South Wales drive - 20th September

Who fancies a drive up into the Brecon Beacons on Sat 20th?

A couple of Coupe boys are coming over from some place called Engerland to visit Cardiff, so there will be 3 Coupe's to start with, but would be great to turn it into a meet of sorts.

Let me know, and I'll get things moving.

Anyone ??

Locals worried about the English invasion?

No. We are looking to having hostages !

Just trying to come up with a figure for the ransom.

Thanks for getting a meeting sorted. I live in Hereford and could easily meet up with you, but its Rallyday at Castle Coombe race track on the same day. I'm headed there as there's a 30 year celebration of the birth of the Metro 6R4 - the bestest sounding car ever made IMHO. I took my Vis to the King Of Cool car resto open day in Llandrindod today (check out pics in Face book, taken when after I'd left (!) and drooled over Integrales, an F430 and a proper Lancia Stratos. There is a meeting of Stratosess/Stratos'/Strati at the rally day too - 40 years since winning the rally championship. And they do sound fabulous too. Anyway. If you organise another, I'll try to be there

And so they should be.
I was told all them big holes in the Welsh castles were done by previous English visitors

Wish I was living closer to you guys.
Sounds like a great time out.
Have fun

Where are the English coupes leaving from. I know the roads in Wales are mega.

The "English" coupe guys are Arm and Boosted7 if you wanted to pm them for potential convoy.

bump

Maybe interested, depends wheir the convoys meeting up before heading over to sheep shagging land!! Hehehe
any chance you can fine out??

Would love to but I'm off the road until next year due to funds

I am up for this......Although my Coupe is up with JBT. I could attend in my GTV if it doesn't offend anyone.

GTV = Italian = Welcome. Thought TBH, everyone is welcome.

Convoy wise, send a PM to ARM and Boosted7. I think they are coming over from the M4 corridor rather than from Birmingham though. Just whizz down the M50 !

Joe from FCSS would be on your way though. If he comes.

PS, the "Welsh" Castles, were almost all built by the English in the first place.... to keep the Welsh in check.

Arm and I are actually heading down on the Friday evening, we'll be leaving from the Wokingham area and taking the M4

I believe "we" (the English) might have paid for the Welsh Assembly Building with perhaps the same purpose in mind!?!?!?!

Ha !

I live in Neath. Happy to meet anywhere really. Are we all meeting in one place? Or picking up people along the way? Will be nice to get out in the motor

Could well be up for this... It'll be nice to get out for a drive.

Will think of a rendezvous point at the start. Could start at Cardiff Bay for some photos, then head up into the Beacons?

Just found out from the Missus, we have something on this weekend. I still intend to meet although I will need to be back in Neath for 14:00hrs

Ok, mate. You can peal off the route back to Neath no trouble. We'll probably end up near the A465.

T

Got a route planned out.

Includes - Turin style drive through Cardiff City (couldn't get hold of a Police escort I'm afraid). Includes Cardiff Bay, Millennium stadium/Centre, Castle.

Brecon Beacons - including UKs oldest tree (cool right) lunch in a pub... awesome "Top Gear" style roads.

Then more driving to Penderyn Distillery for a look round... if we have time....then more twisty mountain road back to A470.

Those from the West can get the A465 home from Penderyn if tight for time.

Route ends near Merthyr, which has links back towards Midlands, either via A465 or M4 via A470.

Whatcha reckon???

UK's oldest tree, can't wait

Us Englanders will bring chainsaws to leave you instead with the UK's oldest pile of firewood.

Seriously, looks like a great day planned, thanks!

So, can we start totting up numbers so I sort out a table for lunch?

Confirmed:
Gripped + Mr G
Boosted7 + ?
Arm

Yet to confirm:
Bruce01?
Mrcheese?
Luke_H?
Stevo?
Brilly?
CountryCruising?

Arm + dog
Arm brother + plus

That just doesn't make sense.

I think he means that arm (Alan) will bring his dog along in his LE, and his brother (John) will come along in Alan's Plus. But I'm not sure if "dog" really means 4 legged friend or not.

I'd love to come along for a sort of Turin trip reunion, but I fear that family duties will get in the way

He has 2 Coupes. Of course.

>2

Actually I think he has three coupes but one is rather bent.
Looks like it will just me me. No +

Hi Gripped
I hopefully can make it with a least one passenger.
What time and where will you be meeting up?

Cheers
Mark

Sorry, I was not that clear

To clarify:

Me & dog (4 legged kind - thanks DaveG)
My brother in Plus. Very probably.

Wanted to remind you of the dog so you can hopefully find a dog friendly pub, I am sure you will in the Brecons and with our custom.

Cheers again.

Coolio !

Link to route:

Route

Planned pub - though I've not booked yet

http://www.tannersarmspub.com/

Plan:
Meet at M4, J33 Services (Cardiff West) at 10:30.

Then drive to Cardiff for a drive through the City, taking in sights such as Cardiff Bay Barrage (perhaps a Coupe photo op), Millennium Stadium, Castle, City Hall, before heading North into the famous (and stunning) Brecon Beacons.

