On Friday night we were undecided if we were going to the show in Ballintoy as we were unsure if any of the club members were going and because the weather had been terrible all week. We got up on Saturday morning and checked the weather forecast; the forecast for Ballintoy was for a dry sunny day with light winds, reading this helped us decide to go along.
We set off in our SD1 at 9.00am on the 60 mile trip, when we reached the Seven Towers roundabout the sky was starting to clear. About 2 miles outside Ballintoy we caught up with this beautiful Rolls Royce, which we followed to the Rectory.
We arrived at the Rectory at 11.00am, paid our entrance fee of £3 per adult and received an itinerary. With a little slipping and sliding on the wet grassy surface we manage to get parked up beside the Rolls Royce.
We got chatting to the owner, who enthusiastically showed us around his car including the engine and boot. He informed us that it was a 1960 Rolls Royce and that he got between 10 and 14 miles per gallon if he drove it carefully. A truly stunning car in great condition.
We were the fifth car to park up and giving that the show started at 11.00am we thought that there was going to be a poor turnout. However, whilst we were chatting a few more cars arrived and there was a steady stream of tractors into the field.
We had headed up the field towards the tent located beside the rectory, registered our car and received a food voucher. We continued round to the back of the rectory where there was a display of motorbikes and a variety of stalls including bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery, tombola and a rather eccentric guy with a stall selling things like human teeth, countries of the world cut from a map, bits of the moon again cut from a map, centimetres cut from a wooden ruler.
On our way back to our car we spotted another club member, his wife and another couple arriving in his Rover P6. When they had parked we went with them so they could register and then for a walk around the stalls then it was time for a bite to eat. In the food marquee exhibitors were given sandwiches, a drink, stew and a bun, which my husband and I shared.
After lunch we headed back down the field to the P6 on our way we met up with a member of the Rover 75 & MG ZT club who was there in his Rover 100 "Gromit".
Back at the P6 a picnic was produced, with enough food to feed an army. We sat in the sun, munched and chatted until after 3pm. By this stage the tractors were beginning to leave the field for the cavalcade into Ballintoy.
We opted not to participate in the calvacade instead we decided to take another walk around.
SOME OF THE CARS THAT WERE ON DISPLAY
A number of events happened over the course of the day including threshing, live music by a Steel Band and a Singer, a raffle, wood turning demonstration, fairground rides, face painting, pancake making to name a few.
There was a selection of animals on display including chicken, ducks and this beautiful mare and her foal.
For those who needed a bite to eat there were a number of stalls selling food and refreshments including a BBQ, an Ice Cream van and the tea marquee.
CLASSIC ROVER CLUB (NI) MEMBERS CARS
Although this was a relatively small show, it was exceptionally well organised and catered for young and old alike, there was something off interest for everyone. The venue was in a stunning location on the north Antrim coast between Ballintoy and Bushmills, with stunning views.
As the show wound up we decided that it was too early and that the weather was too nice to head home, so at John's suggestion we decided to Portbradden to see the smallest church Ireland and then to Bushmills to the pub.
As we left the Rectory, in convoy, we were given our finisher's award, a china mug.
After a short drive, we reached Portbradden, a small and picturesque fishing village at the end of Whitepark Bay. We parked the cars and walked the very short distance to St Gobbans Church. We were disappointed that the Church was closed however we did peer inside, admire the stained glass windows and ring the bell. Although this church is promoted by some as the smallest church in Ireland it reportedly started life as a cow byre before the owner had it consencrated as a Church in the 1960's or 1970's. The ruins of St Lassaraghs, an even smaller church stand on the cliffs above St Gobbans.
After a short drive, we reached Portbradden, a small and picturesque fishing village at the end of Whitepark Bay. We parked the cars and walked the very short distance to St Gobbans Church. We were disappointed that the Church was closed however we did peer inside, admire the stained glass windows and ring the bell. Although this church is promoted by some as the smallest church in Ireland it reportedly started life as a cow byre before the owner had it consencrated as a Church in the 1960's or 1970's. The ruins of St Lassaraghs, an even smaller church stand on the cliffs above St Gobbans.
ST GOBBANS CHURCH
WHITEPARK BAY AS SEEN FROM ST GOBBANS, PORTBRADDEN
The cars were moved around for a photos of them with Whitepark Bay in the background.
We set off in convoy to Bushmills, parked up and headed to the pub. We set chatting in the courtyard enjoying a few soft drinks, in the early evening sun. At around 7.30pm stomachs were being to rumble so we headed for a chip shop called "Flash in the Pan". It was very reasonably priced, the portions were huge and the food was lovely. After filling our stomachs it was time to call it a day and head for home.
On our way home I snapped this beautiful sunset
A great day out was had by all in the sun in beautiful surrounding with great people.
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