I was just remembering what a laugh last year's SOC National was and it set me thinking about this year's event.

I know it's still a long way off, but thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask if anyone fancied forming a bit of a team to help with the organisation this year.

I've already had a couple of bright ideas of how to further improve on last year's format. :roll: :cheesy:

We'd also welcome offers from anyone with culinary expertise who might be prepared to do a stint at 'feeding the 5,000'. (Big thanks to Big Nev, Bill J and Ageybaby/Kevitree for their super efforts last time).

Maybe someone out there has a special skill for big breakfasts? :wink:

Send me a quick PM if you feel you can spare a little effort to 'chip in'.

Regards

Mark P

This is how we're doing so far:

Celebrity chef 1 - Big Nev - Curry King
Celebrity chef 2 - Bill J - Chilli Meister
Celebrity chef 3 - Ageybaby and the BBQ allstars
Breakfast specialist 1 - Alex
Breakfast specialist 2 - Ageybaby
Cocktail specialist - Jim and his cocktail shaking roadshow!

Help with organising: 10 (I've automatically included key people from last time)

Sorry fellas, but I've trimmed this post back to the original question to keep it focussed.

We'll ask for suggestions/comments etc once we have a bit of a team in place (coming along nicely - thanks to everyone who's dropped me a line so far!)

Regards

Mark P

When is the National this year?

When is the National this year?

... and where is it going to be?

Doesn't seem to be anything on the SOC GB website... :roll:

Mark
:cheesy:

where is it going to be?
Keswick in the Lake District.

Holly Shi*e! That's a long way up. Anyone know any cheap petrol stations along the way? :roll:

Looks like it's good 3rd gear country though :cheesy:

Mark
:cheesy:

Doesn't seem to be anything on the SOC GB website... :roll:

Mark
:cheesy:

Oi! There's a very good reason for that!

Looks like it's good 3rd gear country though :cheesy:
And lots of Gatsos :evil: (Or is that the Peak District??)

where is it going to be?
Keswick in the Lake District.

Is this true or a joke?? it's a long way for us south coasters to travel!

where is it going to be?
Keswick in the Lake District.
Is this true or a joke?? it's a long way for us south coasters to travel!
No joke.

hell5 bolock5 i will do a fortune in optimax getting there :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

I've just looked up the route. From my home it's 242.8 miles :o, while from Exeter it's 338.4 miles. In contrast, last year's National in Newark was 149.0 miles form my home and 244.6 miles from Exeter.

look it up from portsmouth please!

So am I going to do something dumb like offer overnight camping facilities in my back garden for all the softy southerners :cheesy:

Have now got hard hat on and looking for flameproof suit :cheesy:

So am I going to do something dumb like offer overnight camping facilities in my back garden for all the softy southerners :cheesy:

Have now got hard hat on and looking for flameproof suit :cheesy:

You calling me soft!! hehe

look it up from portsmouth please!
http://www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp

:roll:

Do you have a post code of where we are heading for?

Nope.

Don't even know when it is, never mind precisely where it is. Apparently, previous events held by the SOC's Keswick Chapter ;) have been held at the Rugby Club but I do not know if that's a large enough venue for the National.

look it up from portsmouth please!

From: Portsmouth,Hants
To: Keswick,Cumb

Total Distance: 340.4 miles

Mark
:cheesy:

Torpoint Cornwall - Keswick Cumbria = 382.8 miles. Still it gives the car a good run :lol:

OK i'm looking at this being another fine event to attend
However Mrs Kev has stipulated that we (Big Nev & I) are detained after consumption of alcohol so as not to be caught returning things!

Don't know what you're talking about...

http://home.btconnect.com/greenphotos/SOC/images/DSC00977.jpg


Mark
:cheesy:

Finally! - a national in the north. Only 70 miles cross country for me :cheesy:

Don't know what you're talking about...



Mark
:cheesy:

It wasnt that we were putting back

Don't know what you're talking about...

Mark
:cheesy:

It wasnt that we were putting back

I know... but so long as 'The Swift Sweede' comes in 1st at 10/1 odds in the 2 o'clock we'll be in for a good time... :cheesy:

Mark
:cheesy:

288 miles for me!

The AA reckon the trip will take 5h 37 mins...they clearly don't know me...I'll allow 53h 7 mins :cheesy: Best make it a week long holiday :!

dave you sure you don't drive a beige 99 at the weekends :wink: n your name is really norman or suchlike :nono; :wink:

Don't let Tom see that post!! :o

Beige 99! Not me! but I've actually got my eye on a nice rose quartz coloured 5 door 900i with tartan rugs...and auto tranmission naturally...ooh where's me cheque book :wink:

I see from this month's edition of Driver magazine that the SOC National will be held from 18th - 20th June 2004 at Davidson Park, Keswick.

