This is a short report on the weekend which began for some on the Friday afternoon in the hotel bar and went on until late evening. The last attendees arrived too late for dinner at around 11pm. Unfortunately there were a few very last minute cancellations ...some sad family news for some attendes and a breakdown on the way from Dublin. Commiserations to the affected family.
The hotel had reserved a car park next to the lake which was very useful but we awoke on Saturday morning faced with some of the wettest weather we have seen on any of our Fiat outings. Nevertheless we had 18 classic Fiats who had all braved the forecast and after a full Irish breakfast the group departed for the planned route. A planned coffee stop in Westport was the scene of some running repairs to the wiper mechanisms of 2 cars, both fixed with the ingenuity of the accompanying mechanics and drivers!
At this stage some of the cars decided to return to the hotel by a shorter route while the main group carried on regardless and toured the stunning (if we could have seen it) countryside. A few nice photo opportunities presented themselves before with common consent the route was slightly shortened again and after completing the Sky Road in near fog conditions (first opportunity to use my series 2 131 rear fog lights), we returned to the hotel to dry out and prepare for dinner and our table quiz (both after a few of us skived away to witness another Munster victory).
The quiz itself saw about 40 people crammed into the room and divided into 5 teams. Brensports, Theredx19, Seamus and Sean Mannix and Tom Maher were all nominated team captains and the questions began. Quite soon it became apparent that what seems easy when putting the questions together while looking at the answer, answering them without that info was a little difficult. The questions were mainly a car recognition quiz, the only clues being pictures of dashboards, wheels, front headlights or rear light clusters (all classic Fiats with a few rogue non Fiats thrown in). Anyhow every one got through it and the winners turned out to be the odds on favourite, Theredx19's team - Congrats to Dave, Paul and and ... (who else was on that team..?) on winning a tough challenge.
Big thanks to Roisin & Tracey for doing all the leg work with collecting and marking score sheets!?
There were some words about GK from his son and best friend so the man himself was duly remembered, and will continue to be so. And boy was I glad that Gerry had done such a thorough job of rust proofing my 131 in Dec 2006! The rain....!!
I think that more drink was consumed afterwards but I cant say for certain. I'll let other contributors roport on anything that went on after midnight.?
Sunday morning greeted us with the most extraordinary change in weather with the surrounding mountains and fjord bathed in sunshine. What was bleak and grey the day before was magically transformed and gave us a taste of the visual treats that Connamara has to offer visitors. Some time was spent kicking tyres and taking photos of lineups.... one attendee suggested that the cars looked like a box of smarties, such was the diversity and vividness of Fiat paintwork on display!
The convoy left Leenane for the last time heading for Kylemore Abbey for some group shots and the journey home.
There seemed to be a smile on most peoples' faces most of the time, even the WAGs... so I think (hope) that it was enjoyable, certainly the seemingly unanimous opinion was that it will be repeated.
Here are some pics - I will add more later.
PS - Thanks for the mirror Brensports.
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