Hi all
Please be aware that we have had our last Sunday meet at The Rose & Crown, Dunton Green. The venue has served us well over the years but its time to move on.
As a result, from the first Sunday in April our new meeting place for Sundays only will be The Woodman at Goadhurst Common, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, TN14 6BU
Many of you will know this pub well as we often use it for events that need more space, its only a few minutes drive from The RAC but the facilities, food & service are very much better.
We will be calling in there this Sunday (2nd March) for a while, but as of the first Sunday in April it will become our new 'official' haunt.
We expect to be at The RAC for our Monday meet in March, but in April we will be moving on to The Manor Farm Barn, New Barn Road, Southfleet,
DA13 9PU. This pub is also a regular haunt for many of us & is run by local TVRCC members Terry & Cathy.
Once again, its a great venue & I know it will work very well for us as a region.
These changes have been made after a long consultation with the local club members, & I know we are all really looking forward to our new 'homes'
Hope you can join us.
All the best
Nick
Please be aware that we have had our last Sunday meet at The Rose & Crown, Dunton Green. The venue has served us well over the years but its time to move on.
As a result, from the first Sunday in April our new meeting place for Sundays only will be The Woodman at Goadhurst Common, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, TN14 6BU
Many of you will know this pub well as we often use it for events that need more space, its only a few minutes drive from The RAC but the facilities, food & service are very much better.
We will be calling in there this Sunday (2nd March) for a while, but as of the first Sunday in April it will become our new 'official' haunt.
We expect to be at The RAC for our Monday meet in March, but in April we will be moving on to The Manor Farm Barn, New Barn Road, Southfleet,
DA13 9PU. This pub is also a regular haunt for many of us & is run by local TVRCC members Terry & Cathy.
Once again, its a great venue & I know it will work very well for us as a region.
These changes have been made after a long consultation with the local club members, & I know we are all really looking forward to our new 'homes'
Hope you can join us.
All the best
Nick
11/01: RO Report November 07
As per usual, November started with a bang, several in fact as I was lucky enough to be invited to a couple of fireworks parties this year. At fellow club member but non TVR owner Jousts house Carrie and I had a great evening, although I was forced to fight TVR’s reliability corner (never an easy task) amongst a room full of Noble, Lotus and Caterham owners. I think I did pretty well, until Justin reminded me his hired Sagaris launched its engine before he even got it home! I retained some credibility when I reminded the people in the room that although this had been the case, at least the TVR looked fantastic on the back of a recovery truck! Sometimes you have to know when you’re beaten, but it was all in good fun and we had a great time.
We decided that as the sun was forecast in the early hours before our Sunday meet it would be good fun to enjoy another run to Rye for breakfast. As a result the ‘Terry’s got a Sunday off’ commemorative run was born! (it doesn’t happen often and you have to grab every opportunity). As well as the usual suspects Richard came out for a last run in the Wedge (Tamora aquired, watch this space) and Tony and Clair were out in their his and hers motors. We had a good drive down to Rye, and as we approached the coast we found ourselves surrounded by bikers, we were careful not to get in their way and there were thumbs up all round from them and us. During breakfast we met up with Brent and Sue who took us back to The RAC through some amazing roads. I have to admit the drive back made my outward bound route seem quite sedate, note to self…must try harder.
At The Rose & Crown we still managed to get a good number of cars, this time of year I never know how many to expect but the locals seldom let me down. Sooner or later the weather will change and everyone will stay indoors and watch the footie, but so far so good. After the meet a few of us decided to head into Bromley for dinner at our favourite tapas restaurant, all in all it had been a long day but great fun and I’m sure we’ll do it again very soon.
Bodmin and the East Sussex crew invited a few of us to join them for their annual fireworks party and it would have been rude not to go. The only problem with going to Bodmins is it’s in a huge field…in the country. Don’t get me wrong, I love the countryside, I’ve got most of my points for speeding in the countryside, and it looks really pretty, and green, but I really could have done without putting my foot in the biggest lump of the country I have ever seen as soon as I got out of the car! Apart from that we had a great night, it was lovely to see Norman bought the family down for the night, if Decklan gets any taller Normans going to have to leave the Chimaera’s roof in the garage as he won’t fit in the car soon. Tallis bought his mum out to play which was a little depressing as she’s the same age as me but with a little more hair, which is just as well.
The bonfire was huge again this year, and the fireworks and barbeque were better than ever. My thanks go to Bodders for his hospitality and hard work to make it such a great night, but if you could do something about house training your cows this townie would be eternally grateful.
Just one weekend later a large group of us met at The Dartford Hilton for the first leg of our convoy to Black Tie and Pie. Being in a group of TVR’s through Dartford Tunnel is a great way to start any day, and this was no exception. We met up with quite a few others at South Mimms services, including Liz and Raj who were looking forward to their first BT&P. The drive to the hotel was up to its usual standard, with an amazing selection of cars including Ferrari’s, a Lamborghini and a wonderful Mosler as well as all the TVR’s hooning up the M1 we caused quite a stir. On arrival at the hotel it was all hands to the bar and a few hours to catch up with friends from Pistonheads before the main event. During the afternoon we were joined by Simon and Lynn who were quite quickly into the BT&P spirit, I popped of for a swim to find them still sitting at the bar with my good lady wife and an empty bottle of champagne, looked like they had been having a good time.
The dinner dance was up to its usual standards, we had two tables next to each other and spent most of the night dodging flying bread rolls. The Mighty Goodfellas rocked the room and Ian and Rob were seen doing the pogo into the small hours, I tried but I think I might have damaged something in the process so I went and joined Raj and a few others for a quiet cigar…what luxury.
After breakfast the next day most people went home, but Tallis and Frenchbird had decided to join Carrie and I for an extra day at the hotel and together with Rob we spent most of our time chilling out in the spa or eating too much, which was a pretty fine way to end a great weekend. We managed to get a decent run through The Cotswolds on the way home which thankfully took us away from the carnage that is the M1 southbound that most of the others had to endure the previous day.
