SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Hi all,


As discussed at the last SW meet, a couple of weeks ago.
We plan to run another Exmoor drive over the Xmas period. A suggested date is Thursday 28th, meet at the B&Q just off the motorway at Taunton 10am where we'll give out route plans.
The drive will be on some excellent roads ranging from a fast A road section to a few miles of single track with passing places with great views across the moors (mist/fog permitting), mostly B roads across the moor. We'll stop for lunch in a Olde tea shop and then again to stretch our legs down by the sea for an ice cream.
Cars will be split into groups of probabaly 4 or 5 - many more and it's hard to keep everyone together and not getting lost.

Let me know if this date is o.k and we'll finalise the details.

Steve.

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

Steve

I'm in Devon over Christmas, and this sounds like a good idea!
Time and place are fine with me.

Good luck with finalising the route!

bob

Yes this will be OK for me. The last two times I have gone by myself will we be using the same route.

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Bob,

Yes, it's the one we've both now recce'd, flooding permiiting.

Steve.

PAS

iTrader: (4)

Steve,

See your mail.

We might come along if we get the Scooby back in time. That's debatable though.

Paul and Tracey

RON

Hi Steve
Count me in!
Chow for now
Ron

NOZZER

Sorry guys, busiest week of the year, sales and all that stuuff. Exmoor seems to be jinxed for me
Ian

bob

Do people really go shopping just after chrimbo or are they just taking things back?

NOZZER

People want to spend the money their gran gave them!! Our sale starts 27th so busy time. What do the wheels look like Bob? I've heard that most of the guys at tileys are now covered in Dog hair!!!
Ian

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Bob,
Tell us about new wheels and dog hairs !

Nick might come along if he can get a babysitter.

Haven't heard from Dave yet, I think he must be on nights or something.

How about you Welsh lads... Anyone fancy a decent blast across Exmoor.?


Steve.

bob

For those of you not in the know.
I had my car valet at Tiley’s and it took the cleaning lad an hour just to get the dog hairs off the rear seats. The lad done a good job and when I went into Tiley’s I found him underneath the car cleaning the backbox with wire wool. I kid you not.
It was just like picking up a brand new car, everything was shinning. Next time he can clean the inside with the Rhodesian ridgeback in it. The dog could do with a brush up too.

I had the 17” Mims taken off and replaced with a set of 17” P1 wheels with new P-zero tyres the 205 45 17 type. I cannot believe how much of a change there is in the handling of the car, even with new tyres and P-zero’s instead of the S02’s. The car now feels like it’s on rails no longer does the backend jump about and try to spin. I am now a lot faster on the bends, roll on Exmoor.
I always said I did not like the S02’s but thinking about it I only had the S02’s with the Mims so perhaps the S02’s are OK and the Mims different offset was the problem.
BTW The car is now staying in the garage. Don't want to get it dirty.

bob

Speak to me Dave up for it or no

Big Bear

I was waiting to hear if I was wanted in work befor answering , and no I won`t be able to make it . The thought of double time and a day in lieu means I can go to the states for 3 weeks instead of two in the summer
Steve won`t be going to Dono on the 30th either , can't drive any way no spaces left
Have a good Xmas and all the best for the new year . Dave

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Dave,

You know what they say, All work and no play......

Merry christmas to you mate.

See you in the new year.

Steve.

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

That makes only four of us so far with two maybes(Paul & Tracey/Nick))!

Is that all that we can muster ?


Steve.

NOZZER

Hi all ya people from the south west.
Hope you all have a merry christmas and new year.Be nice to the dragon Bob and dont eat to much chocolate Dave!! Sorry i cant make exmoor, how about mid Jan aswell? Cant wait to go. Hopefully will have rimless brake discs by then!!!!!!
Regards Ian

PAS

iTrader: (4)

Hi everyone,

Definitely won't have the scooby back by then.

Becoming rather depressed now.

Might see it next year.

