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South Downs Run, 2nd September 2001 The Secretary's Diary

Getting to Petersfield
Left home at 07:20 to meet Simon and Chris at the Stockwood Park Rugby Club. After a dry and largely uneventful journey, we arrived at Petersfield shortly after 09:00 having had slight problems with the map the organizers supplied us with. Two laps round the one way system later and we found the central car park.

Checking In
Loads of MGs already there but no sign of Bruce & Nicky or Graham & Shiela. Checked in at the Gazebo; found out there were 333 cars taking part. Also in the car park was a stunning red ZT. While we were waiting it started to drizzle, then eased off again. At 10:00 we decided it was time to make a move and at that precise moment, Bruce and Nicky arrived, nursing hangovers - serves them right.

The Run
Still no sign of Graham & Shiela so we set off shortly after 10:00. Soon after we left the car park, it started to rain. The instructions, however, were excellent and not a wrong turn was made throughout the run. Chris & Simon led with Bruce & Nicky bringing up the rear. From time to time there were up to a dozen MGs in convoy. At 11:30 we found a "bike stop" - basically, some loos and a cafe bar with lots of motorcyclists and MGs. Nicky was gasping for a bacon butty. After a full round of bacon sarnies and a cup of tea and feeling suitably refreshed we continued the run through Goodwood and numerous other picturesque Sussex villages. The last stop before completing the run was at Beachy Head for a photo stop. It was now dry and bright so it was off with our tops for the final couple of miles into Eastbourne. As we drove over the top of Beachy Head, who should 'salute' us but Geoff who had made it to Eastbourne after all in the Clio. We continued on our way to the sea-front where we were directed onto the Western Lawns and our allocated numbered parking slot.

On The Lawns
A band was playing and the weather was dry, in fact, it was a perfect setting to finish a superb event. There was an excellent variety of MGs that had made it - from an F type Magna, VA, YB, Magnettes, As, Bs, Cs, Spridgets, RV8s and Fs. After fish & chips in the Wish Tower we met up with Geoff & Hilary for coffee.  By this time, Graham & Sheila had arrived in the TD, despite Sheila's cold. Bruce & Nicky went off to get the most from their one night in The Grand Hotel and after Graham & Shiela departed, the rest of us walked along to the pier. Quote of the day - Hilary; "I was trying to remember which groyn I sat on" referring to her last visit to Eastbourne - her honeymoon! Simon, Chris, Geoff & Hilary then departed leaving us to find our B&B and somewhere to eat. How did we manage to choose an "English" restaurant run by Greeks? A dimly lit and very average meal followed.