2025 03Nympton News Autumn final with bleed - Flipbook - Page 34
celebratory phase of the trip drew to a close. On the drive home, it was
every team for themselves. We reloaded all the weight we9d shed 4 spare
wheel, bags, odds and ends 4 and set a steady pace north. Switzerland
once again provided drama and beauty, and by the penultimate night we
were back in France. Drizzle kept the MG cool enough to cruise at 703
75mph all the way to Calais. At the Eurotunnel, with wires tucked hastily
out of sight, the MG let off one final hiss of steam 4 just two cars short of
passport control. Inch by inch, engine on, engine off, we crept forward,
praying not to be pulled aside. Somehow, passports were stamped and
the car was waved through.
Once onto the train itself, we could finally kill
the engine for good., knowing that if nothing
else, we had made it back to England! The road
trip was over, but life back home brought the
focus back to family. Nick9s funeral took place
the following Wednesday. The MG, still wearing
its memorial sticker on the front wing and
carrying Nick and Mandy9s MG caps, was driven
to the service by Ryan and his girlfriend
Kayleigh.
For the last leg, from Buckinghamshire down to
Somerset, I was joined not by Ryan but by my 90-year-old father. With the
oil topped up, water levels checked, the roof dropped, and the sun on
their faces, three generations of O9Haras shared
the closing miles of a journey that had always
been about more than cars.
From 12th321st September, the teams covered
around 3,00033,500 miles and raised over £3,000
for Race Against Dementia. Huge thanks goes to
Jack Pilkington of HP-WORX in Devon, who kindly
gave me the run of his garage, his time, and his
expertise in preparing the MG before the trip.
Without him, the adventure would never have left
the driveway. Every repair he carried out was
flawless 4 none of the issues that plagued the MG came from his work 4
and Team MG are deeply grateful for his support. If you9d like to support
the cause, donations are still open via JustGiving:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tim-ryan-road2rome
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