The Day We Went To Builth –

The 2005 Swallow Run took place on Sunday 22nd May and considering that many people could not join us (such as the Jag. members away in France) it was still a respectable turnout. Leaving Sarn Park services at 09:45 were 18 people in 9 cars – Alan & Gill, Dave & Sue, Danny & Barbara, John & Babs, Malcolm & Pauline, Gareth & Gerry, Dave H and his friend Cyril, Robert & Mena and finally Joyce & Myself.

We headed off towards our coffee stop at the Dare Country Park via Gilfach Goch and the Rhondda Fach. What a great view that is as you go over the top and down into Aberdare. Whilst we were stopped Danny and Barbara were in some kind of spooky time warp – it seems that by pure co-incidence they had been there the week previously as the base for a walk over the hills. Following the stop we hit the main roads up to Brecon and then took the back route to Builth Wells via Upper Chapel and on to our lunch stop at the Caer Beris Manor. Those of you that were on the Trans. Cymru Christmas tour last December will remember the stop – it’s where Robert Morgan had organised coffee.

It is a fantastic hotel setting with lovely lawns leading down the river. The Sunday lunch was actually very good, though all of us in some small way were affected by mediocre service, but it did not stop us enjoying ourselves – actually it was a bit ‘Fawlty Towers’ ish, so we laughed !

We did not leave until just before 4 pm – it was a fairly long run by SWCCC standards, most of us had about 70 miles to get home, so it was a good full days tour. Most (like us) blasted back down the A470 / M4 etc. We got home at about 6pm with our hungry cats waiting for us with eager anticipation of food.

The weather had been kind to us – despite a fairly bad forecast. It did rain, but by pure luck every time it did we were in the cars and not out of them.

The cars performed well though Malcolm was concerned about a dodgy fuel gauge – he says that it’s difficult to get working ones now, but I reckon that they were probably never any good, even when new ! It was also the first time I had seen Danny & Barbara’s new Vitesse – a nice desirable car and it seemed to be going well.

Finally, I know I thanked them on the day, but it’s worth repeating - It was a great run organised by Dave and John and I believe Sue and Babs helped as well. Joyce and I certainly enjoyed it - A big thank you to you all. Well Done !

Richard