Last updated: 1st December 2024
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.
Treasure Hunt!
Tactics and strategy come into play when doing a Treasure Hunt, from experience the navigator needs to be the one solving the clues and the driver needs to concentrate on following just the navigational instructions and be prepared when the navigator suddenly cries “stop here, now!”. As such, the weather fore-cast suggested that the Chummy would be ideal allowing good, all-round visibility in the sunshine. Sadly the clouds didn’t lift all day, but at least it didn’t rain.
Travelling down to the start at Asda, Hayle, we passed through a twenty limit and the driver asked was his speed right? Looking at the speedo, it was stuck on zero and so the mileometer was also not working. Our answer sheet required start and finish mileage… so clearly we would fail part of the challenge before we even started! We also failed to remember the registration and I had to get out to look. Not auspicious!
After coffee and a gossip, the answer sheets were dished out and several bemused Austineers wandered around the car park trying to answer the first question "When is high tide?”.Once travelling, the questions were interspersed with the navigational instructions, so if you reached the next turn, and hadn’t found an answer, some back-tracking might be required. We had also been given plastic bags and the instruction to collect some sand, a leaf and a berry. Our first main stop was in the Harvey Towans very rough, sandy car park, surrounded by brambles, so those items were checked off. The route took us back into Hayle, fortunately allowing a second go at some of the early questions. And in my case, a failure on one, despite three tries!
Up around Phillack, along to Upton Towans and up into Connor Downs. We turned left down a lane which I’ve always wondered where it might lead… well, now I know! Onto a bumpy farm track re-crossing the A30 and along, what I now learn is Trevarnon Moor (answering what is Hal Dreveranon in the questions).
Into Gwithian, we found an organiser marking a turn onto Green Lane. Initially I thought it was a description, but it turned out to be the name of what must be the longest dirt track possible in west-Cornwall. We bumped along for some distance, doubting some of the instructions, checking the OS map to see that it did end up back on the Connor Downs road (phew!) and came down a hill to find someone on the telephone. Fortunately not a call for rescue, but for clarification of the route. It seemed a good moment to find necessary field gateways (!). I can’t believe how many houses there were along what was apparently just a farm track.
Returning to the edge of Connor Downs, we then happily found answers through Angarrack and Gwinear but were baffled trying to find a signpost for Relistian Lane. Retracing steps, we spotted the road name in the foliage… Onto Leedstown and towards Relubbus where the organiser was waiting at a bad junction to make sure we hadn’t missed it. The previous question was one I was dithering about but this appearance consolidated the answer as the navigational description said “fifty yards after the last question”.
The lane we came onto boasted a ford, which we were surprised to find nearly dry and then lots of debris. Nice little roads though! This led into the back of St Erth, where we missed spotting the anchor in the tree by the post-box and back-tracked to find it. Leaving St Erth, we decided we wouldn’t go back to Asda to solve the one remaining question about the high tide and took a guess.
We were the last to finish at The Old Quay House, Hayle, where we had a wonderful, filling meal...
Oh and the high tide? Twice a day was all the answer we needed.
Wednesday Wander 9th October
We met up at Dobbies Garden Centre, Hayle for a run around the lanes to the Agapanthus Cafe in Gulval.
Wednesday Wander 18th September
We had a short jaunt from Morrison's, Pool to Olde Penny's near Bridge.
Moseley Heritage Museum - 8
September
Although the forecast was looking a bit grim a 'cluster' or is it
'gaggle' of Sevens gathered in the supermarket car park close to the
EPAL mine chimney at Morrisons, Pool for the drive to the Moseley museum
at Tumblydown, Tolgus Mount . The run around familiar lanes and byways
was completed in fine (grey!) weather as the anticipated storm kept
away. When the cars settled in to the car park at Tumblydown a brief
shower didn't dampen the spirits of those setting out their chairs and
tables for a picnic, or those who drifted off into the various buildings
to enjoy watching the model railways being operated by Moseley
volunteers, studying the many and varied Meccano models dotted about,
chatting to Malcolm Watts as he operated the very extensive outdoor 'G
gauge' railway layout or having a ride around the fields in carriages
pulled by a genuine electric mine railway engine.
The very knowledgeable volunteers were on hand with answers to the many
and varied questions about the museum and its exhibits and one made sure
he kept the static 'Puffing Billy' well fed with coal and water to keep
it ticking over all afternoon. This free-to-enter museum is one of the
best kept secrets it seems, as several local folk admitted they were
unaware of it's existence. If you are interested in mining history,
model railways and Meccano models plus various other lots of ephemera,
the outdoor G gauge layout or a ride behind a genuine mine engine around
the fields then this is a must to visit. Our sincere thanks must go to
everyone at Moseley for being so obliging and making us very welcome.
Wednesday Wander - 4 September
After meeting at Frogpool the group wandered through the lanes to
Calenick and then back through towards Penpol and then north to enjy an
snack at Bon Appetit, near Twelveheads.
Wednesday Wander 28th August
Under gloomy skies eight cars gathered and enjoyed a short run.
Fortunately it did fair up later for our covered picnic.
West of England Steam Engine
Society Rally - 16-18 August
This was the twenty-fourth consecutive year that our Club was organised
a display at this show and we were fortunate to have fine weather for
all three days of the event. For many years CA7C has had the same
location in the showground but the last few years the organisers have
been trying out different layouts for the show and as a result we have
been in a different location on the showground each year.
This year was no different and our new location did us no favours.
However those of you that came with cars put on a good display for the
visiting public. There were fourteen cars on Friday, twenty-three cars
on Saturday and thirteen cars on Sunday. Over the course of the
weekend we also had visits from half a dozen or so members, without
cars, who dropped in for a chat or to sample the refreshments. There
was a steady flow of visitors who came to look, ask questions or share
A7 stories but unlike previous years we were not approached by anyone
looking to become a Seven owner. A few seeds were sown but whether
they will germinate into ownership remains to be seen! Many
thanks to those who helped set up and pack up the site and marshal the
cars, to those who brought their cars and finally those that provide a
seemingly endless supply of cake to go with the tea and coffee available
all weekend.