Sol Classic Car Club

Picnic in the pine woods

Our September outing took place on Saturday 19th and was rather special! Not only did we share the day with fellow enthusiasts from the Spanish Campo de Gibraltar club but we also celebrated a rather special birthday.

The day began at Laguna Village where there was a very impressive turn-out of cars, all looking very clean and shining in the brilliant sunshine. After coffee and briefing they set off on a short run through San Martin de Tresorillo and Castellar meeting up with our Spanish friends en route.

Sadly the Porsche belonging to new members Lynn and Sandra Lacey refused to leave the car park – hopefully they will be able to join us on the next run!

There was a coffee stop at the extremely pleasant Venta La Cantina where the clubs took over the African-style covered patio at the rear and members enjoyed a good selection on tapas. One to remember, perhaps for a future lunch stop.

Then it was on to Pinar del Rey, a huge pine-shaded recreation area, equipped with picnic tables, and other facilities for a day out, just behind San Roque. The sun was still shining – luckily, since Paco from the Campo de Gibraltar club had been the day before in the pouring rain and had been afraid the day would have to be cancelled.

Over 30 classic cars, sports models and saloons, drove up through the pine woods and parked along the road beside our reserved area. It was a very informal picnic, and several different languages could be heard among the trees. Our Chairman's little dog, Frazer, made sure that he visited each table in turn in the hope of being given more of Isabel's delicious chocolate brownies!

And a Birthday party!

The day was a particularly special one for Henri and Marian who combined the picnic with a birthday celebration. Henri's much cherished MGA (which he has owned for some 30 years) has now been on the road for 50 and members were sent invitations to its birthday party. Decorated with birthday banners and sporting a huge badge proclaiming "50 and fantastic" the white MGA was surrounded by well-wishers toasting it in bubbly and singing "Happy Birthday"(in English and Spanish).

An excellent, and inexpensive day out was enthusiastically welcomed by all! Thanks to the organisers, Bob and Nick.