May 2011
We had the best turnout for a Thursday noggin for some time
in March. We were very pleased to see Helen, who came along with Carl &
Jean. The “Meal Deal” in St. Mary’s Golf Club is proving very popular. However,
it’s still a bit early in the year and so there was just a solitary Morgan in
the car park. Well done Tony, Pam & Adrian. Don’t forget that the Thursday
noggin in May will be at Carl & Jean’s. Please let them know in plenty of
time if you intend going along.
John & Val Coupland managed to get to their first noggin
at Usk, despite being members for some time. Keith, Brenda, Dianne & I had
bumped in to them (not literally) at Craven Arms on our way to the Peak
District a few weeks earlier and must have made a good impression. They
maintained what has become a TaffMog tradition by being the only couple in a
Morgan. Shame on the rest of us! We hope
to see more of them in the future.
It was an early start for the flat-cappers on Tuesday, 22nd
March. We had to be in Keith & Brenda’s by 8.20am to be sure of a hot
crumpet or two. Afterwards, it was a short run to the Severn Bore Inn where we
parked up and joined quite a crowd on the riverside to await the bore. Along it
came, with a number of surfers riding the wave and heading on up river. This
was the first time for most of us to witness this spectacle and the first time
some of us had been up before 7am for quite a while. Keith had arranged brunch
in the Forest of Dean Sculpture Park and the service was very prompt.
Afterwards, there was a short walk in the forest before setting off for home.
Thank you both for your hospitality and organisation.
15 members turned up for the Nantgaredig Noggin on a
pleasant Friday evening. It was good to see so many Morgans in the car park.
Bill & Angie went home with the prize for the most desirable car. We
enjoyed the food and the company and will be returning on the night of the
Royal Wedding.
The last Sunday in March dawned dull and dreary. What a
contrast to the previous fortnight. However, the eternal optimism of TaffMog
cannot be defeated and 11 Morgans turned up on time (having remembered to
adjust their clocks to BST) with the hoods down. Unfortunately, this was not
the case with the 12th car, the reason being that David’s zip was
broken. Not that one - the one on his leather jacket! Of course, Stuart &
Jackie didn’t have the hood down either because they were in a tin top! Two couples, Phil & Julie Cripps and John
& Val Coupland were making their first appearance on a TaffMog run. We hope
to see a lot more of them in the future.
Dianne had prepared a longish run of 140+ miles so we set
off at the prescribed time to head for the Honey Café in Bronllys. They were
well prepared for us and kept us away from the usual clientele by giving us a
room of our own. (Had our reputation preceded us?) The service was most
efficient and the cakes most tempting. I have the names of those who succumbed.
Suitably refreshed we headed off in the direction of Erwood,
Aberedw, Builth Wells, Garth, Upper Chapel, Brecon and Mynydd Illtyd to a
favourite hostelry, the Abercrave Inn. Keith & Ronie joined us here for an
excellent Sunday lunch. The final section of the run took us to Glynneath,
Hirwaun, Pontsticill and Talybont before ending up in Libanus to consume the
results of Dianne’s baking of the previous day. It had been a long day, but
thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was good to discover that the route had taken us
along some roads previously unknown to TaffMoggers (quite an achievement).
On the 29th, Stuart & Jackie together with
Dianne & myself visited the South Wales MSTherapy Centre in Swansea. We
were there for Jackie to present the final instalment from TaffMog to this
well-deserving charity. The manageress, Christine Jones took time out to give
us a good idea of the facility and what they do for sufferers of MS, as well as
strokes, arthritis and other medical conditions. They were thrilled to receive
a total of £1959.60 from TaffMog. We
certainly came away knowing that we’d chosen our charity wisely.