Essex & Adjoining Counties Meet - SUNDAY, 13 October 2024

[Ian.Mothersole]

Steve and Tina are doing a sterling job in testing a couple of possible venues for the next Essex Sunday Brunch meet. One venue has already got the thumbs up, but they want to check out another one, which looks like it could be even better! Both are in the vicinity of Chelmsford.

This seems like a good opportunity to see what dates suit people best for the next meet, so we can then be prepared to book a table as soon as Steve and Tina complete their mission.

Dates suggested are:

Sunday 28 Jan
or
Sunday 4 Feb

Bothe would be 10am, with possible drive out afterwards.

Gwyn and I can make either date.

Would anyone wishing to attend the next meet post up to confirm if either, or both, of the above dates work for you.

Once we have date and venue sorted, we can look to publicise on Facebook and see if anyone else who doesn't frequent the forum would like to join us

We should be good for either date

[Metelyk]

I’ll check my diary later, would like to come along this time

[SteveBishopRx8]

Hello all
Tina & I have tried a few places for the next meet & all good did a great breakfast but one place didn't take bookings & other which was our favourite the kitchens are closing for a couple weeks for a refurb.
After speaking with Malcom we have decided on 4th February for the next meet at a pub in Chelmsford called the Running Mare or also known as ego & is Mediterranean style restaurant. In the last few months they have started doing full English breakfasts
To be able to book a table of our size party they require a deposit of £10 pp.
If everyone could let me know that they are ok too attend the meet & be happy to paypal me over the £10 deposit money per person as a gift I can then go ahead & book us a table
When I do book the table it will be for 10am
I will speak with Malcom & plan a drive after if all happy
My email address for paypal is sbishop090573@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks
Steve

[SteveBishopRx8]

Excellent, thank you Steve (and Tina!) for sorting out the next brunch venue.

Put Gwyn and I down please. I will PayPal you £20 tomorrow.

[Metelyk]

Sadly I won’t be able to attend. I’ve injured my knee and can’t drive for at least 2 weeks!!
Sorry

[Metelyk]

So sorry to hear this Andy. Hope your recovery is swift.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Put us down will bring the RX4

[New Duke]

The Running Mare is a lovely pub, great choice! Sadly I'm still out until March due to work.
I'm bummed that I'll miss out on seeing the RX4 again!
Cheers,
Haydn

[SteveBishopRx8]

Deposit sent.
Thanks Steve

[GreySilver Beast]

Sorry, can't make this date, as am double booked with GT86/BRZ Drivers Club that day

[SteveBishopRx8]

Table booked for 8 people plus a highchair
Sunday 4th February 10am
Ego at running mare
Running mare Lane
Chelmsford, Essex
Cm2 8pn

[GreySilver Beast]

Gwyn ans I have recc'd an optional drive-out after the brunch on some nice roads. ~45 minutes past Hanningfield Reservoir, ending up in Promenade Park in Maldon. There is a small parking charge there (Ringo or cash). Nice walk along the promenade, coffee/snack place, pubs, +play areas (and petting zoo) for Felix

I'll bring details of the route on the day.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Unfortunately Jackie and Felix won't be able to come now - he has a hearing test on Sunday morning.

Simon is coming along though in his Scooby

[casey]

That's a shame, Ian. But glad you and Simon can make it.

[Ian.Mothersole]

Yeah, we tried to reschedule it, but next available appointment is in March!!!

[Clive]

Sorry due to other commitments will not be attending tomorrow. Sounded good, so lets hope there is another to come along to

[casey]

Sorry to hear that Clive and Lisa can't join us. Would have been lovely yo see them and the RX-4 tomorrow.

Post-brunch drive instructions now printed out. I'll bring copies tomorrow for anyone who wants to join Gwyn and I on a 45 min trip to Promenade Park in Maldon.

[New Duke]

Really wish I could join you. Plus your covering more of my old stomping grounds. Oh the memories!

Have fun guys, if you actually park in Promenade Park, take it veeeeery gently over the speed bumps towards the exit

[casey]

Thanks Haydn. Sorry you can't join us too. Hopefully, next time, as we are currently planning to meet up in the same area at a different venue.

You are quite right to warn about the speed bump near the exit of Promenade Park. I took it a little too fast in the RX-8 on the recce run and there was an almighty bang

In fact, at several points along the run we have the usual poor Essex road maintenance to contend with, potholes and poor road edges. I have actually changed the route slightly, as during the recce run, one road was deemed a little too scary!

See everyone soon

[ChrisHolmes]

Have a great meet and drive folks.

[Metelyk]

Hope the meet went well. Genuinely hope to make the next one.

[Metelyk]

Thanks first to Steve and Tina for recommending the "Running Mare" pub as a brunch location. Gwyn and I thoroughly enjoyed the food, plus the service and ambiance was great. We would be very happy to use this location again in the future.

Unfortunately Clive and Lisa couldn't make it, but lovely to see Aston and Crissy, who brought Ray's (Harrizone's) RX-8 along.

After brunch, we had a pretty good 45 minute run to Maldon on a mix of B roads and country lanes. Some nice twisty sections, and some arrow straight roads too.

Once at Promenade Park in Maldon, we hit a snag. The car parks (all 3 of them) were FULL! Nothing like the situation when Gwyn and I visited during the week, when they were all virtually empty. There were some football matches and a military vehicle display taking place, drawing in the crowds. Luckily, we did eventually manage to park up, then took a stroll along the river to where the Thames barges were parked up.

It was lovely to see everyone and catch up with news.

We stopped along the way for a photo alongside the Hanningfield Reservoir:

This is a picture of the Thames Barges at Maldon, taken on the Recce run, when the river was at high tide and with a blue sky. Sadly, the river was low and little blue sky to be seen yesterday! At least it was dry and reasonably mild.

Steve and Tina have another brunch venue in mind for the next Essex meet, adjacent to the Hanningfield reservoir. The venue is currently being refurbished but is due to re-open in the next few weeks. Details TBC, once Steve has heard back from the venue management about re-opening date.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Thanks Steve and Malcolm for a nice brunch and drive out to Maldon.
It was a shame that Jackie and Felix couldn't make it, but I think we may well be doing a re-run next Sunday

[SteveBishopRx8]

Enjoyed that yesterday!
Good food, catch up & the drive to Maldon
Although the speed limiter alarm to my left kept going off during the drive!

[SteveBishopRx8]

I had the speed limiter alarm sounding very frequently to my left too