OLD GIRLS

Friendship Rally

Charlotte Morrison and her husband Robin, driving their Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2, took part for the third time in a Friendship Rally, organised by the Global Rally Organisation which devises ‘routes that capture the imagination'. Charlotte sent postcards to ‘Everyone at MSJ' with iconic images from their fascinating trip around the shores of the Mediterranean, with many diversions: from the Camargue, Herculaneum, Dubrovnik and Petra to name but a few. The final postcard to arrive was from St Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai'.

There are never more than 25 cars to ensure a harmonious atmosphere. As we know, Old Girls go everywhere and there were very remarkable connections amongst the group. Tessa Brooksbank (Whittome, 1962) was at The Abbey; another participant's sister is Heather Irons (McLaren, MGC 1973); the parents of Sarah Woodhead (MGC 1989) and Rebecca Warne (Woodhead, MGC 1992), as well as Zoe Rackstraw's (MGC 1990) mother were also on the rally; and finally so was Sarah Lucas, who was at Limuru High School in Nairobi, Kenya when Miss Veronica Owen was Headmistress. Miss Owen became Headmistress of Malvern Girls' College in 1968, when Charlotte herself was at MGC.

The Global Rally Organisation devises “Routes that capture the imagination”. The “Friendship Rallies” have been conceived to achieve certain goals. Firstly, they aim to visit areas of outstanding historic and topographical interest. Secondly as their name suggests, every effort is made to assemble a compatible travelling party who will leave a legacy of friendship along the route. There are never more than 25 cars to ensure a harmonious atmosphere and on average, over 60% of the participants will have been on our previous rally. Finally, they travel at a sustainable pace to be able to appreciate fully the highlights and atmosphere of the countries and cultures along our route. The Global Rally Organisation is not about speed, time-sheets, marshals or competition!

In 2005 Charlotte and Robin drove their Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2 from London to Sydney and in 2008 they drove from Panama City to Anchorage in Alaska with the same group.

This year they are driving around the shores of the Mediterranean, leaving the UK in September. Owing to political circumstances, they cannot hug the coastline. There are also some diversions to enjoy particularly exciting roads and sites. There will be 15 classic cars and 4 four-wheel drive vehicles. Once again the rally has been organised (privately) by Global Rally Organisation. It has been planned entirely from a distance. They will drive about 19,000 kilometres (12,000 miles) and it will take two months.

Charlotte's first postcard to Malvern St James was sent from Marrakech has arrived – she writes,

‘Dear All,

In no time I find that we are in Africa. The temperature has mounted as we move south to remind us of where we are. Marrakech is very colourful and vibrant. We ate on the streets last night and today have been seduced into buying several things in the souk. With all best wishes, Charlotte'

http://www.robinandcharlotte.com/