Members Reports
AN AUSSIE’S VIEW OF THE INGLETON RUN June 2008
I was born in the north of the UK, with Yorkshire born and bred parents. In 1953 my parents believed that there was a better future for the family in Australia- they became “ten pound Poms”. We arrived in December, I was nine years old and my sister sixteen.
Because of my background, I do visit the UK, and in particular the northern area, from time to time (but not as often as my wife). We had decided on a Scandinavian holiday combined with some time in the UK. I planned to spend close to two weeks in England on my own after we had been to Scandinavia. My accommodation was booked and paid for, with me spending four nights at the Scotch Corner Travelodge. I then realised that there was to be a Pilot’s gathering at Ingleton at the time that I was to be at Scotch Corner. Living in country Australia, you regularly travel long distances, and a daily trip of about 46 miles each was from Scotch Corner to Ingleton did not seem to present problems. I contacted Brian Pearce by telephone, informing him of my intention to meet with the JZR owners at Ingleton.
I arrived at Ingleton on the Friday afternoon and followed a white Moto Guzzi powered JZR to the White Scar Caves. I introduced myself to Tony & Sylvia Griffin. Following a cup of coffee we toured the caves and, after being shown the Masons Arms pub, I continued to Scotch Corner. On the Saturday I was first to arrive at the meeting place, and was amazed to see so many three wheelers arrive. Following some pleading, I managed to secure a ride in Brian’s Honda 650 powered JZR.
The first day we set off on roads through the Dales that I had not been on before. Magnificent scenery viewed in style as a JZR passenger. I took an amount of video during both the Saturday and Sunday runs but had some difficulty trying to video the following convoy as I was in the lead car. Lunch was at a pub with Brian and myself getting to know one another over soup and a cheese sandwich. In the evening we had a great time at the Masons Arms, with large meals being served. It was there that I met John Kettlewell, who eventually christened me “Kangaroo John”. From now on I will refer to him as “Black Pud John”. I got back to Scotch Corner at about 11p.m. and was up early to again be the first to arrive at the meeting place on Sunday morning. A glorious sunny day and another ride in Brian’s JZR. I ended up getting a sunburnt face! (An Aussie getting sunburnt in England – what next?) Sunday’s run was again most enjoyable and included some higher speed driving than the day before – I was missing my own Pan European JZR at that time. Another good meal, and the amazing friendship that was shown to me since meeting everyone continued.
To me, it was a special weekend that I will not forget. I hope to repeat my experience in the not too distant future, and commend to all the friendship and camaraderie that seems to be part of a Pilot’s gathering. I was going into Scotland after Ingleton, and promised to call and see “Black Pud John” at his home – this I duly did, meeting his wife and, whilst we were having coffee, Jimmy the Scot arrived. I saw John’s steam and traction engines, together with his recently acquired car and the one that he built.
Again, I was amazed at the hospitality shown to me. I would like to thank all of those people who showed me such kindness, and in particular thanks to Brian Pearce and “Black Pud” John. “Kangaroo John” Baker, Orange, Australia
The Welsh Wanderer - by Ian Avery -With Waps secure on the trailer, Jo and I set off for our first JZR adventure. The Lofty’s, also from our area, set off at similar times, we kept in touch by text, and at our first stop for refreshment just the other side of Gloucester we saw them go galloping by. We resumed our journey and found them in a lay by, the camper vans brakes were hot and they were giving it a rest to cool down. Finding them to be ok we continued to Shaw Towers uneventfully.
We stopped to check in at our B & B and met Brian Pearce for the first time, and at last we departed for Shaw Towers, When we arrived we found the Lofty’s & Fereday’s already ensconced, and what a welcome we received from everyone, Brian F was working on Kath’s JZR, it was thought to have a starter motor problem. Brian L had brought a spare one for Kath, but once his was fitted the problem was found to be more serious, and poor Kath’s JZR was a non starter.
In the mean time Stuart & Jim arrived, both these stalwarts were camping, by this I mean sleeping in tents. We all looked at each others motors noting all the things we wished we had on our JZRs, Stuart had fitted a Quaife reverse box, and like Jim had a hand clutch with the gear lever, and after a very nice evening with food supplied by the wonderful Francis we all retired to our various sleeping quarters with instructions to be at the Craft Centre for a 10-30 start.
