Midlanders Late Spring Blast

[Chassis 33]

Following on from a few words i've had with Balmoral and EmmaP I'm organising a weekend blast from the Nottingham-ish area to Snowdon.

First please note

EmmaP on the Summer Fun Run and Night Out thread said:

Sounds good! Could do a heads up for 28th May. It will be, of course, not replace the 2nd July one.

The plan is to meet Nottingham/Derby sort of area, follow one of Balmoral's routes over the Derbyshire peaks, then through Cheshire to Llangollen (wander over the Pontcysyllte aqua duct, drive over Worlds End, horse shoe pass etc, have a decent meal and stop over at a B&B. The next day, for those who wish to, go further into Wales and climb Snowdon either by foot or railway. Then blast back to Nottingham/Derby via the peaks again or the A50.

The date I'm / Emma is suggesting is May 28th and 29th (the Saturday and Sunday of the second May bank holiday) which gives the option of spending the sunday night away, should you choose.

One possibility for the meal is a favourite of mine, The Boat Inn, www.theboatinn.co.uk but please ignore the tacky fireworks. Although there are plenty of other possibilities.

Any takers?

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Excellent...we have a phase one navigator!!!

Btw, do they stil close some roads on bank holidays in Derbyshire?

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Quinny said:

Be nice to see some of you at the Boat. My wife's parents live in Erbistock, The place could do with livening up a bit. Andy.

Really!!! Drop me a line when you are next in the area, I actually live about 15miles away but got out there almost weekley cos i love the drive and really like the pub, even if it means one pint of guest and coke for the rest of the night!

[Chassis 33]

In the great PH tradition...add your name...

Chassis 33
Balmoral Green
EmmaP (but Saturday only)

[Chassis 33]

Was up at the boat this evening, there's tables from 1830 to 2100 on 28th May, also got the names of a couple of local B&B's. I'll get the full info in the next day or so and post it, so you can book direct if you wish?

The landlord said he'd make sure theres plenty of 'guest on'
Regards
Iain

edited due to shocking spelling and grammar, probably not much better now but...

>> Edited by Chassis 33 on Friday 15th April 09:05

[Chassis 33]

Righto, I'll be up at the Boat again on Wednesday so will put a booking in then. Im sure any others can be added as and when.

As for b&b's theres a choice of 3 thats are "reccommended" by folks at the Boat, i think going from the cheapest to the most expensive...

Wynnstay Arms Hotel
High Street
Ruabon Clwyd LL14 6BL
Tel: [phone])

Cross Lanes Country House Hotel
Bangor Rd
Cross Lanes,
Wrexham
LL13 0TF
(01978) 780555

Lion Quays Hotel
Moreton
Nr Weston Rhyn
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 3EN
01691 684300

Incase you want to see the relative locations the Boat is Erbistock, Wrexham LL13 0DL. Taxis can be called!

Having said that if the numbers stay as they are, I could put minimax V15Ben and BG up at my house...

Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

Right, I've booked a table (initially) for 8 at The Boat for 7pm on the 28th. That number can grow or shrink as needs be. Currently the usual suspects are

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben
Minimax
Quinny

I've mentioned this on one of the North Wales threads so we may get a few extra PH'ers meeting us...inter-regional meets, whatever next!

One thing that has been mentioned is that apparently we need to book tickets for the Snowdon train in advance cos things get busy esp. during bank holidays. So do we want to walk it or be lazy and catch the train? I'm all up for walking so-long as it isnt 70mph winds!
Regards
Iain

[Chassis 33]

stone said:

Is there a route plan yet! I'm definately interested in joining up somewhere en route! By the way that link to the boat isn't working Cheers

erm, no route as of yet...must speak to Balmoral about that. Where will you be coming from? Do you want to eat etc etc?

(It looks like the whole group's site is down atm)

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

M@H said:

Just how big and where is the Midlands..? I keep seeing "Midlands" Meets like this popping up and thinking YAY chance for a ...but then finding out you're all over 100 miles north of me. Clearly my fault for living in the arse end of nowhere on the edge of the "west midlands"..

Erm... Good question, personally i'm not "midlands" but the guys in the nottingham area (East Midlands)are a great crowd, plus i love the blast along the A50 so I head over there.

Theres a group sort of around Shrewsbury, regmole etc, who I think meet up or are planning to, Hereford - Shrewbury isnt that bad along the A49 is it?

Having said that I wouldnt mind a blast down to Hereford then maybe on to attack the Malverns some time.

But yes Midlands does cover a big place!

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

stone said:

Can I come Everyones ignoring me.....

Well put your name down in the list then, sorry, its already been a long day thats gonna get very much longer...

What I think I'll end up doing is post the itinery hopefully this weekend so you can decide when and where to meet the convoy from Nott'num/Derby area. I'm going to suggest that we go via M6 Jct 16, to help if your coming up from Stone/Stafford area, theres a travel lodge, little chef etc etc there so we can stretch our legs. Are the Magpies coming up from South Shropshire A41/A49? Would meeting somewhere a little north of Whitchurch on the saturday afternoon be of use?

