Autumn UK Tour - East Sussex and Kent 1-3 October 2021
The planned itinerary of three delightful days of country and seaside driving was necessarily curtailed at the last minute in the face of an ongoing, UK-wide fuel shortage at petrol pumps. Planned group tours to private estates and wineries were cancelled and members could come in any vehicle with enough fuel in the tank to reduce the prospect of being left stranded somewhere in deepest Kent. Add in forecast torrential rains, risks of flooding, and gale forces winds along the very coastal routes we were due to meander, and it is a wonder that anybody stuck with it at all. However, 29 stalwarts did, in eight Giuliettas and Giulias and another eight ‘modern’ Alfas and other marques. Most stayed at the charming Flackey Ash Hotel in Peasmarsh and others joined for dinners and various the new slate of social activities.
The medieval centre of Rye was a revelation to some opting to walk, ruined Bodium Castle enchanted others, while the rest drove east of Dover in heavy rain and high winds to St Margarets Bay to lunch in the Coastguard Pub as originally planned. This former coastguard centre is at the bottom of the cliff, and overlooked a turbulent grey sea and darker grey sky. Heading back in still atrocious weather, those in Giuliettas were happy to have the modern Porsche Cayenne of B and P watching our backs.
By the last day the rain stopped and a party visited the austere gravel bank and shipwreck graveyard of Dungeness on the edge of the Channel. We climbed the old lighthouse, then followed some glorious and deserted minor roads to delightful Tenterden (complete with a Morris folk dancing festival in the tree-lined streets), meeting the others for a delicious lunch at the Montalbano Italian restaurant to close.
After its cancellation last year, everyone was determined to make the Tour happen this year and to enjoy each others company no matter what. Old friends reunited and new members were warmly welcomed - it was a most enjoyable and successful Autumn Tour. Thanks to Duncan and Bridget Ferns for their magnificently adaptable organisation.
