Reading drive: next run

[Clewsey]

Once again, many thanks Alex for organising today's run out. As usual, enjoyed everybody's company and meeting some new faces. Here's to more of the same [] Now how do I get leaves out of my radiator grills.......Unfortunately no photos from me this time, sorry! Thanks to Rocky I was also able to confirm that my day time running lights cannot be turned off. Probably a software thing. Cheers!

 

[Alex L]

Thanks to everyone who came today for making the event another very pleasurable day! Was great to see some familiar and also new faces [] The OPC kindly gave all of us (that wanted rides) trips out in a new Panamera Turbo (I was happy to see it wasn't as quick as my new RS6 Avant). I was pleasantly surprised by how luxurious and also how smooth the PDK box was. Then we headed off west to find some nice quick roads, making lunch for dead on 1pm. After Shaun turned up in his beautiful 993 and tore us away from our picturesque spot, we headed north up to Thame and then back south towards Henley - with plenty of damp leaves to keep us concentrated, despite the large lunches working against us. Finally stopped in Wargrave for a drink and a chat before we headed off home in the dark. Great day out [][] Afraid I only managed to snap off 2 decent photos all day (others were either too dark or out of focus)...

 

[Rocksters]

Thanks to Alex for organising a really fun drive out and it was a pleasure to meet you all! There were some spectacular autumnal driving moments - the whirlwind golden leaves swirling out of Tom's wheels while under a canopy of trees, for example. Very pleased I had the PASM to help with the few "wobbly" kick-downs - Simon, you know what I'm talking about! Cheers

 

[garyw]

Glad it all went well for you guys, that and the weather held off- unlike today where its raining really hard!! I hope the Bracknell meet is a bit drier.. [&:] garyw

 

[chrismouzou]

hi alex sorry missed reading drive out in cyprus at this moment chris

 

[okellyt]

Alex Thanks for arranging another excellent run out and lunch. Guys - great to meet up and drive with you, hope to catch up with everyone soon.

 

[Clewsey]

Enjoyed those wobbly moments I have to say [] Excellent fun! Must do it again soon.... []

ORIGINAL: Rocksters Thanks to Alex for organising a really fun drive out and it was a pleasure to meet you all! There were some spectacular autumnal driving moments - the whirlwind golden leaves swirling out of Tom's wheels while under a canopy of trees, for example. Very pleased I had the PASM to help with the few "wobbly" kick-downs - Simon, you know what I'm talking about! Cheers

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: garyw Glad it all went well for you guys, that and the weather held off- unlike today where its raining really hard!! I hope the Bracknell meet is a bit drier.. [&:] garyw

Yes, weather for Sunday was simply horrendous. So much so that I didn't bother going to the PH event in Bracknell. My borther told me they spent their whole time in the showroom anyway looking at BMWs and not in the car park looking at exotics. So I didn't think it was worth my while going.

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: chrismouzou hi alex sorry missed reading drive out in cyprus at this moment chris

No worries, I am sure there will be repeat events for you to join again [] Hope you are enjoying the warm sun where you are!

 

[Alex L]

As the weather is improving I might re-run this drive again in the next couple of months if anyone wants to join me (on this unofficial event) Please let me know if you would be interested. PS: with the help of lowndes I will hopefully improve the afternoon route also.

 

[okellyt]

Always happy to go on a drive out, even an unofficial one

 

[Boatfiller]

Alex As ever - always up for an 'unofficial' run[], on condition that there are no scallops on the menu[] Should have new wheels soon so will be able to give it a blast over those brilliant Oxfordshire hills[][]

 

[Alex L]

Thanks guys Can I ask if people would prefer: a) A time-consuming posh expensive lunch at the Leatherne Bottle b) A quicker cheaper pub lunch somewhere else I know all the lady passengers that have before, option 'b' may be a deal breaker (it would be for my wife and probably Tom's!) but I wondered what the general consensus would be. For me at least, as the roads are not of Swiss Alps standards, the over-indulgent lunch makes the day - especially in the summer when you can eat outside right on the river.

 

[okellyt]

Alex Happy with either - might just have to finish the day at the leathern bottle if we go for a small lunch.........[8D]

 

[Boatfiller]

Would prefer small lunch so we can get more driving in. As Tom suggested, maybe finish at Leathern? When are you planning to do a run? weekends are getting full already

 

[Alex L]

Hmm, don't think we can finish at the Leatherne Bottel as they would be closed after 2:15pm on a Sat and 3pm on a Sunday - they are a restaurant and not a pub. Been looking at alternative places to eat for lunch. These places looks pretty good so I am going to go check them out on Sunday: [link=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=5611790185767967998&q=cherry+tree&hl=en&cd=1&cad=srcplink,view:map&ei=q_OgS9vaNM2FjAf_rKDlBw]http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=5611790185767967998&q=cherry+tree&hl=en&cd=1&cad=srcplink,view:map&ei=q_OgS9vaNM2FjAf_rKDlBw[/link] (onsite parking) [link=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=1402962148882364539&q=crooked+billet&hl=en&cd=2&cad=srcplink&ei=x_OgS5HIFtTUjAeDtb22CA]http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=1402962148882364539&q=crooked+billet&hl=en&cd=2&cad=srcplink&ei=x_OgS5HIFtTUjAeDtb22CA[/link] (better restaurant but only street parking) As for dates on the next drive - that really depends on all the hoops I need to jump through to do another run ie. the more unofficial I make this the easier it will be to do again but that means taking everything offline and organizing completely as a private event. Hence me asking for interest so I know who to contact should I sort something out... I will be in touch!

 

[Alex L]

Ran a new afternoon route with lowndes on Sat - some nice roads in there now that I am very happy with.

Today I checked out the Cherry Tree pub for lunch. Not bad either - albeit a bit out in the woods to get to. So I am rather split. Luxury of Leatherne Bottel (which is actually more on the route too) or quick but still tasty Cherry Tree. I will email everyone who has expressed an interest about possible dates. Cheers, -Alex

 

[lowndes]

Thanks very much for organising the trial run Alex, I really enjoyed it. As you say, there are some nice sections in there, which should be even nicer in the dry. And I must remember to bring a piece of string to tie to the walkie talkie so that I can retrieve it from the passenger footwell next time we encounter heavy braking! []

 

[okellyt]

Clip it to your shirt pocket or seat belt - then it doesn't go anywhere[]

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: lowndes Thanks very much for organising the trial run Alex, I really enjoyed it. As you say, there are some nice sections in there, which should be even nicer in the dry. And I must remember to bring a piece of string to tie to the walkie talkie so that I can retrieve it from the passenger footwell next time we encounter heavy braking! []

Last time I did the Fair Mile dual carriageway up the hill from Henley, I managed to hit myself with my Road Angel that flew out of it's holder upon my 2nd gear acceleration! Still collaborating with the Mrs my free weekend in the next month or so, will send out emails shortly. Looks like baby Jakey's due date may have been calculated wrong and now may be coming 2 weeks earlier (end of May). So I want to organize something sooner the better really on the dates front....