Tonbridge lions classic car tour 2021

[Wingco]

All done, Sue and myself will see you all there, looking forward to it.

[Larkingabout]

See you both there. Great route this year though I say it myself. Very posh start and finish too, details will be sent out nearer the date.

[Wingco]

Unfortunately we can’t make the new date for this now. I have emailed Mike to say that we couldn’t make it but haven’t had a response back from him.
James if get to read this could send our apologise please.

[Larkingabout]

Colin,

I will let him know and he will get back to you.

[SJLB]

Likewise, can't make the new date either

[locost220]

Myself and banger racing team mate John took part in yesterday event, as most know it had been moved at least once and was cancelled last year but was good to see the Tonbridge Lions had not forgot how to organise a fine event.
The start points had to be moved a few hundred metres this year due to the car park bring a virus testing site but the new school venue was a high step up in class with ample parking, fantastic area for signing in and briefing as well as WC facilities.
Obviously the weather was to be the biggest challenge of the day and being John’s first time I had given him an idea of the order of the day and advised him to bring some wet weather gear on Saturday as I put the roof and doors on.
Picking John up on Sunday and a trial attempt to get in and out if the car ( not as young or as thin as we were ) and get comfortable with the doors on we decided to leave the doors off at his house and trial the roof for a few miles ahead of the first duel carriageway, it was obvious it would act as a sail above 40 so we took the roof off as well before tackling the A20, M25 and A21 arriving first of the tourists as usual (apart from James) was good to see familiar face including Mike Edwards who had kept me informed previously of changes to the event / schedule.
After some chit chat upon arriving me and John were ready for our first of many tea and biscuits after collecting the goodie pack and James gave John a lesson in Tulip instructions as he was going to be navigating for me on his debut to the event.
About this time the first real down pour started without me and John noticing (too busy scoffing biscuits) oops the roofs still down so John set about collecting tissues to mop out the shell seat.
and leave the roof drooped over the car for the rest of the pre start time, packing it away just before we made a move, by this time we had already had a walk round the assembled cars for some pics and a video.
We had already had a drivers briefing from James with much made of those without roofs, and chat about alterations to the hundred plus mile due to last minute road closures after James last minute trial run on Saturday.
Once waved off by the outgoing lions head we settled into a good routine with John shouting out the instructions and me resetting the trip meter fitted by a previously owner of the car ( James )making the job slightly easier.
Some of the time we kept others in sight but always a danger taking that for granted incase they are lost, a few pages in we were hit by one of those 5 min monsoons that made me thing we would see Noah and a few animals looking for a big boat.
With no roof both sides of the screen and my glasses were exposed and we slowed to a crawl as a few others stopped to put up roofs or shelter under trees.
With the added weight of a few biscuits the underside of the car took a bashing and a few sparks as well.
There is usually a mid morning tea stop and some check points to get your card stamped But both of these had been left out this year for good reason, we slowed at one point to check that the owner of a car was only having a Tony stop and not broken down in case we needed to break out the tools.
Lunch this year was at the amazing Powder Mills Hotel, for some fine tucker and a chat, but once again brought some more rain so we took shelter under the wood store roof whilst John mopped his seat once again.
The route back was once again
great with John doing a fine job, we missed at least one turning with me following the Jag in front (who I later realised was taking a short cut ) so we spun around and went the right way instead, we stopped and went back to the triumph stag that had terminal electronic ignition issues, but at least they had a hard top to shelter in as they waited to be recovered.
Once back at the start point we had a few pics taken , parked up for a chit chat and a couple rounds of tea and cream scones, then once again the heavens opened so we waited for it to stop and doned the wet weather clothing and were the last eventours to leave, hrs journey home and job done,
Just need to clean out the car and treat it to a wash and maybe a polish.
Johns up for next year maybe he can have a drive as well.
Few random pics

[greenwoo]

sounds like a hoot, glad that you had a great time - even with the inclement weather!!

[DJ.]

Sounds an eventful day! Good write up Richard, it sounds like you enjoyed it despite the weather

[Larkingabout]

Thanks Richard, the weather was interesting but the day was seemingly enjoyed by all that took part. I have a cunning plan for next year so watch this space.