March Meet - Next Sunday!

[conrod]

Dear All,

I’ve just realised that next Sunday (16th) is actually the third Sunday of the month – and hence is the next Thames Valley meet!

My Dax is temporarily off the road again at the moment – so I’ll be in the tin-top. My electric choke got stuck in the on position last week, so I decided to fit a manual choke conversion (I know many people advise dumping the choke completely, but my original carb had no choke, and the trouble I had starting it early on Sunday mornings resulted in too many complaints from the neighbours about the noise – so this isn’t an option for me!). Fitting the Holley manual choke conversion was an interesting experience, which I’ll save for the next newsletter. As the carb had been running rich on idle, I decided to take the opportunity of going down a size on the primary jets – and then found that the “reusable” Holley float bowl gaskets came apart on disassembly. Anyway, jets and gaskets are on order from the States, so it should be back on the road next week. I’ve also fitted micro-switches to show when the choke is on (useful with a manual choke!) and also when the vacuum secondaries open (useful for tuning and fuel economy on long drives) – again I hope to write all this up in the newsletter.

Talking of noise, this seems to have been a bit of an issue at the last meet, and instigated some subsequent debate on the Thames Valley forum. My personal view is that The Swan is a good venue, as it has a large car park, has an outside bar, and has CCTV coverage of the car park viewable from the inside bar. But the owners do need to be conscious of their neighbours, which I understand from my personal experiences (see above!). I don’t see keeping the foot off the loud pedal whilst entering and leaving the pub as being that big an issue – it’s the banter, company and surroundings that are the key things. However, opinions differ, and if the majority view is that we should seek a new venue, then I’m happy to make alternative arrangements. Some regions vary the venue each month, others use the venue just as a meeting point for an organised group drive out. These take more organising, but as I am now fully retired (bliss!) I have more time available, and would therefore be happy to look into these if this is what you folks would prefer.

Hopefully we can discuss this on Sunday. If you can’t make Sunday (if the weather’s like this, I wouldn’t blame you!) then please let me know your views either by email or by phone. I’d much rather discuss this by these means rather than in public over the forum – in my experience, things can quickly get out of hand with the latter approach!

Any of you who, like me, thought the next meet was on the 23rd (which is the Easter weekend) might like to consider the “Wheels Day” event at the Rushmoor Arena outside Aldershot on Good Friday (21st). Noel has made arrangements for a group attendance – see the “Wheelsday 2008” thread on the “Events” forum for details. I have a diary clash at the moment, but I’m hoping to be able to join the guys. But let’s hope the weather improves between now and then!

Roll on summer!

Alan

[jeff]

weather not looking good for sunday at the moment but I will be there if forecast improves

[conrod]

If the weather is cr@p (I suspect it will be ) it would be good if you could come along in the tin-top as I'm keen to chat with as many of you as possible about the coming (hopefully warmer and dryer!) season - venues, events etc.

It may be of interest to you guys for me to re-publish the analysis I made of TV members and where they live - see attached. The "pushpins" indicate individual members. The main cluster is in Reading, and the majority of members are in the Basingstoke/Reading/Bagshot triangle, with the rest scattered all over Oxfordshire and West Bucks. So moving the venue around might be better for the Oxfordshire members.

But this is all to be discussed!

[Bigblock]

You might want to check to see if London Irish are at Mad Stad on Sunday as it is St Patrick’s Day on Monday and the two usually meet. If it is there will be 24,000 supporters at the Mad Stad and many of them drink at the Swan before hand.

With 48,000 pints of Guinness drank last year I suspect some of them may not be too good on their feet. Also I believe the pub also puts up a giant tent in the front of the pub.

Like I said I’m not sure if there is a game but when there has been you wont get near the pub.

[conrod]

Dave,

That's a damn good point - and I suspect you're absolutely right!

I'll check today and post an update later. With the crap weekend weather forecast, we might be better off pushing it back.

I needed something to fill in some time before my root canal work at the dentist this afternoon ........ ouch!!

Watch this space!

[conrod]

Dave was indeed spot on. There is a London Irish match on Sunday, and The Swan (and most of that area) will be jam-packed. Add to that the fact that the weather forecast isn’t good, I’ve decided to cancel this meet.

As per my initial post I’m hoping to get to Wheels Day on Good Friday – so this can be the substitute March meet! It’s looking like a good turnout – let’s hope the weather is as good as it was for last year’s.

Cheers,

Alan

[Bigblock]

Not usually right, only when the wife says I can be.

Have a look at the thread
Wheelsday 2008, Friday 21 March

I believe they are all meeting at the Wellington Monument near Aldershot at 08:30, should be a nice drive.
Dont get it mixed up with the Welly Monument on the A33

If it's nice should hopefully see you all there. I believe I have a one day pass organised, although I'm not sure what it is going to cost me