Photos - Malcolm Asquith, Lis Muller, Kath Brown

For 2017 the Crossley Register visited Lincolnshire with a base at the Kenwick Park Hotel just to the south of the market town of Louth. The organisers were John and Jeni Beasley and John and Elaine Newton. This part of Lincolnshire, on to of the Wolds is blessed by quiet roads and pretty villages.

Saturday's navigation challenge covered some 75 miles in total.  The first twenty five miles took us through the local lanes to our morning coffee stop at the King's Head in Kingsway.  The route proved that Lincolnshire does have some hills. Also, over the years the road network seems to have developed into a system of straights linked by right angle bends.  Most people managed to follow the directions but there did seem to be a break away party who failed to spot one sign which was slightly obscured by being in the hedge. Thirty miles then took us to our lunch stop at the Blacksmith's Arms at Skendelby where an excellent buffet was laid on and eaten outside in the sunshine. Following the usual reluctance to move on, a short drive took us to the National Trust property of Gunby Hall where we were allowed to park in front of the house with dire warnings of what would happen to anyone putting a wheel on the immaculate lawns. The organisers' warned us here to watch out for rabbits on the road but our furry friends were careful to avoid all Crossleys. Gunby Hall has magnificent gardens and the house itself is smaller than many of the Trust's country piles but that seemed to make it more interesting.  One of the organisers took the opportunity of trying out the Bluthner grand piano in the music room. On leaving the Hall it was a straightforward 16 miles back to the hotel.

On Saturday night we had our annual dinner followed by the AGM which seemed to be slightly longer than usual this year. After this came the prize giving and then a further piano recital with both Jeni and John performing and spirited singing from some members of the audience.

Sunday was to be given over largely to a visit to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. Most people set off in na timely manner but it was not a good morning for some of the Torquay contingent. I found my battery had failed but after a jump start, a detour into Louth, being very careful not to stall the engine, a new one was purchased and fitted. George was not so lucky and his car was very reluctant to go so eventually it was left behind to be fixed later . It was found to be ignition problems and was fixed by Tony Courtney). It was 25 miles to the airfield and John and Elaine had managed to find some roads with grass growing down the middle. At the airfield we had our own parking area next to the control tower. Following tea or coffee in the NAAFI the airfield was explored with its re-creations of its wartime appearance in several of the buildings and extensive displays of the work of Bomber Command. We had been extremely lucky that our visit coincided with a taxy run by the Lancaster bomber Just Jane. This was a truly spectacular sight with the freshly painted machine being pulled along by those four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. Before the aeroplane was returned to it's hangar we were given a talk on its history along with a close up inspection. ( Warning - don't walk into any of the low bits as you might hurt yourself or much more importantly damage the aeroplane.) The question was asked "Why can't the Lancaster take to the air?  Apparently all the air frame rivets need to be checked and possibly replaced. It makes car restoration look very simple.

With a full day's activities on the Sunday nearly everyone returned to the hotel for dinner and departure home on Monday morning.

Next year, the Welsh borders. I believe the pianists have been booked for a repeat performance.