Full address:
Keswick Rugby Football Club Ltd
Davidson Park
Keswick, Cumbria
CA12 5EG
Tel 017687 72823

Maps:
http://www.hexfiles.com/saabcentral/soc_national_2004/soc_national_2004_map1.gif

http://www.hexfiles.com/saabcentral/soc_national_2004/soc_national_2004_map2.gif

http://www.hexfiles.com/saabcentral/soc_national_2004/soc_national_2004_map3.gif

Multimap:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=326000&Y=523500&scale=10000&coordsys=gb

I see from this month's edition of Driver magazine that the SOC National will be held from 18th - 20th June 2004 at Davidson Park, Keswick.

Argh... Typical... I'm going to be sunning it up in a villa in Spain from the 12th - 19th...

I missed last year's too... :evil:

I dare not plan to go, I may have this years final exam around those dates :roll: .

Just booked the week before and week after off so we are coming for sure :wink:

The Lake District is a tremendously picturesque place, and there are some incredible roads to have a bit of a blast on. (Anyone who came on the last Lake District meet will confirm :wink: ).

I might even take a few extra days off work, and make it a bit of a holiday!

I'm sad to announce that Trailer Tent Tone's Trailer Tent may not be in operation for this event. As I have no tow-bar. I'll let everyone know if the situation changes!

I can't make the meet, but if I could I'd be sorely tempted to go here as well...

http://members.aol.com/cotsmm/cotspg2.html

Check out the cars they own!!!

Check out the cars they own!!!
Like this one :cheesy:
http://members.aol.com/cotsmm/del.gif

They also have Knight Industries 200 :) and loads of others. Might have to pay them a visit ;)

Exactly, I was thinking more like Magnum's Ferrari..

http://members.aol.com/cotsmm/magnum.gif

Not to mention most of the bond cars... 8)

They also have Knight Industries 200 :) and loads of others. Might have to pay them a visit ;)

Micheal Knight might be a bit upset by driving around in KITH though :cheesy: :cheesy:

Oh lets take out that Ford V8 Falcon from MadMax Whooooooooooo :cheesy:
Childhood fantasy that one
Can I wear my leather can I huhu

Dead :cheesy:

I'm sad to announce that Trailer Tent Tone's Trailer Tent may not be in operation for this event. As I have no tow-bar. I'll let everyone know if the situation changes!

Speak to Alanb as he took his tow bar off at kodak.

David!

So who's all going to the National this year? How many of you are camping and howm any are staying in hotels or guest house's?

Tent for me, I dont need to pre book guests! and i can get as drunk as i like and dont need a key to get to bed.

David!

I can't make the National this year :cry:

However,I can still make the Curry as long as someone can come over and pick it up en-route.

I'll be there too, but I don't yet know about accommodation until we sort out where the Saloon's going to be.

I can't make the meet, but if I could I'd be sorely tempted to go here as well...

http://members.aol.com/cotsmm/cotspg2.html

Check out the cars they own!!!

Thye seem to be missing an important one in the James Bond section that might interest us most.

nothing Definate but I may be persuaded to engage 5th gear for a couple of hours up the M6, and practice a nice bit of 3rd gear cross country boogie for a day out with the missus.

Tone,

If you want the tow bar mate, it's yours :wink:

Alanb

We'll be there - our first National since becoming members several years ago. This event usually clashes with "Weston-super-Helidays" so I'm pleased that it's on a different w/e this year. Now you all know what the "heli-" part of my userid means - I'm also a helicopter-nut (aka rotorhead), due to my 30+ years of association with those fiendishly-complex (yes, even more complex than a Saab) machines, and I am a part-time volunteer restorer at the local Helicopter Museum. It's Europe's largest all-rotary-wing collection, all under one roof, well worth a visit. It can cater for visiting groups so why don't we arrange a North Somerset / Mendips day out for the West Country folk? Maybe I should start a new thread, but choosing a date could be tricky.

We'll be driving up early on the Friday in an attempt to avoid the M5/M6 crush-hours and we'll be camping on site. Looks as though there's plenty to do. Haven't got a clue whether we'll be bringing one of the V4s - haven't even started to get it ready for its MoT yet but I suppose there's still time. It may be a case of towing/trailering it 99.9% of the way and driving it through the gate!!!

