MGB REGISTER SPRING RUN Sunday 12th April 2026.
MGTF is ready, cleaned and looking good, picnic packed, chairs and table in the boot, Monet Navigation Aid checked and loaded along with the satnav all in the car. The discussion concerning roof up or down resolved, down it is as there is a glimmer of sunshine to cheer us on our way, so off we go to the first road run of the 2026 MG Season.
We arrive at Millets Farm and are greeted by Mike Barclay. We park up and admire the impressive line-up of cars that have arrived before us, we pop the roof up just in case it rains and wander over to register in the café. Here Is Neil Hyett and his band of helpers to greet us and hand out our welcome pack. Neil patiently explains to us about a possible diversion on the route due to a road closure, having done this 30 times he was getting good at it, he might be word perfect after 64 times as that’s the number of cars due to take part. Now it’s time for a coffee and bun, it would be rude not to as it was so close. Soon we were chatting with other entrants and the time passed rapidly catching up with their news, 10.45 arrives so it’s about time we set out to drive the 55 mile tulip route to Batsford Arboretum near Morton-in-Marsh.
The sun was out so the journey begins for us with the roof down; others were not so hardy and opted for leaving it up, who will prove to be correct! We are soon off the main roads and enjoying the quiet back roads as we wander towards Bampton, the village where lots of Downton Abbey was filmed. The route then took us through Minster Lovell and Swinbrook avoiding Witney. There were lots of charming Cotswold villages and posh houses to admire as we passed. We were heeding the advice given in the comprehensive tulip route road book concerning the pot holes, for which we were very grateful, we searched and did our best to avoid them. They are numerous and have become a blight that has affected so much of our road system. The route organisers had done their very best to indicate the worst of these. Just after Swinbrook a hill on our left covered in bluebells caught our eye and we simply had to stop a take a couple of photos. While here we saw four red kites dancing in the sky, which was beginning to darken with rain bearing clouds massing in the distance. Best press on, still 20 odd miles to go, we pass the impressive National Trust property of Chastleton Manor House, the road surface here is interesting! We pass through Stretton on Fosse and the diversion proves not to be required. Drizzle started to fall wipers on, shall we stop or not, no keep going, wrong decision as suddenly lots of rain started. A handy layby appeared on the left and out we leapt to get the roof up as the rain got harder and harder. Sadly this spoilt the views for the last few miles to the arboretum, however it is April and showers are not uncommon. As we drove into our destination we were greeted by two very stoical marshals who to say the least were soaked!
Buy this time it was almost 2.00 and lunch called. There was a convenient open sided hut nearby which we made a bee line for and along with some pals we had our picnic lunch, the hot soup proved to have been an excellent idea, as it did its best to warm us up! Then just as quickly as the rain started it stopped and the sun returned warming us all up again. Bit late to explore the arboretum so we wandered up to the Garden Centre and admired all the plants and goods on display before retiring to the excellent café for afternoon tea and cake with friends.
We all decided that it had been an enjoyable day out and the organisers were duly congratulated with big thank you for their efforts on our behalf. So at 4.30 we set off towards Stow on the Wold, Lechlade and Lambourne for the drive back to Newbury with the roof down as it was now the warmest part of the day. So after 150 enjoyable miles VEW 91 returned safely to its garage, another good day out, thank you.
Roger + Nicky Boys.
