ICENI BREWERY RUN.
September 2008.
(Read on to get to the photos)
Glorious September weather greeted 10 cars at the start of our weekend event at The Swan Hotel, Southwold. Unfortunately we were unable to tour the Adnams Brewery due to “Elf and Safety” instead choosing to start at their flagship hotel. After tea & coffee was served all drivers were presented with a bottle of Adnams Champagne. Route notes being given out we made our way out onto the A12 to visit The Real Ale shop in Wrentham. Many bottles were bought and Jimmy had to be prised away from the collection of tractors gracing the farmyard !!!
Now the fun began !!!
Instead of giving everyone a rigid route to stick to it was “make your own mind up time.” The next stop would be the Humpty Dumpty Brewery at Reedham. Now this is over the River Yare accessed by ferry or drive the long way round, ie; Gt Yarmouth and Acle. Most decided to catch the ferry. Eventually we all made it, or did we ?
Where was James ? One phone call later and “Im on the ferry”. We waited…………..and waited………..and waited. Another phone call and “im lost” was the reply. Search and rescue were dispatched and eventually he made it.
The Grand Tour was given, we all scoffed the buffet lunch laid on, bought our bottles and then found out it was “Autotest” time. Some took the bull by the horns and posted good times, others were more cautious and paid the penalty. Young James was in the lead, how long would it last ?
Now on to the English Whisky Distillery at Roudham. This is a fairly new venture, so new that as yet they do not sell their own brand. It needs a minimum of 3 years to produce the first batch.
On the way James had managed to “drop a valve” and would run on 3 cylinders for the rest of the weekend. Our tour was joined up with a bunch of Harley Davidson owners doing a similar event. Many of us learnt a few startling facts about whisky and its before spending more of our hard earned cash.
Another “Autotest” and James extended his lead, could no-one stop him ? All of us now decamped to an Hotel in Thetford for “Party night”. Some members took off to find a recommended “real ale” pub and only just made it back in time for the celebration dinner. Questionaires were handed out as part of a stationary Autotest and again James pulled away from the pack. Now the serious drinkers were out to enjoy themselves foiling an attempt by the bar staff to hot foot it to the local disco.
The morning saw a few heavy heads but it was “Autotest time” again !! How did Boy Wonder do ? Well this time he dropped from first to fourth, never to return to the top flight !!
Greene King, Bury-St-Edmunds was the next on the list. After a potted history from our guide it was into the bowels and the roof of the brewery, where all of Bury is laid out before you. Over to the bar where we sampled the wares and then to the shop to build our stocks up yet again.
Round the corner to the “Dog and Partridge” Pub and a welcome lunch. Speeches were made, awards given, phone numbers swapped and we all went our weary and separate ways wondering “where did that weekend go ?”
Thanks go to all the organisers, helpers, guides, waitresses, bar staff and entrants for making it an enjoyable run.
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