The first day of August offered a splendid 50 mile day drive encompassing parts of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Club member Brian Poole provided a really well researched trip taking in a bewildering number of points of interest.
Some familiar faces, and others we have not met before, gathered at Cranage for the off. The weather was less than promising, it wasn’t all top down glorious but did cheer up as the journey progressed.
Brian & Hannah Poole led the little convoy followed by Ross Williams from North Wales, Steve Auty & Jenny King from Rochdale, Andy Logan with Becky Ingram from Widnes, Jonathan Dawson from Huddersfield, Stephen & Helen Evans from Shropshire and I travelled up from Mid Sussex with my wife Jenny. (It was her birthday!)
The journey passed the 1841 Twemlow railway viaduct, Jodrell Bank telescope, then into the Peak District National Park and a sensational drive up to the Cat & Fiddle Inn which at 515 metres is the second highest public house/whiskey distillery in England.
Next we made a short pilgrimage to Flash, at 463 metres, the highest village in England. The village had a reputation for illegal activities including counterfeiting currency thus “Flash money.” (We didn’t see any nefarious activity!)
Our journey went on to include The Mermaid Pool in North Staffs., a small lake in a haunting location. It is said the pool is bottomless, that cattle decline to drink the waters and birds will not fly over it. Spooky!
We also visited Rudyard Lake built over two centuries ago as a reservoir to feed the canal system.
Onward we drove to Mow Cop & Castle a 1754 folly with breathtaking views. Look who I found at the very top.
Final stop was The Red Bull canal side pub where we were able to enjoy a de-briefing and a round of drinks courtesy of The Club. I heard everyone agree that it was a truly enjoyable outing.
So, again, thanks very much to Brian Poole, we hope other members will be moved to consider showcasing their favourite drives.
Martin Garrad
Thanks to Andy Logan, Ross Williams & Jenny Garrad for additional photographs.
Looks like a really good day out
I would love to take part in something similar to compare cars and how well they run, and to meet other owners and hear their stories of Barchetta ownership
Fabulous memories of the Suffolk International Tour. Love to see those beauties lined-up. Sorry not to be able to do this one. Hopefully another one.
I’d just like to send our thanks too to Brian and Hannah for organising the drive. As the “Tail-end Charlie” car, we sometimes became separated from, and lost sight of, the other six cars in the convoy but fortunately knew where we were headed for as I had previously lived in the Macclesfield area for over 15 years. And even though the weather at the Cat and Fiddle wasn’t the best of the day, it made a change to actually be able to see ANYTHING up there – it’s usually blowing a hooley and thick with fog! Steve Auty & Jenny King
You were an excellent Tail End Charlie. (Steve)
Thanks to everyone attending it was my first outing with other Barchetta owners. Normally I only meet one other Barchetta every year. In a way it was an experiment/trial in was it possible that others owners would be interested, in taking part in what for Hanna and I was one of our local favourite Sunday drives. I would encourage any other owner to do the same. Just ask for others to join you on a day out in a favourite local area. You will be surprised as I was at the response and Barchetta owners are great group of fellow enthusiasts to spend time with.