SCRAP YARDING IN SEAFORDE - 9TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Today we went scrap yarding in Seaforde to hunt for parts for the Rover 3500 SD1, Vandem Plas Efi that my husband is restoring.


We headed of at just after 10.00am and met up with the other 2 club members in Seaforde before travelling to the scrapyard.  During our visit we found a number of SD1's unfortunately the body panels were not in good condition.  We spent about an hour looking at and talking about the other cars that were in the scrapyard.  This scrapyard really is the land that time for got - the majority of the cars were from the 1980's and many of them have obviously been here, untouched, for many many years.

Some of the car that were in the scrapyard

From this scrapyard we travelled on to another scrapyard somewhere near by (have no idea where it was and wouldn't be able to find our way back to it), in the search for Rover 75 parts.


This scrapyard stalked much more modern cars and the lads spent about an hour walking around it whilst I waited in the car.  After all the time spent the only thing purchased was a Rover 75 manual, last of the big spenders here.

A small sample of the scrap cars

  

From here we travelling into Ballnahinch for a very late lunch.  We opted for a take away from Herron's Country Fried Chicken, we sat in the main square and ate and chatted until it was time to call it a day.


A great days craic, a tasty lunch and a lot of Rover talk!

THE ROVER 75 AND MG ZT CLUB 2ND ANNUAL MEET, TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK, NEWCASTLE - 28TH AUGUST 2011

Our loyalties were divided today as both clubs were heading out on a run.   The Classic Rover Club (NI) were having a run to Slemish mountain followed by a carvery lunch and a trip to a private museum and The Rover 75 & MG ZT Club were having their annual meet in Tollymore Forest Park.


After much deliberation we decided to take our 75 to the Tollymore meet.  Although we weren't meeting up until 1pm it was decided that we should wash, polish and load up the boot of our car on Saturday.   So all we had to put in the car on Sunday morning was the food.


We meet up 5 other member at a petrol station near our house, after a short chat it was decided that we should lead the way.  About 5 miles outside Castlewellan we got a phone call asking us to pull into the next petrol station as one of the group had driven the last 5 miles on air, to say that he was a very relieved man when we pulled into a petrol station 5 miles later would be an understatement.


On arrival at Tollymore we were directed on to the grass just in through the entrance beside the picnic tablets, the perfect spot for our barbecue. 


As the members began washing and polishing their cars, we lifted the barbecue out, lit it.  The plan being that I would cook whilst husband went to help one of the members with a Synergy.  Well that didn't happen, as I was unloading the car I managed to close my left hand in the car door.  I spend quiet some time with my hand in a bucket of cold water whilst my hubby took on the role of chef.  He did a pretty good job despite a couple of the burgers having added greens after being dropped on the grass and few being cremated (which Ruby the dog thoroughly enjoyed).

The Ultimate Accessory

With food cooked, eaten and everything tidied away it was time to have a walk around the cars. 

The following owners brought their cars up from the Republic of Ireland

A Stunning 75 with MG modifications

 Tourers that were on display

BRM

Rover 600

Ex Police Car

Other cars that were on display (sorry to any that I may have missed)

I think it would be safe to say that the Star of the Show was the V8.  The men drooled over it and some of them talked about it insistently.

V8

One owner proudly displayed a Schuco Model of their car on their dashboard

Over the course of the afternoon cars arrived and cars left, in all about 35 cars turned up, some of them having travelled from Monaghan, Offaly and Cork.  A collection was taken and between us we donated £120 to Tollymore Forest. 


Despite my injury and the dodgy cooking I thoroughly enjoyed the day.  It was great catching up with old friends and making some new ones. 

CLASSIC ROVER CLUB (NI) TRIP TO EXCELSIOR CINEMA, COMBER - 21ST AUGUST 2011

We headed of in our SD1 and meet up with other member of The Classic Rover Club in the car park of Movie House in Newtownards.   

Ten club members and their families turned up for this run.  The cars in attendance included 2 Rover P5B's, 2 Rover P6's, 1 Rover SD1 2600, 1 Rover 213, 1 Rover 216 convertible, 1 Rover 800, 1 Rover 100 and a Proton.

After a little chat and we set off in convoy towards Comber via Millisle.  

When we arrived at the Excelsior Cinema we were greeted by the owner of The Excelsior Cinema. 

