Derbyshire National Park Run Sunday 18 May 2003

A cracking event organised by cheekygrin and MAXIM of MINI2 fame! Click here to go to the run's thread in MINI2.

The fun started for DK and Apple during the convoy to the Midland Hotel in Derby from Leicester Forest East Services on M1. Making a quick lane change between road works, and with a police car in front was probably not the smartest move! Then the pack got lost following DK, who was following the instructions of her iPaq/GPS. OK, DK got lost, "Bear Left" does not mean turn left or exit left!

Saturday evening was very enjoyable, with a fairly large group of people staying overnight at the Midland Hotel. DK hopes that Bonjour and his mates will accept her apologies for ignoring them, but she did not realise they were members of MINI2 until she saw Bonjour in his car behind Apple the next morning. 

The meal at the local Indian restaurant was great fun but chaotic. DK must learn how not to get lumbered with the task of sorting out the bill in future! Definitely the least enjoyable part of the weekend.

The run itself was very well organised, and it was evident that cheekygrin and MAXIM had spent considerable time and effort collating the pace notes and route, and organising the buffet lunch at the Palace Hotel in Buxton.

The run was not without incident. Allegedly, a villager even put deck-chairs in the road to try to stop MINIs speeding through their village. No-one should have to feel that this was necessary, and such ill-feeling from local people could even jeopardise future runs!

Here are a selection of photos taken during this great weekend!

A MINI is not just a car - it is a way of life!