Kent coast dawn raid – 7th November

[chappj]

@BenLowden, do you have an idea of route yet? If poss could you confirm roughly where the start location will be?

I’m juggling a few diary clashes for that weekend so just trying to work out how I can make the drive.

[Ben Lowden]

I'm pretty sure the start location will be out the front of the Hop Farm at Paddock Wood around 07:00 and we'll head down to Rye/Dungeness. I'm going to try and plot the route by the end of this week but I'm expecting something around an hour to 1:30 tops.

Grab some breakfast (assuming I can find somewhere that'll be open early enough for a bacon sarnie) and then if you need to shoot off back home, hopefully there'll be plenty of time.

[Speed Badger]

Damn I would have been up for this, but I'm actually in the Peak District that weekend picking up a very PH - worthy car if all goes well.

How about a Kent-based folk Christmas drive and lunch nearer the time?

[HughG]

I'm out I'm afraid, bit of a mix up with dates so car is now being dropped into Precision on the Friday before for its gearbox rebuild and spark plug work.

1. BenLowden – Megane 275 Cup-S
2. Koolkat969 - Honda S2000
3. Silver7 - tbc
4. Silver Smudger - Abarth 124
5. Liamst - M2C
6. XJR9LM - Porsche 911 Carrera T
7. Chappj - Lotus Elise FE240
8. Adam2922 - R8 or Clio 200
9. Medic one - Porsche 987.2
10. MiloD - /\ same
11. Jyaque - 911SC
12. Bob M - Gr Yaris
13. Matt T- Gr Yaris

[Ben Lowden]

That's a shame Hugh, hopefully you can join us next time! Right then, the route...

This is what I'm thinking, but if anyone has any suggestions on decent roads that I've missed out on the way, then let me know https://goo.gl/maps/pNLtftDqfECAbLgE9

I'm thinking we should aim to meet outside the Hop Farm at Paddock Wood at 7:00 and follow this route to Dungeness. Get some photos there and then head back to Rye for some brekky – which should be around about 9:00 when the Strand Quay Cafe opens for a bacon sarnie and coffee.

Any thoughts/suggestions most welcome!

[chappj]

Unfortunately I need to drop out as I just can’t get diary commitments to line up. Third time lucky for the next one!!

@Ben - if you don’t want to drive the same road twice you could head down through Brenchley/Horsmonden/Goudhurst/Sissinghurst/Biddenden/Tenterden/Appledore/Brenzett/New Romney/Dungeness and then back via your planned route.

[Red Devil]

Ben Lowden said:

Any thoughts/suggestions most welcome!

Google Maps has a quirk. It insists on plotting a route to/from Dungeness which takes you along the Dungeness B Access Road - https://goo.gl/maps/5BUvoXgvoC4bkqti9
I don't think the owners of a nuclear power station are particularly keen on a bunch of petrolheads rocking up for a photo session...!

chappj said:

@Ben - if you don’t want to drive the same road twice you could head down through Brenchley/Horsmonden/Goudhurst/Sissinghurst/Biddenden/Tenterden/Appledore/Brenzett/New Romney/Dungeness and then back via your planned route.

^^This^^
Except I would go via Golford rather than Biddenden (the route into Tenterden via St Michael's is long and slow) and Lydd rather than New Romney.

An alternative for the early stages instead of Paddock Wood/Brenchley/Horsmonden - https://goo.gl/maps/e2cg3VYBAht39etVA
Goudhurst to Tenterden. Two options: via Benenden - https://goo.gl/maps/7QG34Cgzja8p3kJb6 - or Sissinghurst - https://goo.gl/maps/9JH4kDzp4AtZYwE46
Tenterden to Rye - https://goo.gl/maps/cVLAC3Je81huBrhX7

Whichever route you end up doing, have fun.
I'm elsewhere on the 7th but I'll be down that way with another group the following weekend.

[Ben Lowden]

Thanks for the input both, very much appreciated! I'll be looking at finalising the route today/tomorrow so will definitely take a look through your suggestions.

[Sticks.]

There's also Beryl's Cafe which is on your route which might be easier to park at. I've not been to but friends on similar runs have and enjoyed. https://goo.gl/maps/jj8WMA1Wo6RpQNiQ9 Suggest contacting first.