Our Monday meet at The Rose And Crown was very quiet, but none the less a lot of fun. We were joined by two new owners, Saul from Welling, who has just purchased a lovely Tuscan and has joined us from ‘the dark side’, and Laurence from Chelsea, who confused me no end because instead of being a ‘geezer’ (as we say in the trade) turned out to be a lady and not only that she’s French…from France…whatever next?
It was great to meet you both and by the sound of it we can look forward to you joining us quite a bit in the New Year.
Speaking of the New Year, we are working hard on events for 2008 to keep you all amused, but I’m more than happy to listen to any ideas you might have, especially if you are prepared to lend a hand in making the arrangements.
Don’t forget we meet at The Rose And Crown on the first Sunday lunchtime and fourth Monday evening of each month and it would be great if you could join us.
All the best
Nick
We decided that as the sun was forecast in the early hours before our Sunday meet it would be good fun to enjoy another run to Rye for breakfast. As a result the ‘Terry’s got a Sunday off’ commemorative run was born! (it doesn’t happen often and you have to grab every opportunity). As well as the usual suspects Richard came out for a last run in the Wedge (Tamora aquired, watch this space) and Tony and Clair were out in their his and hers motors. We had a good drive down to Rye, and as we approached the coast we found ourselves surrounded by bikers, we were careful not to get in their way and there were thumbs up all round from them and us. During breakfast we met up with Brent and Sue who took us back to The RAC through some amazing roads. I have to admit the drive back made my outward bound route seem quite sedate, note to self…must try harder.
At The Rose & Crown we still managed to get a good number of cars, this time of year I never know how many to expect but the locals seldom let me down. Sooner or later the weather will change and everyone will stay indoors and watch the footie, but so far so good. After the meet a few of us decided to head into Bromley for dinner at our favourite tapas restaurant, all in all it had been a long day but great fun and I’m sure we’ll do it again very soon.
Bodmin and the East Sussex crew invited a few of us to join them for their annual fireworks party and it would have been rude not to go. The only problem with going to Bodmins is it’s in a huge field…in the country. Don’t get me wrong, I love the countryside, I’ve got most of my points for speeding in the countryside, and it looks really pretty, and green, but I really could have done without putting my foot in the biggest lump of the country I have ever seen as soon as I got out of the car! Apart from that we had a great night, it was lovely to see Norman bought the family down for the night, if Decklan gets any taller Normans going to have to leave the Chimaera’s roof in the garage as he won’t fit in the car soon. Tallis bought his mum out to play which was a little depressing as she’s the same age as me but with a little more hair, which is just as well.
The bonfire was huge again this year, and the fireworks and barbeque were better than ever. My thanks go to Bodders for his hospitality and hard work to make it such a great night, but if you could do something about house training your cows this townie would be eternally grateful.
Just one weekend later a large group of us met at The Dartford Hilton for the first leg of our convoy to Black Tie and Pie. Being in a group of TVR’s through Dartford Tunnel is a great way to start any day, and this was no exception. We met up with quite a few others at South Mimms services, including Liz and Raj who were looking forward to their first BT&P. The drive to the hotel was up to its usual standard, with an amazing selection of cars including Ferrari’s, a Lamborghini and a wonderful Mosler as well as all the TVR’s hooning up the M1 we caused quite a stir. On arrival at the hotel it was all hands to the bar and a few hours to catch up with friends from Pistonheads before the main event. During the afternoon we were joined by Simon and Lynn who were quite quickly into the BT&P spirit, I popped of for a swim to find them still sitting at the bar with my good lady wife and an empty bottle of champagne, looked like they had been having a good time.
The dinner dance was up to its usual standards, we had two tables next to each other and spent most of the night dodging flying bread rolls. The Mighty Goodfellas rocked the room and Ian and Rob were seen doing the pogo into the small hours, I tried but I think I might have damaged something in the process so I went and joined Raj and a few others for a quiet cigar…what luxury.
After breakfast the next day most people went home, but Tallis and Frenchbird had decided to join Carrie and I for an extra day at the hotel and together with Rob we spent most of our time chilling out in the spa or eating too much, which was a pretty fine way to end a great weekend. We managed to get a decent run through The Cotswolds on the way home which thankfully took us away from the carnage that is the M1 southbound that most of the others had to endure the previous day.
Our Monday meet at The Rose And Crown was very quiet, but none the less a lot of fun. We were joined by two new owners, Saul from Welling, who has just purchased a lovely Tuscan and has joined us from ‘the dark side’, and Laurence from Chelsea, who confused me no end because instead of being a ‘geezer’ (as we say in the trade) turned out to be a lady and not only that she’s French…from France…whatever next?
It was great to meet you both and by the sound of it we can look forward to you joining us quite a bit in the New Year.
Speaking of the New Year, we are working hard on events for 2008 to keep you all amused, but I’m more than happy to listen to any ideas you might have, especially if you are prepared to lend a hand in making the arrangements.
Don’t forget we meet at The Rose And Crown on the first Sunday lunchtime and fourth Monday evening of each month and it would be great if you could join us.
All the best
Nick
Jasper had advised us to aim to be at the port in Portsmouth early because of the Friday traffic. Chris & I arrived at 5 pm for a 9 pm scheduled departure! We were about to head-off to while away some time visiting the Spinnaker Tower, when several other TVRs pulled-in behind us, so we continued through the Bilbao check-in and joined the queue that had already started to form. Having parked, we said our “hellos” and confirmed that our fellow travellers were indeed joining the “El Diablo” tour of Spain. This was to be the fourth running of the “Roving TVRs” tour organised by Jasper Gilder, with an added stop in Portugal, but our first. We headed-off to (where else?) the bar to get to know one another.
