East Anglia Region - Newsletter July 2004

[route66]

Hi all,
June’s meet, at The Victoria, Felixstowe Ferry, commenced with rather overcast weather. Steve and I set off in our cobra, which was still covered in French dust up to Felixstowe, in convoy with Cefin & Ann, Ian & Debbie. It was just as well that we followed the others as we certainly weren’t sure at all how to get to the pub. I’ve been to Felixstowe town many times in the past, but the Ferry is a small hamlet at the mouth of the River Deben to the east of the main town. It felt like we were almost in Holland.
After driving through a huge golf course, we pulled into the pub car park, to join the others. Andy Soar phoned, to let us know he was parked outside the dock gate in the port of Felixstowe and wanted to know where we were. No Andy, not THAT Felixstowe ferry. When he finally found us he was greeted by the heavens opening and a rain shower par excellence. Sorry I’m still in French mode after hearing all about the Le Mans exploits. The usual grouping in the car park admiring various parts under bonnets and in boots had to be curtailed and we gathered around the bar for a smooth pint of Adnams. Eating was impossible as it was Fathers day and the annual outing for Parents guilt day meant that bookings for lunch were impossible. Next year we’ll change either the week of the meets for Fathers and Mothers day, or we’ll have an “outing” to a stately home with a home grown picnic. Feedback please on whether this would be a good idea. It certainly would be a pleasant opportunity for a photo shoot in front of somewhere grand, and a posh shot for the front of Snake Torque. Any ideas on the venue for this opportunity?
We were joined by new member Ian Catchpole and his family who are currently putting up with him spending all hours in his garage building his Sumo. He has made several contacts now to assist him with the build, and he even had a lift home in Guy’s cobra – just to fire his enthusiasm further.
Sadly, nobody built sandcastles on the beach or took a dip in the sea. We didn’t have enough umbrellas to make this possible I don’t think!

The week before, our foreign travellers went to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Sportscar race or, more likely, their 5 day party. Suffice it to say, they had a jolly time and consumed more that their share of alcohol as can be seen in the photograph. No wonder Steve is not keen for me to go! My month of abstinence from alcohol would be torture with all drinking and giggling except me. Steve had to completely rebuild the motor of his electric cooling fan (and got very irate on the phone to me – as though I was personally responsible for the hot weather), the Chevy pickup support vehicle had to be brought back to Blighty on the back of a car transporter due to a broken transmission and a certain individual was fined 90 euros and “mislaid” his passport when stopped by the police. They must have had a really good time. I looked after the chickens instead, and did lots of sunbathing (aah the joys of “working from home”) and had lots of early nights.

Here’s a link to Steve’s photos if you fancy seeing what they got up to (there are actually some photos of the racing as well!) http://community.webshots.com/album/153279017icmjFD


This month’s local cobra meet is on Sunday 18th July at 12:00 at The Gamekeeper, Old Buckenham, West Norfolk. Many thanks to Simon Finlay for suggesting this pub.
Old Buckenham is on the B1077 between Diss and Attleborough.
The pub, on The Green, dates back to the 17th century and keeps local ales and good seasonal food.
As usual, let me know if you’ll be eating by the Thursday before the meet so that I can notify numbers to the pub, as they do require confirmation. Your code word to quote this month is “banana” (this is to check if you’re actually still reading this newsletter at this stage!)

Here’s the list of East Anglian meets for 2004.
August 15th - CRC East Anglian annual Summer Barbeque and fun afternoon
September 19th – East Norfolk – Coltishall – CRC East Anglian annual road run & treasure hunt
October 17th – East Suffolk – The Swan, Hoxne
November 21st – West Norfolk – The Fox Inn, Garboldisham
December 4th – CRC East Anglian annual Christmas meal
December 19th – West Suffolk - White Hart, Boxford

Plus local (and no so local) car events for 2004 (dates to be confirmed)
August 6th to 8th – Old Timer Grand Prix, Nurburgring, Germany
August 14th to 15th - Great Northern Kit Car Show, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
August 29th – Charity Air / Car Show in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance, Seething, Norfolk
August 30th – Lavenham Rare Breeds Car Show and Carnival, Lavenham, Suffolk
Sept 3rd to 5th – Revival Meeting, Goodwood, West Sussex
Sept 4th to 5th - The National Kit & Performance Car Show, Castle Donington, Derbys.

Thanks to all you cobrateers, keep calling, and mailing.
Bye for now,
Eileen Call me on 01206 863804, or mail me at route66@hot2trot.freeserve.co.uk