Reading drive: next run

[Alex L]

NOTE: this is not an official Porsche Club event, it's just a gathering of like minded sports car owners that enjoy going out for drives in the picturesque countryside and have a nice chat over a delicious lunch.

NOTE: see last posts in this thread for updated schedule: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=536293

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The plan for the day is currently the following: I've managed to get some really fun roads in the planned routes.

• 10:00 am (OPC open from 0900) => Arrive OPC Reading (M4 Jn12) where they will provide us with tea/coffee before we start our journey. Claus has offered to give anyone that wants one a ride in a new Panamera (I will certainly be on the list).
• 10:30 am => Part I drive (approx 73 miles and 2 hrs): From Reading heading north west out across the countryside on some very scenic twisty A and B roads then following a big anti-clockwise loop back towards our lunch stop in Goring
• 1:00 pm => Lunch at Leatherne Bottel in Goring. 3 course menu is £25 (Sat) or £35 (Sun) per person which is pricey but the place is very posh with excellent food and amazing location. Oh and smart-casual dress code so no jeans and t-shirts combos I'm afraid.
• 2:30 pm => Part II drive (approx 53 miles and 1hr 45 mins): Heading north up towards Thame then south through the back roads of the Chiltern Hills and down through Henley-on-Thames
• 4:00 pm => Drinks at George and the Dragon in Wargrave where we can have a relaxed pint in the sun sitting out on the river

Lunch venue pics from the Leatherne Bottel pics in Goring:

Final destination pics from the St. George & Dragon pub in Wargrave:

Pic from one of the morning route roads:

Other useful information:

• Please note the smart-casual dress code for lunch.
• If you have walkie-talkies then please bring these too. I have a spare handsets if required.
• Map printouts will be supplied on the day. If you really want a copy before the day though PM me and I can send you the latest GoogleMaps routes.
• I would say you need at least 1/2 tank of fuel to start the drive.
• There is a Shell station in Thame (on route) about half way through our afternoon drive, so we can stop and fill up there if people request it.

 

[spook]

Hi Alex, Michele and I would like to join the party and prefer the sunday but will run with the consensus.See you then. Mike. 997 TT

 

[Alex L]

Glad to have you along Mike!

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: spook Hi Alex, Michele and I would like to join the party and prefer the sunday but will run with the consensus.See you then. Mike. 997 TT

Sorry Mike, quick question if I may: which Sunday exactly? The 7th? Or both Sundays?

 

[chrismouzou]

hi alex at this moment for 7th june just me +1 chris

 

[Alex L]

Thanks Chris

 

[Alex L]

Just ran my Part I route and found a stunning road in the middle of it. It's so good I am going to change the route a little to get more of the road into it! Some pics below; [link=http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff117/Alex911TT/cars/porsche/pcgb/DSC01630.jpg]

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[Alex L]

Ran Part II route this morning. Quite a bit of traffic through the villages and towns but the open roads were good fun. The roads in the afternoon aren't quite as fast and open-field as the morning roads but after a nice big lunch I think we will all be in more of a cruise mode anyway. I did find a fantastic snaking hill climb section with 2 lanes all the way up - about as good as Fish Hill in the Cotswolds! So you will certainly enjoy that one. Hey, if anyone local wants to come out with me and test the routes prior to the 7th then please let me know. I would appreciate the input.

 

[Boatfiller]

Hi Alex Is there a restriction on age for the lunchtime visit, as I would like to bring Tom - aged 10 - on Sunday 7th June?

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: Boatfiller Is there a restriction on age for the lunchtime visit, as I would like to bring Tom - aged 10 - on Sunday 7th June?

Hi Jon As long as Tom dresses smartly I don't see why not. The restaurant is quite posh but not at all pretentious, so quite laid back. Can I please ask whether you could make the other dates also? Thanks, -Alex

 

[Boatfiller]

30th & 31st are maybe's, but 6th is definitely not as youngest's birthday & I would get shot before dawn if I missed that!

 

[Alex L]

By the way - we have a max of 20 people for the lunch booking. We are currently at about 15 and I really should reserve 4 places for Simon and Tom (plus wives) who are away on vacation right now so cannot confirm.

 

[Boatfiller]

Alex refreshed and I npw have a Turbo !! if only life was that easy. C4S actually

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: Boatfiller Alex refreshed and I now have a Turbo !! if only life was that easy. C4S actually

Oups sorry, fixed.

 

[Alex L]

Decision made on the Reading drive date. It will now be Sunday the 7th June Apologies to those that cannot make the date chosen, and also to those who expressed a preference of a Sat over a Sun. Hopefully those that could not make it this time can make the next one if this trip goes well. Currently we have 8 cars, but realistically I would say we will have 10 (Simon and Tom are on vacation right now and I am awaiting final confirmation from them). This would make 19 guest for lunch - one under what has been reserved. If the weather holds then it should be a cracking day!!

 

[happylarry]

Alex, we're definitely 'two up' - so that's Heather and Lawrence. Apologies, didn't get round to looking at your suggested route, but will try to do so this week. Let's hope for sunshine on the 7th!

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: happylarry Alex, we're definitely 'two up' - so that's Heather and Lawrence. Apologies, didn't get round to looking at your suggested route, but will try to do so this week. Let's hope for sunshine on the 7th!

+2 would probably mean 20 total for lunch so that is good. No worries on the routes as I think I have pretty much finalized them now. If you want to do a test run with me at some point prior to the 7th then please just PM me.

 

[Clewsey]

Hey Alex, put both of us down for the 7th. We'll also make a practice run before (ping'd you an email). Cheers, Simon

 

[Alex L]

Good stuff Simon. Table on my 1st post is updated.

 

[Alex L]

Firstly - thanks to Gary/Rob for making this a sticky! Secondly - I have had requests to put the start time back a little. So Sunday morning isn't too early a start for people. Any objections to changing the start time to 1030? I need to check with the restaurant if we can move lunch to 1230 also.