Gloucestershire mini meet / drive out now up and running

[iainm9438]

well, i am pleased to say that the 1st Gloucestershire mini meet and drive out went really well. there was only 4 people/cars but you have to start somewhere:D
the attendees were:
dboy in the rat car - sorry, the red GR;):D
motorhead and his wife in the while version R
ricko in the silver GPX
and my wife and me in the silver GX.
we started off the meet in a layby - now a bus stop! - by the dog at over (we'll have to find a better meeting place next time:p) and then dboy led us on a drive out down to Tintern abbey via some really great back roads around chepstow.

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20124807.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20124816.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20124826.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20124748.jpg

motorhead, ricko and dboy:
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20124835.jpg

after stopping for a coffee at titern abbey cafe, we decided to try an artistic photoshoot.
unfortunately, i had got my camera ready.......then left it at home so my pics are taken with my phone:(

http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20151957.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20152022.jpg

then i lead a drive from titnern to monmouth and we had 2 blasts through the monmouth tunnels (2nd gear foot to the floor reverberating from the tunnel walls:smt118) before driving back through the forest to the dog at over.

there's always one::D
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20160540.jpg

but we did like the old pump up a tyre whilst rolling a cigarette trick:
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/2011-08-20160644.jpg

thanks to all that attended.......we had a great day.
there was a mix of some nice smooth fast flowing B roads and some nice winding lanes that really put the cars and drivers through their paces.
i am actually very surprised at how well the fto grips the roads, especially in the wet during the little shower in chepstow.:p
it was nice to meet you all and, as i think we all agreed at the end, this was the 1st of a regular meet / drive.
when does everyone want to hold the next meet?

[Motorhead]

Great photos Iain and who said men are no good at multi tasking lol

We had a great time today, was a proper buzz and some great roads and the sound inside the tunnels was awesome.
I'm definitely up for more of the same and pretty much any time suits me, don't need much of an excuse to go for a drive lol hopefully we can get a few more to join us next time too :)

[ricko]

Good job iainm, cracking photos considering you only had your phone

It was a great day out we will have to do it again sometime..it would of been nice to had met a couple more members but you never know we might get a few more next time.
Nice to have met you all. best if you arrange a date then i will work around it .see you next time

[iainm9438]

I've been thinking about the next meet and i think that due to Jules being away in a couple of weeks and the fact that we have a bank hol next weekend, saturday or monday would be good days for the next meet? (i don't think we'll get another meet in for 3 - 4 after this?)
would this be ok with everyone?
i was thinking of maybe a route through Ross and ledbury to british camp at malvern then back through upton and tewkesbury or a trip to stratford (old bike haunt)?
let me know if it's too soon or the routes are no good etc.

[ricko]

sorry im away bank holiday ..i cant make that weekend

[Robsomerset]

Will try and pop along to one of your future ones as you're not that far from me.

[Motorhead]

I've been thinking about the next meet and i think that due to Jules being away in a couple of weeks and the fact that we have a bank hol next weekend, saturday or monday would be good days for the next meet? (i don't think we'll get another meet in for 3 - 4 after this?)
would this be ok with everyone?

Saturday or Monday is good for me, I'm away from Setp 10th until the following Saturday but any day other than those is cool


i was thinking of maybe a route through Ross and ledbury to british camp at malvern then back through upton and tewkesbury or a trip to stratford (old bike haunt)?
let me know if it's too soon or the routes are no good etc.

Both of those routes sound good to me


Will try and pop along to one of your future ones as you're not that far from me.

the more the merrier Rob :)

few more snaps from Tintern Abbey

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6069626431_aee1a120bd_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6069625819_aeb3631b25_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6070171846_ef9df8499f_b.jpg

[ricko]

Nice picts mate..shame i cant make bank holiday meet but already agreed to go away for the weekend "booo",Looks like a great route though

[iainm9438]

great pics. ;)

i'm losing my internet for a while in the next couple of days due to changing IP so just to give plenty of notice, shall we go for mini meet on saturday? (i forgot we're having sky upgraded on monday)

[Motorhead]

I've just been informed that we have visitors on Saturday so I won't be able to make it :(
I'm not doing anything on Sunday though ?

[iainm9438]

ok, sunday sounds good to me.

[Motorhead]

you can pick the time an place this time lol

preferably not a dog sh*t strewn lay-by :smt082

[Robsomerset]

ok, sunday sounds good to me.

We talking this Sunday? I am off for once on a weekend and nothing planned.

[Motorhead]

yeah this coming Sunday :)

[Robsomerset]

yeah this coming Sunday :)

Well if it goes ahead let me know details will try and pop along as me an the mrs can go to Toby Carvery on way back as she likes the old Sunday Roasts there.

[iainm9438]

yea, ok.

just to give me an idea to plan the route etc......do we want to do morning or afternoon?

[Motorhead]

again I'm easy mate, whatever suits everybody else is good for me (so long as its not crack of dawn on Sunday lol)
The view from British Camp is good no matter the time of day :)

[DBoy]

yea, ok.

just to give me an idea to plan the route etc......do we want to do morning or afternoon?

