Sunday 10th October: Autumn Leaves Run – Report by Peter  
Our last group outing for 2010 and one could not have asked for better weather – this year, Robin (a willing volunteer!) organised our Autumn Leaves Run.  

The group met at the Haughley Bends (nee Woolpit) Truck Stop, with a fantastic turnout of 15 cars plus John and Pam in their ‘modern’ vehicle (John and Pam later joining us at our destination in the correct attire – their Triumph TR6). In all, I believe there were 29 group members which is probably the best turnout yet! a challenge for next year's runs!
Robin handed out the route instructions which took us via some lovely Suffolk back roads and villages passing through Buxhall, Bildeston, Hadleigh which proved interesting for a convoy of TR’s navigating the narrow streets, on through Brantham passing by the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, and its regimented buildings finally arriving at the Shipwreck pub at Shotley for a well deserved lunch.  

We just had one slight hiccup during the journey when Andy and Lynne McNab’s TR4A decided to start to ‘cough’, misfire and pollute the atmosphere! such that our convoy ground to a halt half up a hill just outside Holbrook. Robin led off the main group to secure sustenance whilst Barry/Anne and Peter/Maureen stayed behind to aid in getting Andy’s car firing on all 4 cylinders again. After some initial replacement of parts, the faulty items were forced to ‘come-clean’ and armed with working points and condenser, the final few continued without mishap to meet up at Shotley.

Luckily, the Shipwreck is quite a large building as it was fairly packed with people enjoying the ‘indian-summer’ weather. Surprisingly, the group had already started their meals before the Abbott & Stour  International Rescue Team arrived – but we won’t hold that against them (or perhaps we will!!!).

After lunch the group went off in various directions – some taking in the views of Felixstowe shipping port and the Stour or taking a walk around the marina. The sea was very high and due to the easterly wind quite choppy, although it didn’t deter yachts leaving the marina for a day out.
Adjoining the Shipwreck is the ‘Ganges Museum’. H.M.S. GANGES was the shore training establishment for boy entrants into the Royal Navy from 1905 until 1976. She had taken on the previous duties from the wooden ship H.M.S. GANGES; the ship had previously anchored out in the harbour at Shotley Gate.

So, what a pleasant way to enjoy our last drive out this year – many thanks to Robin for organising this and to all the members for attending and blowing any cobwebs out of their cars.

Lining up at the Truck Stop - too many cars for one picture!		The rest of the cars
Abbott & Stour International Rescue arrive!		Food on its way!

Enjoying their meal		Neville and David secure space for the late arrivals!

HMS Ganges mast		Felixstowe Port - container loading