Tour Week 1

We have completed the first six events at Abingdon, Loughborough, Godstone, Norwich, Lincoln and Liversedge. With approximately £2,000 raised for UNICEF it is proving well worthwhile and everyone seems to be enjoying the experience. For my part I am using the opportunity to reacquaint myself with my own country and its history and nature. In Lincoln I visited both the Cathedral and Castle, and then took a morning walking around the Whisby Natural Park. With a free day in Yorkshire I drove over to Bolton Abbey near Keighley to see the ruined priory and walk the banks of the River Wharfe. It is a really pretty location although a little too civilised for me, gravel paths and cafes, but the scenery is beautiful and I saw some Mandarin ducks, a breed I have not seen for years. Had I had more time I would have done some serious walking over the Yorkshire Dales but I must move on although I hope...
Read More
North East and Borders

North East and Borders

I mentioned in my previous report the variety of locations chosen for my talk events and this has continued. MG Car Club’s north-east centre, although one of the smallest centres, had arranged for the use of the Knights Hall at the Manor House, West Aukland. The setting is very medieval and grand and the evening was very well attended. From northern England Bridget took me into “The Borders” area of Scotland and the town of Kelso in particular. Again I took the opportunity to go walking this time along the banks of the river Tweed. This river has the reputation of being one of the finest in Scotland for salmon fishing, but I was here to do a ‘pitstop’ organised by UNICEF. Ken Henderson, Chairman of the local UNICEF branch, had set up for Bridget and me to visit Kelso High School, whose motto appropriately is Do or Die! We were met by the schools’ Director of Education and then spent an...
Read More
Europe Stops, But Bridget Keeps Going

Europe Stops, But Bridget Keeps Going

The whole of Europe has been rendered immobile and isolated by the fallout from a volcanic eruption in Iceland, however if only people needing to travel internationally bought a MG car then the problem would be resolved. Having dug Bridget out of the mountain of volcanic dust burying her on the driveway, she started up first time and moved off without hesitation on the first leg of our UK tour. In the past seven days we have covered the first three locations for the ‘An Evening with Miss Bridget’ talks at Abingdon, Loughborough and Bedford. In total, and after expenses have been removed, we have made around £850 which I think is very credible. Once again, and no surprise to me, it demonstrates peoples generosity when the opportunity arises. The venues were varied, the first being held in the brand new John Thornley Suite at Kimber House, the second in the car showroom of Luffield Cars of Loughborough and the third inside...
Read More
On The Road Again – Update

On The Road Again – Update

Starting shortly after Easter Bridget and I will be touring the UK, delivering talks about our world travel adventure. Entitled ‘An Evening with Miss Bridget’ the talk lasts about two hours with a comfort break halfway through. The itinerary currently is as follows: Abingdon           -     9th April Loughborough    -    14th April Bedford             -    16th April Godstone          -    19th April Norwich            -    20th April Lincolnshire       -    22nd April Yorkshire           -    24th April West Auckland    -   28th April Scottish Borders  -   30th April Caledonian        -     9th May North West        -    11th May Bromsgrove        -    12th May Abingdon           -     14th May There may be additional venues added before the start and updates will be displayed here. The tour is being promoted by the MGCC, but is open to anyone wishing to attend. E-mail roy.locock@btinternet.com for further details. Preparing Bridget for the tour is now a priority. She needs a new windscreen, the twin SU’s need rebuilding, replacement mirrors and window winders are required and the interior needs renovating. I have...
Read More
Dirty Boot!

Dirty Boot!

The Canadian Classic MG Club held it's annual awards night during December and honoured Bridget with the 'Dirty Boot'! This was in recognition of the amazing amount of spare parts, cleaning materials, tool kits, axle stands and the all important trolley jack that emerged from Bridget's boot before entering the slalom event in Vancouver during August. In the best possible tradition 'Bridget was unforunately unable to be at the ceremony' and so Peter Tilbury accepted the award from the previous winner, Afton Cayford, on the night. Needless to say Bridget is very proud of this latest accolade whilst I am still waiting for the New Years Honours list to be announced!!...
Read More