Hope to see you all there. Happy Saabing.
:lol: :cheesy:

do you have to be a soc member to attend ? if not i might come down a run :cheesy:

why don't we arrange a North Somerset / Mendips day out for the West Country folk?
Sounds fantastic :D Best bet is to post about this separately in the Lounge to gauge interest and juggle dates around. When dates and venue's been decided, stick a post in the Events forum :)

We are not SOC members (guess you could say we joined SC instead)... So whats the penalty if any? increased entrance?

And what about turning up for just the Sat/Sunday ? ...would it be easy to get in ...say... if you wanted to pitch a tent.

I like the idea of getting there early so you can find a pleasant pitch.... but looks like we may only be able to attend from the Saturday onward.

If your not members you just pay a few quid more... I'm pretty sure you have to book pitches for tents etc., in advance.

Are you allowed to sleep in the car? C900s are damn comfortable in a funny kind of way :oops:

http://www.dokeswick.com/360/davidsonpark/view.htm

a 360 view of the site.


More of Keswick here http://www.dokeswick.com/views/views_panoramics.htm


As the SOC site has no information uploaded yet it would be helpful at the moment if someone could post site camping/fee's/events etc that are planned... We need to know if we can get in and pitch a tent on day 2 without any hassle.
I assume the SOC Driver mag may have this info?..... for such a large event the info seems to be quite late.

I'll be there too, but I don't yet know about accommodation until we sort out where the Saloon's going to be.
Well, I can assure you there won't be space for one at this year's event. While I was in Keswick a couple of weeks ago, I went looking for the rugby ground. They'll be setting aside half the ground for traders and activities and I could see that they'll be hard pressed to fit all the cars, tents and caravans in the remaining space. I'd be very surprised if they're willing to let anyone have any extra space unless they're prepared to pay a goodly amount extra for it.

It will be nothing like last year's in terms of space and Leon and I have already decided not to do the Performance Saabs stand this year because even though we got the go-ahead from the organisers, it would have to be so small it wouldn't work well at all.

So, I take it that when you are on site you won't be able to come and go...such as a day trip in the car? due to the chaos this could cause. ? :roll:

Which ever way you try and cut it you would be stuck in a field without transport.

So, I take it that when you are on site you won't be able to come and go...such as a day trip in the car? due to the chaos this could cause. ? :roll:
Having spoken to the organisers, they are keen to minimise movement of vehicles during the weekend, for precisely that reason. Not only to avoid inconvenience but also danger to others, especially children.

What about finding a cheap campsite in the area and all meeting there and just visiting the National as "Day Visitors"?

Exactly., I guess most people will be using B&B then. or what about surrounding camp sites over the venue dates as suggested?

We were once trapped unable to safely leave a similar festival camping in a congested field. As the rain never stopped we were all bogged down and none of the events could take place.
Whilst also in a remote area even a visit to the nearest pub or fish and chip shop was not an attractive option.

Frustrating as there was so much to do in the area even during bad weather (if you had transport)


Even if the weather is glorious throughout campers will need to replenish stocks...food/beer etc.

The event was publicised in Saab driver as being located in an area with "lots to do and see" - but if the organisers don't want cars leaving/entering the site it sounds as though we're going to be stuck in Keswick and walking everywhere. That doesn't seem to meet the aim of the event (have a good time, visit some local places of interest) ......... or am I being cynical? Maybe I'll review my plans to camp on site and go for B&B or another local site as I don't want to have our car stuck on site all weekend. Legally, no-one can be prevented from leaving whenever they want to - "false imprisonment" - it's already come up as the result of over-enthusiastic "organisation" of a couple of events in the South when attendees were physically prevented from driving their cars out of the venue until 5pm. Hope that doesn't happen here! I'm sure it will be enjoyable - looking forward to it, really!

I'm only reporting what I've been told while trying to organise a stand there. If anyone has any concerns, why not call the organisers at Cumbria Saab Branch to get the whole story? I don't want people moaning about it just because I said so - I might have misinterpreted it... :roll:

as heli-saaber points out I would also look forward to the event... I am really curious to attend a SOC National.

Even though the event itself will probably be a fantastic weekend out in its own right and 'the Lakes' are comparatively close to us, the thought of been in the center of the district and not explore further seems to be a waste.

Sorry for the negative speculation, its only brought on by the lack of details from the SOC web site at this point.
Problem is we have to book holiday time now.

