Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 (edited) Hi all, Just started to bounce around getting all excited now that Ian May has reminded me it's the factory open day the weekend after next so thought it was time somebody shouted Convoy! Here's my suggestion based on last year's route and meet-up points - I'm assuming anyone who's travelling up is doing so on the Saturday and staying over, so I'm aiming to get us to the Wensum Valley for about 1pm to allow the golfers amongst us to tee-off at 4pm after some preparatory stretching exercises and Zen-like meditation: As before, I'm proposing M5, M4, M25, M11, A11 as the fastest route, and the timings are based on a steady 70mph with 15 mins for each stop. So here goes: 05:45 Arrive Granada M5 Services, Exeter Dan mayesprit 06:00 Depart Granada M5 Services, Exeter 07:05 Arrive Gordano M5 Services, Bristol BigSi Simon350s espritmania 07:20 Depart Gordano M5 Services, Bristol 08:15 Arrive Membury (East) M4 Services, Swindon 08:30 Depart Membury (East) M4 Services, Swindon 09:45 Arrive South Mimms M25 Services, London 10:00 Depart South Mimms M25 Services, London 10:40 Arrive Birchanger Green M11 Services, Bishop's Stordford South East Convoy 11:00 Depart Birchanger Green M11 Services, Bishop's Stordford 12:00 Arrive Little Chef A11, Besthorpe 12:15 Depart Little Chef A11, Besthorpe 12:45 Arrive Wensum Valley Hotel Anyone else is of course more than welcome - please reply if you're planning to join us so we know when & where to expect you Edited September 20, 2007 by Dan Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigsi 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 guys myself and simon350s will meet you all at gordano if you want, that will suit me as well. mucho gracias! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 guys myself and simon350s will meet you all at gordano if you want, that will suit me as well. mucho gracias! Noted Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
espritmania 28 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Dan,I will be at Gordano as well . I will speak to you to sort out times.Paul G Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Dan,I will be at Gordano as well . I will speak to you to sort out times.Paul G OK Paul Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
espritmania 28 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Dan ,I think Ian wanted to play golf,if we leave that late we will not be able to play??? Paul. Hotel booked.I hope they sell Cider!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Dan ,I think Ian wanted to play golf,if we leave that late we will not be able to play??? Paul. Hotel booked.I hope they sell Cider!!! ah, good point, I think he was talking about a 4pm tee-time (or whatever they call it)... that would mean leaving three hours earlier to get him there for 3pm. Not a problem for me (would mean 8am departure from Exeter) but would be an early start for Peter... Ian, Peter - what do you reckon? Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigsi 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 i dont mind either way iwas thinking of a round of golf but i wont be up to it really, im going to see if simon wants to stay here the night before to make things easier for leaving the sat morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mayevora 564 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 (edited) Want to leave earlier still really. Rather get there with a couple of hours to spare before golf and no rush. Paul (espritmania) and Tony (Loteuk) are also teeing off with me at 3.57pm (back permitting!) so was planning on getting there early lunchtime. Peter is coming from elsewhere not Cornwall. Edited September 11, 2007 by mayesprit Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 8,805 4 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 I'm booked into that round too Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mayevora 564 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 I'm booked into that round too Thats now a complete four ball then Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backmarker 4 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Hmmm if your timings are now 5 hours earlier, you'll probably meet up with us NMEG boys on the A11. We're aiming to be at the Wensum for lunch. Keep 'em peeled Graham. Quote Wing Commander Dibble DFC<br /><br /> North Midlands Esprit Group<br /><br />NMEG "the formidable squadron"<br /><br /> "probably the most active Esprit group in the world" Andy Betts, Castle Combe May 2007 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter_england99 6 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Dan, Sadly can't join in the convoy. I'm in the Peak District on Sunday, so will be heading down from there directly to the car park at the Norfolk fair ground. I'm also not going to be in the Esprit Hope to see you all at the event. Enjoy the golf and the social afterwards. Let's hope that Ian makes it from his room to the bar this time. Regards, Peter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 11, 2007 Peter - no worries, look forward to seeing you there. I think I remember you mentioning this, but of course the old grey matter's not what it used to be Ian, Paul, Si - so what arrival time would suit? 1pm target would mean a 06:00 departure from Exeter and a 07:00 meet at Gordano, 08:00 ish at Membury, 10:00 at South Mimms, etc... I can do that if it's what's needed, but if you can work with a 2pm arrival target then that'd mean an extra hour in bed for everyone Graham - hold that thought, got any idea when you'll be hitting the M11/A11 end of the world according to current NMEG plans? Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mayevora 564 Report post Posted September 11, 2007 (edited) I supose it means I get a lye in now then. OK lets do 6am Exeter Services then, and aim for a 1pm arrival in time for a Edited September 11, 2007 by mayesprit Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backmarker 4 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Dan, I'll check the map when I get back home and post again tonight. Graham. Quote Wing Commander Dibble DFC<br /><br /> North Midlands Esprit Group<br /><br />NMEG "the formidable squadron"<br /><br /> "probably the most active Esprit group in the world" Andy Betts, Castle Combe May 2007 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigsi 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 12, 2007 im ok for an early start, i just have to speak with simon about it first, to behonest after achat with kelly i dont mind a round of golf, i may not be great and mey not last the course but its a bit of exercise and will do me good. will update you when i have spoken to simon about things Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Guys - I've edited the 1st post to show revised timings as discussed above Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backmarker 4 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Dan, The NMEG boys will be leaving Norton Canes service station on the M6 Toll at 10.00am on the Saturday. We'll then pick up the A14 until it joins the A11 just east of Newmarket. I would hope that traffic permitting we'll be on the A11 at about the same time. Don't think any of our team will have a passenger but we might be able to speak hands free as our respective journey's progress. I've found Besthorpe on the map (don't know the cafe). We'll aim to be there at 12.15 if we can. Don't wait for us. You've got a game of golf planned. Perhaps you could pm me your mobile number and I'll do likewise. Cheers, Graham. Quote Wing Commander Dibble DFC<br /><br /> North Midlands Esprit Group<br /><br />NMEG "the formidable squadron"<br /><br /> "probably the most active Esprit group in the world" Andy Betts, Castle Combe May 2007 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mayevora 564 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Guys - I've edited the 1st post to show revised timings as discussed above Timings look good to me Dan. Might be better for Si and Si to meet us next Services on from Gordano otherwise coming back on themselves 10 miles? Quote Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk - that will teach us to keep mouth shut! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Timings look good to me Dan. Might be better for Si and Si to meet us next Services on from Gordano otherwise coming back on themselves 10 miles? Good point. I picked Gordano as a decent half-way for Paul (Espritmania - Weston Super Mare IIRC) and the South Wales Posse to join the fun. What do you reckon guys? Just didn't want to have too many stops as they just add time to the journey... but speak up if you want to change anything Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backmarker 4 Report post Posted September 21, 2007 Dan, Just checked the Little Thief web site and the A11 service station in Besthorpe/Attleborough is said to be southbound. Is it a case of the A11 being single carriageway at that point and therefore easy to use the services no matter which direction you're traveling Graham. Quote Wing Commander Dibble DFC<br /><br /> North Midlands Esprit Group<br /><br />NMEG "the formidable squadron"<br /><br /> "probably the most active Esprit group in the world" Andy Betts, Castle Combe May 2007 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 0 1 Vehicles Report post Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) Dan, Just checked the Little Thief web site and the A11 service station in Besthorpe/Attleborough is said to be southbound. Is it a case of the A11 being single carriageway at that point and therefore easy to use the services no matter which direction you're traveling Graham. Hi Graham - unless they've closed it recently, the website is wrong. It's a combined petrol station & Little Chef on the north/east bound section, with a similar arrangement on the opposite side of the road. From memory it's about 1 mile east of the Attleborough turning, 1/2 mile (if that) east of the Besthorpe turning: There's parking at the back of the petrol station (top strip of tarmac in the picture above) for about 20 cars, plus the Chef parking and the forecourt itself, so we should be OK for loitering until others arrive. Edited September 21, 2007 by Dan Quote Dan "He who dies with the most toys wins..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andydclements 477 2 Vehicles Report post Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) Dan, Just checked the Little Thief web site and the A11 service station in Besthorpe/Attleborough is said to be southbound. Is it a case of the A11 being single carriageway at that point and therefore easy to use the services no matter which direction you're traveling Graham. If it's where I'm thinking of, it's dual there, but only a mile or two to the next junction to turn around and head back to it. But there is a northbound one mentioned as well. It's so close to home I have never used one there. You could just go for Thickthorn services a few miles down the road at the A11 A47 junction. Andy Edited September 21, 2007 by andydclements Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimbers 1,377 Report post Posted September 21, 2007 Nope it's fine. The Chef is closed but the car park is useable. Same place we met last year. Loads and Loads of parking behind the garage as well. Quote Possibly save your life. Check out this website.http://everyman-campaign.org/ Distributor for 'Every Male' grooming products. (Discounts for any TLF members hairier than I am!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