The list for the meal is now

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green*
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben*
Minimax*
Quinny
Naughty Magpie
Scott (Mr Magpie)
Stone

*I've said i can put folks up at my house to save on a B&B on the Saturday night, we have one more spare bed before we have to resort to sleeping bags on the floor, or tents in the garden, so contact me if you want to stay, there will be pleanty of bacon butties early Sunday morning to make sure we get to Snowdon before the crowds.

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

I've done a quick preliminary route for the western half of Saturday and the Sunday, timings will follow.

Saturday
M6 Jct 16 > A500 > Nantwich > A534 > Burland > Lanes (via Chorley, Cholmondeley, Hampton Heath, Malpas, Bangor On Dee) > A483 @ Johnstown > A539 > Llangollen, via Trevor & Aquaduct > over Worlds End > Coedpoeth > A525 > Llandegla > A542 > Llangollen (via horseshoe Pass) > overnight stop > The Boat for 7pm

Sunday
Overnight stop > Early rise > A483 > A5 @ Chirk > Betws-y-Coed > Capel Curig > A4086 > Pen-y-Pass or Llanberis > walk up Snowdon > home (A5, A495, A525, A50 for the eastern folks)

Anyone got any comments?

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

Balmoral Green said:

The route from Nottingham to junction 16 of the M6 doesnt leave any great scope for good driving roads. If folks want a direct route leaving the serious driving for Wales, then basically it looks like the A50 straight into Stoke on Trent and the A500 through Stoke to junction 16, this will be boring but leave us plenty of time for a nice trundle around Chassis neck of the woods. The other option is to take a more circuitous route from Nottingham to junction 16, no point going South, so suggest a Northern diversion. Nottingham, A610 to Ripley and onto the A6, back track slightly to Belper, A517 to Ashbourne, A515 to Buxton, A54 to Congleton (or the A537 Cat & Fiddle to Macclesfield, then the A536 to Congleton), A534 to junction 17 of the M6 then down to junction 16. If anyone knows of any great routes from the vicinity of Nottingham to junction 16'ish, please post. I cant think of anything really good.

Pooh. erm, i suggested Jct16 as it would be usful for anyone like Stone coming up from Stafford area. Dont they close the Cat and Fiddle route over bank holidays to try and stop bikers killing themselves?

Warren, i realise i jumped the gun slightly, sorry, should of held back. What would be your prefered route from Nott'num/Belper? Is one junction of the M6 any great hassle? How long will it take from Nottingham to somewhere i east cheshire?

Emma, Warren, Tom, Ben, what would you prefer? Morning tank along the A50 or a "proper drive" thru the Peak district? I dont mind, i just want everyone to have fun and feel theyve spent a good couple of days behind the wheel.

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

EmmaP said:

Hiya Chaps! I think a cruise along the A50 will be fine. I do want to make it to Chesire in one piece Latish start is always good on a Saturday, ie after 10.30/11.00am. Friday night I could be tempted I train on a Friday night, but would be up for most things after 9pm. Food will be a priority, though I can always grab a bag of chips. You are still very welcome to passenger with me Ben, if you want to. Maybe you could slag your way between me, Warren and Tom (that is if Tom has a car that works by then )

EMMA

[chassis 33]

Balmoral Green said:

Any plans for the Friday night in Nottingham?

EmmaP said:

(that is if Tom has a car that works by then )

Tom, we could put an engine in your 106

[chassis 33]

v15ben said:

Bump! Just a query here but I may need to get to London on the Sunday afternoon and was wondering where the nearest place to get on a direct London train route would be from where we are headed?? I need to get to a party in Tunbridge Wells but everyone else is heading down by train from Nottingham on the Sunday morning sometime. Does anyone have any ideas, I am up for the Sunday public transport challenge

Depending on which route folks take back Crewe or Stafford would be the best bets, but it's likely to be late Sunday afternoon before were off Snowdon!

Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

lexie said:

Add me to the list please please please!

Alright already...

The list for the meal is now

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
Balmoral Green*
EmmaP (but Saturday only)
V15ben*
Minimax*
Quinny
Naughty Magpie
Scott (Mr Magpie)
Stone
Lexie
potentially some members of the North Wales TVRCC

[chassis 33]

Balmoral Green said:

Damn & blast, sorry, can't come now, got a family issue to sort out over this particular weekend.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[chassis 33]

Naughty Magpie said:

We'll meet wherever is convenient. Email me at [e-mail] if there's to be a short notice meeting point as it gets closer cos I only check Pistonheads now and then (sorry) but we're both looking forward to it!

Hannah YHM

I'll email everyone route plans nearer the time, including known Optimax stations etc
Regards
Iain

[chassis 33]

heebeegeetee said:

Boo hoo. On a classic car event in Kent that weekend. Shame, that choo choo up Snowdon's good fun.

erm...no, were WALKING UP

[chassis 33]

The list for the meal is now

Chassis 33 plus possibly my dad
EmmaP*
V15ben*
Minimax*
Quinny
Naughty Magpie
Scott (Mr Magpie)
Stone
Lexie
potentially some members of the North Wales TVRCC
Darren350
Mart 63