The “Gallop” was the second of two short events planned for 2026, the Whitby Endeavour in May being the first. Who wants to travel abroad when we have parts of the UK begging our attention? Although late in the year, the sun was shining as eight Astons gathered at the Dog at Over for a quick briefing before heading north west for the second rendez-vous, the Oakchurch Farm Shop on the A438 past Hereford. Here, six friends in three more Astons were already enjoying coffee and a bun when we rolled in. The party, almost complete, left for Newtown in Powys for the lunch stop, enjoying the road and scenery that is the A483. From Newtown, and the sun still shining, it was north to the race circuit that is the Shrewsbury by-pass and on to The Bear Inn, our home for three nights, where John and Linda our friends from Area 8 were waiting to greet us.
The Bear Inn is probably one of those places you would simply drive past without a second glance. Big mistake. It is a jewel of a place set in the historic Elizabethan village of Hodnet and owned by the local Estate. Here we enjoyed great accommodation and excellent food and turned the bar in the evenings, as only Area 22 can, into a very noisy place to be!
Feeling replete after breakfast and under leaden skies we headed south round Shrewsbury before turning north to pass through Knockin (and its famous Knockin Shop), along the great B4391 to Bala. A challenging road for the brave, winding its way through valleys, over hills and through small villages, with large vistas opening up to the west. An essential stop was called for in Bala, before the run down Bala Lake to Dolgellau for lunch. Such an inviting road we just “had to do it” so that we could say “we did it”! Off again and on the A4212 looping back to Bala, we enjoyed “doing it all again” in bright sunshine. Only Wales offers such opportunities, and Gallop members thank you. That evening Sandra and I had planned a quiet meal in the Fox and Hounds at Shawbury, but two became twenty-two, and another Shropshire venue became a very noisy place!
Once again, waistbands straining, we left Hodnet to head south to explore the quiet back roads of the Shropshire Hills. But not before we learned from John, that when a DB11 electrically dies, there is a magic key to bring it to life; a miracle perhaps? The local roads soon taught us that Shropshire farmers drive big wide tractors, with big wide bouncy tyres, and they are not impressed by Aston Martins. Regardless, we pressed on through the many villages to Craven Arms and across the B4378 to Much Wenlock before parking up in Ironbridge for lunch. We wandered alongside the River Severn steeped in history to walk over the iron bridge and once again “seek a cup of tea”. The afternoon was unplanned, but the majority ended up at the RAF Museum, Cosford where we wandered round the many aircraft, sneaking an opportunity for a photograph in a place we probably should not have been! The last evening was as noisy as the ones before as we put the Gallop to bed.
And so, it was over. One by one the Astons left the car park heading on various chosen routes home. Sandra and I drove 6 miles south to our holiday home where Sandra found she still had the room key in her voluminous handbag. Twenty minutes later we were back at The Bear to be greeted with “what really lovely people you all are”. She is right, and I thank you all for your enthusiasm and friendship.