After having photographs taken outside the cinema, we made our way inside the quaint little cinema to watch a selection of Laurel and Hardy films.   Before the movies began we will all given ice lollies.  

Between movies I slipped outside to stretch my legs and for a breath of fresh air, where I took the opportunity to take a few photographs of the cars in attendance.

When the films had finished we made our way to The Auld House, Moneyreagh. 

Where we had a beautiful meal and enjoyed sometime chatting before we called it a night.

BANBRIDGE MOTOR AND SPORT SHOW - 13th & 14th August 2011

Saturday 13th August 2011

We had booked the SD1 in for both days before the Rover 75 and MG ZT owners Club decided to attend, but it was agreed that we could be part of their stand on both days.

On Saturday 4 members attended.  We arrived at the venue (field) just before 11.am.  Upon entering the field we were allowed to park wherever we wanted.  At this point I have to say that my husband probably picked the worst spot in the whole field.  We were the closest stand to the stage and so were deafened when the singer was preforming, we were surrounded by cow pats making it tricky to move around without standing in one.  On the plus side we had a good overview of the other exhibits and we were close to the toilets.

As usual the day began with the cars being washed and polished.  It never ceases to amaze me the amount of cleaning products that some of the club members can fit into their boots.  Once the cars were gleaming, although one member did forget to wash his wheels, it was time to walk for a walk around.

Who let the side down by forgetting to wash the cow pat off their wheels?

As is often the case, our first stop was the burger stand and I have to say that the burgers left a lot to be desired.  With our stomachs filled we made our way around the trade stands, The AutoGlym stand held the attention of our members for quiet some time and a few purchases were made.

Although this show was open to all cars including motor sport cars, modified cars, classic cars and vintage cars it was the classic cars that caught my eye.

Here are a few of the vehicles that caught my eye as we strolled around -

A few participants from the 2011 Scally Rally had their vehicles on display.  After talking to them we decided that it would great idea to enter The 2012 Scally Rally.  So the hunt for a Rover 75 for £100 began.

The following photograph is of one of the participants in the 2011 Scally Rally

We watched the NI Fire Service demonstration until it began to rain.  The shower passed quiet quickly but some of the exhibitors were beginning to leave.  About an hour later when the next shower of rain started at around 4pm we decided to call it a day.   Despite numbers being lower than what I had expected we tthoroughly enjoyed the day. 

Sunday 14th August 2011

A few members met at our house before 10am so that we could get cars loaded up with the barbecue and foodstuffs.  We headed of just after 10am to meet the other members at The Moira Roundabout.  Our plans were to leave there at 10.15, however by 10.30 two of the members, including the club secretary still hadn't arrived, we received a phone call from him to say that they had been delayed and then diverted thanks to roadworks, he told us to go on and they would make their own way.


We set off in convoy with the SD1 leading the way, followed by the Rover 75 tourer, followed by the Metro 100 with the Rover 25 at the end.  We made good progress and arrived at the venue at 11.15, where another MG was waiting for us.  The other 2 MG's arrive shortly afterwards.  We were allocated a spot well away from the stage much to our relief.  Glancing around it was clear that a lot of the cars that were on display yesterday were back today and that numbers were up.

As the lads washed and polished the cars I set up the barbecue in preparation for lunch. 


 

With the cars all washed and the food cooked it was time to fill our bellies and recharge our batteries.  The food went down a treat and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone including Ruby (the dog).  The burgers were much better than the ones that we purchased yesterday, even if I do say so myself.

After we ate some of the club members went for a walk around whilst the rest of us stayed around the cars and enjoyed an great afternoons craic in the sun whilst watching the rain clouds pass over us.  Unfortunately the clear skies and sunshine didn't last long.  There were a few short light scattered showers late in the afternoon and then the rain came on pretty heavy around 4.30pm.  As some of the members had other commitments we decided that it was time to clear up and hit the road.   


This was the first year of this 2 day charity event.  The nominated charity was NI Chest Heart & Stroke Association.  It was billed as one of the largest shows of 2011 in Northern Ireland with exhibitors attending from all over Ireland and the UK.


The organisers of this show had planned long and hard for this show and there was something for everyone including demonstrations by the NI Fire Service, Live music, Formula One simulator and various things to entertain children including a bouncy slide and bouncy castle and the Red Bull Dodge Truck and 3 teams of promotions girls were in attendance both days giving out free sames of Red Bull.

Another great day out with a super bunch of guys.