If you do go to The Strand and uses the Kettle of Fish car park I believe it has ANPR, so beware. Elsewhere in Rye meters have been installed and the RingGo app is used.

Red Devil said:

chappj said:

@Ben - if you don’t want to drive the same road twice you could head down through Brenchley/Horsmonden/Goudhurst/Sissinghurst/Biddenden/Tenterden/Appledore/Brenzett/New Romney/Dungeness and then back via your planned route.

^^This^^
Except I would go via Golford rather than Biddenden (the route into Tenterden via St Michael's is long and slow) and Lydd rather than New Romney.

The Military Road between Appledore and Rye is also good fun, though plod knows it's popular.

Have a good one

[Red Devil]

Sticks. said:

There's also Beryl's Cafe which is on your route which might be easier to park at. I've not been to but friends on similar runs have and enjoyed. https://goo.gl/maps/jj8WMA1Wo6RpQNiQ9 Suggest contacting first.

According to Google and Trip Advisor it doesn't open until 10:00am. I can't vouch for the accuracy of that information as I too have never been to it.

Sticks. said:

If you do go to The Strand and uses the Kettle of Fish car park I believe it has ANPR, so beware. Elsewhere in Rye meters have been installed and the RingGo app is used.

I haven't used that car park for at least 10 years, but it appears you are correct.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186...
My preferred breakfast eatery in that area is the Bosun's Bite at Rye Harbour. Doesn't open until 09:30 though.

Sticks. said:

The Military Road between Appledore and Rye is also good fun, though plod knows it's popular.

Indeed.

I didn't mention it though as it requires doing the entire Appledore to Dungeness section in the reverse direction.
If that's OK by all means go for it. I've driven it numerous times and can only recall seeing plod twice early on a Sunday morning.
Besides, it perfectly possible to enjoy it without exceeding the NSL. For me it's all about the flow rather than point, squirt, brake.

[Sticks.]

Red Devil said:

Indeed.

I didn't mention it though as it requires doing the entire Appledore to Dungeness section in the reverse direction.
If that's OK by all means go for it. I've driven it numerous times and can only recall seeing plod twice early on a Sunday morning.
Besides, it perfectly possible to enjoy it without exceeding the NSL. For me it's all about the flow rather than point, squirt, brake.

That's true, it's enjoyable without going OTT. With a drainage ditch one side and a canal on the other, probably best Not tried the Bosun's Bite but reviews are good. Shame about Beryl's, friends posted pics of a meet and it looked good.

O/T if you're out for a drive anytime, The Hub at Bodiam, Fish Farm at Hawkhurst make good venues, and this garden centre in Staplecross has a converted train carriage cafe https://goo.gl/maps/EpFWNK4CMX73GFTx7

Btw not being anti social but mornings not my strong point. Enjoy.

[Ben Lowden]

Sticks. said:

If you do go to The Strand and uses the Kettle of Fish car park I believe it has ANPR, so beware. Elsewhere in Rye meters have been installed and the RingGo app is used.

Yep I got stung there a few weeks back and got a ticket – I had paid for two hours but was in the car park 2:20. Dammit. Thanks for the warning though!

Sticks. said:

O/T if you're out for a drive anytime, The Hub at Bodiam, Fish Farm at Hawkhurst make good venues, and this garden centre in Staplecross has a converted train carriage cafe https://goo.gl/maps/EpFWNK4CMX73GFTx7

If my timings are completely off and we're at Rye really early, then I reckon we'll head to the Hub at Bodiam as they open at 09:00 too.

Speed Badger said:

Damn I would have been up for this, but I'm actually in the Peak District that weekend picking up a very PH - worthy car if all goes well.

How about a Kent-based folk Christmas drive and lunch nearer the time?

Trading the FK8 in for another Megane? Potentially sounds good to me to try and do something festive in December too.

