F-Body Europe

My wife is planning a trip to London on the 21-24 June, I am thinking about taking some leave and driving the car over there. Are any of you around that area? I was thinking that we could meet up for some drinks and conversation.

Anyone else want to go?

RT1

I'm only 300 miles north!!!!
However, my wifes family lives just west of London. We can arrange to visit that weekend.
Lets keep in touch nearer the time. I've got it in my diary.

300 Miles? Man, I didn't think that the island was that big. I guess I better get educated on it soon. I am going to need to know where the military posts are, so I don't go broke on the gas prices over there.

I will get back with you again once I know that I will have the time off from work.

Anyone from Germany want to convoy?

RT1

Dude that would be sweet!! It's too far ahead right now though. You know the story, single and drink too much.

Gas prices.
They are going up and up, currently £3.36 ($4.80).
I know where some of the bases are but not all. Try and get me a pass while you are at it.

You will also have to let me know what you would like to do or see.

You can spend a week in London and only see a small amount on offer. Or you can go touring.

The best places are (IMO) further away from London.
Wales, Scotland etc. Historical towns like Warwick and Stratford are not too far from London and further still is places like York.

However, let me know what floats your boat and I can offer advice.

Hi Jagsy--
I'm the wife with the trip to London planned, so maybe I can explain a bit more. I am attending events being held in the Earl's Court area of London on the 22nd and 23rd of June. My husband RT1 wants to drive, and I will be unemployed at the time, so it's really up to him how much time we spend there--it's his leave. We'd love to see Scotland, and I have a friend from Loch Lomond, but money might become an issue if we stay too long. If you have any must-see places to recommend, we'd love to hear it. Thanks!

PT

Thanks hun... All I want is to see some of the other members of the club. I think it would be cool to have a meet over there. I figure if the wife is going to be dragging me over there, I should do something I want, like meet as many of the UK members as I can.

I don't know where she got that about Scotland... I really don't want to drive there, but I do want to visit there before I leave Germany.

RT1

Hi PT (and RT)

A FBE meet in the UK is essential. I'm sure LuS1fer will blast across th M4 to meet up too.

I don't know whats happened to the other guys in the forces in the UK. I emailed them in February to ask for help with parts shipping, but they've not replied.

The meet could be on an evening which leaves the day to do other things. As most people will probably be driving (or one person per car will be driving) I know lots of pubs just west of London which are good for food and drink (various prices too).

But what do you prefer to do as leisure. Driving (I guess) is one pass time. But driving to Scotland in the time you have is out of the question. It will take at least 9 hours from Dover to the best parts of Scotland and when you get there I recommend a good 5 days touring just one area.

Do you want to visit things, tour the countryside or go shopping (sorry RT had to ask).

Here are a few recommendations. Give me some more clues what you like and I'll help more.
London will keep you entertained for days - loads to do and see
Windsor Castle is just west of London - worth a visit.
Oxford is about 50 miles North of London - very nice.
Stratford - very nice, Shakepere country. Just north of Oxford.
Warwick Castle - very popular, near Stratford.
York - about 200 mile north London - beautiful cathedral city.
Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire Dales just north of York - where I was born, very rural, lots of sheep, fantastic market towns.
Newastle upon Tyne - where I live now, lots of pubs, best night life in the UK. Wild wild times had by all.

Thats just a flavour - i could go on all day.

Let me know your interests and I'll help more.
Talk later

Okay, so I guess Scotland is out of the question. It was, after all, only an idea. As far as how long we are there and what all we do, it really depends on how much leave RT1 takes. I'm along for the ride---although I could bring my new car, if the loan goes through. Whatever happens, his leave hasn't been approved yet, so we can't make any decisions until that part is taken care of. I'll be in London on the 22nd and 23rd regardless--

PT (Paula, by the way)

Paula
Let me know nearer the time what you really want to do.
So have you bought another f body?

Yep, got a Z in the family now, going to Vehicle Reg on Friday afternoon. We will prolly bring the V6 though so that we don't need another loan for gas.

RT1

Jagsy,I don't mind blasting ALONG the M4, I'm certainly not blasting ACROSS it! What d'you think I am, some kind of kamikaze pilot? Without any lack of respect for the historical significance of this country, Santa Pod Raceway isn't too far and William Shakespeare regularly drag-races his 'Cuda at Avon Park near Stratford. In fact, there's a Run What Ya Brung this coming weekend (20/21 April) and I'm hoping to get up for a run, subject to parenting duties.
I just found out that my gearbox was overfilled by the last moron who owned/serviced it so the kickdown was more a kickup. It's a damn sight faster on the overtake now.
By the way, you can now see a couple of (distorted)pics of my car on the http://www.ukstreetracers.com site. Ignore the times for my car, they're my '87 Z28 figures and I keep asking them to delete them. My mate's '95 TA is under his nomenclature of Demolition Man.

Billing Aquadrome, near Nottingham, is the 2nd biggest American car show in the UK is the weekend of 15/16 June. There's usually a show on every weekend around that side of the country. Just a thought. B*gger all this side bar the Royal Welsh Show (farm animals...very suspicious). If you want details, I'll pick up a mag and check out what's on that weekend. Ah, the splash of vomit in overfilled buckets and the alcohol-immersion of happy campers, I can almost smell the thrill of it.

Are you still coming to the UK next week?

FBE meet in the UK?

Unfortunately we're not! Rob's car is still at Tony's, and my new car has been out of commission for about a month. The leave Rob was originally taking to come to the UK will be spent working with Hotrod, rebuilding my tranny. Sorry, I really wish we were coming up your way!

Paula : )

I just got back from a week in the U.K. There is tons to see and do. From what I have seen, the most scenic stuff is in the south, along the beach, especiall Cornwall! I seen alot of it cause I have family there. St.Michaels mount is awsome and whats left of Tintagel(King Arthur's birthplace?) is great!
I had two days in London and seen just a few things, you will need at least a week and a half to see a good portion of it. Make sure you go to the Tower of London an get a Beefeater tour, those guys are very entertaining!
As for the military bases there from what I seen its all Air Force. Near Cambridge, east of it, there is Lakenheath and Mildenhall RAF. I stayed at Mildenhall cause its cheaper than any bed and breakfast. $25 a night. Gas is like 78 pence a liter.

As far as driving, that damn tunnel and ferry are a rip off! I tried to drive there last spring and they wanted like 200 euros for it! So I just flew over and rented a car there. Ryanair.com has some cheap flights. It was cheaper in the end.

Hope all this helps. Have fun and take your time! Dont be in a hurry to see everything. The people there are the most friendly in Europe, and I have been just about everywhere.

So you really liked Cornwall? Try watching the movie Saving Grace...it's a British comedy shot there. I personally love it--hilarious! I can't wait to visit that area.

Paula

PT
Sorry to hear you can't make it. Lets us know what happens in the future. We'd like to come across to Europe sometime. Any cheap B and B avaiable?

My96Z
Thanks for the nice comments about us folk. There are some miserable people as well. Glad you enjoyed the UK.

Hey Jagsy! If you want to stay in a really beautiful area in the center of everything, Casa RT1/PT_Cruisin is always open--seriously. We have an extra bedroom and a couch, ooh, and an inflatable mattress, and even a tent! Got the idea? Come on down!

Paula : )