The Fifth Goggles and Gauntlets Old Hunstanton June 7th to 11th 2018
Words from Ian Parkinson. Photos from Gerald Lawford
That all 31 hotel rooms were booked within the first month showed the popularity of this annual event.
The early birds started arriving from mid-day on Thursday. The base for the weekend the Four Star Best Western Le Strange Arms Hotel was ideally situated next to the beach.
By late afternoon most had arrived, settled in and were relaxing on the verandah overlooking the beach. Catching up with old friends and making new ones. Members came from Germany, Sweden and all over the UK. Once again there was the wide range of Mogs, vintage and modern all parked in front of the hotel.
Dinner was taken in the hotel restaurant and was as excellent as it always is.
Friday morning after breakfast the main group of five speeders set off for the scenic drive to Old Buckenham Airfield for a break and tea stop. Then carrying on into Suffolk for an arranged visit to Morgan Dealers Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds. There was great interest in the tuning mods that this Morgan dealer is becoming well known for and time was found to visit their 60’s diner for a drink and snack too. The long journey back to the hotel was made through Thetford Forest thereby avoiding traffic on the busy tourist routes.
The other group had had a good day touring around the area local to the hotel stopping off at places of interest. Once again an excellent dinner was enjoyed at the hotel.
After breakfast on Saturday morning we split into smaller groups with the same destination in mind. A short scenic run across lovely countryside brought us all into Little Walsingham for a tea stop. The plan by the organisers to transform the entire group into a religious sect unfortunately failed. Walsingham is home to several shrines and the pathway leading to the café was quite often blocked by groups chanting, finding a gap in the proceedings was quite difficult as no sooner did you think it clear to cross then another group appeared to come from nowhere as if out of thin air. Well, watching everyone trying to negotiate these groups gave Maria and I a chuckle or two if nothing else.
The scenic run continued across country till we reached Blicking House Estate, here Ian did his usual mass parking control getting all the Mogs parked in front of the house for some brilliant pictures. This was where we learned that Peter Pattinson had been struggling to keep his borrowed Mog running and the ever helpful Steve Hughes ended up on his knees as usual peering into the dreaded magneto, aaaaargh ! They are The Devils Work and best replaced with modern ideas, hang on whilst I put the flak jacket on!
Several of the group stayed here to have lunch and visit the estate, a smaller group left to visit the North Walsham Motor Cycle Museum and the main group left for some to visit Woodfordes Brewery whilst the others just relaxed at the Fur and Feather pub next to the brewery. Reports I had said that all places visited were really good and interesting.
All made their way back to the hotel in small groups.
Saturday evening dinner was again in the delightful dining room of the hotel and as is usual once dinner was over we had the popular raffle, this year Maria and Barbara did a great job selling the tickets and everybody was generous with their purchasing. A great range of prizes from alcohol to clothing were well received by the winners. There was also the trophy presentations with limited editions of the G&G 2018 Souvenirs. As usual there was no logic in who the lucky recipients were, the organisers choosing them from a secret formula.
A Morgan called “Yellow” found lurking in the bushes and overcome with ivy next to the hotel was determined to have not moved nor been heard running over the weekend. It was thought it must have been abandoned by its long term owner however a move to auction it off to the highest bidder failed to better 75p and its owner declared he wanted over £1. Clearly too much for a non runner. It then mysteriously appeared back on its second home (the trailer) ready for the long journey home. Retiring to the lounge of the hotel the drinking and chatting went on till late as usual.
Sunday morning and the breakfast room was deserted as it seemed a lie-in was needed by many after the night before. A later start for the day’s run had been planned and around 10:00am we set off in three groups. A lovely sunny morning and scenic run took us through small villages, then Burnham Market and to our tea stop North Creake Abbey and Shopping Village. We filled the outdoor terrace and spent much time chatting and drinking tea/coffee in beautiful surroundings.
The run continued through Fakenham to Thursford where a visit was planned to the Thursford Steam Museum. On arrival it was good to see Tony and Jean Birks there waiting to meet us. They had driven the 90 mile journey in their F Type, well done to them for doing so.
The visit to the museum was excellent, quite a few of us took a ride on the galloping horses roundabout, Barbara Caroline declaring she hadn’t sat on anything so big for years!
Lunch was taken in their super restaurant and some of us went back in to the hall to listen to Robert Wolfe playing the Wurlitzer, a job he had been doing for 38 seasons. He was fantastic.
Some of us decided to run back across country and relax back at the hotel, the main five speeder group led by Red Leader went to Cromer and had ice cream and I heard someone bought a kiss me quick hat ? They then came back along the lovely coast road and took some great pictures of the M3W’s along the way.
Another great evening in the restaurant and time for drinks on the terrace.
After another good night’s sleep Monday has come round too quickly. Time to say goodbye !
Maria and I would like to thank all of you for your company, support and especially for your generosity. We both were overwhelmed by your gesture, thank you all.
We hope to see you all again soon and watch out for details of G&G 2019.
Ian and Maria.
The Photos from Gerald Lawford.
