Charity Classic Car Tour – Saturday 10th September 2016
Invitation by The Rotary Club of East Kilbride Kittoch – 7th Charity Classic Car Tour
Report by Ian Alexander
Eileen and Ian Alexander kindly accepted this invitation on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ayr. It was an early start to be at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride for registration at 9.30 am. We were slightly hampered by a detour into a dead end thanks to Mr Tom Tom but arrived to see a host of varied classics and modern sports cars all parked up and raring to go.
Once we had completed registration it was bacon rolls with coffee and tea. This gave us time to peruse the goodie bag and have a look at the instruction booklet which was very comprehensive.
At 1030am we were formally welcomed followed by a short briefing and official photo shoot before being flagged off by President Raymond. Another early slight detour was due to trying to come to grips with the pictorial instructions. This saw us coming off onto a slip road too early but easily rectified with a quick U-turn. A convoy formed which included us in the MX5, a Subaru, a rubber bumper MGBGT, a chrome bumper MGBGT and a Porsche Boxster which all basically arrived in Biggar together. This was halfway as it transpired and all stopped for refreshments leaving us to continue alone. We stopped at the Scrib Tree in Douglas and would give it a very good rating. We sat outside in the sun and tucked into our toasties with tea and coffee.
After 2 or 3 of the Tour cars passed by we thought it time to continue and after negotiating some hills in the Muirkirk area arrived back at the Guide Hall, Dundas Place, East Kilbride for a high tea and prize giving.
The day was purely for fun and friendship and to raise funds for Macmillan Nurses which prior to the raffle was sitting at £750. There were prizes awarded for the oldest car – MG TC – for the one car competitors would like to take home – a Riley saloon and finally the President’s pick – the chrome bumper MGBGT which had been part of the convoy and owned by Colin and Caroline from Dumfries who sat with Eileen and I for tea. There was also a quiz and raffle with Eileen scooping a couple of raffle prizes.
A most enjoyable day all round helped by a sunny day which allowed for roof down motoring. We personally must give a big thank you to Raymond Lyon, President and Hector Grant, Organiser, and all the members who made us most welcome.
We are looking forward to many more Rotary events.
Ian & Eileen.