I emailed the social secretary at SOC to see if they could give any more information regarding camping spaces and if we would be allowed to move the cars during the weekend. Got a reply back yesterday at work basically saying 'Sorry, I have resigned as secretary so don't know any more information and cant help you'. So I think we may give the national a miss this year as SOC seem to be very disorganised and the website is not particularly informative. Probably the best thing to do would be to find a nearby campsite or farm that would be willing to put up with our racket for a couple of days!

The last thing we need is ...... "It's 00:45 fellow saabists and while trying not to spoil your fun some of us are trying to sleep!" :lol:

So whats happening guys with the National? Are people still going and if so are you going to campin the Rugby ground or elsewhere?

I think I'll be either camping nearby or finding a nice cheap B&B. I'll try and find a reasonably close campsite first though, as I quite fancy a bit of a BBQ extravaganza :wink:

[Edit] I've found this site, which even has a 'group' field away from the main field. Are enough people considering camping to allow us to book it? We could probably still utilise the marquee if this was the case... 8) I've enquired if it is available.

http://www.hollowsfarm.co.uk/field_group.htm

Camping

[1] Mark P
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

Camping

[1] Mark P
[2] Jim
[3] Martin
[4] Twisty
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

Come on guys lets get this SC party on the road!!

Update - the 'group' field is available, so we have the opportunity to have our own area away from the other campers. Get your names on the list ASAP if you're up for it!

I'll wait until midday on Monday 17 May before making a decision. If we get enough interest (I think 10 tents as a minimum), I'll book it. If not I'll decline the offer to use it.

I'd be up for that - do you have any idea of cost at the mo mark?

[1] Mark P
[2] Jim
[3] Martin
[4] Twisty
[5] akamal
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

Sounds like it could be a laugh...

[1] Mark P
[2] Jim
[3] Martin
[4] Twisty
[5] akamal
[6] Munki & Mrs Munki
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

[1] Mark P
[2] Jim
[3] Martin
[4] Twisty
[5] akamal
[6] Munki & Mrs Munki
[7] Alex
[8]
[9]
[10]

I'd be up for that - do you have any idea of cost at the mo mark?


Just waiting to hear back from them if it's any different from the usual charge.

The standard tariff is cheap:

£3.00 per adult / £1.50 child (5-15yrs) and £1 per tent per night.

[1] Mark P
[2] Jim
[3] Martin
[4] Twisty
[5] akamal
[6] Munki & Mrs Munki
[7] Alex
[8] Tone & possibly Tone's mate Matthew
[9]
[10]

On behalf of the SOC, I'd like to apologise for the fairly slack updating of the website. There's SOME info up there, but seeing as a good proportion of the board have retired, the flow of information has been less than fluid. Things ARE looking better now, and everyone is doing their level best!
Even me.

Tick tock people!

I need your names if we're going to do this thing. :roll:

Pity!

I'll probably still be camping there though, just without the marquee.

even though the trailer tent got ripped to bits a few years ago i think we'll sort something out tent wise .i'll need to speak to the love of my life :cheesy: but should be ok

Had a look at the wbsite, it looks agreat place to camp and if we can get our own field away from everyone else, even better!! Come onguys get signing up.

It loks like we are going to go ahead and book anyway as it looks rather nice.

Well played. I'm probably not bringing the trailer, but I'll have tent anyway!

That's me, Martin 900s and Twisty all booked for the National, ccamping at the Rugby Ground so not too far to stagger back to the tent and it means all 3 of us can have a drink without worrying about who's driving back to the campsite. We hope we will meet up with some of you there?

Being that this event is only 3 weeks away, and whilst the 99 should be on the road by then, there's no way I'd trust it on a journey that far! Think I'll give this years one a miss.

I'm in but not camping. The town is just a short staggering distance away. :oops:

Is there a ginormous carry out organised?

Sorry, system crash caused me to post twice, three times now. Ah well I haven't posted for a while. :roll:

Sorry, system crash caused me to post twice, three times now. Ah well I haven't posted for a while. :roll:

Allow me! :wink: :cheesy:

I'm in but not camping. The town is just a short staggering distance away. :oops:

Is there a ginormous carry out organised?

Hi Skib, I don't know if anything has been organised but I am sure I can find you a glass or two of wine or maybe even a G&T if you fancy it?

I'm not camping either, but will be parked on-site and I'll be endeavouring to bring a moderate "carry-oot" with me. Perhaps between the five of us we might manage a small ginormous carry-out?

