Report on Spring Run, Saturday 21st April 2012

 A perfect start to our season, that’s the only way to describe our first run of 2012. 23 cars and 61 people assembled at 12 noon in the market square Ballynahinch to be greeted by our run organisers Wilfie and Patricia Patterson. It was then into Market House for something to eat, all of which was provided by Patricia and her daughter Gillian who were up from the crack of dawn preparing all the beautiful sandwiches. Their lovely little niece Samantha did an excellent job serving these out and was probably responsible for most of us eating too many of the tray bakes. We stopped counting after our President George McCaig passed 20. If you don’t believe us look at the photographic evidence on our website !!! Thank you girls; what would we do without our ladies.

After our refreshments Wilfie in his Austin 12 led the cavalcade on its way to Inch Abbey to take a run on the heritage railway line into Downpatrick. This brought back a lot of memories travelling in those old carriages with the pull straps to open the windows. Once in Downpatrick we all had a very enjoyable few hours visiting all the attractions. Some people went around the shops, some went to the Down County Museum and some went to The Saint Patrick Centre. All had a very enjoyable time. At 4 o’clock it was back on the train again to pick up our cars.

We then had a lovely scenic run around the coast through Strangford, Kilclief, Ballyhornan, Chapeltown and on into Ardglass. Keeping to the coast we passed Coney Island on our way to Killough where the Oscar winning short film ‘The Shore’ was made. We then went past Tyrella Beach finishing up at Bright Castle Golf club where we had a beautiful meal. Many thanks to the staff of the Golf Club for their excellent service. Patricia had very kindly provided a surprise birthday cake for George who was 84 the next day and his wife Sadie whose birthday was the previous Sunday. All she would say was that she was 21 plus a wee bit and the wee bit was her business.

After our beautiful meal and a good bit of gossiping (men as well as ladies) it was time for home, some having to travel quite a distance, but after such an enjoyable day it was well worth it. 

All in all a brilliant day. Well done to Wilfie and Patricia for all their hard work in planning a really interesting and enjoyable day out, and to their daughter Gillian for her help in preparing all the beautiful food. All our other events have a high standard to live up to for the rest of the season but knowing the run organisers of the UPWAC I’m sure all will try to maintain the high standards set.