Ugly Bug Inn - 17 July 05

An early set off was requested as we had a few miles to do but a slight technical problem with one car overheating even before making the start meant a few minutes delay but eventually 21 left the Sainsbury’s car park in Thetford. The first part of the run took in some great roads through the forested areas around Thetford with our first schedule stop to reconvene in a convenient lay-by in Pulham Market where we also picked up another car. We then continued onto South Elmham Hall, for a coffee break, which is reached via several single track roads and can truly be said to be in the middle of nowhere. At this point we gained 2 more 5’s from a couple of Norfolk based members making us up to 24.

From South Elmham we headed via Bungay and Fritton making for the Ugly Bug Inn at Colton for lunch. Another brief comfort stop in Long Stratton saw 1 car head home who had other commitments (and who had only picked his 5 up from the dealer the day before!) and several of us push starting another. Whilst Jon appreciated the push he was not so pleased about all the greasy handprints all over his shiny black paintwork.

Arriving just a few minutes behind schedule at the pub we were alarmed to find that those of us at the back of the convoy where now rather close to the front, a number of cars that had been in the middle somewhere having disappeared. However there were only a few minutes of concern before the missing cars arrived having somehow managed to take a slight detour.

Sitting out in the sunshine on the patio of the Ugly Bug Inn 40 of us enjoyed a very pleasant lunch.

Several people departed direct for home from Colton and the remainder of us did the final stage of the run back to the starting point in Thetford arriving as we had left, in the sunshine.

This was our biggest summer run yet and as always it was good to welcome some new faces amongst the regular Eastern Region members. Hopefully everyone had as much fun as we did and we will see lots of you again.

A huge thanks to Steve H and Mandy for putting the run together and finding us some great roads and two excellent refreshment venues, and even more importantly delivering on the promise of some proper roadster type weather.

We were also able to make a charitable donation of £40.00 towards helping one of the London bomb victims. More details of that to be confirmed shortly. Thanks to everyone for your contribution.

‘Till the next time…