I intended that this blog would contain information and possible progress report about Rally 2015 (though the main place for information will still be in the Joweteer). Not today though as somehow the cars just keep getting in the way.

But let’s get started……and there is a tenuous link to Rally 2015 later in the blog.

Some weeks ago, our Grandson who lives in Rickmansworth, asked Grandpa if he might have a Jowett available for his school fair and Classic Car show ( it’s Hertfordshire where schools do that sort of thing)

Unfortunately we will be away in France with the Jupiter on the date, so we had to send an apology for absence to a disappointed 9-year-old.

But on reflection….

The NW section is  holding a mini competition as to who does the most annual miles in a Jowett. The Masons won last year,  mainly due to the extra miles clocked up on our run to Midland Section Bletchley Park Classic Car picnic. But this year, because of the wagon run home from Cheltenham,  our mileage is way behind that of the Browns and Fishwicks. They have been having serious mileage  fun,  what with escorting Finns nearly back to Harwich (that bits not entirely true) The London to Brighton Commercial Vehicle Run and  exploring the newly created independent state of Kernow (that’s Cornwall in old money)(those bits true for Michael)

So with this in mind, we decided that a little trip to see the Grandchildren would kill several birds, and most importantly a roundtrip would be over 300 miles. We also factored in that we could take the opportunity to stop half way and check out another Puma Hotel at Hinckley Point, the trip was on.

Setting off late in the afternoon, we had a sunny journey on A and B roads to the Hotel but we hadn’t booked just in case of  last-minute delays or cancellations. My view is that if you get to an Hotel later in the day you can usually ask for their best price given they are unlikely to let the room at a late hour. But Horror of horrors! Hinckley Island Hotel was hosting an International Rally of Honda Valkyrie motorbikes, and there were hundreds of shiny, fierce- looking bikes  and bikers, from all over the world: they looked like the kind of people my mother had warned me about: but worse than that,  maybe there would be no room availability at all.

But true to form, Puma staff were cheerful and helpful as ever. We explained that we were neither bikers nor German, unlike most of those checking in ahead of us.  When we dropped the name of the Jowett Car Club, and mentioned our connection with Redworth Hall (2014) and Shrigley Hall (2015) we were in and  there was a room for us. Apologizing that we couldn’t be given a reduced rate they offered us instead, an up-grade. Hurrah!

We could have called the whole of the  Midland Section round for tea, in our modest suite, where we had the full works:  a sitting room with dining area,  a huge double bedroom,  a walk in wardrobe with iron and ironing board (not wanted on voyage) , a bathroom and for good measure an extra  cloak room.

An unscheduled fire alarm didn’t find us wrapped in towels in the car park, hot from the Gym, though there were several shivering refugees from the swimming pool. We had also finished our dinner unlike the young couple celebrating her birthday who returned to a cold meal. But Puma delivered her another with their usual charm and efficiency. David tried to claim someone had eaten up his meal while he was away, but they weren’t that daft .

Next day onwards to Hertfordshire, and a ‘crash course’ for Lucy in how to find the bonnet catch,  prime the petrol,  find indicators, find lights, find the dip switch and lock the doors. As a child Lucy and her brother used to roll around in the back of the car  without constraints or restraints and, although they often waved the starting handle when the motor was jammed, never really knew the mechanics of a Jowett.

We told her not to worry, it would be OK  if she wanted to take the car for a run around,  and at that point she did question our motives for being there. As if mileage is more important that pleasing our Grandson!!

David was going to leave tools with the car ‘just in case’ but Lucy sensibly replied if anything happened she would ring Footman James and send it back home on a wagon.

Meanwhile, our designated car for the French trip, the erstwhile reliable Jupiter, took a fit of pique if that’s what you can call a leaking radiator, failed brakes and a jammed valve in a flat tyre.

Many thanks to Tim for bringing his spares round and for encouraging suggestions as well as ferrying the tyre to the mend.

Here’s a little ditty to share: To continue the motor bike theme: maybe it’s the Lieder of the pack?

à tout à  l’heure (exit: humming)