Well until yesterday the numbers were sitting at around 10 cars in total, a number of chaps decided last minute to get involved, some from here and also from the Caterham Club. The run for all of us ended up being 2 runs - to whatever start point and then the run en-masse and for a few of us 3 runs!
James and I popped down to Buck Barn ( and wow what a super drive that was, some new roads to sampe and clear clear - not a soul in sight ) and met: Tony, Dave, Richard ( Cat Club), Rob, Paul, and Bob and after a quick natter promptly had our 1st official run of the day up to Newlands. OK Hands up - i did manage to make the route interesting with the odd waypoint error - suffice to say we all ended up in convoy and arrived at Newlands as planned.
Where we met: Rich ( who had medic Dan with him as co -pilot), Jeff, Lee, Paul ( thats new Paul with another westie - red ), Steve with his quantum and about 4 Caterham guys ( sorry didnt get all the names? Gordon, Steve, Paul?). Sadly Bob G had whacked his sump once too often and it had decided to have a little cry - well a weep. So for safetys sake his aborted and ran for cover. The rest of us set off - which was indeed interesting as only 3 of us had out TToms on as no one other than Jeff had either requested the route or had a TT to pop it on! Needless to say i may have had 1 more waypoint error - which was mildly amusing as James's group which was 1st away ended up behind a few of us! Realised at one point that Rich was leading our Group - no mean feat as he didnt have the route, so did a cheeky overtake or two to get to the head of teh column and on we went.
Found or rather travelled some excellent roads, around south east surrey and sussex - nearing the Cafe i had a mayday from Trev, seems he'd been following Steve who had in turn assuemd that Trev knew the way - '' err we're lost'' - by the miracle of technology they found teh Cafe to join us for teh healthy option - 'large english'.....
So for those that havent been out before or missed this one what did you miss?
the chance to run at your own pace to either rendez-vous, a bit of banter and meeting new faces at both Newlands and the Chalet.
A stonking run - with comedy moments ( ie/ the weird waypoints ).
Jame's popping map behind another Caterham ( which caused the chap to wonder what was wrong with his own car )
sunshine and dry roads for a bit of extra grip and of course the atmosphere that goes with the Chalet - coupled with the chance to listen to Mike as he opened up his Megabusa Westie to demonstrate to one of the bikers what the fuss was all about.
Guys, thanks for making the effort to get out, i hope you all enjoyed yourselves, great to meet some new faces and catch up with old ones too. The next time i personally plan to be in that area is 5th Sept for the run to Southways Automotive at Fareham, now i appreciate Fareham may be a tad too far for some, but why not do part of the run......we can make a great route: buck barn - 272 and oh - anymore would be telling!
Catch you soon
Mark
wish i had a working car and time to get out and about with you guys.
a grey hair ,thats why your sleepe