Wiltshire Tour day 3

Sunday 24th May

Sunday’s tour was the longest route, a trip of 76.4 miles to Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway. Unfortunately, John Dyke realised that his White’s packing gland had come adrift from the cylinder block, meaning, despite effort to remedy the problem, was found to be incurable until back at his workshop. This day’s tour involved a trip into Hampshire, our passports at the ready, and across the New Forest, stopping at the viewpoint at Woodgreen, to more spectacular views. A stop was made for coffee and water at the Fighting Cocks public house, before carrying on negotiating Horses, Donkeys and the like, much to the amusement of a number of the crews.

Skirting through Beaulieu, past Beaulieu garage, and a stop for water at the Ford, we arrived at Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway in the early afternoon, where an area had been coned off in readiness for us. A prepaid trip on the large scale Railway, built for Lord Rothchild was enjoyed by all, however lunch came at a price! £6.50 for a jacket potato was considered rather excessive! An alternate route was then traced back, stopping at Bramshaw Golf Club for water, before passing through Downton, and into Salisbury, to complete another days touring. That evening, a wonderful meal at the local Wildwood restaurant was had by all, in their private function room, allowing crews to discuss another good day.