The 2007 'Chilly Willy' Run as recollected by Richard and Joyce

This popular run is the first in the SWCCC Calendar and took place on Sunday 7th January. For me, the entertainment began the night before during a visit to my sister and was chatting to a certain 10 year old young lady. As I left she asked me what I would be doing tomorrow and I naturally replied, without thinking "I'm going on the chilly willy run in the red car with the car club." She replied in the only innocent, but honest way a child can by asking with horror - " ........ so will you all be taking your clothes off ?" ... Mmmmm I think I'm going to have to be careful with this 'special club' of mine !

We met at Sarn Park services and it must be said that Malcolm and Pauline did a fantastic job with the organisation of this run-

Here they are at the Rhondda Heritage Park :-

Malcolm and Pauline had also included a mini treasure hunt style in the route book, we had to find about 10 clues during the run, which made it more interesting. The weather was awful - as we chatted prior to leaving, umbrellas were turning inside out and by the time we set off, most cars were fairly well misted up. However, one very good thing was the turn out - I personally did not count them but there must have been about 30 cars -

Here are some of the cars

The varied route took us over the Ogwr Ridgeway via Wern Tarw and into Porth and finally our coffee stop at the Rhondda Heritage Park. The RHP basically is the old pit turned into a visitor centre. We did not go down the pit, but perhaps with the weather it may have been a good idea ! There was a self service for the tea coffee and biscuits on offer, which worked very well.

After the break we continued south via Ponty and the Graig, Beddau and over the M4 to Pendoylan. Then past Peterston Super Ely and crossed the A48 and onto Barry via five mile lane. We then followed the coast road West and finally turned right to our lunch venue 'The Six Bells' in Penmark village. Penmark is the village you see from about 500 feet just after you take off from Cardiff Wales airport and look out of a right hand window.

We had about an hour to relax between our arrival and the serving of our meal at 2 pm. We could not hear any aircraft since we were all laughing as JJ treated us to an impromptu lesson in Chinese.......

JJ also presented Malcolm with his trophy and shield for winning the 'Enthusiast of the Year' award. He would normally have been presented with this at the December Christmas dinner, but was unfortunately working abroad.

The meal was excellent and the journey home was, you guessed it - wet. All things considered though, this was an excellent run in the best traditions of 'Chilly Willy.' We all managed to keep our clothes on and not get arrested for any inappropriate behaviour. Thanks must go to the Staff of the Six Bells, JJ for his 'lessons' but most of all to Pauline and Malcolm Champion for kick starting SWCCC 2007 in the best possible way.