Crews,
Just a short resume of last Sundays sortie to Derbyshire (sorry for the delay). A very creditable Eight minis mustered at HQ early doors (0800 hrs) on Sunday morning for briefing, flight plans and objectives for the trip to the Peaks and in particular the Dams Museum at Derwent valley (where they practised for the actual Dams raid due to the Topography of the landscape being very similar to the Dams of Moehnre, Sorpe & Eder). Two new members to the BCM runs out were made most welcome, Joe in his yellow Clubman and Ewan & Julie in their white and black Mini. Both crews were thoroughly briefed on essentials such as convoy principles prior to setting off!
The full squadron consisted of Steve, Linda & Chloe, Stuart & David, Toby & Becky, Ian & Ange, Pip & Sarah, Joe, Ewan & Julie and Larry & Jacob. All fuelled and ready to roll we made headway towards Ollerton for first stop at Macca Dees. Onwards then towards Mansfield Woodhouse, Chesterfield and into the Peak district where visiblity was sometimes reduced due to fog, which hindered the lovely views.
We arrived at the Dam at approx 11.08 hrs with the views improving slightly for us. During initial landing into the Car Park, Becky was seen to burst out of Maisy and head rapidly towards the Loos leaving a helpless Toby in the passenger seat to take over and wrestle with the controls as Becky was up to then driving and had just abandoned it in the car park! Also in the car park was Ian's ideal form of transport (well as to scale!) a pimped up monkey bike!
Once all safely landed we headed towards the base of the Dam where a group photo took place at the base of the Dam. Linda's reluctance to have her photo taken with the crews whilst walking backwards away from the gathering, caused her to trip and land unceremoniuosly on her backside - bless her. Other than being embarrassed she was none the worse for wear thankfully. The Museum tour then followed and it was found to be both interesting & humbling with displays of never seen before artefacts such as Nigger's dog collar.
After another short photo shoot (thanks David) we moved onto lunch at Monsal Head and through the tight and sometimes twisty Monsal Dale roads (aren't the ramblers a funny lot?)
A smashing meal was had at the Stables Bar with a very nice pint in a cosy atmosphere. Am sure we could have all stayed a while longer but with the roaring fire and the temptation to nod off was too big a draw and so tracks were made to get home.
A run back through the Chatsworth estate, then onto Matlock and home rounded off a very enjoyable day with the Sleaford lot banking away hard right at Newark towards home. A superb BCM turn out with eight minis counted out and eight returned!
Well done BCM!
Tally Ho Pip.
ps The next social meeting of BCM will soon be actioned and details to follow - watch this space I haven't forgotten!