[D4V1D007]

1. BenLowden – Megane 275 Cup-S
2. Koolkat969 - Honda S2000
3. Silver7 - tbc
4. Silver Smudger - Abarth 124
5. Liamst - M2C
6. XJR9LM - Porsche 911 Carrera T
7. Chappj - Lotus Elise FE240
8. Adam2922 - R8 or Clio 200
9. Medic one - Porsche 987.2
10. MiloD - /\ same
11. Jyaque - 911SC
12. Bob M - Gr Yaris
13. Matt T- Gr Yaris
14 DJ - A35 AMG

[XJR9LM]

Hi Ben,

Apologies but somethings come up so I won’t make it on Sunday. Hope you guys have a great drive, look forward to seeing the pictures and hope to join you next time!

1. BenLowden – Megane 275 Cup-S
2. Koolkat969 - Honda S2000
3. Silver7 - tbc
4. Silver Smudger - Abarth 124
5. Liamst - M2C
6. Chappj - Lotus Elise FE240
7. Adam2922 - R8 or Clio 200
8. Medic one - Porsche 987.2
9. MiloD - /\ same
10. Jyaque - 911SC
11. Bob M - Gr Yaris
12. Matt T- Gr Yaris
13. DJ - A35 AMG

[Richard182]

1. BenLowden – Megane 275 Cup-S
2. Koolkat969 - Honda S2000
3. Silver7 - tbc
4. Silver Smudger - Abarth 124
5. Liamst - M2C
6. Adam2922 - R8 or Clio 200
7. Medic one - Porsche 987.2
8. MiloD - /\ same
9. Jyaque - 911SC
10. Bob M - Gr Yaris
11. Matt T- Gr Yaris
12. DJ - A35 AMG
13. Richard182 - 172 cup - yes I need to change my name

[Ben Lowden]

Right then! We have our final route https://goo.gl/maps/4vVMCwR286b7sRLu8

I'll PM everyone later today with final timings and some instructions. Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday morning!

[Red Devil]

Sticks. said:

Red Devil said:

Indeed.

I didn't mention it though as it requires doing the entire Appledore to Dungeness section in the reverse direction.
If that's OK by all means go for it. I've driven it numerous times and can only recall seeing plod twice early on a Sunday morning.
Besides, it perfectly possible to enjoy it without exceeding the NSL. For me it's all about the flow rather than point, squirt, brake.

That's true, it's enjoyable without going OTT. With a drainage ditch one side and a canal on the other, probably best Not tried the Bosun's Bite but reviews are good. Shame about Beryl's, friends posted pics of a meet and it looked good.

The canal is the other side of a pretty substantial hedge and a fair few trees for most of it. You would have to be travelling at Warp Factor 10 to reach it.
I know someone who gave it his best shot about 6 years ago and failed. He succeeded in writing off his car and being carted off to hospital in Ashford though.
Quite severe bruising to his arms and chest. Kept in for 12 hours for obs.

It's the drainage ditch with no barrier which is the more likely destination if it all goes South.

Sticks. said:

O/T if you're out for a drive anytime, The Hub at Bodiam, Fish Farm at Hawkhurst make good venues,

- My two 'go to' venues. Rye is a bit of a trek back to base for me tbh.

Looks like it's going to be a bit brass monkey at Dungeness on Sunday. - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/u109...
It's pretty exposed to the elements down there.

Maybe it's just me but Ben's map link seems to be on the blink.

[Ben Lowden]

I suppose my reasoning for heading to Dungeness was for a photo opportunity with all the cars together rather than the final stretch of road to it – but having said that, the Broomhill car park could work well for that as it means we don't have to go all the way to Dungeness, but can enjoy the road to Camber https://goo.gl/maps/6N5BDm7xZT31K3Wn8

And then rather than going to Rye for brekky, we could go to The Hub at Bodiam instead. Hmm, maybe that's the better route to do! https://goo.gl/maps/8rAtXUvRdeXKDhFWA

[Red Devil]

Loads of room across from the Old Lighthouse - https://goo.gl/maps/Xxc978UEidFGY34m7 - it makes for a cool backdrop in pics as well.
There's no easy way to do both the Military Road and Dungeness though without a big increase in the distance and duration of the run.

Edited by Red Devil on Friday 5th November 13:10

[Super Josh]

This should fix the link for you


https://goo.gl/maps/4vVMCwR286b7sRLu8

Cheers,

Josh