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A locally organised run around a number of churches. We thought it might be useful to pop along to this one, firstly to support a local car event and secondly just to see what other non-classic folk do.

Within ten minutes we were lost so headed back home to dig out some maps. We realised where we had gone wrong – we should have turned left, but this was left off the instructions! It wasn’t boding well. We did manage to get halfway around before giving up as it was getting a bit late. Once we got into the swing of things it was quite enjoyable with some nice small Norfolk roads.

After all our ‘Triumph’ weekends away which, while enjoyable, can be very tiring we decided that a proper holiday was in order. The main criteria was that it needed to be reasonably close, with pub and shop within walking distance and not too commercial. 

Christina managed to find Bounds Campsite, Fulbourn near Cambridge. A lovely sight with space for eight units in an orchard, an idealic setting. 

First couple of nights we had rain and being parked under a tree meant that came in load drips on the roof. The next two nights there was a late teen gathering in the rally field next door. But none of this distracted from what was a great break. 

Plenty of walking and pubbing along with lots of reading and lots of rest. Just what we needed. 

Now in it’s third year, opening up our garden for a car show along with tea and cake has become a regular event in the TSSC Norfolk calendar.

We had 26 Triumphs – 8 biggies, 7 TR’s, 4 Spitfires, 4 Vitesses, a couple of early Heralds, a Stag and a Standard 10 attending. Including a few from TR Wensum.

Great weather and our biggest turn out to date along with a few locals coming to take a look helped us raise £260 for worthy causes.

One of our favourite weekends. This report is taken from the article sent in to the Courier.

Despite the lack of sunshine, the Leicester and Rutland ‘Sunshine Rally’ was another resounding success. To be fair, the sun did put in an appearance on the Sunday, after allowing the rain to dominate on Saturday.

When we arrived on Friday afternoon, there were already several tents and caravans, and a good number of Triumphs, on the field. We pitched up and soon after everyone was summoned to the marquee for a welcome to the weekend, with local speciality Pork Pie and/or cake to accompany a cuppa. Friday evening saw quite a gathering in the bar, for a drink or two and a quiz. The rain started overnight and continued throughout the next day. A few people braved the rain to do the organised run, others selected parts of it (apparently a garden centre with scones and fresh cream was a popular choice). Others, including us, remained at camp and took the opportunity to catch up on some reading and snoozing. A game of bingo in Keith and Lynne’s tent created a welcome distraction from the weather, along with a few other games from Jane’s bag of tricks.

Saturday evening saw us back in the bar for a Dave Smith version of the Mr and Mrs quiz, with couples having to sit back-to-back and indicate which of them did various tasks, by raising either a pink or a blue balloon into the air.  A tiebreaker ‘suck it and run’ caused Lynne to almost pass out, but she and Keith managed to qualify for the final, which they won – congratulations to Mr and Mrs Lister!

Sunday dawned a much better day, which meant most of us set off to do the scatter treasure hunt, driving round Rutland and stopping off at some very pretty villages to answer a few questions. Back to the campsite for the traditional Show and Shine, followed by prize giving and raffle, before people began to pack up and head off home. Many thanks to Dave and Jan for organising what was a great weekend. Oh, and we won Car of Show which was really nice.

As the season comes to an end this is the last “Weekenders” report. We hope you have enjoyed a look at some of the TSSC camping weekends.

The idea for this run was born at the end of 2022 as a way of celebrating 100 years of the Triumph name. The idea spread to a number of different areas of the TSSC all doing the run on in their areas on the same day.

We took the caravan up to a campsite near the start in Cromer to save on the driving on the day.

Wow, what an amazing county Norfolk is.

Many thanks to all those who took part and joined us on all or at least part of the run. We had 26 Triumphs and one Morris Minor joining the run at various points of the route.

Congratulations to those who did the whole border – John and Brenda in their yellow Spit, Dean in his red Spit, Trevor and Clare in their big red Triumph, Chris in his blue TR7, Steve and Delia in their white Vitesse, Shaun and Jayne in their Herald estate, David and Penny in their Cavalry Blue TR7 (who also celebrated the end of the trip with a swim in the sea) and finally Paul and Christina in their blue Herald. All managing the 200 miles without a problem.

Many thanks to members Jenny and Dennis for the morning tea and biscuits break at their house. We joined up with Cambridge and Peterborough areas for our lunch stop at Upwell village hall. Follow by an ice cream stop just past Hunstanton and then back to Cromer for fish and chips.

A bit of an odd one this, we saw a call out for classic cars for a show at a local care home. We took both Triumphs and the caravan along for residents and a few local folk to have a wander around. One of the smallest car shows we have been a part of. Chris, Gemma and Kai joined us for the show and burger too.

Always one of our favourite shows this one, partly because we tend to make a weekend if it by camping in the show field on the Saturday night. 

