A Naviscat

The MG Car Club SE Centre regularly runs Naviscats, so called because navigation is required and the process scatters cars all over the area as they seek to amass points. At the start some 40 sets of co-ordinates are given to the participants who then rush to plot them on a map, decide on a route between the start location and the given end-point and then set off to the find the answer to a clue at each location. The aim is to visit as many locations as possible, get as many correct answers as possible and make it to the destination in t allotted time, as it is strictly adhered to and points are deducted for each minute over time.

Murray had read about these outings and since one was advertised for this weekend, the weather was fine and I was not stuck at Bewley Motors needing something done, he thought it would be a good idea to head south and join the other MGs for a naviscat.

There were probably twenty cars at the start, even another Y, a few Ts and a number of our modern cousins. After the briefing it was a mad scramble for the drivers and navigators to plot the points on their maps and then we were off heading in different directions in the quest for points and glory when the results were announced.

Some of the clues were so easy there was no need to even stop, we simply drove by; others were fiendishly cryptic. It was not unusual to pass other MGs going in the opposite direction as each team plotted the route as they thought best.

The end point was a gathering of even more MGs, possibly 50, where the drivers and passengers enjoyed a barbeque, or picnic, some entertainment and, optionally, took part in a Pride of Ownership or a Gymkhana.

The winner of the Pride of Ownership was a beautiful blue 1932 F Type but Murray and Christine were also very impressed with a sweet little red 1931 J1 Salonette, the only one of its type in the world, which has been lovingly and painstakingly restored by the current owners