Southern Meet 6 - Island Invasion !

[Spirit]

At last weekends SM5 we were already discussing plans for SM6.

As Philip and Paul both made the effort to travel to us, we thought it would be good to return the compliment and pay them a visit.

Therefore, SM6 should be a rather special event.......on the Isle of Wight !

Initially we are aiming for maybe the first weekend in April 2006. Hopefully the weather will be kinder then, and its a few days before RT3.

I have started this thread, but Philip (FatGeek) has kindly volunteered to do the organising. We plan to make a weekend of it, departing the mainland the Friday night and staying over Friday/Saturday night and travelling back the Sunday afternoon.

So lets kick off with an initial show of hands

Interested Parties:

Hotel: Premier Travel Inn (Newport) - Friday 31st March & Saturday 1st April-book online for both nights....but you must telephone them to book just the Saturday night. For the ferry go to www.redfunnel.co.uk - going from Southampton to East Cowes - depart 7pm 31/3 and return 3.30pm 2/4

Spirit & Missbitchy - hotel & ferry booked
Kieran & Alex - hotel & ferry booked
HJM's - hotel & ferry booked
PSBarham - withdrawn
The Vee's - hotel & ferry booked
ABEsport - hotel booked
FatGeek & Shaz
Paul Beazer
Kato - withdrawn
Polabear & Val - hotel booked
Jakester & Erica -withdrawn
Nevgroom + 1 - withdrawn
g8legnum + 1 -withdrawn
Wildcards - withdrawn

[Kieran]

Yeah, faniced visiting the IOW for a while. think that would be worth a trip - having looked on the AA's website, the trip to Portsmouth docks (where I presume we would cross) is not much different to where we picked Goldie up from, and that wasn't so bad!

Obviously can't confirm just yet, but it sounds like a good bet - and it would be a fresh location to invade!

[Big Ian]

sorry, a-bit out of the way for me ( we are also away on holiday in April)

[HJM]

Count us in

[Nick Mann]

By the first weekend in April, I guess you mean friday 31st March, with the sat and sun being the 1st and 2nd? I can't make that weekend.

Shame, as Vicky was interested to come as well.

[psbarham]

put us down as a possibility should be good

[FatGeek]

Hi all,

Yes, this is *not* an April Fool's joke - the Isle of Wight has some great open roads , and only about 3 speed cameras and 4 traffic lights at last count (OK, I might be exaggerating a little there, but there really are very few "obstacles" to a great drive!). I suggest we make Cowes base camp, because a) we live here!, and b) it's less of a "culture shock" to you English .

The ferries run from Southampton - recommended for those coming in from the west or north (about 1½ hrs (ish!) down the M3 from the M25, or down the A34 from the M40) - and Portsmouth. Southampton to Cowes is operated by Red Funnel and and Portsmouth to Fishbourne is operated by Wight Link (15-20 min drive to Cowes once on the island).

According to the Isle of Wight tourism office, there are no organised events currently planned for the weekend of 1/2 April, so all roads should belong to us! I'll come up with a proposed "round the island" road rally route, and run it by Paul to make sure I haven't left out any nice stretches of tarmac.

I'll also post shortly a list of B&Bs in Cowes, but if desparate we can put up as many as 6 people (sofas and inflatables included!). Suggested itinerary:

• Friday evening: Dinner in Cowes
• Saturday: "Round the Island" run - starting after breakfast ("full English" for those staying with us!), heading out to the Needles to play tourist and ride the chair lift, then on around the island in a vaguely figure-eight course covering the best roads with the fewest possible traffic lights and speed cameras (and of course including a pub lunch)
• Sunday: Carvery roast in Sandown, romantic walk on the beach, possibly a dip in the lovely warm English Channel (OK, OK, maybe the island isn't *that* tropical!)

Finally, the most important note: Don't foget your passports!

Looking forward to having you all over,
Philip & Shaz

[ANTHONY]

put me down as a possable .....just need to sort visas

[The Vee]

Me 'n D Defo. Need to nail the date so I can book it off

[ANTHONY]

http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/redfunnel/holidays/pages/showaccommodation.php?accommodationid=1 as a start just found this

[Spirit]

Already looks like it could be the largest Southern Meet yet

Shame you and Vicky can't make it Nick. In fact the Friday may be awkward for us too as it's the last day of March (plate change month) so we may not get there until the Saturday.

Added Philip and Paul to the list

[kato]

Count me in, any objections to bringing my dog, may as well make it a family outing.

P.S He only eats scoobys like the rest of us.

[Spirit]

Count me in, any objections to bringing my dog, may as well make it a family outing.

I guess it depends if the hotel will allow pets

[Nick Mann]

Shame you and Vicky can't make it Nick. In fact the Friday may be awkward for us too as it's the last day of March (plate change month) so we may not get there until the Saturday.

We are going to a big family wedding on the saturday. Never mind. Just take lots of photos and get that bullet cam earning its keep again! Not as good as being there, but at least it brings a smile to my face!

[FatGeek]

http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/redfunnel/holidays/pages/showaccommodation.php?accommodationid=1 as a start just found this

That is a magnificent place, driven by it many times. It's on the wrong side of the river (there's East Cowes, and then there's Cowes, don't you know!), but it's certainly at the nice end of East Cowes. And at the mid-season price of £84 (including ferry) for two nights, it's like staying at a Novotel with a boat trip thrown in for free!

Good find, ABEsport

[Spirit]

at the mid-season price of £84 (including ferry) for two nights, it's like staying at a Novotel with a boat trip thrown in for free!

Not quite, the price is £84 per person - Novotel is usually £50 for a room not per person.....but then this is just a slightly higher standard

[FatGeek]

Not quite, the price is £84 per person - Novotel is usually £50 for a room not per person.....but then this is just a slightly higher standard

Bah! Yes, I realised that after posting. Still a very nice looking place, though.

[FatGeek]

Now pay attention, 007!

Red Funnel's ferries have 2 car decks, and the boarding ramp to the upper deck at the Southampton end is very tight and has several nasty dips/bumps in it, so I would recommend asking the guys at the dock to put you on the lower deck if you have a lowered car or dangly-down exhaust.

When you arrive at the Southampton Red Funnel dock, ask the guy at the entrance booth (if manned) to put you in the lane for the lower deck, and *also* ask the guy directing you on board to please put you on the lower deck (you may want to get out of the car and go find the bloke before they start boarding).

You have been warned! I've taken my VR-4 on the upper deck with no problems (although the ramp is really tight), but mine's completely unmodified.

- Philip

[FatGeek]

Already looks like it could be the largest Southern Meet yet

Shame you and Vicky can't make it Nick. In fact the Friday may be awkward for us too as it's the last day of March (plate change month) so we may not get there until the Saturday.

Added Philip and Paul to the list

Is it worth seeing who could make it the weekend before, 24-26 March, if the 1st weekend of April is no good? I don't mind either weekend.

[Nick Mann]

Don't change it just for me! The southern contingent get priority, the rest of us will come along if we can!