ian had lack of veg with his meal but we were told this only came with fish.

Although the food was good the amount was not enough for our hungry Welsh men & women. Later on a few had a good laugh in the lounge and others gate crashed a party at the local pub.