Other TVR owners joined us through the course of the next couple of hours. Making the crossing were a Sagaris, a Tuscan, a Tuscan 2S Targa, a Tuscan convertible, a Tamora, a T350T, a Chimeara, a Griffith 500, two 4-litre Griffiths and their owners and occupants. By the time boarding time came, old friendships had already been renewed and new ones were being forged.
The cruise to Bilbao lasted until early on Sunday morning, so there was lots of time to continue to getting to know one another, as well as check-out the other on-board activities, including the “Biscay Dolphin Research Programme”, which has a team permanently based on-board. Apparently, 25% of the world's marine life can be found in the Bay of Biscay, and the trip is popular with Whale and Dolphin watchers, as well as mini-cruise enthusiasts.
We didn't meet James Haynes and Deb Horne, travelling in James' new Marcos T50RT (third off the production line) until we were on-board. James, a veteran of the tour who previously drove a Cerbera, was the “Black Sheep” in more ways than one. Jasper had warned “I can guarantee James will have insulted you in someway but, as you will know by the end of the trip, its his way of getting to know folk – I just think he's very shy and reserved under it all” and James soon warmed to the task!
We arrived in Santurzi (Bilbao) about 7.00 am, and immediately set-off on the first leg of our journey – a 240 miles drive to Zamora, much of it through snow covered mountains.
The tour included two honeymooners, Darren and Michelle Catley, who were not only married on the morning of our trip, but had actually brought-forward their wedding when the scheduled crossing time changed a few weeks earlier!
Most of us intended to stop after a short distance at the Vitoria-Gasteiz services. However, despite the fact that Jasper provided an excellent Road Book with directions for the whole tour, I decided to rely on my “SatNav” and after having passed the rest of the group, managed to misread its directions and take a wrong turning, followed by Darren. Sorry, Darren! Darren's and Michelle's early tour tribulations then were exacerbated when the throttle stuck open on their Tuscan. Fortunately, the problem was remedied fairly
easily with bike chain grease, and their honeymoon tour then proceeded without further mishap.
The Roving TVRs tour is based on accommodation in Parador Hotels and our first experience of these at the Zamora Parador - a fifteenth century renaissance palace – did not disappoint, although our entry to the town was delayed by street closures for the “Vuelta a Castilla y Leon” bike race.
Trevor and Janet Lovell were also first-timers in their Chimeara, which they hadn't previously had the opportunity to drive at the speeds possible on some of the long, straight and empty Spanish roads, so it was only on the journey to Zamora that Trevor discovered a quite serious vibration through the steering at higher speeds. Aided by the ever-resourceful Paul Abbott, who was a seasoned Spanish traveller and spoke the language well, travelling with his son, Chris, in a T350T, Trevor found a garage in the local town, which diagnosed and repaired a buckled front wheel and set-up the wheel alignment – all at an exceptionally reasonable price.
The next leg of our trip took us into Portugal for the first time in the tour's history, through breath-taking scenery to the beautiful Pousada (Portuguese equivalent of Parador) at Belmonte. The former convent is on the side of Mount Esperanca with fantastic views across the valley to Mount Estrela. Excited at our visit, the management had laid-on a gala dinner for us. Everyone agreed that the food accommodation and location were perfect, including Vitor, a previous friend of the tour, who made a two hour journey from his home in Porto to spend the evening with us.
The next day we drove in convoy with John Gray and son, Andy, who did the navigating in their Griff 500, and Jasper, in his Sagaris, to Guadalupe, stopping en-route for a photo-call at Roman ruins on one side of a bridge across the Azutan Reservoir. The drive, incorporating all sorts of terrain, including a sort of series of causeways across water-meadows, and a spectacular twisting mountain-side descent into Guadalupe was one of my favourites.
The Parador at Guadalupe was a fifteenth century hospital, and stands next to the Cathedral at which Christopher Colombus received a blessing before setting-off to discover America (as it turned-out), and the Royal Monastery – a world heritage site. The medieval town of Guadalupe seemed largely untouched by time. Unfortunately, despite the idyllic location, the Parador staff was unused to catering for groups our size, and not everyone got the meals they ordered – „though I was OK as I had asked-for salmon, which is the one meal they had plenty of!
Next day we set-off following James & Deb, and Keith Fensome, in his 4-litre Griff. This was an exhilarating trip combining long, fast roads, and sweeping mountain bends. Around lunch-time we started looking for somewhere to eat and, after slowly cruising around a couple of towns and villages, to the usual accompaniment of admiring looks and attention from the locals, we stopped at a rather scruffy looking café. The inside was no more attractive but the Tapas
lunch served was scrumptious and very inexpensive, as seems “par for the course” in inland Spain.
As we left, we caught a glimpse of Raja and Liz Raja-Rayan, in her Tuscan convertible, followed by John and Andy, heading through the town. The weather, up until now, had been warm, and we enjoyed travelling with the roof off, but the clouds had started to gather, and that was the last “top-down” opportunity during the holiday, as the weather became decidedly wet and gloomy. We decided to try and follow a course across country, but ended-up on a rough track, entirely unsuitable for TVRs, as had Liz and John. We therefore back-tracked and found our way back to the recommended route to the Parador at Carmona, near Seville.
Carmona Parador is a fourteenth century Arabic fortress on a cliff-top with stunning views overlooking the fertile plain of the river Corbones, approached through narrow cobbled streets, and the restaurant laid-on a feast with our own printed “TVR” menus – but by now, you're getting the idea – this is the way to see Spain!
On Friday, we had arranged to meet for lunch with the rest of the group at a Tapas Restaurant – La Tinaja – built into a cave near Guadix – the centre of cave dwelling in Spain. We followed Liz, as she knew the way, only to find that someone had thoughtlessly built gates, which were locked, across the road she had last used. Still, we were the first to arrive at La Tinaja, but were soon joined by James and Deb, with Keith, and Ken Clover and Laura Stone in their Tamora, who had all made an early start from Carmona (but that's another story) and had time to visit Guadix Circuit, which was the venue for the next day's track event.
