THE MICRO MANIACS

Microcar Club

Ray reports:

What a belter, what a smashing do it was for the last weekend in June. 28 units large and small graced the turf for the extended weekend with wall-to-wall sunshine, well except for the Friday, which was drizzly, but it certainly did not dampen the spirits of those who went on the trip to the Druids temple.

Thursday morning for me was quiet as I snuck off in the bubble to “recky” some runs for next year. I was not too successful though as I was frequently distracted by the beauty of the area and did not pay enough attention to what I was doing, or was it that I just couldn’t be ar++d especially when I reached Grinton, Gunnerside and Muker, all gritty and somehow strong sounding names but I assure you they are lovely villages, you know the type of thing Morris dancing at dawn, farmers market during the day and beer festivals in the evening. A toasted teacake and a large orange juice broke the spell before returning back via Layburn, I will sort it out later which gives me a excuse for another outing.

The campsite pub plaid host for a large party of us for most of the evening and by late evening approx 20 odd units had arrived.

Friday saw approx 15 cars set off on a challenging road run for the above-mentioned Druids Temple, a folly really, it makes you wonder who thinks of these things. I do know that it is standing in the woodlands of the Swinton Estate, which bolts onto the uplands of Masham. The temple was a building programme designed to keep local workers busy during a flat spots. It’s a sort of mini stone henge but complete. Weird is the word for it and in the right atmosphere a defiantly spooky place all set in woodland not far from and to the north of the town of Masham. Photos taken and prayers said the now slightly damp collection of micronoughts set off back via Masham, which incidentally hosts one of the best junk shops I have ever seen, even an aircraft nose cone, nobody bought it though.

Saturday, arr Saturday. A dozy lazy morning spent fending off the heat until it was time to set off to the Forbidden Corner for 12 noon [it used to be the forbidden gardens honest] 45 marvellous and brave persons set off in 22 cars to see what all the excitement was about. What they found, now that everyone even adults had turned into children was a well thought out Maze, a mixture of gardens, buildings, surprises and entrapment with a spooky edge to it, all culminating in a mind-boggling challenge of 1 to 2 hours of entertainment. Two hours never went so fast.  

The now over exited bunch of micronoughts / children had a choice of an ice cream parlour, a Tea Pot factory of novelty type and even a chocolate factory all close to Layburn to chose from on the way back to Akebar Park.

The early evening for 18 of us was a sit down do in the restaurant. One of Tom’s infamous quizzes finished the evening off, under one of the clubs new easy lift type gazeboes back on the camping area. 

Sunday morning arrived with warm bright sunshine swarming through the tent sides, enough to want to get up earlier than normal to make the most of it.

A run out to a big car boot at Catterick filled the morning for about 10 cars and bargain hungry people. There were the usual rags, old shoes, gimcracks and gimmicks on display but there were loads of bargains to be had as well, including a brand new 12 volt camping type TV and radio for the princely sum of one pound, all mine thanks very much.

It was a reluctant and slow departure from the campsite cos everyone had had such a brill weekend, to sum up, sunburnt, happy and we will be back next year.