Cracking pics guys:-) Definitely letting the side down though what with my cars black eye 'n my bald patch, LOL, reckon I might wear a hat:-D
I'm up for Sunday. At least I think I got Sunday off. Morning or afternoon, don't mind. Be nice to have a few other cars too. Where do we wanna meet?

[Motorhead]

Cracking pics guys:-) Definitely letting the side down though what with my cars black eye 'n my bald patch, LOL, reckon I might wear a hat:-D

:smt082
never mind that black eye mate, that thing of yours can shift, I guess knowing the road helped but some of those bends from Tintern to Monmouth were tight :D

[DBoy]

:smt082
never mind that black eye mate, that thing of yours can shift, I guess knowing the road helped but some of those bends from Tintern to Monmouth were tight :D

Good fun! Even better with no traffic:-D Where we gonna meet then? Just thought, we could meet at Minchinhampton common by the reservoir? Plenty of room and they got ice-cream:-)

[Robsomerset]

Someone mention ice cream????

[iainm9438]

ok, give me a couple of hours to wake up and i'll post the meeting place / route etc.

[DBoy]

Sweet:-D

[iainm9438]

ok, i will losing my internet anytime now so in case i'm not back online in time, lets say 12.00 at the air baloon pub car park?
rob, if you're coming and you don't know the air baloon - it's off the M5 at jnc11A, head for Cirencester and it's the pub at the top of the hill on the A417 iirc. (at the roundabout - can't miss it).

[Motorhead]

ok, i will losing my internet anytime now so in case i'm not back online in time, lets say 12.00 at the air baloon pub car park?

see you there



rob, if you're coming and you don't know the air baloon - it's off the M5 at jnc11A, head for Cirencester and it's the pub at the top of the hill on the A417 iirc. (at the roundabout - can't miss it).

2939

[Robsomerset]

Found the pub on maps and in sat nav. 'Bout an hour away so all being good should see you guys there.

[iainm9438]

ok, i'm back on line with my new IP.
so list of who's coming on sunday:

1. motorhead
2. robsomerset
3. dboy
4. iainm9438

planning on going to british camp at malvern - good roads and a good view from the top.

any more takers........come on you know you want to.........

[DBoy]

Blimey that was quick Iain! You sure they haven't made a mistake? Was expecting a 'tale of woe' on Sunday 'bout the utter incompetence of your new IP:)
Btw the car breezed through the MOT earlier:-D Cheers for the loan dude!

[Motorhead]

just to let you know that we have our own group now lol

Three Counties FTOOC (http://www.ftooc.org/forum/group.php?groupid=22)

I'll make a new logo when I get time, that was one I "borrowed" off the net lol

[minxy29]

Wud love to come play, but dont get paid till after bank hol boooooo :-( will definitely keep an eye on the thread tho and try and get Dale out too :-) x

[iainm9438]

Wud love to come play, but dont get paid till after bank hol boooooo :-( will definitely keep an eye on the thread tho and try and get Dale out too :-) x

pity, we could do with more members attending.....but keep your eye on the tread, there will be another in a few weeks time.

[zx7rdale]

I wont be doing a lot this side of JAE but may have a venue for a fix it day in Hereford. Anybody else going?

[Motorhead]

not to JAE this year but I would attend a fix it day in Hereford :)

[iainm9438]

+1

[DBoy]

Definitely!
Right list of things to do
1. Fit GPX brake upgrade
2. Remove of air-con system
3. Replace rear trailing arm donuts
4. Cold-air feed bodge, sorry I mean 'custom modification'
5. Replace/refit front bumper, rear bumper and bonnet
6. Underseal entire car

PS. Do they have a spray booth?:-D

[Motorhead]

and if there is any time left lol

1. find and fix my brake fluid leak
2. make my ignition barrel glow blue instead of yellow

[iainm9438]

Definitely!
Right list of things to do
1. Fit GPX brake upgrade
2. Remove of air-con system
3. Replace rear trailing arm donuts
4. Cold-air feed bodge, sorry I mean 'custom modification'
5. Replace/refit front bumper, rear bumper and bonnet
6. Underseal entire car

PS. Do they have a spray booth?:-D


and what you going to do for the rest of the day? lol

[iainm9438]

and if there is any time left lol

1. find and fix my brake fluid leak
2. make my ignition barrel glow blue instead of yellow

no 2 is a 5 min job. i can do this for you if you get the blue led.

[Motorhead]

no 2 is a 5 min job. i can do this for you if you get the blue led.

I'll order the bulb now :)

[DBoy]

and what you going to do for the rest of the day? lol
Become president of the entire world, marry Kiera Knightly, bring about world peace and cure the common cold. That should see me through to lunchtime then down the pub!:-D

[Motorhead]

nearly forgot lol

3. source and fit decat pipe

[DBoy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fto-Blueflame-Decat-Pipe-Brand-New-/120767737433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1e516e59

Just found this Jules^^
Gotta wait 3 days but get it for that money and it's a steal:-)

[Motorhead]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fto-Blueflame-Decat-Pipe-Brand-New-/120767737433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1e516e59

Just found this Jules^^
Gotta wait 3 days but get it for that money and it's a steal:-)

ta ;)

[Robsomerset]

Definitely coming tomorrow so see you there guys.