I'll be there, sorted B&B in town, and should arrive early saturday morning.
Looking forward to rummageing through the boxes of bits!
Beer in Clubhouse is Jennings, plenty of good pubs around, Keswick usually set up a communal oil drum BBQ if you want to self cater on the Saturday night.

I've bought a genuine Saab rubber boot mat, and was wondering if someone could collect it for me from the seller...? It's looking increasingly likely that I won't be at the National this year.

Matthew,
I should be able to do that, I suppose it fit's in the boot.
send me the details beforehand.
Fred

Hurrah! Thanks Fred :D 8) It should fit perfectly into the boot of your 3dr 8)

Hi there all you who are coming to the National, 8)
Just to clear a few points up, of course you can come and go from the field as you wish at any time, but once you've seen the prices in our bar, you won't want to go far. On Saturday there is a trip to our local brewery 3 seats left on the bus! Also there is a treasure hunt, around our roads!
Tou may need first gear.
Not so many traders are coming so everyone will be able to sell all those bits that are stoppping you getting the car in the garage.
There will be plenty of room 3 rugby pitches plus a car park plus rough land. You won't fing a cheaper camp site in Keswick it is a tourist area with a short season, they have to make their money somehow!
Hope to see you on Friday

... but once you've seen the prices in our bar, you won't want to go far.

That's a good enough reason for me! 8)

Due to funding issues, I'll just be up for a day trip on Saturday. :(

Still, see some of you then, I'm sure! :cheesy:

Tone, you have mail! :wink:

We won't be making it up there this year, but good luck and happy Saabing to all that do.

Remember to get lots of pics and remember to get up to no good - Fellow Saabists it is 8:49 and I wish I was in bed!

Mark
:cheesy:

Unfortunately, for business reasons, we won't be making it to the National this year after all :cry: :cry: . Hope you all have a wonderful time, that the weather stays fine for you and the bar never runs dry!!

We'll be day visitors on Saturday - hope to see you guys there.

Hey Orca

Keep an eye out for Tone and myself. It'd be nice to say hello!

I'm the handsome one, remember... :cheesy:

I'm the handsome one, remember... :cheesy:
Well, I can guarantee you won't be hard to spot :cheesy:

Keep an eye out for Tone and myself. It'd be nice to say hello!

I'm the handsome one, remember... :cheesy:

I'll be the one carrying a bottle of wine. At 8am.

Damn it's this weekend..!! I really lunched it on this one...I think I might take a drive up tomorrow for a laugh...anyone got room in a tent for two?

Just got back from a "day visit" to the SOC National. Well, what a rainy day it was over in Keswick :cry: Still, lots of nice C900s, some new(er) SAABs and some older ones. Not much to do other than wander around an ever-muddying field looking at nice SAABs in the rain, so not a bad day really :wink:

Nice to meet up with MarkP and Tone - when the tedium of the event got too much, we waited until the officials were looking the other way, skipped the fence and ran off for a beer :cheesy:

Hope the guys'n'gals staying over are not drowned by the morning - good luck people :cheesy:

I wish I could have made it this year :cry: Still, no significant rain here for nearly 5 weeks now :cheesy: :cheesy:

Alanb

I wish I could have made it this year :cry: Still, no significant rain here for nearly 5 weeks now :cheesy: :cheesy:

AlanbWe had 20 minutes in the Midlands, enough to top up the water butts. Sadly no SOC for me either, what with being in term time, I will not take the children out of school. So instead today i finished laying the elements for the underfloor heating and started laying tiles, 14 down 176 to go :o Guess what I'm doing tomorrow :roll: .

well yesterday my missus and i decided at the last minuite to go to the national for the day, given that it was a 250 mile drive we packed an overnight back with the intention of finding a B&B, well after driving for 4 hours we arrived paid out £6 to get in as a day visiter walked around bumped into markp tone and paul said a quick hello looked around some more (in the vain hope that there may be some thing to look at)said a few hellos to people we know and then drove the 250 miles home again (we was in the little chef longer than the natianal)so if you was disapionted that you couldn't go, dont be you missed nothing.

a very nackared boxman,

on a good piont i did manage to do 434 miles on a tank of petrol

I only realised yesterday that the national was this weekend and I've got the marquee :oops: I hope it's not rained too much and you're all having a great time :D

LOL at boxman’s comments! I decided to use the time to better effect and go to the track day at Anglesey instead! After the national last year, it was hard to believe that the event this year would even come close.

David!

moan moan moan moan... :wink:

Well!