Still if you think it will be ok to bring the little Nissan, we will come along.

Paul and Tracey

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Paul,

Bring the Nissan, no problem.

Steve.

bob

Looks like I can give the car a rest and view the moors for once. I must remember to take the camera.
Merry Christmas to you all.

PAS

iTrader: (4)

Would we be able to bring an Escort Cossie?

Does anyone have any objections, he doesn't slag off scoobs cause he loves them.

He just sold Sapphire Cossie and got the Escort this week. So he might like the run.

Paul

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Bring him along. It'll be interesting to see what an Escort Cossie goes like across the Moor.
Everyone else o.k with this.

Paul,
We'll probabaly put you at the back of the group, but will make sure you won't get lost as i'll be handing our route plans on the day, plus there aren't that many turns.


Merry Christmas.

Steve.

Steve.

PAS

iTrader: (4)

steve

do you want me to start at the back to give all you scoobs achance LOL

bob

But, I always start at the back.

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Bob,
You could start at the front and then order our food/ice creams so they'll be ready when we arrive !

I think we can say the drive IS on. The B&Q is just off the motorway at junction 25. Head into Taunton and at the first roundabout turn right, then left at the next to get into the car park. Suggest we aim to leave there by 10.15 - 10.30am. If anyone wants to convoy down from Bristol, then we'll be in the Gordano services. Leaving by 9.15 am for a steady drive down the M5.

Nick, have you found a sitter ? hope you can make it.

Steve.

bob

I will be at Gordano services at about 09:00-09:15.
See you there Steve, Paul & Tracey, and any others that want to tag along.

RON

Hi Steve
If you (or anyone else going 2morrow) is reading this, don't leave without me, as long as I don't have a breakdown, or the roads are white! I'll be there. But as I've got a few miles to travel, I'll do my best to be there by 10ish.
See ya,
Ron

SteveB

iTrader: (1)

Ron,
So, it's your fault the roads are white then !

As has probabaly been gathered, the Exmoor drive has been cancelled again. This time due to the weather. I did manage to get down to Gordano just to check and had some great fun in the car park.

Weather permitting, we intend to do the drive on Sunday 31st Dec. Same timings - Leave Gordano 9.15am - Leave the B&Q at Taunton by 10.15 to 10.30 am.
Could you all post again just so we know who's coming.
Dave, are you available ?

Steve.

NOZZER

Might have to be stocktaking!!!!!!
Will be in touch guys.
Ian

bob

Got up this morning looked out the window and saw the snow, Switched on TV watched the weather then went back to bed.
I will be avalible on Sunday for yet another try at this Exmoor run.

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

Steve,

not sure about Sunday, but did make it today!

We had a great time going over Exmoor, and then Dartmoor today......

Sat in the B&Q car park (the weather wasn't too bad in South Devon) until 11am, and then decided that the meet must have been cancelled - so we made our own route!

Went along the B3224 to Exford (stopping at the car park in Wheddon for a snow ball fight!). Then returned slong the B3223 and then A396 to Tiverton.
The moors were very white (around 6 inches deep in snow in most places), and the roads varied from well gritted to not-at-all gritted!

Continued to Crediton, and then onto Mortenhampstead via some lanes. Perhaps not the best idea with hindsight since none of these roads had been treated, hence - plenty of second gear action, but averaging around 15mph!!!

Roads on Dartmoor were generally more tricky than Exmoor (found out how the abs works, anyway - generally doesn't, but the hedges tend to prevent head-ons when steered into! ).

Continued to Ponsworthy where we ran into a traffic jam trying to get up a short hill. After pushing several other cars up (and sitting in the back of a transit to help provide some traction), we scoobied up with no problems ! (Hurrah for 4 wheel drive! -Rach)

Eventually managed to get off the moors, and headed safely home.

Shame there were no other Scoobies in the convoy, but we saw a couple of others on our travels.

Will have to give a rain check for the 31st - sorry!