Tuesday, 19 June 2012 - Morgans and Cheltenham

This day was one of the few that was pre-booked.  Long before we left we had looked at a petrol-head activity for the boys.  Checking out a Formula One outfit was discounted as they just don't do that.  Thinking about it I remembered that the Morgan Car Factory was not too far from where we were located, and I have always had a weakness for old British sports cars, and Morgans are definitely British, and even the new ones are old.  Mike also likes these old cars, so I went ahead and booked us in for a factory tour - and this was the day.

It was complicated as we had to drop T and C off at their cousins in Cheltenham, and navigate to Malvern Link in time for our tour.  Well we managed it just fine, although we missed the entrance to the factory the first time we drove by, it's not exactly an imposing edifice with neon signs - they build cars and that's all they do.

The tour was amazing, although a bit crowded as we coincided with a bus load of old English petrol-head tourists, so we fitted in well.  We got to see most things and it still makes me smile.  A bunch of eccentric Englishmen with a big shed building cars out of bits of wood and wire wheels.  Of course there is now some high tech stuff as well in the form of bonded aluminium chassis  and vacuum formed panels, but then there are spoke shaves and mallets to put them together with.

2 x  3-Wheelers and a Plus 4 waiting in the luxurious dispatch section of the factory

 When I win Lotto I think I'll take a trip back and book a 3-wheeler, then wait 3 years for my name to get to the top of the list.  That yellow one would do me just fine.

This must be 'fettling'.  No power tools in sight.

Cuzzies

After this experience we went back to Cheltenham and met up with even more of T and C's cousins, almost too numerous to mention.  We went for a trip into Cheltenham - now there's a nice town.  We then went back and all went out to dinner at the Rising Sun Hotel at Cleeve Hill.  The weather cleared nicely and the views were wonderful.  As was the food and the beer and the converstaion.  Thanks for looking after us, and the great company - Maureen, Graham, Sandra and John.  We must do it again sometime!

The 'Rising Sun' in the setting sun.

Tricia said in her diary:

John and Michael  - Morgan Factory.  Visited Sandra and Maureen today, great.  Had lunch, went to the Pandora shop, got a new charm (Bus).  We went out for tea.