The engine on Ken's Tamora had died coming-up the hill to the restaurant, and it was soon apparent that the battery was discharged. A few „phone calls were made and it was arranged that, after lunch, we would get Ken's car started with jump leads so he could take the car back to the circuit to be looked-at by its mechanics – which he duly did, taking most of our group with him and leaving just myself and Chris, John, Andy, Debs and Laura to while away a couple of hours at the Restaurant with a few bottles of wine. It turned-out the 100 amp fuse between the alternator and battery on Ken's car had blown, probably due to loose connections, so the fuse was replaced, and connections tightened, and that was that.
Our home, for the next three nights, was the “Hotel Forrestal El Senorio de Rias” near Diezma. The only way to get to it is via a track which winds precariously down one side of a gorge and up the other side to the Hotel. It's not the sort of road you'd want to drive at night, and I didn't even like to contemplate the thought of meeting anything coming the other way in the daytime!
We were joined, at the hotel, by John and Linda Simpson, who had flown across from Leeds for the weekend, having attended previous tours but been unable to join El Diablo because of work commitments. Gerjo Timmerjee had
also driven his Griffith 500 down from his home in the south of France. James Elliott and Richard Roberts, with their partners, had driven in their Chimaeras from Gibraltar, and Neil and Caroline McLeland, who had been last year's honeymooners, and subsequently emigrated to live locally, drove across to spend the weekend with us.
Chris and some of the other “co-pilots” opted for a lay-in, on Saturday, and joined those of us who headed-off bright and early to the Guadix Circuit, pausing only to top-up our fuel tanks at the nearby Gor Services, later in the morning. Once all the drivers had assembled, ex racing river, Clive Greenhalgh, the circuit owner (and former owner of the “TVR Central” dealership) briefed us on the track rules for the day, including flags and signals. Although I have attended several runway events before, this was to be my first real track-day, and by now I was feeling pretty nervous. Clive was telling us about the changes and improvements that had been made to the track, which I knew from my more experienced colleagues was already impressive and technically demanding, but I'm afraid they didn't really register. The next thing, Clive was leading us around the track in his Lamborghini to show us the racing line.
Then we were off… but not for long; I must have managed about half a lap before I was the first to spin. I then managed a few hesitant laps before returning to the Pits to seek help! Clive had made it clear that he and his two sons (both racing drivers) would be on-hand to provide help and advice, but I sought-out John Simpson who I learned had a great deal of experience with TVRs, track and motor sport competitions. John took me for a hair-raising demonstration drive and then sat-in as my passenger to coach me around the track. It helped enormously and through the rest of the day, my confidence in, and enjoyment of the Tuscan, grew and grew, although my appreciation of the fact that the car is far more capable than I am was also reinforced.
During the course of the day, there were one or two more spinners, but no harm done. All too soon the day was over, and Jasper called the drivers together in one of the Pit Garages. “Bring your helmet, Richard”, he shouted. Uh, Oh – now what had I done? It turned-out that there was a prize, whose winner was selected by Clive and Jasper, for the most improved driver of the day, and that was me! The prize was a few laps of the circuit in a Radical SR3 Track Car driven by Michael Greenhalgh – which I can only describe as totally exhilarating, and it took quite a while to wipe the stupid grin from my face even „though, back at the Forrestal, the drinks were on me!
Sunday was a free day. Several of us headed for the coast, and found the sun. Chris and I drove up to the Sierra Nevada with John and Andy but we couldn't make it much above about 1,500 metres because the snow line was quite low, and tyre chains were required. Nevertheless, we enjoyed more beautiful scenery.
Next day we drove the 300, or so, miles to the Parador de Cuenca, a former 16th century convent perched on the edge of a gorge on the outskirts of Cuenca. A metal footbridge crossed the gorge to a part of the town which
seemed to defy the laws of gravity. The “Casas Colgadas” (Suspended Houses) clinged impossibly to the cliff edges. I'm scared of heights, so crossing the bridge with its metre-high handrail was among the greatest challenges of my holiday, but it was worth the effort just to explore and soak-up the atmosphere.
Our final night in Spain was to be spent at the Parador de Lerma. The weather still wasn't up to much, so Chris & I set the SatNav for the most direct route, only by-passing Madrid, and making the most of the Autovias to arrive by early afternoon. Lerma's Parador is a past favourite of the Roving TVRs and, once again impressed. The former Ducal Palace, approached through narrow cobbled streets dominated the “Plaza Major” overlooking the town. We had lunch in the comfortable bar area, which occupies the whole of the central courtyard, before an afternoon stroll; then, in the evening, the whole group dined together, at a huge table, for the last time, in an area of the restaurant set-aside for the purpose, and exchanged memories of a very successful trip.
The weather for the drive back to Santurzi was foul. I managed to get lost in Burgos for reasons best not gone into here (Oh – alright, then, the SatNav was set wrong) but eventually found my way back to the right route. We were a little alarmed to be waved-over by a Policeman as we were entering the Port, but it turned-out he just wanted to take some photos of the car!
Jasper organised a visit to the Pride of Bilbao's bridge on the return voyage, and we were shown around by the Captain, no less. The statistics that stick in my mind are that she burns 96 litres of fuel per minute (making our TVRs look positively frugal) and, on the bridge, we were 30 metres above the waterline, but only 6.5m of the ship are below it! After a meal at Langan's and a few final celebratory drinks, we retired to our cabins and a nice lay-in the next morning. When we did finally drag ourselves from our beds, we found that the sun was shining, and spent most of the day on the deck.
