Cornwall Austin Seven Club 

Event Reports
Short reports of events, holidays and shows enjoyed
by our members in the past four months.

Our members are always out and about with their 'Sevens'

The main aim of CA7C is to encourage members to drive their 'Sevens' whenever possible, even throughout the winter months when, surprisingly, quite a few members do enjoy being out and about on the colder winter-time runs.  However, we do draw the line on the very wettest of days as there is no point driving in bad weather with the non-optional water entry around the ill-fitting windows and doors!   Mostly we are able to enjoy warm, sunny days with Cornwall's splendid inland and coastal scenery at its best whatever the season of the year.

These edited reports were written by members and are taken from our monthly magazine, Seven Focus.

The suggested routes for some of our past runs are available on our Run Archive at www.dropbox.com  
When asked for sign in information use the following details: Username : ca7c.archive@gmail.com  and Password : runarchive.  Then click on the introduction or a route of your choice, and it will download and open automatically.

NB: You do NOT need to sign up; you do NOT need to download anything, just click 'Sign In' using these details.

More photos of each event may be found on our Facebook link.

 

 

Drive it Day run on Lizard peninsular - 28 April

 

The meeting point was Sainsbury's at Helston, it was still raining when we moved off.  We were soon into  the green lanes were covered in white garlic blooms, the valleys filled with bluebells... but alas no sunshine.  The occasional use of a windscreen wiper gained valuable vision; the steep turns, hill climbs and deep banks were enjoyed by all.  On passing Gear Farm we turned left to enjoy more small narrow lanes with the best of nature being displayed in the hedgerows. The art of changing gear from 2nd to 1st quickly was a requirement on some of the climbs.

 

 

 

We then returned to the flat plains of the Lizard, supporting flora and fauna that are unique in this country. Cadgwith Cove was another challenge with a sharp right hand turn and climb in a matter of yards.  Finally after only 22.8 miles we reached Lizard Green where refreshments were taken in a variety of establishments.  A Riley enthusiast took our group photographs and to our liking it had stopped raining.

 

 

The return journey took us through Mullion and Poldhu Cove but we then dived inland to a picturesque valley towards Milliwarne.  A round route via Gunwalloe eased the journey back to our starting point where several of us took afternoon tea.  

 

 

Round Cornwall Tour - 13/14 April

After following very mixed weather forecasts leading up to the Saturday the morning arrived in a blustery, but thankfully dry, style. The six Sevens made an early start from various parts of the county to assemble at 8.30am at Playing Place for the start of our trip. 

With fuel and levels checked,we went down to the King Harry Ferry and on to the lanes, which were sheltered from the winds and lined with glorious spring flowers.  We crossed the Roseland for a brief stop and sea view at Port Holland, on through Caerhays to Pentewan for a coffee stop.  Pressing on up Pentewen Hill, across the lovely Carlyon Bay and into Fowey Town, where the cars were greeted with smiles and hand waving. Onto the Bodinnic Ferry, followed by more beautiful quiet lanes to a pretty steep run down into Polperro, then another steep and narrow road down to west Looe (including a patient wait for a small bin lorry to load up as there wasn’t even room for Seven’s to pass by). Our picnic lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine sitting in our cars overlooking Looe Island and beyond.

Now refreshed, we followed the coast roads to Seaton sea front; some of us even managed an ice cream. Then onwards through picturesque villages to The Little Fox Hotel at Crafthole for our overnight stop - 70 miles recorded on day one of our adventure. Several crews opted for a late afternoon nap, before we met up again for drinks and happy conversation, which continued over dinner, before all retiring for an early night.

 

A hearty breakfast was enjoyed on Sunday and though the weather was still dry it was probably more blustery than before. We gathered together for a 9.30am start for day 2. driving via Anthony and down to the estuary and splashing through the Ford to Torpoint.  Stopping en route to refuel before the ferry journey.  Skirting Plymouth and crossing the Tamar Bridge up to Carkeel Island and heading N.W, happily leaving main roads and following more narrow lanes through sleepy villages, such as Botus Fleming and Quethiock to a coffee stop by an ancient stone bridge over a shallow stream. Two drivers sorted their electrical problems as we enjoyed our break. Off again across Bodmin Moor via Alternun and Davidstow airfield to a windy Tintagel for our pasty lunch.

The little convoy headed west by scenic coast roads and villages through Port Isaac to Wadebridge, to go through Padstow.  We continued down the coast, stopping by the airfield to say our goodbyes before splitting up at Newquay with three cars heading west and the other south towards our bases.  On arrival home we had 182 miles on the clock after a well constructed, interesting trip whilst enjoying the good company our little cars generate. The format of the weekend was excellent and we look forward to the next.  

 

 

A to Z of Cornwall Run - 6 April

 The idea was to take photographs to form a list of A-Z places.  Carnon Downs Garden Centre was the start for four crews.10 am,   Early concerns about the range of permissible places were allayed by the instruction sheet which clearly stated that any place, business or street name would count. Many could perhaps be found within Carnon Downs itself. Some letters are harder than others to find so there was quite a lot of clunking as brains were engaged and outline routes were planned. We set off around about 11 o’clock, disappointed that no-one else had come to join in; never mind, on each of our routes it was unlikely we would see anyone else, unless we all headed to Zelah and Ventongimp.

We set off through Carnon Downs to Devoran and then into Truro (interesting on a Saturday!).  We then went through Threemilestone, Hugus and the edge of Baldhu down to Bissoe, Hick’s Mill, Frogpool, Gwennap, United Downs, Crofthandy, Todpool and Wheal Busy.  We had a pasty lunch and then onto the Tregothnan Estate, Little Beside, St Day, Vogue, Pink Moors (love the name!), Scorrier, Mount Ambrose, Redruth, East Pool Mine, Illogan and then to Olde Penny’s at Bridge for most excellent cakes.  The entries were marked and then awarded prizes for the places found and the devious solutions.