The next day started quite misty, but this soon lifted, and I dropped Jo off at the Craft Centre, and made my way to the Towers to prepare the JZR for its and my first test. The others who stayed there were also busy making final adjustments. Kath was going to ride shot with Brian P, and obviously as the organiser was to lead the way, we were issued directions in English, and have to say that they were never referred to. So with motors blasting away we all made our way down to the starting point.
Two JZRs were waiting there, Brian P and Mark Hooper in his very nice motor, unfortunately he was not able to come on the Wander but had come to see us off, a very nice gesture.
So there we were 5 JZRs 1 Morgan and our support vehicle and our faithful passengers, Evelyn, Pat and JO with Kath in Brian’s JZR and Francis (Florence Nightingale ) in the support car.
Kath gave the signal and off we went, not knowing what lie ahead of us. The mist had disappeared, and the sun was shining as we headed off on B roads and made our way onto the main road, heading towards Builth Wells and on to our first petrol stop for a couple of trikes to fill up. From here we continued through lovely scenery to the edge of Rhyader, here we turned onto a single track road and from here the driving experience of a lifetime was to begin. I must mention here that before we got here we met a bunch of motorcyclist going in the opposite direction, and in the midst of them was a JZR, but no time for a positive identification.
The scenery that lay in front of us can only be described as mind boggling, smooth twisting narrow roads. The standard practice of keeping the vehicle behind in your mirror was used, Brian and Kath were maintaining a brisk pace, when I noticed that my mirror was blank, I stopped but the ones in front had not, eventually the penny dropped, and the convoy halted. We had no idea what the trouble was, so just had to be patient, but were informed that Stuart had lost his drive, it did not last long however because we were soon on our way again. I was told that it had been driver error and somehow Stuart had managed to get between forward and reverse, (if I have got it wrong Stuart, then please accept my apologies), Stuart has done a great job installing a Quaife reverse box, at great expense. Well off we set again through the beautiful Elan valley until we reached Devils Bridge.
I was amazed at the amount of people who waved at us as we passed by. Stopping for refreshments, we drove into the station and along the platform, and were asked to line up a display, as the narrow gauge steam engine was shortly to arrive.
Well, after tucker in came the train absolutely loaded with passengers, and we became the centre of attraction.
Eventually we had to continue our journey.
It is difficult to describe the route, but we had in fact been climbing for a long time, and on leaving Devils Bridge we were climbing again, and this time we met Gradients with a capital G. All were going well, although Brian in his Morgan had no handbrake, the nipple had come adrift, so the poor man had to descend the one in fours, yes you read correctly, with just his front brakes, and yes they did fade. You would come to the top of a brow, and it was not until the JZR had gone over the rise did you see the tarmac, Brian said that had anything been coming up the narrow road he would not have been able to stop. But what a thrill!
We dropped into a valley and then began a climb, on the first left hand bend Brian P with Kath stopped, no drive, we got him into the side and out came the spanners, as it appeared that there was a problem with his clutch, this proved to be the case, the small thrust bearing had disintegrated. After a big conflab it was decided that the rest would continue to Shaw Towers, and that Kath would tow Brian to his B & B.
Well we found the route home challenging to say the least, Brian’s trip behind Kath in the Rover must have been excruciating, to this day we do not know how he managed to keep his JZR off of Kath’s rear bumper, we all said "Well done mate". Francis got to do the last third with Jim. All arrived back safely and a convivial evening was had.
The next day, Kath on her Triumph motorcycle led us on a peaceful run around the quieter part of Powys ending in Kath’s local for Lunch. From here Brian & Pat along with Jim Bates made their way home, the rest of us returned to Shaw Towers, to make our way home the next morning.
To say a good time was had by all is the understatement of the Century. Francis and Kath were fantastic hosts, and nothing was too much for them, Kath had planned a fantastic route, which couldn’t have been bettered, and I say this, that those of you who did not come have missed out on a great weekend, we all said we would be back next year, To Francis & Kath again an enormous thank you from all who attended.
PS> Llandeilo Graban, alias Shaw Towers, ie, the home of Francis & Kath, is an 80 acre farm on which they rear a herd of approximately 70 Deer to supply the venison market and every time we went out or came back, the deer would line up as though seeing us off, or welcoming us back a truly fascinating sight.