The ship docked about 5.00 pm, and we said our final goodbyes on the car deck - to friends old and new - before heading-off to our homes throughout the country, vowing to meet again on next year's Roving TVRs tour, if not before.
Our Tuscan, which, sadly, was battered in a tornado during a holiday in the Pyrenees, last year, and spent months off the road under repair, performed its 2,500 miles faultlessly - demonstrating that there can be no better “Grand Tourer”..Viva Espana!
Other TVR owners joined us through the course of the next couple of hours. Making the crossing were a Sagaris, a Tuscan, a Tuscan 2S Targa, a Tuscan convertible, a Tamora, a T350T, a Chimeara, a Griffith 500, two 4-litre Griffiths and their owners and occupants. By the time boarding time came, old friendships had already been renewed and new ones were being forged.
The cruise to Bilbao lasted until early on Sunday morning, so there was lots of time to continue to getting to know one another, as well as check-out the other on-board activities, including the “Biscay Dolphin Research Programme”, which has a team permanently based on-board. Apparently, 25% of the world's marine life can be found in the Bay of Biscay, and the trip is popular with Whale and Dolphin watchers, as well as mini-cruise enthusiasts.
We didn't meet James Haynes and Deb Horne, travelling in James' new Marcos T50RT (third off the production line) until we were on-board. James, a veteran of the tour who previously drove a Cerbera, was the “Black Sheep” in more ways than one. Jasper had warned “I can guarantee James will have insulted you in someway but, as you will know by the end of the trip, its his way of getting to know folk – I just think he's very shy and reserved under it all” and James soon warmed to the task!
We arrived in Santurzi (Bilbao) about 7.00 am, and immediately set-off on the first leg of our journey – a 240 miles drive to Zamora, much of it through snow covered mountains.
The tour included two honeymooners, Darren and Michelle Catley, who were not only married on the morning of our trip, but had actually brought-forward their wedding when the scheduled crossing time changed a few weeks earlier!
Most of us intended to stop after a short distance at the Vitoria-Gasteiz services. However, despite the fact that Jasper provided an excellent Road Book with directions for the whole tour, I decided to rely on my “SatNav” and after having passed the rest of the group, managed to misread its directions and take a wrong turning, followed by Darren. Sorry, Darren! Darren's and Michelle's early tour tribulations then were exacerbated when the throttle stuck open on their Tuscan. Fortunately, the problem was remedied fairly
easily with bike chain grease, and their honeymoon tour then proceeded without further mishap.
The Roving TVRs tour is based on accommodation in Parador Hotels and our first experience of these at the Zamora Parador - a fifteenth century renaissance palace – did not disappoint, although our entry to the town was delayed by street closures for the “Vuelta a Castilla y Leon” bike race.
Trevor and Janet Lovell were also first-timers in their Chimeara, which they hadn't previously had the opportunity to drive at the speeds possible on some of the long, straight and empty Spanish roads, so it was only on the journey to Zamora that Trevor discovered a quite serious vibration through the steering at higher speeds. Aided by the ever-resourceful Paul Abbott, who was a seasoned Spanish traveller and spoke the language well, travelling with his son, Chris, in a T350T, Trevor found a garage in the local town, which diagnosed and repaired a buckled front wheel and set-up the wheel alignment – all at an exceptionally reasonable price.
The next leg of our trip took us into Portugal for the first time in the tour's history, through breath-taking scenery to the beautiful Pousada (Portuguese equivalent of Parador) at Belmonte. The former convent is on the side of Mount Esperanca with fantastic views across the valley to Mount Estrela. Excited at our visit, the management had laid-on a gala dinner for us. Everyone agreed that the food accommodation and location were perfect, including Vitor, a previous friend of the tour, who made a two hour journey from his home in Porto to spend the evening with us.
The next day we drove in convoy with John Gray and son, Andy, who did the navigating in their Griff 500, and Jasper, in his Sagaris, to Guadalupe, stopping en-route for a photo-call at Roman ruins on one side of a bridge across the Azutan Reservoir. The drive, incorporating all sorts of terrain, including a sort of series of causeways across water-meadows, and a spectacular twisting mountain-side descent into Guadalupe was one of my favourites.
The Parador at Guadalupe was a fifteenth century hospital, and stands next to the Cathedral at which Christopher Colombus received a blessing before setting-off to discover America (as it turned-out), and the Royal Monastery – a world heritage site. The medieval town of Guadalupe seemed largely untouched by time. Unfortunately, despite the idyllic location, the Parador staff was unused to catering for groups our size, and not everyone got the meals they ordered – „though I was OK as I had asked-for salmon, which is the one meal they had plenty of!
Next day we set-off following James & Deb, and Keith Fensome, in his 4-litre Griff. This was an exhilarating trip combining long, fast roads, and sweeping mountain bends. Around lunch-time we started looking for somewhere to eat and, after slowly cruising around a couple of towns and villages, to the usual accompaniment of admiring looks and attention from the locals, we stopped at a rather scruffy looking café. The inside was no more attractive but the Tapas
lunch served was scrumptious and very inexpensive, as seems “par for the course” in inland Spain.
As we left, we caught a glimpse of Raja and Liz Raja-Rayan, in her Tuscan convertible, followed by John and Andy, heading through the town. The weather, up until now, had been warm, and we enjoyed travelling with the roof off, but the clouds had started to gather, and that was the last “top-down” opportunity during the holiday, as the weather became decidedly wet and gloomy. We decided to try and follow a course across country, but ended-up on a rough track, entirely unsuitable for TVRs, as had Liz and John. We therefore back-tracked and found our way back to the recommended route to the Parador at Carmona, near Seville.
Carmona Parador is a fourteenth century Arabic fortress on a cliff-top with stunning views overlooking the fertile plain of the river Corbones, approached through narrow cobbled streets, and the restaurant laid-on a feast with our own printed “TVR” menus – but by now, you're getting the idea – this is the way to see Spain!
