It was Sharon Southern who first suggested the idea, quite a few years ago, that our Runs should commence with a breakfast and when Sharon, together with Pete Long (who is a knowledgeable source of breakfast purveyors throughout the county), volunteered to organise this year’s Compass Run, we knew we would not be disappointed.

Our start venue was a biker’s café near Sherburn and when we arrived the car (bike) park was brimming with motor cycles and their riders were sitting at the outside tables with their meals. Now, a place wouldn’t get this full at nine o’clock on a Sunday morning if the meals were no good!

As the drivers and navigators became suitably fuelled we set off in dribs and drabs so as not to be in convoy to enjoy the scenic run.

Our destination was Fountains Abbey, a National Trust site, where we would meet up with our fellow Compass Runners from the other three compass points in Yorkshire.

Checking out the map for a run to Fountains from our area, you can see it is not an easy task to find roads of the type we like to use. But Pete did us proud and pulled together a route taking us through some pretty villages and interesting country roads. Pauline and I had been among the first to set off, (unusual in itself) and maintaining a steady pace in the Midget, hood down, enjoying the weather and scenery, remarked on our surprise that no one else had passed us in their quicker cars. We came upon a bench at the side of the road on the outskirts of a small hamlet and decided to stop for a coffee and to enjoy the view. After a few minutes various MG's (the only vehicles on this stretch of road) came along and without fail, all stopped to check if we were OK. This was great and comforting to know that a rescue was close at hand if needed, but could it mean the Midget has a reputation? Surely not!

Our journey came to a conclusion when we reached Fountain’s Abbey and West Yorkshire members, who had chosen the finish venue, organised a separate parking area for the whole Centre in a field alongside the main car parks. There was a tremendous turn out of MG's, one of the best in recent times for this Run and included some visitors from outside the Yorkshire area.

click on image to enlarge

There was ample time for everyone to enjoy the facilities Fountains Abbey has to offer and a day of beautiful weather capped it off.

Thanks to North Yorkshire for choosing the venue and to Pete Long and Sharon Southern for organising a thoroughly enjoyable day for all of us.

Review by

Geoff Norcliffe
South Yorkshire