BRIGHTON ROCK!!

How much have I been looking forward to this event? More than a kid for Christmas! The A-Z is packed, the sandwiches made, the flask filled and my friends are sick to death of hearing about it. Only another night to go...alarm clocks (yes several) checked for the umpteenth time. Hondi-pops is looking glorious with her 'London to Brighton' plate carefully screwed onto a specially made bracket on the front bumper. We have left her tucked up in the workshop in Brighton in case a bird poohs on her in the night - no joke with the sea gulls around here! Having gone to bed early, I can't sleep and dawn hasn't even cracked when I give up trying. wake poor long suffering Norm' and we drive the 14 miles or so to start the big adventure.

The sun is coming up, the sea gulls are flying high in the sky, it is promising to be a lovely day. Film in the camera, map checked again and off we go. It's a fabulous view across the South Downs as we go over Devil's Dyke and join the A23 to drive the 14 miles and then beyond. With hardly any traffic this early in the morning we are soon bulling along at the national speed limit (honestly officer. your speedo must be wrong!). As we go past Gatwick we overtake a beautiful beige Ford Anglia, obviously heading for the same venue. We give them a toot as we pass and lots of smiling waving and thumbs up'ing cross the carriageway. Before we know it we are driving through the park at Crystal Palace towards the BBC aerial. Another great view, this time of London. the grass is still damp with dew. The Honda gets another wipe over in case there are any green fly stuck to her. We collect our route book, certificates and brass plaque and tuck into the breakfast 'sarnies' and coffee. Whilst I am perusing the lost few pages of the route book and chuckling manically to myself, our new chums in the Anglia arrive. Tales of toil. troubles, torque and triumph fill the time.

Our check-out time is 08.58 hours and at exactly 09.00 we are waved out with a flourish by the official with a Union flag and get our photo professionally taken. Cries of 'See you in Brighton' follow us through the gates and on to the road. I love map reading. Norman loves driving the Honda so its a happy partnership. I must admit a feeling of supreme smugness when an MG overtook us and then went the wrong way. Serves her right for exceeding the speed limit - wouldn't catch us doing that!

The town was left behind and we found ourselves in narrow country lanes with high hedges hiding the orchards from our view. We did get stuck behind a couple of big old Daimlers which were finding the hills a bit too much for a while, but pretty villages and country scenes made up for it. Our first stop was at Groombridge Place Gardens. Time to dig into the picnic basket for 'elevenses' and another coffee. We made sure we left before the Daimlers! A charming drive through the Kent & East Sussex countryside brings us to Michelham Priory. This is truly a magical place. Cottage style gardens with pieces of modern sculpture dotted about. Wild flowers and grasses are encouraged and nothing is over manicured - very romantic. and well worth another visit.

One of our companions for the day are a pair of girls in a Bubble car. They have gone to town and are in sixties dress. Flower power! Other memorable entrants include a Sunbeam Tiger. Ford Mustang, Porsche Speedster, Volvo P1800 and many more. If we had all the cars Norman said 'he had always wanted' we would need the M25 to park them all. The journey continues into familiar territory. the chalk hills and flinty villages of East Sussex. Across the river Ouse and up the steep hill climb of Lewes high street which nearly proves too much for the Bubble car. The sound of the Honda's engine reverberating between the buildings in these narrow town streets is very pleasing to us.

The banner proclaiming 'The Finish' is in sight. The sea is dotted with sails, the wide sea front pavement crowded with people and all too soon we are in the queue waiting to be welcomed home. 'Now forget the body, its the engine that's interesting in this little car' says the commentator! What....all that polishing and you are saying forget it!! 'Can you give it a few revs, sir?' Well, we certainly did... that woke a few dozing grannies I can tell you. We were welcomed by a fellow Honda enthusiast and his Morris Minor owning friend. How nice and also unexpected to have a welcoming committee. The rest of the afternoon pass with a continuous stream of interested visitors. It was noticeable that the car appealed to both older and younger people. The words 'sweet' and 'cute' were used a lot as well.

The ice cream is eaten, the sticks of rock purchased and its time to go home! Back past the Onion House and into the four lanes of slow traffic past the St Peters church. Oh no!, What is this? A man wearing just a pair of shorts leaps out in front of us and holds up his hand to tell us to stop. Well. there is nowhere to go. so we oblige, but also lock the doors! All the other traffic is stopped in the same manner. Everyone looks nervous. He then signals us to move forward a few feet, produces a camera from somewhere and takes a few photos!! Signalling his thanks for the co-operation, he runs away. Well everyone is laughing as we pull away. I told you Brighton was a crazy place, didn't I?

It was a fabulous day, one we will never forget. The professional photos are excellent of the Start and Finish and also the one taken by the cameraman-with-a-death-wish on the top of Ditchling Beacon. Roll on next year, I think we will do the Bath to Bournemouth on alternate years to the London to Brighton. Now where is that picnic basket? Norman get the car wash and bucket out!"