Vauxhall Cavalier, Go ahead. Live a little.

The Leafy Lane Navigational Tour from High Legh Garden Centre

2011

Member Ian Hill, owner of a Rally Spec Manta, has sent us this action-packed description of a Navigational Tour in Cheshire.  It is important to state that, though this is an event of a competitive nature, it is NOT a road race and normal speed limits, as well as the Highway Code, apply on public roads.

The morning was damp as we started out; we arrived at High Legh Garden Centre at 10.10 am.  After signing in, we had breakfast, which was included in the entry fee.  Back outside, the rally plaque was put on the car and the map road book checked.

It was a 12-car entry and we were first on the road.  We were called to the start, then waited for our Off time.  10 seconds to go, Terra Trip set to 00.00.  Then 10 seconds; 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – GO!  The other cars went out at one-minute intervals behind us.  We were off, out of the gate, right to the main road, then right again.

The road book for this tour was given by means of directions with mileage between junctions, but as it was in written descriptions, rather than the “Tulip” diagrams we normally use, I knew it would be hard to follow.

/on the A50 main road we came into Knutsford where a “proof of passage” check was the NEW McClaren garage.  On through Knutsford town centre and I was told the next junction.  I knew it well, as Knutsford and District Motor Club, of which I’m a member, used to use the pub on the corner of that junction.

A left turn here down the lanes around the village of Over Peover, (no, you pronounce it “Peever1”) and a “proof of passage” sign outside the Polo Ground.  The lane got more narrow, tighter and twistier.  We were heading towards Jodrell Bank.

Then I caught up with a cyclist.  Now this was a problem; the road wasn’t wide enough to overtake and he wasn’t going to give way.  At the next T-junction, I looked carefully and came out on the wrong side of the road, giving him plenty of room.  A quick blast and round the next corner.  O God, a steam engine!  No worries, a long straight road and clear ahead.  Mirror, signal – we’re gone!

“Stop!  We’re supposed to turn left there – too late!”

Next road, and I turned round.  The guys on the steam engine must have thought it quite comical as we came back past with lights ablaze and air horn blaring.  His response was a whistle and frantic waving.

My thoughts were, How many minutes lost, and, Where was that cyclist?

We turned right and followed country lanes through the villages of Lower Withington, Siddington, Warren, and North Rode.  Another mistake, with me overshooting a junction and difficulty in turning round meant we were losing time and places.

Back on track, we came to a main road, and a call of “Traffic lights, turn left”.  I knew where we were then; this road came off the Peak District Hills.  Turning left, we climbed, then a call from Navigator “Next right, CAUTION Junction, Acute Hairpin”

At the junction, I spotted a farm track nearly opposite on the left.  With no traffic around, I passed the turning then used the fly-off handbrake to spin the Manta round, much to the shock of the Navigator!  We slotted left down the tight, twisty, hilly, narrow lane as it circled Bosley Reservoir.  We came across 4 cars stopped at the “proof of passage”.  Not being able to find the sign didn’t do us any favours … another car arrived as we left.

Hard on the gas to make time up, we went downhill into an area that looked like a courtyard to an old mill.  Wet, muddy, slippery; not too sure of the way out.  A quick point “Left to bridge” from the Navigator helped.

I flicked the Manta – oops! a little sideways – oooooh – bridge is narrow!  Manta straightened up in time though, thank God.

We caught up with a car quite quickly, passed it up hill; we were climbing very high.  The place was called “The Cloud”.  A viewpoint there was “proof of passage” and you should be able to see across six counties.  Sadly, it was wet and misty so not a good view.

On down the road and we caught up another car.  He let us pass as he was on time and we were still trying to catch up.

Then a bizarre junction call; “1 in 6 uphill, left-hand corner, T-junction, turn left then immediately right”

Not the best junction to get out of, even worse when wearing full seat harnesses!

On down through the lanes, we came to a junction; we saw a car turning around so we went left.  We were close to the lunchtime halt at a garden centre.

Turning into the Garden Centre was a checkpoint; we had a cold buffet lunch, then back through the checkpoint and out.

We headed around Congleton onto lanes that became familiar.  We were heading to Sandbach.  We caught up with another car, and guessed we were back on track.  Another “proof of passage” at a pink church.  Through Sandbach and onto lanes near my home.  (I’d done some testing down these lanes and knew what was in store).  A certain lane had a crest and then a big dip.  As we turned left out of one lane, I realised we were on “that” lane … On approach, Navigator called

“Hump and dip, Caution!”

I told her to tighten her harness.  At 50/60 mph speed limit we got the suspension at full extent, then as we went through the dip, compressed it.

“Oh, my God, my stomach! Heeheehee!”

“You OK?”

“Yes – STOP!”

“What?”

“Reverse – that was a “proof of passage” ” (A sign outside a farm).

Next right, the lanes led us through Middlewich, then Byley and Lower Peover.

I knew these lanes as well, as Knutsford & District Motor Club’s new meeting place was in that area.  Through Knutsford town again and on to finish back at the Garden Centre.

Our Proof of Passage Card was handed in, and Cream Teas were enjoyed.

We found out later that we won, first in and first back with full and correct Proof of Passage Card.

Ian Hill (628)