 

Our final selection was: Adams Row (in Scorrier), Besore, Crofthandy, Duckworth’s Industrial Estate (although we did like the Defibrillator in the telephone box in Devoran), East Pool Mine, Frogpool, Gwennap, Hick’s Mill, Infirmary Hill (Truro), Jubilee Wood (in Carnon Downs off the Carnon Inn car park!), Killiow, Little Beside, Mount Ambrose, Nangiles, Old Tram Road (Devoran), Pink Moors, Quay Road (also Devoran), Richard’s Garage (Bissoe), Scorrier, Tregothnan (part of the estate is in Wheal Busy), United Downs Raceway, Vogue, Wheal Busy, Xen’s noodle bar (Truro) Yummy Scrummy (cafe in Devoran at the old Visicks garage site) and Zeb’s  (Young person’s centre, The Leats, Truro). Many, many others were snapped but not included.

 

 

Mystery Tour Revisited - 23 February

Around a dozen Sevens turned up at Goonhavern Garden Centre in brilliant sunshine and the majority of the occupants retired to the cafe for sustenance before 'the off' at eleven o-clock.  Route sheets were handed out and the cars were on their way.  The road fronting the garden centre was really busy which was just as well as the traffic created good spacing between the participants.  The route took in many narrow and picturesque roads, eventually leading to St Newlyn East.  Leaving the village towards the Lappa Valley railway then past the National Trust country house, Trerice Manor.

With more twists and turns and a crossing of the main road, the route headed in the direction of Bosoughan and Colan then on towards St Mawgan.  Just after the Falcon Inn it was a right turn into the car park with a welcome stop for lunch in the pub or the tea garden nearby.  This first part of the run was not without incident as the organiser's 1933 RP suffered with intermittent ignition problems that were 'patched up' to get him to the lunch stop for more permanent fettling.  The oil filler cap of another car had become undone and oil had got into the starter motor. Fortunately it started with the handle so there was an opportunity to sort things out at the lunch stop.

 

With the meals over, folk started to drift off to continue the run which took in Mawgan Porth and the steep hill, complete with hairpin, in the direction of Newquay.  The run down into Watergate Bay and the climb out again led on to Porth then the outskirts of Newquay.  Keeping to the 'ring road' we passed the zoo and the boating lake then headed away on the A3075.  Leaving the main road the route headed toward Crantock and with a left turn towards Cubert and Holywell Bay.  Eventually passing the Smugglers Den pub and a right turn at the bottom of the hill the turn to the left towards Rose was soon taken.  With a short run of approx half a mile, the entrance of Wildflower Cottage soon came into view and it was time for much chatter accompanied with a cup of tea or coffee with biscuits, which rounded off the day nicely. 

 

 

 

After a lovely day out in the sun but as we left for home the 'mizzle' came in and wipers, for those that had them, were the order of the day.  It was an excellent and well conceived run that contained a bit of everything including two, quite deep fords.  

 

 

 

 

Gearbox Teach-in -  13 & 16 February

Due to the level of interest the teach-in was held twice.  On both days the session started with an oversight into what each person might gain from the teach-in. This was followed by a demonstration of the removal and replacement of the gear selector detent balls and springs whilst overseeing others while they did the same to their own boxes. This was all accompanied by an explanation of the common faults and what to look out for.  Amongst the boxes brought along there a number of broken springs and a selection of the most common faults were found.  Members were helped to identify the type of gearbox they had brought with them including one which had bits from more than one type.

 

After a break for coffee, we were showed how to inspect the gears, synchromesh rings etc. and then how to disassemble the main and lay shafts.  The lay shaft was particularly difficult to remove as a washer had been put on the shaft between the thrust bearing and gears to take up end float.  As the shaft was being removed, this washer dropped into the groove in the lay shaft stopping its removal. The bellhousing end had to be disassembled to gain access in order to release it from the groove. 

 

Bearing removal was helped by the application of heat to the housings. The special tool was inserted, the shaft upended and the bearing driven out from the other end with a long punch inserted down the hollow shaft. We were then shown how to re-insert the six balls and springs into the synchroniser.  The afternoon was completed by the re-assembly of boxes.  

 

 

Burns Run and Lunch - 26 January

Our first run of the year took place at the end of January with a Burns Night (day) run from Carnon Downs Garden Centre. Ten cars gathered for coffee at Carnon Downs, catching up after the Christmas holidays. It was great to see our Focus editor venturing out in his special. In the garage for many months the 10 mile round trip doubled the new mileage of his car. It was an exciting trip as he discovered a lack of front brakes affects your stopping distances! 

A short drive to our lunch venue and it felt as if the 12 mile run took us round in circles before finally heading off to the Waymarker Café for a fantastic lunch of traditional Burns Night food.  

 

 

Soldering Teach-in - 19 January

Nine of us met up to learn something of the black art of soldering.  We got straight into removing an oil filter gauze and tinning the frame to accept a smart new brass gauze.  We also experimented with different soldering irons, the difference between low wattage electric and high powered ones being immediately obvious. 

 

After a lunchtime pasty we moved onto battery cables. Here, our tutor's experience with corrosion/oil leaks and subsequent voltage drop had led him to produce a very simple but effective ‘hole in a block of brass’ into which he melted solder then quickly pushed a pared back cable into the hole which by capillary action drew molten solder up into the strands. 

Simple but effective. We also tried some silver soldering on brass petrol pipe and nipples, again the difference in heat made things so much faster, a blow torch would do the job but the hotter oxy acetylene was much better.  I think we all enjoyed the day and certainly learned a lot, I can see this day being requested again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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