Having picked up a few more members we headed off for our 110 mile drive along twisting backroads taking in Ardee, Tullamore, Mullingar and Mountmellick before arriving at Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise for our three night stay …. Just in time for dinner (getting the theme already?!).
After a good healthy breakfast it was Day 1 - driving day to retrace the Gordon Bennett Route (120 years after the race itself) - well part of the route as some of the roads are now long gone.
We started well but the good old Irish weather moved in around lunchtime …. After lunch … plan B Kildare Shopping Centre rather than the National Irish Stud … some drivers complained of bruised credit cards as a result ….
Back to the hotel for …. The gym and Spa?…. No ….. Dinner instead
Day 2 …. Weather a vast improvement … a beautiful day for the hoods down and a terrific scenic drive across the Slieve Bloom mountains to Birr Castle and the picturesque village of Birr itself.
We had our final dinner together ending a great weekend for all
Our thanks to the Midland Park Hotel for their superb hospitality and also for a great bunch of members who thoroughly enjoyed themselves … not to say everything went smoothly as that would be no fun … as usual we needed the odd detour to retrieve “lost members” …. All part of great craic!!
Looking forward to next years event …. See you then.
