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.