SW Meet - It has to be possible!!!

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Thu May 04, 2006 5:15 pm

Ok, here we go again, 10 months on from the last post and still no South West meet has been organised. I suppose instead of doing the old democratic thing, if this is ever to happen then someone needs to dictate when and where it's going to happen. I am planning a Saturday or Sunday in June.

As for Location, Depending on where everyone is I'm sure we can find a spot to suit us all. I am sure many other people in the SW find it difficult to attend a meet within a reasonable distance, and with that in mind I am thinking of somewhere that will hopefully suit everyone. I am aware of a few people in Bristol, and quite a few members around Somerset, and one or two further south so it would be nice to accommodate everyone if possible.

I'm really determined to make this happen this time, although I do need some help from everybody to try and ensure that as many people as possible are able to attend. To assist me with this please can anyone who would be remotely interested in a SW meet PM me with their location and if possible any dates throughout June that would pose a problem. Iâ€™d prefer the initial stuff is done this way to stop this thread getting cluttered before Iâ€™ve even got any firm plans.

Please can anyone who is interested get in touch ASAP so we can finally prove to everyone else that people in the West Country are not all too busy drinking cider, working on the farm and having relationships with family members to show off their 480â€™s!

Finally, if any other members wish to come along of course you will be more than welcome. For the moment however can just people in the West Country area get in touch so I can organise a time and place that would ensure this actually happens this time.

MrE · Post by **MrE** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:57 am

Hi MG, i'd like to have a SW meet. Rich was organising one but it never happened as his engine went pop(again) My car is back on the road after an engine rebuild, but Rich's is still having suicidal stuff done to the engine. Me, Chris and another friend of mine with a 480 would probably be able to attend. I have a few holidays planned so i'm not sure on a date!
Regards, Edd.

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Sun May 07, 2006 4:28 pm

Well at least that's a start, GT won't be roadworthy for Summer I don't think, but I'm pleased nonetheless that it should at least live on.

Major clutch problems at the mo with the ES, but hoping to get that sorted soon, everyone is having troubles it seems.

Well I think that makes 5 interested epeople with me being the only one travelling to Somerset.

Has everyone else round here died or something? Seriously folks, if it's this difficult getting people to say they are interested, no wonder these things always fail. 5 is a good enough start I suppose, will be confirming date/place next weekend, so if you want consideration to be taken for your location/availibility, please get in touch.

sallysal · Post by **sallysal** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:28 am

Good luck GT! we managed a Scots meet last year with 6 cars - okay so you don't have as many cars, but more cars doesn't always = more fun!the mini meets are great! heading for our next meet which looks like it'll be a midi-meet

go for it - c'mon you sou-westers! get your pop-ups a poppin!

good luck and have a great time
Sx

rpruen · Post by **rpruen** » Mon May 15, 2006 7:39 pm

That's fine by me, as long as Vaxhaul drivers are welcome.

Location isn't a problem, weekends are best for me. I work 1 weekend in three, but can escape Sat. sometimes, though I'll have to go if called.

Look forward to seeing evryone there!

Richard

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:15 pm

WE wouldn't make you follow in the van!

More than welcome to come in a car, unless you are _always_ on call, and need the van...

catgroom · Post by **catgroom** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:01 pm

Barney and me would like to come if it doesnt clash with 3-10th June holiday??

Groomus

ps Ed your gearbox is whining simply because you are a blinking car hooligus!

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:44 am

I've already shown interest via PM but will say what I had to say here o you are all aware! I'm well up for a meet. I'm on holiday from teh 2nd to the 17th of June but if it is later june I will be there no doubt.

Should be a laugh!

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:08 pm

OK, I was thinking the weekend of 24th/25th June, the Sunday is much better for me as I can sleep first (working nights). However if Saturday is better for others I am willing to go for it. As for non-Volvo's, sure no problem, it's not like I can be gaurenteed to have one either at this rate

.

I thought a little village called Somerton seems a nice quiet place to meet in the country. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... &ay=128500

Midday-ish - Meet up @ Somerton, find somewhere to get lunch/snack.
- Short Drive around Countryside
- Find a nice scenic spot for photos.
- Drive into City/Town to find afternoon entertainment. (Bowling lanes in Yeovil nearby?).
- BBQ if good weather, Meal in a Pub if not. End early evening.

If anyone has any suggestions or knows the area better than me please give me a shout, but I thought in summer a nice drive in the country would be pleasant as would a BBQ.

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:15 pm

If I can get to Waldhotel and teh Nurburgring I should be OK for Somerton (specially as my nom de plume is somer).

Only commitment is wedding in North Wales 3 June so late June is mega.

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Wed May 31, 2006 11:47 am

Sorry i am lame brain but i am really bad at organising stuff!

