17 October 2004
Errington Arms just north of Corbridge
Terry Garnick and Davey Clark have been regulars on our Runs from when they more or less started and we've been talking about doing a "Great Northern Run" with them all that time. Well it finally happened in October 2004.
The meeting place was at the Errington Arms at the junction of the A68 and the B6318 just north of Corbridge. You might be wondering why October. Well Terry reliably informs us that during the summer, Hadrian's Wall is mobbed and we'd find it difficult to get parked or get anything to eat in the pubs. Unfortunately, we weren't lucky with the weather. The sky was overcast and throughout the morning we had light showers of rain.
The meeting place was right on top of Hadrian's Wall and I understand that the pub itself is built with reclaimed stones courtesy of the Emperor Hadrian himself. Our first stop was just along the road at Chesters where as well as a museum and gift shop some of the fort buildings had been excavated to give an idea of how the soldiers lived. Housesteads is probably the best known of the wall forts, but it was raining quite heavily when we stopped there and nobody felt like a long walk up the hill to see what was left of the buildings - we just made do with the gift and coffee shop. We also stopped at Once Brewed and Twice Brewed en route to the Milecastle Inn near Haltwhistle for lunch. It was here that Gerry Hiorns, Broach and Steve Ward's pal in his ZT joined us. I believe that this area is the geographic centre of the UK.
After we had been fed and watered, we headed south into the Pennines along some narrow twisty and hilly roads - great stuff. We finally arrived at Alston, which is the highest market town in England and also has the highest narrow gauge railway in England. There's also a small but very interesting transport museum in the town which has lots of different mechanical devises on display, including the restored MG PA pictured opposite. On the road again, after giving our suspension a good work out along Alston's cobbled streets, we headed for Teesdale where we stopped for tea and scones at Middleton-in-Teesdale. This was the only part of the run that we managed to go topless. Late afternoon and we were driving up over the moors and through the clouds back towards Corbridge and the end of the Run.
The Outing was held in conjunction with the MGCC F Register (Terry's the Northern and Boarders Rep) and just before we all went our separate ways, some bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale were handed out as prizes. Furthest travelled went to Richard and Gill Martin from Abingdon. Richard's the Chairman of the F Register - talk about sookin' in wi thi boss. Best navigator went to Harvey, Alan Dunlop's dog and most modified MGF went to Steve Ward's pal Glen in his MG ZT - strange people these Gordies.
Six Fs, a TF, a ZT and Gerry Hiorns' MGB GT V8 were on the Run. Weather was a bit overcast but it didn't dampen the spirits. The Run itself was just short of a hundred miles, but the Scottish contingent probably did about four hundred. Great day out and a big thanks to Terry and Davey for organising it.
Getting Ready to Leave
Car Park at "Chesters" and Alan and Harvey doing a pit stop
Car Park at "Housesteads"
Milecastle Inn for Lunch
Look at the Size of That Sheep's Head
Terry Wiping the Drool off an old MG PA at the Hub Museum
John and Helen Dickson
Alston has the Highest Narrow Gauge Railway in England
Outside the Hub Museum
Middleton-in-Teesdale
End of the Run Just South of Corbridge
