Four cars joined us for what was, in effect, the fifth edition of the infamous Yorkshire Tour.
Travelling the furthest, our Chairman arrived first in his 93-year-old RR, all the way from central London via the A1 and over the Humber Bridge. This was achieved in an impressive five and a half hours, including a 15-minute traffic jam in 30+ degree heat. In fact, this is not much slower than in a modern electric car, which would usually need charging at some point. Most impressive — and without overheating or the need to refuel.
We started with dinner on the terrace at the Vanhoonackers’ residence, in surroundings that felt more like the South of France, and went to bed far too late.
The next morning, luckily about 10 degrees cooler than the day before, and after a very long breakfast on that same terrace, we set off — far too late — for a 100+ mile tour of the Yorkshire Wolds, going as far as Scarborough in North Yorkshire.
Pretty soon, we were confronted with road closures that had not been there the week before when we checked the route. This became a theme that would jinx us for the rest of the weekend.
Our first stop was at the Field House Camping and Coffee Barn, which also caters for dogs, including the self-service WoofyWash.
Rather than using the meticulously prepared tulip instructions, everyone decided it would be easier to follow each other in convoy. This worked until we decided to swap our wives around between the cars. James sped off in his immaculate Bentley with Annalie and was soon nowhere to be seen.
Michel, with Jane as co-driver and followed by the RR and Neal & Michelle’s Mercedes 500SL, could not quite remember the route he had explored the week before. With no map in his car, no phone signal to contact the Bentley crew and no GPS signal in Thixendale, we got lost — and it would not be the last time.
Annabel made the executive decision to drive towards the coast, following the signs to Bridlington. This meant we drove through Sledmere, which was actually supposed to be the finish of the tour. Amazingly, fate or luck brought all the dispersed cars back together, arriving within minutes of each other at the restaurant where we were due to have lunch.
Lunch ended up being a zero Guinness and a packet of crisps — another executive decision made by the ladies.
Off we went for the final stretch of the tour. Not without first ending up in the bin area of the local Morrisons, we eventually arrived in Sledmere, which had just closed for the day. Even the local pub had decided to take an unexpected day off.
Undeterred, we jumped back into our cars and returned to base camp terrace for a well-deserved aperitif before heading to the local Greek restaurant in Hessle.
There, we were well entertained by the waitress, who wondered what the Lady of Ecstasy was that we were keeping safely on the table. She got it right eventually.
After a nightcap on the now-infamous terrace and a slightly earlier bedtime, we prepared ourselves for Part Three — Sunday — of the Yorkshire Tour.
The day started with rain, so there was no breakfast on the terrace. Instead, we ate in the dining room before visiting the Classic Hesslewood Park car show, which featured a very eclectic, charming and large collection of old cars. Alongside the usual suspects were some rather more unusual attendees, including a Renault 18 estate, a Trojan, an Aston Martin Cygnet (look it up!) and a huge 1959 Buick Electra 225 convertible. Even the sun came back to have a look.
We then set off for the Little Wold Vineyard in South Cave, negotiating one more road closure along the way, only to be told on arrival that it was booked for a wedding.
No stress. After another failed attempt to find a table at the Triton, we ended up at the Fox & Coney — but not before creating a sizeable traffic jam while trying to park our cars.
Despite the many imperfections — or perhaps because of them — we ended up having a perfect weekend, creating new and lasting friendships.
Until the sixth edition of the infamous Yorkshire Tour… and, hopefully, no more ROAD CLOSED signs.
Michel Vanhoonacker