I couldn't have agreed more with you at the time, and looking back, even though I ghad a great time, if I'd only come up for the day I would have been thoroughly miserbale. I think it's proven that the national is a serious double-edged sword. A great opportunity to come and meet people you know, and people you've never met before. (Was nice to meet you Mr Boxman btw!) A great excuse to have a big social event and a class p1ss up.

HOWEVER, if you're just coming up for the day, there really was p1ss all to do. The Advanced driving thing was on early saturday, so anyone coming from far away would either miss it, be knackered cos they got up at 2am, or be so tired from driving that the last thing they want to do is drive more.

The rain didn't help matters, but there was a severe absence of traders.

It WAS a great excuse to meet up and get drunk, and a fine excuse to come and sample the lovely countryside up there.

But it was obvious that most of the people who'd only come for the day were totally dissapointed and, in all honesty, not really catered for.

THAT SAID, it was one of the best weekends I've had in ages, and what they did get right, they got VERY right, so congrats to Cumbria Branch of the SOC for that.

I'm trying to be fair here, because (as I think everyone knows) I'm reasonably well involved the SOC, but I really think the national is selling itself short. I believe (from some VERY bitter experience), that if you're only going for the day, it's almost not worth bothering. The whole feel to the event is so relaxed and leisurely, that you have to be there a really long time to get much from it. There wasn't much in the way of trade stands this year (I'm sure not for the lack of asking) so anyone looking for bits was almost automatically dissapointed. But As the evening wore on on Saturday, people started to emerge, blinking from their friday night hangover and the place came alive a bit. The problem was, this was as most of the day trippers were leaving.

A quick trip to the bar (surprisingly cosy and good-natured imho) and another quick trip to the offy, followed by 8 hours drinking in a tent with friendly people, (even home-brew baring strangers!) and everything sorted out. Great night.

There was probably more to do on the Sunday, with all the show cars gleaming and lot's more in the way of swedish metalwork to look at.

I'll stop now, cos I'm tired, and obviously rambling, but I'll write a thread about my experience of the national properly (with pictures) in a bit when I've had some sugary drink.

Cheers...

Tone, where were you and Mark hiding, couldn't find you anywhere after the morning meet

Tone, where were you and Mark hiding, couldn't find you anywhere after the morning meet

We went out for a mini drive in Pauls t8 to see if we could identify his weird (actually normal) gear noise.

We actually passed you in town, i think. When we got back, we could find your car but couldn't find you! :oops:

We went out for a mini drive in Paul's t8 to see if we could identify his weird (actually normal) gear noise.

I'm very glad to hear my first gear "wrrrroiiinngggg" noise is perfectly normal :cheesy: but do either you or Mark own a running T8 :-?? :o :wink: Still, it didn't make that noise before the clutch was changed :!

I really enjoyed the day - we aimed to arrive about lunch time, hoping to catch whatever activities were planned for the afternoon. Trudging around a muddy rugby field seemed to be about all that was on offer though! We spent about five hours in total driving (avoiding any motorway driving) and about four hours there. My wife really enjoyed it too (being a SAAB wife), but we both found the lack of activity to be very disappointing for a day visitor. Okay, if the weather was better, perhaps some more bonnet lifting and socialising would have happened, but ... it was raining and the organisers did not seem to put too much thought into what to offer if that happened, so everyone retreated to their tents/caravans.

Highlight of the day? Probably laughing with Tone at some local fartcan Astra driving Ned's sideburns :! RIPSPEED, dude :nono; Oh, the cars ... great cars everyone 8) Love that beige 92?/93? that the Belgian's were sitting next to and the red 96 with the big Hellas that I flashed at on the way out of Keswick.

Photos to follow, but I have a retarted OG film-type camera that needs developing ...

Okay, if the weather was better, perhaps some more bonnet lifting and socialising would have happened...

You would have absolutely loved this morning. Clean car city. I learnt about 50 sad facts that I'll reel off next time there's a 99 AND a c900 to compare, just while looking at all the showy ones. Great stuff.

Sounds like I was right not bothering. Didn't really think the old girl was up to the trip anyway as I think the gearbox is just about to self destruct.

It always rains in the Lakes anyway!

So I was told. (By some bloke once)

We actually passed you in town, i think. When we got back, we could find your car but couldn't find you! :oops:

Did I look like the sober one, the others were testing some sexy looking Jennings ales

Think I found your car, by the description of the doors, but its a different colour mate so , I'm afriad no swapping doors :wink:

Think I found your car, by the description of the doors, but its a different colour mate so , I'm afriad no swapping doors :wink:

Ooh. Is it a darker green than yours then? I wasn't quite sure.