Essex & Surrounding Counties 25 October 2026; Coffee, Drive and Sunday Brunch

[casey]

Route for tomorrow - same as last Christmas

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Horse+a ... FQAw%3D%3D

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow

[Ian.Mothersole]

Great. See you tomorrow

[SeanP]

Perhaps it's obvious because we didn't pre-order or confirm, but the Pearce Contingent will sadly not be joining this tomorrow, because I forgot we were out partying tonight and staying over in a hotel...

Hopefully be able to make next event!

[SeanP]

Thanks Sean Yes, I was aware and took your names off the list.

Wishing you and your family a great Christmas and we'll see you in the New Year sometime

[AMH]

We’ve arrived but it doesn’t look like the pub is open, so gone in search of toilets and coffee.


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[Red & Black]

Thank you to Steve for organising this lunch with his local pub

Gwyn and I had a lovely time with everyone who came along today. The drive was a bit slower than usual, but enjoyable with part blue sky and occasional appearance of the large, bright, yellow thing above us

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Red & Black]

It was lovely to see everyone, and I got to be a passenger Princess again.





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[Red & Black]

A big thank you to Steve for organising another enjoyable Christmas Dinner and Drive. Also, thank you to your helper.... Christmas elf... Malcolm.

I have SORN my RX8 until the new year. I didn't realise how much I missed driving it. Languishing at the back of the convoy in the wife's Honda Civic, hearing those ahead tickle their throttles and knowing that would have brought me a lot of pleasure too! Of course, I didn't dare drive Debbie's Honda like I drive my 8. For fear of getting one of these uncomfortable stares! You know what I'm talking about guys?

[SeanP]

It's taken a while to get our first meet of 2026 off the ground, but SteveBishopRx8 suggested we meet up last night at his local pub, the Horse and Groom in Galleywood. There wasn't time to post up the meet, but we did manage to get 6 cars and 9 attendees together for what turned out to be a very pleasant meal and banter. We'll try to get another meet organised in the next 4-6 weeks and post up details in here with a bit of notice

Evening picture courtesy of Steve. From the left: Crissi's RX-8, Aston's RX-8, Ian.M's RX-7, Steve's RX-8, my RX-7 and Nigel's Tesla.

[Red & Black]

DEDHAM VALE (A O N B) DRIVE and SUNDAY ROAST. 7th JUNE.
We meet up from 10am at the The Barn Garden Centre, Stanway CO3 8ND (www.thebarnstanway.co.uk) for a coffee, chat and a browse.
We head off on the drive at 11am, taking the A1124 Halstead Road. Passing under the magnificent arches of the Chappel Viaduct, we take an immediate right turn to Mount Bures. We cross over the railway line and on to the Colchester Road (B1508) junction, where we turn right, passing through Wormingford. We turn off the Colchester Road towards Great Horkesley. This is a single track road with passing places for about half a mile. Crossing the A134 for the first time we head to Boxted Cross, and then on to a very busy Dedham.
Leaving Dedham we pass under the A12 and make a sharp right in the village of Stratford St. Mary. We are now heading towards Higham and onto the beautiful village of Stoke-by-Nayland. We then carry on to another quintessential English village, Nayland. Crossing the A134 going west this time, we are able to soak up some amazing countryside in this area of natural beauty. We reach Bures and turn right up the High Street and then right again up Cuckoo Hill and on to our final destination for lunch at Assington Barn Cafe at around 12.30pm.
(https://www.facebook.com/p/Assington-Ba ... 817750065/)

If you want to walk off your Sunday Roast, I'd recommend Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale Nature Reserve, 5 minutes away. The only issue is that there is a small stream running across the road just before the main car parking area. So it maybe unwise if you've lowered your suspension?

If you'd like to tag along, either for the drive, or lunch, or both, then post up in here and let us know if on your own, or with others, and what elements of the meet you'd like to do.

Who's up for this meet?

1. Red & Black (Derek & Debbie)
2. casey (Malcolm & Gwyn)
3. SteveBishopRX8 (Steve & Tina)
4. Ian.Mothersole
5. Aston & Crissi

[Red & Black]

Bank Holiday bump.

No-one else interested in tagging along for this event?

Derek and I tested this route last week - some awesome country roads and scenery. Friendly cafe at the end too.

[Red & Black]

Thanks for adding me to the list

Simon is off on holiday a few days before so wont be joining us.

[Red & Black]

Thanks for adding me to the list

Simon is off on holiday a few days before so wont be joining us.

Are you coming on your own, or will Jackie be with you?

[Ian.Mothersole]

Just me I think

[Red & Black]

With a break in the rainy days and with the occasional bouts of sunshine, all helped make the Dedham Vale Drive a great success.
Both venues, at the start and the end of the drive, were very good. With the Assington Barn Cafe serving up a very tasty Sunday Roast
Apologies for getting us stuck in a "cycle lane"! Next time I lead a drive I'll attach a "nudge bar" to the front of my 8.

[Red & Black]

It's been a while, but Red & Black and I have sorted out a Sunday coffee/drive/brunch meet for Sunday 25 October. Everyone is welcome to joins us for all, or part of the schedule.

Here's the plan:

10.00am: We will start by meeting for a coffee (and whatever snack might take your fancy) at a brand new petrolhead venue in Essex, Mill Race Moto. It only opened last month, but is already becoming popular with motoring and biking enthusiasts, https://www.millracemoto.com/

10.30-10-45am: Depart for an ~1 hour run through some stunning roads, villages and countryside, via Bures, Nayland and Dedham. Provisional route, subject to change, https://maps.app.goo.gl/91BKvYQjcW8wY65M6

11.30-11.45am: Arrive at Skylark, just north of Colchester, for a brunch, set in a small vineyard,https://skylarksocial.co.uk/. All the seating is in a covered area outside, but the venue is open year-round, so plastic walls are put in place on colder days. Reviews and menus can be found HERE

There is even a brewery onsite! - https://jackrabbit.beer/

A couple of photos of Mill Race Moto, taken at ~10.30 yesterday - busy even in the middle of the week!!

And a photo of my brunch at Skylark, which I thoroughly enjoyed this morning. Well, someone has to do the onerous task of checking out the venues

Patio seating near the vines today:

And a play area too

Just post up in here if you wish to join us for the whole shebang, or just part.

NOTE: A £5 deposit per person will be required for the Skylark, if you are taking brunch. We'll sort that out with people nearer the time.

Who's Going:

1. Casey + Gwyn - Moto, drive and Skylark
2. Red & Black + Debbie - Moto, drive and Skylark
3. Fab66 + Rachel - Moto, drive and Skylark
4. Ian.M - Moto, drive and Skylark
5. SeveBishopRx8 + Tina - Moto, drive and Skylark

[Fab66]

Please put myself and Rachel down for Moto, drive and Skylark

Ta

Mark


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[Ian.Mothersole]

Just added myself to the list

[SteveBishopRx8]

Yes for me & Tina & skylark

[Fab66]

Guys, not sure about Sunday will have to see how things are on the day.

Ta

Mark


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[Fab66]

Understood Mark, I know things are difficult for you at the moment.

I need to pay a pp deposit at the destination venue, but I won't include you, as you are uncertain. They should be able to accommodate you, if you find you can make it last minute.

Let me know, nearer the day, if you can make it, so we can look out for you