Carrotland - for Lotus and Caterham Seven enthusiasts in Norfolk and Suffolk

Attended this year by no fewer then 13 Caterhams and an Elise, if we could get a few more we could go for a buy out!

Those taking part were:

Guy Rossler and Julie Eaton
Nick Berry
Colin Wright + Ben Smith
Dave and Linda Bridges
Geof Carlton-Smith
Ernie Panks and Nifty the Navigator
Bob Ruddock and Ann-Marie Ruddock
Shaun Soames and Alex Soames
Carlton Brand
Mandy and Andrew Kirk
Steve and Christine Wright
Dave Stockwell and Son Christopher from Essex
Paul Tickner and Michael Kemp also from Essex
Richard Bailey
Mick Harmour and Son

The good weather promised by Steve arrived in good time. What a cracker.

Ann-Marie felt unwell because she had her wisdom teeth (contradiction in terms there) removed during the week so and Nifty took pity on me and offered to navigate (partly because I think he had gotten fed up shouting through crash helmets at Ernie)

The day started for most of us in the Tesco car park at Bury St Edmunds from where we were lead off in very orderly fashion by Steve on the short but pleasant drive to West Suffolk College car park to collect our route books, buy raffle tickets, and attend to various calls of nature etc.

We were mostly on route B, so as usual we played follow the leader. As we cleared the college car park Bob was overheard asking Nifty when the first stop for ice-cream would be! In the event it wouldn't be until after lunch!!!

Coffee was a disappointment as the café at West Stowe Saxon village was closed due to a staff shortage (No Cappuccino for Christine, then). So we shared a can of Coke thoughtfully provided by Linda Bridges. Dave Stockwell's son Christopher made himself useful, cleaning windscreens in aid of Nuke the Leuk. Well done that man! Suitably refreshed, we set off again for section two.

Nerves really started jangling when a huge 1922 Open top Sunbeam with it's St George flag proudly obscuring the view from behind was joined by two tractors, just like the buses you wait ages for one then two turn up. So now we had two tractors, one old Sunbeam, and an orange MGB. They were no match though and were eventually dispatched once the road was wide enough.

Steve led us down innumerable dusty lanes and difficult junctions but we all ended up safely in Kerridges car park at Needham Market where we enjoyed our Doggy Bag Lunches. As always Nifty attracted the sympathy vote with donations of various items of food including a complete lunch kindly (and unknowingly) donated by Lois Carlton-Smith who was unable to attend the event at the last minute due to family commitments.

After lunch we blatted round more dusty lanes and difficult junctions. Some roads were better though, and we made sure that we made the most of them. Ernie has voted Shaun Soames as contender for this years Low Flying award after leaving some considerable distance between the bottom of his car and the tarmac. Oh, those hump back bridges! Colin Wright discovered that his recently acquired Elise was more competitive round the lanes than an AC Cobra. We all had great fun - But kept within the boundaries of the law. Honestly, Officer.............

Mid afternoon, and Lavenham was once again host to the ice-cream seekers. See pictures!

All too soon, we reached the finishing point - The Flying Fortress at Bury St Edmunds. Each driver and navigator received his or her finisher's mug and we headed for the bar to get a much-needed drink and to check our raffle tickets.

We sat outside in the sunshine for an hour or so, nattering about nothing in particular, but feeling very satisfied that we had been privileged with another great Sevening day.