On Friday, we had arranged to meet for lunch with the rest of the group at a Tapas Restaurant – La Tinaja – built into a cave near Guadix – the centre of cave dwelling in Spain. We followed Liz, as she knew the way, only to find that someone had thoughtlessly built gates, which were locked, across the road she had last used. Still, we were the first to arrive at La Tinaja, but were soon joined by James and Deb, with Keith, and Ken Clover and Laura Stone in their Tamora, who had all made an early start from Carmona (but that's another story) and had time to visit Guadix Circuit, which was the venue for the next day's track event.
The engine on Ken's Tamora had died coming-up the hill to the restaurant, and it was soon apparent that the battery was discharged. A few „phone calls were made and it was arranged that, after lunch, we would get Ken's car started with jump leads so he could take the car back to the circuit to be looked-at by its mechanics – which he duly did, taking most of our group with him and leaving just myself and Chris, John, Andy, Debs and Laura to while away a couple of hours at the Restaurant with a few bottles of wine. It turned-out the 100 amp fuse between the alternator and battery on Ken's car had blown, probably due to loose connections, so the fuse was replaced, and connections tightened, and that was that.
Our home, for the next three nights, was the “Hotel Forrestal El Senorio de Rias” near Diezma. The only way to get to it is via a track which winds precariously down one side of a gorge and up the other side to the Hotel. It's not the sort of road you'd want to drive at night, and I didn't even like to contemplate the thought of meeting anything coming the other way in the daytime!
We were joined, at the hotel, by John and Linda Simpson, who had flown across from Leeds for the weekend, having attended previous tours but been unable to join El Diablo because of work commitments. Gerjo Timmerjee had
also driven his Griffith 500 down from his home in the south of France. James Elliott and Richard Roberts, with their partners, had driven in their Chimaeras from Gibraltar, and Neil and Caroline McLeland, who had been last year's honeymooners, and subsequently emigrated to live locally, drove across to spend the weekend with us.
Chris and some of the other “co-pilots” opted for a lay-in, on Saturday, and joined those of us who headed-off bright and early to the Guadix Circuit, pausing only to top-up our fuel tanks at the nearby Gor Services, later in the morning. Once all the drivers had assembled, ex racing river, Clive Greenhalgh, the circuit owner (and former owner of the “TVR Central” dealership) briefed us on the track rules for the day, including flags and signals. Although I have attended several runway events before, this was to be my first real track-day, and by now I was feeling pretty nervous. Clive was telling us about the changes and improvements that had been made to the track, which I knew from my more experienced colleagues was already impressive and technically demanding, but I'm afraid they didn't really register. The next thing, Clive was leading us around the track in his Lamborghini to show us the racing line.
Then we were off… but not for long; I must have managed about half a lap before I was the first to spin. I then managed a few hesitant laps before returning to the Pits to seek help! Clive had made it clear that he and his two sons (both racing drivers) would be on-hand to provide help and advice, but I sought-out John Simpson who I learned had a great deal of experience with TVRs, track and motor sport competitions. John took me for a hair-raising demonstration drive and then sat-in as my passenger to coach me around the track. It helped enormously and through the rest of the day, my confidence in, and enjoyment of the Tuscan, grew and grew, although my appreciation of the fact that the car is far more capable than I am was also reinforced.
During the course of the day, there were one or two more spinners, but no harm done. All too soon the day was over, and Jasper called the drivers together in one of the Pit Garages. “Bring your helmet, Richard”, he shouted. Uh, Oh – now what had I done? It turned-out that there was a prize, whose winner was selected by Clive and Jasper, for the most improved driver of the day, and that was me! The prize was a few laps of the circuit in a Radical SR3 Track Car driven by Michael Greenhalgh – which I can only describe as totally exhilarating, and it took quite a while to wipe the stupid grin from my face even „though, back at the Forrestal, the drinks were on me!
Sunday was a free day. Several of us headed for the coast, and found the sun. Chris and I drove up to the Sierra Nevada with John and Andy but we couldn't make it much above about 1,500 metres because the snow line was quite low, and tyre chains were required. Nevertheless, we enjoyed more beautiful scenery.
Next day we drove the 300, or so, miles to the Parador de Cuenca, a former 16th century convent perched on the edge of a gorge on the outskirts of Cuenca. A metal footbridge crossed the gorge to a part of the town which
seemed to defy the laws of gravity. The “Casas Colgadas” (Suspended Houses) clinged impossibly to the cliff edges. I'm scared of heights, so crossing the bridge with its metre-high handrail was among the greatest challenges of my holiday, but it was worth the effort just to explore and soak-up the atmosphere.
Our final night in Spain was to be spent at the Parador de Lerma. The weather still wasn't up to much, so Chris & I set the SatNav for the most direct route, only by-passing Madrid, and making the most of the Autovias to arrive by early afternoon. Lerma's Parador is a past favourite of the Roving TVRs and, once again impressed. The former Ducal Palace, approached through narrow cobbled streets dominated the “Plaza Major” overlooking the town. We had lunch in the comfortable bar area, which occupies the whole of the central courtyard, before an afternoon stroll; then, in the evening, the whole group dined together, at a huge table, for the last time, in an area of the restaurant set-aside for the purpose, and exchanged memories of a very successful trip.
The weather for the drive back to Santurzi was foul. I managed to get lost in Burgos for reasons best not gone into here (Oh – alright, then, the SatNav was set wrong) but eventually found my way back to the right route. We were a little alarmed to be waved-over by a Policeman as we were entering the Port, but it turned-out he just wanted to take some photos of the car!
