Sunday – and what a fun day!!

It’s getting colder and as they say “the nights are fairly drawing in” but thankfully Storm Babet had passed and the weather was bright and sunny – perfection conditions for an end of season club run.

Our rendezvous point this week was Junction One for the optional McDonald’s coffee while we chatted and waited for everyone to show (other coffee emporiums were available though). A strong gathering of Porsche club members and their cars added interest  – lots to admire and we scratched our heads as we tried to determine which was the rarest and most valuable Porsche.

Once we had some human fuel in our tanks we headed off – Alastair had promised some well surfaced and good driving B roads en route to our destination – Blackheath Pottery, Killeague Road, Coleraine. We weren’t to be disappointed as we headed cross country via Randalstown, Ahoghill, Cullybackey, Dunloy and Ballymoney. The sweeping bends, tight corners and long straights gave the cars a good workout.  All of our cars performed well – no cobwebs left under any bonnet as all were blown away!!

We had a good mix of vehicles on the run – from Abarth Competizione, Maserati Gran Turismo, Lancia Delta Integrale, Alfa Spider, GT and GTV as well as 4 Giulias and Bryan’s Lotus Europa  (not Italian I know but he drove it like an Italian!)

We arrived at Blackheath Pottery nestled in the courtyard of the historic grounds of the Georgian Blackheath House. As it was lunchtime it did not take us long to venture over to the coffee shop to see what was on offer.  What was surprising was that the sun had stayed with us and it was warm enough to sit outside for a spot of lunch. What was even more surprising is how restrained Aaron was – although he fancied a toastie to go with his home made sweet potato soup, he settled for the soup on its own and wasn’t even tempted to go for a bun or a traybake with his hot chocolate!! (he was maybe saving himself for a Sunday roast when he got home).

After some refreshments we chatted and agreed to return to Blackheath, perhaps for the next Cars and Coffee on 5 November. We then started our engines and set off for home – some headed straight up the motorway for a direct route home while Alastair, Brian B , David, Bryan P and myself headed cross country again and took a slightly different route back to Randalstown before joining the M2 and heading home.

I think all members agreed that the driving experience today was superb – it’s what we enjoy as a car club and thanks to Alastair for driving slow enough today so that we could keep up!!

Tim Logan

Club Chairman