By Bev Mortimer: 52 Morris Minors congregated at Fountains Mall yesterday in howling winds. And they all braved the trip from Cape St Francis to Jeffreys Bay though owners said the going was “not easy”.
The frequent congregation of Morris Minors takes place at different areas of South Africa . This year the chosen area was Kouga and the open Rally of these tiny cars meeting togethe was at Fountains Mall, Jeffreys Bay. Visitors were able to spend some time relaxing in St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis as well as shopping up a storm at Fountains Mall.
Owners of the Morris Minors, aka ‘Morries’, at the Mall had driven here from all parts of South Africa– one couple also drove through parts of Africa to get here. TheUKpair were prevented from completing the arduous African journey to Cape St Francis because they could not traverse Nigeria where there were political problems.
All the owners and their spouses were put up at Cape St Francis Resort that lined up activities for them. The tiny cars buzzing along our roads caused huge interest and many calls to St Francis Chronicle. And on the road to JBay I believe there was even a traffic jam or two…
Morries of all shapes, colours, sizes and years, were available to view as they had been lined up along three long rows. In spite of the good organisation at the Mall, the howling winds could not keep the crowds of fascinated spectators, many from St Francis Bay and PE, outside for long. The winds were so fierce in that car park that trolleys careered off, people lost papers they were carrying and they had to hold onto poles..
The good news was that everyone dashed into the Mall to seek shelter from the gales and there were beaming faces of shop keepers as the visitors shopped… and shopped and ordered huge meals at the eating houses there.
The country’s official Morris Minor Club, that was started in PE initially, has a big countrywide membership base.
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Dear Bev
I loved looking at your photos and your article on the MMOC National Rally. Very well done!
It certainly was windy, but it was great showing off our little cars to the public. Many visitors showed great interest and a surprising knowledge of these ageing models – all of which are now more than 50 years old
Regards
Chris Spinks
It was so great seeing all those cars at Fountains Mall! The owners were very brave driving them in that wind!! Hope they will all return here one day in better weather 🙂