Stop offs for photo's near Storey Arms. Then off to Defynnog for lunch, possibly stopping off to see a 5,000+ year old Yew tree.

Then South for some more epic roads [cue Top Gear ethereal music], eventually ending up at Penderyn welsh whiskey distillery for a spot of tasting.

Then another Top Gear road towards Beacons Reservoir, before heading back South for Merthyr.

Here endeth the route.

Hi Gripped.

Count me in although in my GTV

Cool. Is it a V6?

Yeah. Cup no. 24

Well done gripped for organising this.

I am hoping to be able to attend. Got to order some new front tyres ahead of the MOT which is booked Friday morning.

Bruce - I will contact you in the week. Perhaps we can meet near Neath mate.

Let's hope the sun keeps shining as the roads are amazing. I think I will pack the GoPro

Will book a table, provisionally for 8 then?

Hey DLT, will be amazing to see the beast..!!

Good idea Dave. Be great to see you again.

Update:
Link to route:

Route

Planned pub. Booked table for 10 people, at 1pm. Menu to follow.

http://www.tannersarmspub.com/

Plan:
Meet at M4, J33 Services (Cardiff West) at 10:30. Leave by 10:45am.

10:45 - 11:45 - J33 to Cardiff and out the other side
Then drive to Cardiff for a drive through the City, taking in sights such as Cardiff Bay Barrage (perhaps a Coupe photo op), Millennium Stadium, Castle, City Hall, before heading North into the famous (and stunning) Brecon Beacons.

11:45 to 12:30 - Cardiff to Storey Arms
Stop offs for photo's near Storey Arms.

12:30 - 13:00 Lunch at 13:00
Then off to Defynnog for lunch, possibly stopping off to see a 5,000+ year old Yew tree.

14:00 - 15:00
Then South for some more epic roads [cue Top Gear ethereal music], eventually ending up at Penderyn Welsh whiskey distillery for a spot of tasting. This is dependent on time, as last admission is a 4pm.

Those who need to head off back West can fly down the A465 towards Neath.

17:00 - ? Or earlier
Then another Top Gear road towards Beacons Reservoir, before heading back South for Merthyr.

Here endeth the route.


[/quote]

This is gong to be epic. Thanks for all the planning Toby! Roll on the weekend!

Main Menu:

Starters

Chefs soup of the day served with crusty bread and Welsh butter £4.50

Barbeque or chili spiced chicken wings with sweet chilli and
blue cheese dipping sauces £4.95

King prawns in a golden batter with a sweet chili dipping sauce £5.25

Homemade pate and toast served with real ale onion chutney £4.95

Combo selection of deep fried dippers and sauces (for sharing) £8.95

Chinese spring vegetables in a light wheat pastry with a sweet chili sauce £4.95 (V)


Main Courses

Welsh sirloin steak (8oz) served with fried tomatoes, mushrooms and onion rings £14.50

French brie and tomato quiche in vegetarian pastry £9.95 (V)

Handmade pie of the day served with seasoned gravy £10.95

Breaded plaice fillet with chips and mushy peas £8.95

Rich beef lasagna du lusso served with garlic bread £10.95

Venison Sausages served with mashed potatoes and seasoned gravy £10.95

Pan fried seabass fillet served with buttered new potatoes £10.95

Oven roasted ½ chicken served with battered onion rings £9.95

Mediterranean vegetable lasagna served with garlic bread £9.95 (V)

Homemade curry dishes – See specials board in restaurant for today’s selection.


Side Dishes

Basket of poppadoms with a selection of dipping sauces £3.00

Chips £2.50 , Side salad £2.00 , Garlic bread £3.00 , Bread and butter £1.00 , Onion rings £2.50

Menu - Specials:

Starters

Vegetable samosas with minted yoghurt dipping sauce £4.95 (V)

Breaded deep fried whitebait served with a seafood dipping sauce £4.95

Battered calamari served with minted yoghurt dipping sauce £4.95

Pan fried black pudding topped with buttered leeks and bramley apple sauce £5.50


Main Courses


Slow cooked shank of lamb in rosemary and mint gravy £12.95

Handmade layered cheese and vegetable pie £10.95 (V)

Five bean chilli served with white rice and fried tortilla wraps £8.95 (V) (VE)

Homemade curry dishes – See specials board in restaurant for today’s selection.

Extra info:

The soup of the day will be Courgette and Brie and the Hand made pie will be Steak and Ale.

We will also have a selection of curries, this weeks are ...

Thai Green (chicken) very hot
Chicken Korma
Chicken Tikka
Pork Bhuna

( All curries are served with a naan bread plus a choice of rice or chips or both for 50p extra )

All other main dishes are served with a choice of chips, new potatoes or Jacket.
Please could you let us know what you would like your dish served with.

So, please can you look at BOTH menu's, and let me know:

1. Your starter and main choices
2. what you would like your main dish served with.

(All other main dishes are served with a choice of chips, new potatoes or Jacket.)

Please can you let me know by Thursday eve at the latest.

thanks !

The dog will have ALL of it.

I'll send you my order via PM when I have stopped drooling.

Hi Gripped.