[ricko]

have a great day tomorrow guys shame i cant make it ...im in burton on trent at the mo visiting relatives...see you next time

[zx7rdale]

If the boss is in a good mood Undersealing wont be a problem as there are two lorry pits which makes things very easy. 3001 lol
No spray booth im afraid air con removal shouldn't be too hard I had to take some of it off to do Emmas water pump/ cam belt. Thats Julie undersealing her fto never thought I would see the day.

[zx7rdale]

and if there is any time left lol

1. find and fix my brake fluid leak
2. make my ignition barrel glow blue instead of yellow

No 1 very easy to find over the pit

[iainm9438]

looking forward to the fix it day. any idea when it will be?

just an update for tomorrow: i now have 2 routes downloaded so we can have a vote on which one to do when we meet up at the air balloon.

[zx7rdale]

I will try to get permission off my boss for fairly soon after JAE. He is normally very good letting me use the workshop. Hopefully a few more won't be a problem. Probably be a disclaimer to sign as in if you fall down the pit unlucky lol.

[Motorhead]

No 1 very easy to find over the pit

That will be handy, I've got a gravel drive that's on a slope and no trolley jack or axle stands (as yet) so haven't risked getting underneath for a proper look, I'm hoping its just some weepy seals, losing about 1cm worth of fluid in the res per month




just an update for tomorrow: i now have 2 routes downloaded so we can have a vote on which one to do when we meet up at the air balloon.

nice one :)
I washed mine today but if this rain keeps up she will be filthy again by the time I get to the Air Balloon, it's cross country for me till I hit the A40 lol


Probably be a disclaimer to sign as in if you fall down the pit unlucky lol.

yeah that will be me that will lol

although last weekend we all managed to stand in the same piece of dog sh#t despite warning each other that it was there after we had skidded in it so it might be an idea to have st Johns ambulance on standby lol

[iainm9438]

i'm not bothering washing mine. i did it last week and it pee'd down and now it's all dirty again!
i know if i even get the hose pipe out it will rain so a dirty fto for me today.

[Robsomerset]

Was great meeting up with you guys. Got to Caerphilly in good time and picked up the tent. Now out on the **** to see mates band. Plenty of cider on the go.

[iainm9438]

great to meet you rob. glad you enjoyed the day. i do have a route to cheddar which we may be able to squeeze in in the next few weeks if you fancy a meet down your way?
i'll post up some pics when i get 'em downloaded.

[Motorhead]

It was good to meet you Rob and apologies for keeping everybody waiting, the M5 being closed was a nightmare

[AaronM]

i do have a route to cheddar which we may be able to squeeze in in the next few weeks if you fancy a meet down your way?

Let me know too as I live there :P

Speaking of which, just went up the gorge and there was a big meet of cars, apparently they do it on the last Sunday of every month so maybe do a mini meet there sometime.

[iainm9438]

ok, managed to upload some pics through photobucket (eventually!) of yesterdays gloucestershire (3 counties FTOOC) mini meet:

we started off at the 'Air Balloon' near to birdlip.
dboy, me, robsomerset:
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0154.jpg
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0149.jpg

and motorhead (who got stuck in the M5 accident diversion traffic but still made it to the meet)
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0155.jpg

from the air balloon i had planned a nice little route through some lovely twisty roads (some of my old biking routes) to Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury and eventually ending up at British Camp in the Malvern hills.
here we are at the British camp Cafe:
mrs robsomerset, robsomerset, mrs iainm9438, mrs motorhead, motorhead and dboy (yet again i manage to avoid the camera) :-)
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0156.jpg

so, after a couple of coffees and bacon rolls, we said goodbye to mr and mrs robsomerset as they had to shoot off early and we ventured up to British Camp (an early settlement fort 1100 feet above the Worcestershire countryside):
turned out to be a bit of a climb :-)
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0166.jpg

but it was well worth the climb to get views like this:
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0177.jpg

and looking back over the rest of the Malvern hills:
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n414/iainm9438/FTOOC/DSCF0176.jpg

from British camp it was back down the hills (past where i had my near fatal crash 3 months ago.....shiver) and on through Upton on Severn, Pershore and back to tewkesbury before stopping off for a cuppa at mr and mrs motorhead's place.

all in all a really good day with, again, some nice flowing roads and great company.

due to fact we only have about 6 to 8 weeks of 'good' weather left, i was hoping t get a few more meets in.
for the next one i am planning a trip to Stratford on Avon next weekend (3-4 Sept). not sure which day yet, any preferences?
all welcome so please don't be shy......post up your name and hope to see next weekend. :-)

[Motorhead]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fto-Blueflame-Decat-Pipe-Brand-New-/120767737433?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c1e516e59

Just found this Jules^^
Gotta wait 3 days but get it for that money and it's a steal:-)

out bid by a quid grrrrr
I forgot it ended this evening