Well, that's a first

[hedgerley]

My car passed its MOT today - with no problems whatsoever and 12 months after its last service. No preparation at all (OK, two front tyres 3 months ago) and in advance of its A service next week. The only charge was the MOT fee. Is this a miracle or am I just lucky?

It's on show tomorrow at the local Village Gala, supporting the Cancer Research 'Soap Box Derby' with a prize draw for some lucky blighter to come for a spin with me. Hope to raise a few quid for the charity. Should be fun, especially as the weather looks good.

[Bibs]

Pics of your passengers face would be good! Have fun Mark

[hedgerley]

Well, the sun shone on Saturday and the crowds turned up to our village Gala. I was a last minute 'attraction' for some mates organising the Cancer Research pitch and we offered a free ride in the Esprit in return for a minimum £1.00 donation - over 100 people signed up and many more came up for a chat and went away having bought t-shirts, balloons and so on. The guys say it was one of their best days ever.

I called the winner Saturday evening and he was over the moon, as was his young son who had posed for his photo sat in the drivers seat earlier in the day (as a lot of kids did). He was just settling down to watch the football and said all he needed now was for England to win and his day would be complete...........

Herewith a couple of photos. This was before folk turned up - we took the tape down and rolled the Esprit out so people could get a better look. We only had one wag ask who he would get to ride and was it possible in an Esprit - only with the sun roof off I suggested......

[Al]

Nice one Mark and good idea. My wife is on tyhe local Cancer Research Committee and always looking for ideas. However I'd pay more for a ride in an Esprit than an Evora it has to be said. I didn't tell Brian that however when we did the test drive round the borders route though with me navigating in his V8

Now which of your favourite drives are you taking him out on? Which date do we have to keep out of Glen Devon?................

[hedgerley]

Am I that predictable Al? Up or down Glendevon will definitely feature. Maybe both. Over Knockhill of course. I've got a few favourite back roads over this side of the M90 as well. I've promised him an hour, next Sunday. Should be fun.

Just back from the Snetterton trip. Drove down Saturday to a mates near Peterborough, then over to the Festival early Sunday. What a fantastic day, apart from an hour queuing. It was a bit chilly but the rain held off. Seeing all the F1 cars lined up, with Hazel and Clive in attendance and then getting close (ish) to the current team made my day. I stood right to next to the cars as they started them up. Brilliant. As to seeing the old cars on track, that was awesome. I even phoned my brother-in-law so he could hear the JPS cars going by. Long drive back today but well worth it. Even SWMBO thoroughly enjoyed it. Esprit never missed a beat and there was no hint of overheating in the queue. Which is a result I guess.

[hedgerley]

So, after a couple of cancellations, I finally took the Prize Draw winner out yesterday and yes Al, sorry to be predictable but it was over Knockhill, up Glendevon and back down then out across the back roads to the M90, down to the coast and a few of my favourite lanes, well out of the way of 'normal' tarffic.

To say he was impressed is putting it midly - awesome, incredible, never so fast, stuck to the road etc etc. Plus the odd squeak as I left the braking perhaps a little later than normal. We were out for an hour and a half and both thoroughly enjoyed it. And teh sun shone. Another Lotus convert.......