This year there were six caravans, three in our group, camping over. The first job was to get some fish and chips from Holt which we had in Martins caravan. It wasn’t long before the sloe gin came out and very nice it was too. 

There’s always something nice about getting up on show day and not having to drive anywhere. Just sitting there watching the cars come in. We didn’t take the free train up to Sheringham this year but decided to spend the day catching up with old friends and meet new ones. 

Another long standing TSSC camping weekend, the Peak Run is now in its 33rd Year.

This was the first year for new AO Bryan who has only just taken over from stalwart AO Colin. However all the usual gang were on hand to help make it as good a weekend as it has always been, although the usual ‘shenanigans’ in the bar were replaced with fun and games on the campsite.

We arrived and set up camp on the Thursday afternoon and were joined by our lad James who lives in Manchester and was joining us for the weekend. Thursday evening saw a small gathering of the early arrivals, catching up over a drink or two.

On Friday we were left to our own devices, with a few taking the opportunity for a wander around Ashbourne followed by a speedy bus ride back to camp. We also had a tube of Smarties to be filled with as many items as we could fit in (after eating the Smarties of course).

Saturday consisted of a wander down to the local village for a Treasure Hunt. A day without any driving was most welcome after our four hour drive to the campsite on the Thursday – as a bonus it went past the pub, with most people stopping off for refreshments. The evening was spent having fun and games at the marquee, with an Ashbourne charity shop Space Hopper purchase giving some an opportunity to relive their youth.

Sunday dawned with more sunshine, great weather for the 70 mile tour around the Peaks. After a bacon cob, and with our tulip route instructions in hand, we were ready for the off. For those that haven’t driven around the Peaks, this is a great way to do it. It’s an amazing place and having local members picking the route means you get to travel on roads you wouldn’t normally experience. We weren’t disappointed, it was a great drive. The ice cream stop was pretty good too.

The drive ended back at the campsite for the show ‘n shine. Competitions were judged and prizes handed out. For the first time ever we managed to win the treasure hunt! Having never got even close before we can only assume it was James’ influence. There was just the raffle to be held and all too soon it was time to pack up and start the long drive home.

The next one – the Sunshine Rally in August.

We hadn’t been to this weekend for a number of years. To be honest sharing a field with a load of MGs never really appealed. But on the basis that you couldn’t pass judgement on something until you’d tried it I thought it time to give it a go. It being the main 100 years celebration also meant that it should be a great show. 

We drove down to Silverstone on the Thursday to camp up in the driveway of a friend who we hadn’t seen for a long time. While a bed was offered we declined and spent the night in the caravan. But, we did take up the offer of a very nice lasagna and breakfast in the morning. 

A little bit of sightseeing and shopping, then the five minute drive to the racetrack. We were given the job of marshalling for the weekend. This started with a meeting at 5pm, where we found out it was going to be a long weekend. 

On return to the caravan, some friends from the RCC days had camped up next to us in their Sprite Musketeer turning our area into a retro camping spot. 

We had a wander up to the bar to say hello to a few folk before getting our heads down early. 

Saturday arrived and after putting the Herald on the TSSC parking area headed off to do our duties marshalling cars into the arena. By the time we were off duty mid afternoon we had both had enough standing and walking about. We did however make it up to the bar area for a few cans with Trevor and Claire, regulars at our Norfolk gatherings.

 

Sunday was very similar to Saturday, marshalling again. Although I did have an invite to go around the track in Johns Spitfire, which I accepted if only to get me off duties for a bit. It would have been better to have taken the Herald but it was still a great experience.  

Then back to marshalling again until mid afternoon as things started to get put away. 

We then had a bit of a rest at the caravan, watching storm cloud slowly appear. When it looked like the rain was imminent we got into panic mode and rushed to get everything packed away. Luckily making it away before the storms arrived with only the occasional shower on the way home, stopping in the High Street for a take away Chinese. 

So my thoughts on the weekend? We really enjoyed it and didn’t find that the MGs detracted from it too much. It obviously wouldn’t have been the size it was without them. The best bits for me was seeing Triumphs in the 100 years lineup and catching up with people we knew. Our circle off TSSC friends is gradually expanding. Glad we went and would do it again. Perhaps we’ll get a break from stewarding next time…

We had had our fingers crossed that the weather would be better than the cold and wet day it was last year at this show. And it was! The sun shone most of the day. 

We had invited the Stag Owners Club to join us on the stand which they did with eight cars, giving us 23 Triumphs in total. The organisers had given us the biggest stand at the show, a whopping 50 x 50m. To help try and fill it we took along a mini camping display with tent, kitchen tent and the Carry On themed sign and shower which went down well with the punters. I’m not sure what the other members thought when we emptied the caravan out of all the bits of wood etc…

By the time we had packed away, we were one of the last to leave, but we still had time for fish and chips in Swaffham on the way home. A tiring, we didn’t seem to stop talking all day, but a great time.