Andy Williams had planned this run around the Elan Valley late last year, but at the last moment we couldn’t go. Then weather and circumstances delayed it further, but Andy promised we would do the run when the weather got better. The plan was to start our day at The Steel Horse cafe for breakfast then drive around the valley and end up with lunch in Rhyader. We didn’t get the best start and had to implement plan B before we even started, as the cafe was shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, and it started raining a little. So we had breakfast in Abergavenny instead then began our run by driving to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. I think we saw almost all of Mid Wales police while we were driving, five unmarked police cars with blue lights, five unmarked police transits also with blue lights, all with better things to do on that day than worry about than us. Four more also turned up at the Visitor Centre, which did mildly alarm us as it’s not the first time police have been looking for us while we were driving (it was in France – a long time ago) but it seemed they just wanted their lunch. While they weren’t looking we quietly sloped off and the fun began.

I can’t begin to explain exactly where we went, I followed Andy and his new exhaust and in the process “honed my driving skills”. Anyone who has ever been on our European adventures knows what that entails. We stopped often for pictures and to just enjoy the peace and beauty of the place and as we drove the clouds broke up and the sun came out.
 We ended our day at Rhyader for a late lunch in the Old Swan cafe which I can highly recommend, then I drove back home through the most beautiful Herefordshire countryside in glorious sunshine. A lovely day out (serious drivers only.)

Following on from their launch get together, La Chasse had planned this morning to introduce those interested in their “engaging and prestigious motoring events for driving enthusiasts”. It was a sort of high tech treasure hunt and their intention is to plan weekends and longer holidays abroad using the same structure. We met up at Weston-on-the-Green and were briefed on our day, given our iPads, chose our team names (we were The Follies) and had a bacon roll. Our instructions were to solve the clues to local pubs, takes pictures outside and on the way collect other random items/photos as specified. Once we had passed the first checkpoint most of the group split up, whilst the Hare car kept in the vicinity and points could be gained by catching a photo of it during the chase. Driving was the easy job; navigating, solving clues, organising the technology and taking the photos was the Elf’s task. It was great fun, although at times a bit stressfull, and we finished up with the intention of having lunch, but in the event that didn’t pan out as hoped. A very good day’s fun and in truth we would love to do it again but the price for the longer events is a bit prohibitive for us.

A complete stranger with a nice old car. The Follies with cowsThe view behindAn unusual/noteworthy car. All these pictures were taken on the run for point scoring purposes, but we didn’t win.