Jasper organised a visit to the Pride of Bilbao's bridge on the return voyage, and we were shown around by the Captain, no less. The statistics that stick in my mind are that she burns 96 litres of fuel per minute (making our TVRs look positively frugal) and, on the bridge, we were 30 metres above the waterline, but only 6.5m of the ship are below it! After a meal at Langan's and a few final celebratory drinks, we retired to our cabins and a nice lay-in the next morning. When we did finally drag ourselves from our beds, we found that the sun was shining, and spent most of the day on the deck.
The ship docked about 5.00 pm, and we said our final goodbyes on the car deck - to friends old and new - before heading-off to our homes throughout the country, vowing to meet again on next year's Roving TVRs tour, if not before.
Our Tuscan, which, sadly, was battered in a tornado during a holiday in the Pyrenees, last year, and spent months off the road under repair, performed its 2,500 miles faultlessly - demonstrating that there can be no better “Grand Tourer”..Viva Espana!
11/11: Welcome Back
Sorry about the recent downtime. Welcome back!
Mark
Mark
08/10: Logging in to Forums
Category: Important Announcements
Posted by: Tripps
Please note that to login to the forums you need to click on the "Chat Forums" button at the top, the login seen to the right on this screen is for blog administrators only, so we can tell you useful things, or not as the case may be!
The timetable for the Dunlop Tuscan at Brands Hatch on the 1st and 2nd September 2007 has now been released.#
The full version can be found here.
In summary though here are the important times:
Saturday 1st September 2007
Sunday 2nd September 2007
The full version can be found here.
In summary though here are the important times:
Saturday 1st September 2007
| Event | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Tuscan Challenge Qualifying | 11:05 | 11:25 |
| Dunlop Tuscan Challenge Race | 17:00 | 17:20 |
Sunday 2nd September 2007
| Event | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Tuscan Challenge Race | 11:20 | 11:40 |
Folks, we need to get funds in for this event by the end of next week, so could you please ensure you've transferred funds or sent a cheque to Nick.
22/08: Hi all
Welcome to our new website.
Its very much early days at the moment but hopefully it will grow very quickly.
Thanks to Mark for his efforts.
All the best
Nick
Its very much early days at the moment but hopefully it will grow very quickly.
Thanks to Mark for his efforts.
All the best
Nick
22/08: RO Report May 07
Was it just me, or did anyone else think May 2007 was a little ‘damp’? Probably our only meet of the month that wasn’t soaking wet was the Sunday meet at The RAC. For once the big yellow thing in the sky that is apparently known as the sun joined us for a few hours and it bought the TVR’s out for a quick blast before the clouds came back and ruined our fun.
The fact it was a Bank Holiday weekend probably helped the turnout, but the downside was everyone and his dog was trying to escape London, the traffic was terrible and scuppered any plans we had for a major hoon as the idea of sitting in a traffic jam surrounded by Volvo estates with canine dribble on the interior of the rear window didn’t really appeal. I had the advantage of an ex RO at this meet, as we had been joined by Pauline and Ray from Essex who had come over to see us and brag about how wonderful retirement is. I had considered putting them in the Sagaris section of the car park, but they were the only one there and would have been lonely, we didn’t have a yellow section either so they had to slum it with the rest of us. After a while the cunning plan department went into overdrive and we took the short but very scenic drive to The Manor Farm Barn to end the day in style. Most of us enjoyed the excellent Sunday lunch then retired to the comfy chairs to do our beached whale impressions for the rest of the day, bliss!
We went go karting again in May, and it rained. Not just a light shower you understand, more the sort of thing described in great detail in the Bible when God was having a bad hair day, but we didn’t let it put us off. As ever we went to Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne and Rob had worked hard to put all the arrangements in place. As a result of the terrible rain part of the circuit was flooded, so we had a shortened version to play on, and what a laugh it was. Thankfully, by the time our dozen or so cars were ready for the two hour endurance race the rain had stopped, but the track was still soaking. I wont forget in a hurry the feeling as I came out of the pit lane for the practice session, turned into the first corner, and carried on in a straight line towards the tyre wall – slick tyres in the wet are ‘interesting’ to say the least!
People were climbing out of their karts in fits of laughter after their practice laps, and we would watch the next group of drivers struggling to stay on the track, it was like sheet ice. But the funny thing was whilst the track was wet it was so much more fun, frightening at times, but great fun.
Once the race proper got underway things started to get serious, and you could see team tactics coming into play. Unfortunately for my team Rob’s tactics seemed to consist of going forwards five yards, then sideway ten yards, then through a puddle, a bit of mud, then facing the wrong way just for good measure. This of course was not a problem as Dave showed a natural talent for driving in the wet and everyone knows I’m brilliant at everything so we soon made up for lost time.
It would appear that whilst most of us were out there just trying desperately to keep on the track, some teams were actually racing (the cheek of it) and as the track dried out the usual suspects started to pull into the lead. The first three teams were having a real tussle, but in truth we were all giving it our best shot and everyone wanted to do the best they could.
But as ever Bromley’s version of Dick Dastardly won the day, as Norman and Lee came in with some impressive lap times and karting skills to take the trophy. Second place went to father and son team Giles and Jon, with third place going to the youngsters Alex and Ben. A special mention went to the girls team who were really having a go, particularly Cathy who won our driver of the day prize.
My team? Well we didn’t win, and we didn’t come last, so I think we have every right to be very proud…so there!
We were invited to put on a display of cars at The Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch over the second May Bank Holiday. I wasn’t able to go as I was away in France that weekend (it rained there too) but I was able to make all the arrangements then pass over the mantle to the members of our region who had offered to show their cars.
Highlight of each day was the chance to do a couple of parade laps of the GP circuit, but my heart went out to everyone when I was given a no holds barred description of the weather over the weekend, some would say it was inclement, but that wasn’t how it was described to me! It would appear they were all soaked to the skin but still did their best to represent our club, and I thank all of you for sticking with it despite the terrible conditions and the diabolical attitude of the club on the next pitch – we wont name names, but I’m looking forward to seeing them at Bromley Pageant!
