May 2025

“Sunshine. Horsepower. And the scent of vinegar in the sea air.”

It all began, as all great motoring adventures should, in a Tesco car park. Specifically, Tesco Lee Mill — a place where dreams are born, tyres are warmed, and someone always forgets to fill up. From there, with the sun blazing overhead and the scent of octane in the air, a convoy of Stuttgart’s finest rolled out for an evening drive that could only be described as utterly sublime.

Leading the pack? Yours truly. In a Macan GTS. Yes, it’s an SUV. But it’s an SUV with launch control, red calipers, and a V6 growl that made even the air-cooled purists raise an eyebrow. Roof down, sport mode engaged, and not a single cloud in the sky — it was, frankly, perfect.

What followed was a spirited cruise through some of the most deliciously twisty lanes the South Hams has to offer. Think hedgerows, hairpins, and the occasional startled pheasant. Trailing behind came a glorious mishmash of Porsche history — air-cooled classics gleaming in the golden light, modern missiles humming with precision, and Lyn in his gleaming new GT4, looking every bit the track day hooligan even while queuing for a corner behind a tractor.

Our destination? Slapton Sands — the sort of place that makes you consider writing poetry, until you’re distracted by the smell of chips and the sound of seagulls eyeing your dinner like feathered highwaymen. We parked up, took in the view, and devoured some of the finest fish and chips this side of Whitby. Outside, of course. Because when the weather’s this good, it’s practically a crime to sit indoors.

Porsches, sea breeze, and fried food. If that’s not motoring heaven, I don’t know what is.

Until next time — keep it shiny side up, and never, ever trust the sat nav through Avonwick.

The Coddy Shack Convoy

“Fresh seats, fresh fish, and a route that would make a rally driver weep.”

Now, there are good evenings, there are great evenings… and then there are evenings where you get your 911 back from Williams Crawford mere hours before a drive, complete with a freshly restored driver’s seat cushion and reconditioned wing hydraulics that have just returned from Belgium — because apparently that’s where all the best wing specialists live.

With the sun blazing overhead like it was auditioning for a Visit Cornwall brochure, we gathered at the Tesco car park in Callington — the unofficial HQ of all things fast, flat-six, and mildly antisocial. The line-up? Immaculate. Air-cooled legends humming quietly in the shade, modern machinery gleaming in the sun, and a healthy mix of old hands and new faces — including Adrian, bravely joining us for their first ever club event, and instantly wondering whether they’d stumbled into a Porsche-themed episode of Top Gear.

From Callington, we shot off into the twisty, gloriously unpredictable country lanes toward Coads Green — a route so narrow and undulating it felt like being inside a Scalextric set built by a cider-fuelled madman. The scenery was pure postcard. The corners were tight enough to make your cup holder nervous. And through it all, the 911 felt magnificent — its new cushion providing just the right level of Germanic support, and its spoiler hydraulics flexing triumphantly like they’d never even been to Belgium.

Turning south, we carved our way down toward Looe with a soundtrack of boxer engines and occasional shouts of “SLOW FOR TRACTOR!” Finally, we rolled into the Coddy Shack — an establishment of such deep-fried excellence that it practically demands its own Michelin star — parked up, and tucked into fish and chips while gazing over the rolling Cornish countryside like a bunch of very well-fed car spotters.

Sun, speed, spuds. Perfection.

If every Thursday could end like this, we’d all live to 120 and die grinning.

Luft V Wasser 2025

Luft V Wasser 2025 kicked off with torrential rain before the skies cleared and the cars rolled in. Porsche after Porsche after Porsche! Such an array of colours, models and genres.

WCPDC flew the flag and enjoyed a day of everything Porsche. From the 356 through to the 911 Dakar it was all there. The stunning eight car line up from the Grun Gruppe was an eye-catching moment. The Speedster 50-year edition was very special, and the courtyard was graced with the beautiful Porsche collection of Tim Swift from Porsche Barn.

It was my first outing in my new ‘old’ car, the 993 C4, after 20 years of driving mid-engined Porsche this was a complete step change for me, even more so when on the Saturday it was decided to go on a spirited drive through the Mendips and Cheddar Gorge, in the rain. The convoy consisted of a 911’s in various monstrous engine guises including Robbie Williams’ stunning RS Spyder…and me! I can safely say I held my own, it was a baptism of 911 fire, the car was sublime for its almost 30 years of age…. and…it left me wondering why it has taken me so long to get into the 911 vibe! Old dog, new tricks eh!

Warren House Evening Drive

Four Porsches met in Bovey Tracey on a clear, sunny Sunday evening for a fast-paced drive through some of the best roads Dartmoor has to offer.

The route took us up through the Teign Valley and down into Moretonhampstead, I consider this section of road one of the best in the SW. We then drove  across the northern edge of the moor towards Okehampton, where Chris joined the convoy. With little traffic and perfect weather, the group made good pace through open stretches and sweeping bends.

After a quick run down to Tavistock, we turned back onto Dartmoor, stopping for the obligatory photos and finishing the drive with a drink at the Warren House Inn. The roads were quiet, the views were great, and the driving was spot-on — exactly what the Westcountry Porsche Club is all about.

Looking forward to the next one.