But i would be well up for a SW meet just need an organiser type person to sort it, anyway i am easy and want to go 100%!

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Wed May 31, 2006 6:46 pm

MGB_GT wrote:OK, I was thinking the weekend of 24th/25th June, the Sunday is much better for me as I can sleep first (working nights). However if Saturday is better for others I am willing to go for it. As for non-Volvo's, sure no problem, it's not like I can be gaurenteed to have one either at this rate .

I thought a little village called Somerton seems a nice quiet place to meet in the country. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... &ay=128500

Midday-ish - Meet up @ Somerton, find somewhere to get lunch/snack.
- Short Drive around Countryside
- Find a nice scenic spot for photos.
- Drive into City/Town to find afternoon entertainment. (Bowling lanes in Yeovil nearby?).
- BBQ if good weather, Meal in a Pub if not. End early evening.

If anyone has any suggestions or knows the area better than me please give me a shout, but I thought in summer a nice drive in the country would be pleasant as would a BBQ.

This sounds like a great idea. Lets make it happen!!!

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:45 am

LMAO.

Friday night about 10pm I was driving along in the es and over the loud stereo noticed a funny noise coming from the passenger side front wheel. Pulled over and checked wheel out but all seemed fine. Kept hearing a screaching under the car whilst driving, so went to pull over again and brakes had gone! Luckilly nothing around and I eventually got it stopped on what little the brakes were doing without an accident, well other than the muppet in a focus reversing into my car whilst I was waiting for the brake-down recovery! No damage done, well to my car anyway

.

The damage is suspected as a broken driveshaft, which must have somehow caused the brakes to fail. I am thinking at this stage I might use the parts to fix the GT, and strip the rest as it's got some really nice parts, especially the interior. This probably means I won't have a 480 at the time, but I am still determined to make this happen as I will get some cheap transport, thinking a 340.

With that in mind, if we say Sunday the 25th June. Please can people confirm if they are coming asap as I will need to organise a few things based on numbers. That said anyone who wishes to turn up on the day, I am sure we can accomodate this also. Want to make this happen, need to show the west country can make it happen, hope I'm not clashing with the world cup, can someone check this and would it be a big problem?

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:22 pm

I'm on

with the black 'un (when it's insured).

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:42 am

Cool i am in for that! What now?

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:49 pm

The 20th had what they called a rally, but in UK safer to call it a treasure hunt, with a list of instructions that worked well (around 60km) and things to spot on route. These were items that are easy to see whilst driving. There was a picture of something with 5 choices of village names to each picture so you just had to write down the responding letter to the village it was found in. (Smallest was a house satellite dish largest was a radio telescope dish!). To avoid speed being a tie breaker you had to guess the number of sweeties in a jar.
It worked well.
SteveR

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:10 pm

So whos defo coming......

Robin_xr4i
SteveR
MGB_GT

?

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:05 am

SteveR wrote:The 20th had what they called a rally, but in UK safer to call it a treasure hunt, with a list of instructions that worked well (around 60km) and things to spot on route. These were items that are easy to see whilst driving. There was a picture of something with 5 choices of village names to each picture so you just had to write down the responding letter to the village it was found in.
SteveR

That's a cool idea, I like it. However I don't know the area that well, and the web doesn't really help with too much about the surrounding area. Usually I would have scouted the area first, but fiscal and breakdown issues have prevented getting a chance. Hence I am happy to hear suggestions, but I am certain we can find something to keep us all ammused only if it's me having to call out GreenFlag should I get the ES there in the first place! However I am coming even if I have to use the Train/Bicycle to get there so everyone else best turn out too!!!

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:05 am

MGB GT said

I will get some cheap transport, thinking a 340.

.
Cant get much cheaperthan some of the 480 deals I have seen on ebay. If it wasnt for the thought of MrsR's wrath ( and a drive limited to 3 cars) I would have bought 3 or 4 in the past month!!
If you are strapped and you can get to a place en route from Hook to Somerton I will pick you up.

MGB_GT · Post by **MGB_GT** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:59 pm

Cheers mate. Having had the car apart at about 5am this morning (only time it's cool enough and safe enought to work on the main road), it looks like it's just the brake pads that have done. The F*ing monkey from breakdown recovery said without hesitation that the driveshaft had gone, I didn't think it had. Then the same moron also insisted it would not damage the handbrake pulling the car onto his wagon with it fully engaged! However I think I know who's paying for this on my next MOT as I did make a point on mentioning it, to which the reply was "it'll be fine". Why don't people like that just say "I don't know, I know shit about cars actually, how's about I just get you and your car home?", at least that would be honest!

Anyway, rant over...assuming Halfrauds have some I may have the car back on the road in the next few days. Fingers Crossed