Page 43 - MM_Sep Oct 2021

Classic Traffic
The Bouchon de Cahors in July is typical of the things we get up to in France; 250 classic cars, bikes, mopeds, vans and HGVs recreating the old pre-autoroute summer weekend traffic jams. The principle is simple; persuade the local authorities
to block the roads, allow just classics
in, park some cars and HGVs to provide visual blocks at junctions in addition to the barriers, then let loose the mayhem!
The jams started as we all queued to pass check-in, before cars were parked
– more like abandoned in some cases – everywhere along the boulevard and in the main square. Over coffee and croissants
North Wilts Branch members at The Great British Car Journey
North Wilts on Tour
The week began with us driving up the scenic route of the Fosse Way to our lunch stop at Hill Top Farm, to meet up with everyone. Then on to Wirksworth and our B&B at The Old Lock Up, the historic police station where we were staying for the next four nights. The next day we visited the Crich Tramway Village, parking our five cars on display in the High Street where were joined by Susie and Julian Marshall who live in Wirksworth. We all enjoyed a trip on a tram and exploring the village, unfortunately the workshops were closed, but the museum was still open before lovely afternoon tea and cakes in Susie and Julian’s beautiful garden.
On the Wednesday we visited the recently opened Great British Car Journey collection for our group tour. It was great to see so many vehicles of yesteryear brought together under one roof, all in wonderful condition and well worth a visit. In the afternoon we drove to the
it was great to meet up with friends we hadn’t seen during the long Covid months, albeit at a safe distance. The French habit of hugging and kissing has gone out of the window in favour of elbow bumping and masks.
At 11am and 3pm everyone piled into their cars and hooted their way up and down the boulevard, while the pavements
were packed with families enjoying the show for free. And it was a show, not just lines of cars, but people dressed to match the age of their vehicles, period luggage strapped to bootlids, teddy bears and
dogs hanging out of car windows, classic caravans and trailers and real gendarmes from St Tropez riding old police motorbikes.
At lunchtime picnic tables sprang up everywhere and cafés did a roaring trade, while serious photographers made the most of the empty roads to snap the cars. Plans are already being made for a repeat event next year, at Brive La Gaillarde, maybe we’ll see you there?
Mary Hall (1756)
Arkwright Museum in Cromford to learn about how the first factory to weave cloth using mechanical machinery was built.
On Thursday we took a short drive to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Wirksworth to meet with James Hinnells with his
very nice Traveller. He introduced us to a number of volunteers who work on the heritage project and explained its history of reclaiming the railway line and many old trains. We then boarded the diesel railcar for a ride to Duffield along the pretty route of the Ecclesbourne Way. It was a lovely
ABOVE: With James Hinnells at Tissington LEFT: North Wilts Branch cars at Crich Tramway Village
surprise when I was invited into the cab
to join the driver for the return journey.
I was pleased to learn how many young people are joining the historic railways to learn about steam trains. He explained
the controls and what it took to drive the diesel locomotive, and the different signs and things to watch out for when driving.
I was impressed with how many things he has to do, not quite the same as driving a Morris Minor. On returning to the station, we then followed James for a lovely drive to Tissington Hall near Ashbourne, the home of Sir Richard Fitzherbert, where we all enjoyed an ice cream before driving back to Wirksworth.
On Friday we returned home and en route stopped at Hill Top Farm for lunch again. This was our first away trip with the branch, and we really enjoyed it. It was great fun so where to next?
Martin and Jenny Howard
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