Classics head for the hills

(Click photos to enlarge)

Members met at the end of March to enjoy an outing in the spring weather, gathering down on the coast at Benavista where "Horace" Nick Wadham's vintage 1925 Morris Cowley joined the younger models to see them off (he then returned to his garage since the route would have been too much for his advanced years and Nick joined Steve Hare in his 911 Porsche turbo!).

The day had been organised by Events Co-ordinator and Rolls Royce Silver Spur driver, John Blackburn (JayBee to his friends) helped by his wife Chrissie. They had planned a series of visits to places of interest inland with plenty of time for photo stops on the way. After coffee in the Benavista Bowls Club a great collection of classics took to the road. Recent members Jim and Charlene had a bit of trouble finding the start in their newly-acquired 1978 red MGB roadster but after that had a great drive!

First on the itinerary was Casares, perched on its commanding hill and approached by a steep but picturesque road climbing through hills covered in vivid yellow gorse bushes contrasting with the green green grass brought out by recent rains. A car park thronged with classic cars proved a diversion for the buses that officially stopped there!

Then it was back down to the coast and up to Benavis along another photogenic route which ended in a coffee stop below the village. Intrepid Cobra driver Graham was the only one brave enough to chance the drive up into the pueblo for coffee with wife Dee.

The rest of the drivers and passengers mingled with local families in the sunshine in the park where the kiosk owner did a roaring trade in drinks and hot-dogs. The cars naturally attracted an audience and a great deal of posing for cameras, some choosing to be pictured next to sporty models like John Campbell's Caterham Seven, others preferring the luxury of the the Bentley and Rollers.

From Benavis the organisers led the cars through a fascinating mixture of top-class golf courses and exclusive urbanisations – stopping en route to gaze at the sheer size and luxury of some of Marbella's richest mansions in an area normally bypassed on the busy coast road. Some members recognised the building which housed the astonishing private collection of classic cars the club visited a couple of years ago. This tour of "how the other half lives" eventually joined the road up to the final destination, Istan.

By this time the sun was stronger and the sky had cleared completely, making the drive up into the hills quite magical. Mimosa cascaded from the trees in swathes of yellow flowers and the views got more impressive as the huge Concepcion reservoir emerged on the right hand side, full to bursting this year unlike some previous years when the water level shrunk to alarming proportions.

Lunch was enjoyed on an extensive terrace overlooking the lake at the rural hotel Los Jarales (apparently meaning "the thickets" which makes one wonder about the significance of the large bear at the entrance!).

The views were fantastic, the food tasty and the company excellent. Dining al fresco in March is just one of the reasons Club members enjoy living and driving in Andalucia.