East Sussex Stags on tour August 2023
In early August , whilst virtually the entire UK was preparing for a battering from Storm Antoni, a group of intrepid Stag enthusiasts embarked on a tour of the Brecon Beacons in mid Wales!
Wales does have a bit of a reputation when it comes to wet weather but, undeterred, the East Sussex Stag Owners Club set off with hoods up, keen spirits and optimistic engines!
One group only got as far as Cobham Services on the M25 before raising the alarm! A faulty fuel system was suspected to be the problem. However, four heads gathered around the engine in the car park at the services and temporary repairs meant everyone arrived at the overnight stop in one piece! Further inspection the following morning found the source of the problem was a crushed fuel line and a full repair was carried out – this time in the hotel car park at Tormarton! Thankfully, the repair held good for the rest of the trip!
Other drivers did the journey in one fell swoop – one lone traveller taking the A40 from High Wycombe whilst yet another couple set off at 4:30am from Eastbourne, and yet another drove down from North Wales. In all, eight Stags arrived safely at the delightful Llanerchindda Farm by Friday afternoon. The farm and guesthouse is situated in the fabulous countryside about 8 miles from Llandovery. The Hadley family are the attentive hosts at this impressive outdoor pursuit centre where every need is taken care of. It seemed like nothing at Llanerchindda was too much trouble, be it a dodgy fuel pump, a leaky oil filter, or a vegetarian option at dinner! With nearly every issue, they are able to help – or, they know someone who can!
There is no doubting the enthusiasm of Martin, his wife, Lynn and twin sons Mark and Andrew, who work hard to tailor the experience individually for each group of visitors. On arrival, guests are greeted with a package of goodies, including detailed itineraries for the programme of tours, personalised maps and other mementoes to take home at the end of the holiday. They have 28 routes to choose from and they try to select the most appropriate according to the season, appetite of the drivers and type of vehicles.
‘a loo, a view and a brew!’
Each day is carefully planned and after breakfast, there is a relaxed briefing outlining the key elements of the proposed programme, places of interest and of course the all important comfort breaks and coffee stops! All of the routes are entirely optional but they offer such a well judged balance of driving interest and the proverbial, ‘loo, view and a brew’, that all our group opted for them. And, we like to think the residents of mid Wales appreciated our Stags performing in convoy judging by the waves and toots of recognition as we wound our way around their towns and villages.
Chris Wynne was the trip organiser on this occasion. Having visited Llanerchindda with another car club he had no hesitation in recommending the venue when it came to this year’s event and at the end of the weekend there was a general consensus that it had been a great success. Highlights were volunteered such as the ‘eerie dual carriage military road’ which few would have known about without some local knowledge. Others enjoyed the ‘Clarkson-esque’ rides around some iconic country roads whilst others were grateful for the amenities at the Llanerchindda which apart from human comforts also included well equipped workshops for the occasional ongoing repair!
For the companions and co-pilots there was appreciation for the carefully planned routes and the comfortable accommodation at the end of the day; not to mention the welcome afternoon tea with scones and cake on return to base!
For myself, I was thrilled to be back in the mountains and to be immersed in the most stunning of surroundings. I also enjoyed the comradeship of a happy band of travellers. The good humoured tone was set from the very start when a strategically placed Welsh leek (get it?) was found under our car on the first morning. Corny, perhaps, but then as all Stag owners will agree, the old ones are the best!
Sandy Gent
