RTG The Daily Dispatch EL CLAVEL 2026 - Day 0 - Flipbook - Page 12
Day 4: Santiago de Compostela to Corias, 17 September 2026
Text & photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Kenny MacEwan and Susan Godfrey, 1936 Riley Kestrel 4
At 7°C, with pockets of mist, it was an autumnal start
and the barely surfaced roads were strewn with an organic
carpet of acorns and spiky cupules of sweet chestnut. It was a
challenging section for many reasons, not least the navigation,
but somewhere in the lanes; Steve and Jenny Verrall had to
deal with a puncture; Peter Kite and Pete Johnson’s BMW’s
alternator decided to throw in the towel; and Nigel and Sally
Woof’s Talbot broke a spring. The first two issues were dealt
with by the crews with a little help from Andy Inskip and
Charlie Neale whilst Russ Smith, who’d been stationed at the
coffee halt, lashed together the suspension of the AO75/90 to
get it through the rest of the day.
Once we’d plotted our way out of the woodland warren, a
relaxed section of highway took us to a Route Check at Pico
de Lourido and on to a Time Control in the Hotel Casas da
Fortaleza, Outeiro de Rei, where the crews were piped to
the refreshments by a traditional Galician gaiteiro.
Rain began to fall as we pulled ourselves away from the
buffet and the Regularity over the Serra do Muradal – a
map-based epic with countless hairpins - saw many of the
open car crews reaching for the wet weather gear. A hot
meal, and warm welcome, awaited us at the Time Control
in Vilardongo, at the café O Piñeiral. Pepe Mammana made
sure everyone had a seat and full plate before we saddled up
for the afternoon’s session. This began with a Route Check
in A Trousa and then wound its way over the Embalse de
Salime towards the Cordal de Berducedo. The high-altitude
Pontenova Regularity occupied a huge tract of land between
the two Sierras, del Pallo and de Rañadoiro.
This spectacular section would have been suitable to wind
down the day, but the Organisers weren’t finished yet. One
final Regularity, the Alto de Santa Ana, lead the crews towards
a Test and MTC at the Cibuyo kart circuit. Two short laps and
a sprint finish were served with a welcome savoury buffet.
The Parador de Corias was a mere 10km away and,
once the essential car checks had been completed,
complimentary famed-local cider was on offer, as well as
an “interactive” cider pouring experience; an ideal way to
toast Mel Andrews, who is celebrating his birthday.
Brian and Catherine Scowcroft, 1936 Chevrolet Roadster
Nick Brayshaw and Kate Bradley, 1939 BMW 327
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