The Monte Muckleburgh reliability run took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week centred in the west of Norfolk. A drive of around 150 miles on quiet, rural lanes took participants to some interesting venues starting with lunch at The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham, a lovely village centred around a traditional village green and several duck ponds.
The route meandered from there to pass Houghton Hall, home of the Cholmondeley family who purchased several new Bugattis from Molsheim. From this stately home it was off to Great Bircham windmill where tea and cakes, made from their own flour, was the order of the day. The hardy amongst the assembly climbed to the top of the mill despite the cold breeze up there! A fascinating visit to Wolferton Royal Station where the owner’s workshop was the envy of all and the it was back towards the hotel.
Unfortunately the heavens opened and open cars were not much fun with 4mm hailstones providing a stinging face massage - no matter, the organiser called a warming beer halt at The George Hotel in Swaffham.
A convivial evening meal was partaken of at The Farmhouse in Fincham, the overnight stop. The diners were certainly entertained by Adam Ward’s ‘balloon joke’!
Thursday morning saw an early start and more lanes to Heydon Village Tearoom, a village at the end of a rural cul-de-sac which sported a sign suggesting that “You are much harder to kidnap if you are fat!! Stay safe … Eat Cake” so the Chairman led a determined assault on mountains of cake.
The tour finished at the Muckleburgh Collection, an amazing collection of tanks, artillery and militaria. Thus ended a tour enjoyed by all who took part.
John Staveley
Chairman - Bugatti Affairs Committee
