MR2 Drivers Club North West Region

The Wild Boar Inn

Written By: Elizabeth Lords

There can't be a much better place for a Christmas party - picturesque location, beautiful hotel, log fires, spectacular food, pleasant staff and the very best of company.

We all did our own thing until mid afternoon when we assembled in the lounge, hogging the fire-place and "seeing off" two innocents who Moe thought "belonged" to us but they didn't! After quickly closing their newspapers they beat a hasty retreat.

About 6:30pm we all retired to our rooms for some tarting up. Sparkly tops, plenty of bare flesh for the ladies and a menagerie of animals - Lenny the Lion Farrimond and Paul Puppy Dog Moores, etc for some of the men. After drinks, the compulsory photo-call and a thank-you presentation to Nicky (our organiser) we made our entrance to the dining room. We were the largest (and noisiest) party so the staff knew it was going to be a long night.

Party poppers, streamers, crackers, paper hats and rude balloons were in full swing - and that was even before the soup. Then there was a slight hush - everyone had their mouths full - until the main course during which a new cocktail was invented - Brussel sprout in chilled wine - lovely!. The meal was excellent and enjoyed by all and the hotel staff were very tolerant.

Next the disco and a raffle - two bottles of Champers were up for grabs - and we won one of them. I have to say we reigned supreme on the dance floor, mainly because we out numbered the rest. The table decorations were fully utilised, the helium filled balloons being consumed - yes i did say consumed - to produce several Daffy Duck and Orvil impressions, well we're all children at heart aren't we?

Sunday, everyone was ready for the drive out, even the weather was sunny when we began the ascent of Hard Knott Pass. Lots of standing water and a river flowing across the road at one point, nevertheless we soldiered onwards and upwards. It wasn't to last. Halfway up the pass I hit a water covered hole (mine shaft really) - big explosion! I got out to inspect what I thought was one blow-out to find both nearside tyres were demolished. Not the kind of ting you want on a 1 in 4.

Then the rain came, torrents of it, accompanied by a force-nine gale, but nothing stops the North West. In no time the space saver was on the front and I borrowed Keith's Mk1 spare wheel for the back (I didn't know they fitted the Roadster) - you learn something new everyday! Many thanks to all the guys who helped. So, we carried on to Cartmel. It was an interesting drive on three different types of tyres - no grip on one side and plenty on the other. However, never say die, an I don't think I slowed things down much and enjoyed myself a lot.

On arriving at Cartmel no-one had a signal on their mobiles so I had to ring the RAC from a public phone box. Very polite and cheerful RAC man, and after I'd established that Cartmel was nowhere near St Albans and that the Market Place didn't have a map reference on a wall somewhere, we settled on the Kings Arm's as a meeting place. A typical NW region decision!

After a bite to eat a low loader arrived within the hour with a Ford whose head gasket had gone on the back. We insisted that he turf this off and make way for a decent machine. Wheels were redistributed, and after saying goodbye to everyone who had helped, I set off back home in the truck - my car loaded and the Ford in tow. Note to Nicky - I took your advise and left the young man's tools and knobs alone.

Despite this we all had a good weekend and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blow outs were just bad luck and a minor )although expensive) irritation. Thanks to everyone who came and to Nicky for organisation. A big thank-you to the staff at the Wild Boar who were great. But, most of all, to the NW members for rallying round to help when I was stuck and all the guys and gals who hung around until the RAC man arrived. Also, thanks to the man from Moorland garage who got me home cheerfully and entertained me with his stories of rally cars he had retrieved from Hard Knott Pass over the years. Happy New Year to everyone