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.