Cats Abbey and the Rugby World Cup (RWC)

The bookend for this trip was the RWC. A mob (with many of the 2007 RWC Chateau team) had decided on a beautifully converted barn called Cats Abbey about half an hour west of Oxford. It had 15 ensuite rooms with all the comforts. The long dining table could be lengthened to suit the number of guests. Here is our first supper.

We were faced with an Indian summer and our first day took to exploring our immediate surrounds. The countryside was idyllic.

And just invited us to go for a walk to the local village of Sherborne. 

We also needed to make sure visitors realised the loyalties of the occupants. Here Robin (a Kiwi?) is fixing the flag over the door. You might ask why Robin was up the ladder but apparently as the oldest of the party he was the most dispensable.

We watched a few games at Cats Abbey and the local pub before Australia’s first match at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Here is the very excited team ready to set off. 

Some of us went to the Fanzone which was in the original Cardiff Arms Park where I had seen many an interntional in the 70’s. Apart from watching earlier games other activities included having a picture with the Webb Ellis cup (no explanation needed as to the importance of this cup I hope!!)

Aimee also found that hairdressing and particularly in pony tails was a good idea. She has an extraordinarily tolerant brother in Baedden. 

Once in the stadium (roof closed) the atmosphere was wonderful. Seeing the team close up (we were 8 rows back) was great. 

We had one row which was split by the centreline – and the tunnel. We had a great close up of the players. Here is the dark side of our row. 

The match against Fiji was a tough affair but we eventually prevailed 28 to 13.

Our location enabled some opportunism with players signing the Blakey’s flag. Here is Dean Mumm adding his signature.

Even outside after the match the atmosphere was friendly. Here a local policeman was generating a warm relationship with the youngsters in our team. Baeddan was delighted to receive a police badge. 

One aspect of any RWC is that there are quite a few play days between matches. Our car fanatic Denis had spotted that the Morgan factory was about an hour away in Malvern. This generated a good deal of enthusiasm and 12 of us set off for a tour. Some of the designs are really “out there” but unmistakable as a Morgan.

The first Morgan was a three wheeler with the front wheels steered using a lever much like a narrow boat tiller. Todays version still keeps the three wheels and open cockpit arrangement but is a bit different after that. This display model had a wonderful airbrush finish to it and was called the Grim Reaper. We were told it had just been sold to an Undertaker.

The coachwork is all built on a timber hand built frame. The craftsmanship we saw throughout was wonderful to behold.

This cutaway display gave a good feel of the construction. This one is built on the more expensive aluminium chassis rather than the basic steel frame.

The sheet metal is folded onto the frame through basic manual means (although this is not to understate the skill involved). In each part of the factory a worker is given the task for an individual car and specific element ie chassis with engine, wooden framework, paint work, leather and other finishes, final fittings. A car takes some 2 weeks to complete and Morgan make about 900 a year. 

The three wheeler has thrown the authorities and it is now defined as a motorbike. Just as well given the front prominence of the engine. As the driver you can travel with helmet and not seat belts or with seat belts and no hard hat. I think I would have both especially as you can buy a helmet in the same colour as the body. 

As we arrived a helicopter landed with a purchaser wanting to view the building of his latest Morgan. So it seems you need a helicopter first, a hanger in which to store this and the car collection and then you can afford a Morgan.

 

We returned to Cats Abbey to the level of extravagance that we could afford – numerous candles on Denis’s birthday cake. (Mind you I suspect the more memorable part of the day was the Morgan visit.)