We have been invited back to this event next year, and I for one would love to be there as its an event I have wanted to attend for a long time, lets hope the sun comes out next time.
Now the serious bit…over the last few weeks there have been some fairly heavy handed questions asked on the TVRCC website and Pistonheads of people who put their life and soul in to our club, everything they do is an attempt to make the TVRCC the best it can be with a limited amount of time and resources and with no backup from the manufacturer whatsoever. Nobody can get it right every time but I think most people are of the opinion they do a pretty good job and the club is in safe hands.
On our egroup this month was a post from a very close friend that related to an incident that happened whilst we were away. The post in question was from the heart and was deeply touching to those of us that were involved. My point is that there are many people who come to our meets who for one reason or another don’t drive TVR’s, they are made most welcome and hopefully over time become friends. This has happened many times in the past and I will work tirelessly to ensure it continues to happen in the future. So please don’t be put off coming to a meet if you don’t drive a TVR yet, if you are an enthusiastic fan of the TVR marque please feel free to come along whatever you are driving, who knows, we might be able to persuade you to buy one sooner than you expected.
All the best, see you at Rockingham.
Nick
The fact it was a Bank Holiday weekend probably helped the turnout, but the downside was everyone and his dog was trying to escape London, the traffic was terrible and scuppered any plans we had for a major hoon as the idea of sitting in a traffic jam surrounded by Volvo estates with canine dribble on the interior of the rear window didn’t really appeal. I had the advantage of an ex RO at this meet, as we had been joined by Pauline and Ray from Essex who had come over to see us and brag about how wonderful retirement is. I had considered putting them in the Sagaris section of the car park, but they were the only one there and would have been lonely, we didn’t have a yellow section either so they had to slum it with the rest of us. After a while the cunning plan department went into overdrive and we took the short but very scenic drive to The Manor Farm Barn to end the day in style. Most of us enjoyed the excellent Sunday lunch then retired to the comfy chairs to do our beached whale impressions for the rest of the day, bliss!
We went go karting again in May, and it rained. Not just a light shower you understand, more the sort of thing described in great detail in the Bible when God was having a bad hair day, but we didn’t let it put us off. As ever we went to Bayford Meadows in Sittingbourne and Rob had worked hard to put all the arrangements in place. As a result of the terrible rain part of the circuit was flooded, so we had a shortened version to play on, and what a laugh it was. Thankfully, by the time our dozen or so cars were ready for the two hour endurance race the rain had stopped, but the track was still soaking. I wont forget in a hurry the feeling as I came out of the pit lane for the practice session, turned into the first corner, and carried on in a straight line towards the tyre wall – slick tyres in the wet are ‘interesting’ to say the least!
People were climbing out of their karts in fits of laughter after their practice laps, and we would watch the next group of drivers struggling to stay on the track, it was like sheet ice. But the funny thing was whilst the track was wet it was so much more fun, frightening at times, but great fun.
Once the race proper got underway things started to get serious, and you could see team tactics coming into play. Unfortunately for my team Rob’s tactics seemed to consist of going forwards five yards, then sideway ten yards, then through a puddle, a bit of mud, then facing the wrong way just for good measure. This of course was not a problem as Dave showed a natural talent for driving in the wet and everyone knows I’m brilliant at everything so we soon made up for lost time.
It would appear that whilst most of us were out there just trying desperately to keep on the track, some teams were actually racing (the cheek of it) and as the track dried out the usual suspects started to pull into the lead. The first three teams were having a real tussle, but in truth we were all giving it our best shot and everyone wanted to do the best they could.
But as ever Bromley’s version of Dick Dastardly won the day, as Norman and Lee came in with some impressive lap times and karting skills to take the trophy. Second place went to father and son team Giles and Jon, with third place going to the youngsters Alex and Ben. A special mention went to the girls team who were really having a go, particularly Cathy who won our driver of the day prize.
My team? Well we didn’t win, and we didn’t come last, so I think we have every right to be very proud…so there!
We were invited to put on a display of cars at The Masters Historic Festival at Brands Hatch over the second May Bank Holiday. I wasn’t able to go as I was away in France that weekend (it rained there too) but I was able to make all the arrangements then pass over the mantle to the members of our region who had offered to show their cars.
Highlight of each day was the chance to do a couple of parade laps of the GP circuit, but my heart went out to everyone when I was given a no holds barred description of the weather over the weekend, some would say it was inclement, but that wasn’t how it was described to me! It would appear they were all soaked to the skin but still did their best to represent our club, and I thank all of you for sticking with it despite the terrible conditions and the diabolical attitude of the club on the next pitch – we wont name names, but I’m looking forward to seeing them at Bromley Pageant!
We have been invited back to this event next year, and I for one would love to be there as its an event I have wanted to attend for a long time, lets hope the sun comes out next time.
Now the serious bit…over the last few weeks there have been some fairly heavy handed questions asked on the TVRCC website and Pistonheads of people who put their life and soul in to our club, everything they do is an attempt to make the TVRCC the best it can be with a limited amount of time and resources and with no backup from the manufacturer whatsoever. Nobody can get it right every time but I think most people are of the opinion they do a pretty good job and the club is in safe hands.
On our egroup this month was a post from a very close friend that related to an incident that happened whilst we were away. The post in question was from the heart and was deeply touching to those of us that were involved. My point is that there are many people who come to our meets who for one reason or another don’t drive TVR’s, they are made most welcome and hopefully over time become friends. This has happened many times in the past and I will work tirelessly to ensure it continues to happen in the future. So please don’t be put off coming to a meet if you don’t drive a TVR yet, if you are an enthusiastic fan of the TVR marque please feel free to come along whatever you are driving, who knows, we might be able to persuade you to buy one sooner than you expected.
All the best, see you at Rockingham.
Nick
24/07: Testing some more
More testing, here with Rob :-)