I won't be eating as I will need to leave you guys around this time and head back to Neath.

Hope this is ok. Looking forward to meeting you.

No worries mate. Feel free to stay for a drink if you have time.

Toby

Probably will Toby.

Considering driving up to the midlands in the GTV if the weather is nice.

A Colleagues retirement party after 40 years service.

That is why I need to disappear early.

See you on Sat mate.

Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) your GTV.

You would have heard me a long a long way away when I first had it. Straight through exhaust with a very small box.

Far too noisy. Gone back to standard thanks to Prospeed in Cardiff

Cool. My zorst is from Prospeed too !

Possible edit of route, to park near the Millennium Centre so we can have a quick walk round the main sights of the Bay....

Arms' four legged friend will appreciate that as well Toby, how thoughtful of you

Just a reminder to get your menu choices to me by this evening.

Thanks !

Hi Toby,

Starter
King prawns in a golden batter with a sweet chili dipping sauce
Main
Handmade pie of the day (Steak and Ale) served with seasoned gravy
Main dish served with chips please

Thanks again!

I'll be in attendance, wasn't sure until this evening that I'd have a free pass. Should be a good day. I'm guessing the numbers for food are set?

No, not yet mate. Let me know what you fancy from the menus.

Do you all think the drive through Cardiff is a good plan?

Ok, thanks

Starter : Home made pate & toast

Main : Med cooked Welsh sirloin steak & chips

Cardiff sounds good, should be some good photo opportunities.

Quite like the idea of the 5000 year old tree too.

Cardiff seems packed on a Sat Toby.

But I am up for anything so not really bothered.

Was thinking of just driving through past the main sites, from the link road, past the Bay, then up past the stadium and castle. Not sure if we will have time to stop off or not. Was thinking of stopping in the Bay to show people the Senedd etc.

Mini tour of Cardiff sounds good to me. I presume you have organised a police escort for us a la Turin? I don't expect to be stopping for red lights

Ha ! I do have some contacts, but I don't thing it would stretch to an escort.

What is your ETA tomorrow? (Fri)

Proposed new Cardiff route, to the Lunch stop in the Brecon Beacons.

Route

@Turin: will you also have a mystery guest appearing on a rooftop?
Have fun guys.

Aha. So you are flying in to take the photos ??

If only I would have received an invitation.
One of the attendees is my NBF you know?
Big lad, football shirt, kind nature. Ring any bell?

Hi Toby
Are we still meeting at 10.30am at J33 M4 services?
I'll be bringing one of my lads.
Did you get my pm re the meals?

Thanks
Mark

Yes all same details. Itinerary is a bit tight but should be ok.

Got all your info

See you tomorrow

Had a fantastic night out Toby and Anna.
Thank you very much for organising this.
Looking forward to the Coupé Drive in a few hours time.

Hope the weather cheers up as it's a little grey this morning.
Wish I could join you, work comes first so have a good day everyone

Hi Toby,

In case there is room for one extra guest at the table . . .

Starter
Pan fried black pudding topped with buttered leeks and bramley apple sauce

Main
Slow cooked shank of lamb in rosemary and mint gravy

Main dish served with chips please

Side Dish
Real Ale

Hi Toby.

Great to meet you and everyone else. Sorry I had to disappear a bit early.

Thanks for arranging this.

Really enjoyed.

As Bruce has already said, massive thanks to Toby and Anne for your efforts in organising a Coupe great day out.
Dan and I really enjoyed ourselves.
Additional thanks to Alan and John for bringing along the great magnetic Anglo-Welsh Rallye strips - they're ace!
Really good to meet up with everyone and share in your enthusiasm.
We had a cracking drive back up the A40 from Brecon, getting home via Monmouth and the Forest of Dean.

Loved the GTV Cup, Bruce - a really nice car. I'm certainly envious you have the garage space for a Coupe and a GTV.
Thanks finally, to our young Dutch friend Pete, for his unstinting support (vehicle)!

Cheers
Mark & Dan

Hi Toby and Anna, Mark and Dan, Luke, Graham, Bruce, Antony, John, Alan and Rolo, neighbour Neil and family: thank you all for hanging out with me.
Toby and Anna: thank you for organising the event.
It's been a privilege meeting all of you.
Hwyl fawr!

Thanks for coming and being the surprise guest Pieter !

Thanks to all who came along. The weather was kind and the roads were great.

It was also nice to extend the experience of the epic Turin event on the roads of Wales.

Just read a 5 day old PM from Pieter, informing me he was off to Wales (from Netherlands) and catching up with my Aussie mate Boosted7.

Glad you all had a great day and the food sounded great!!! How much vino rosso was consumed?

A big thank you to Toby & Anna for organising a great day out, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It was lovely to meet some fellow coupe enthusiasts, all of your cars put mine to shame!

And a big thankyou to Alan & John, my car still proudly wears its Anglo-Welsh livery, that was a really nice touch.

Hope to see you all again at sometime for another fun day out.

Luke

Have to say, would love to do that again when I get my coupe back!!

Boys

Do you fancy letting me know your emails, so I can send you photots? Would be good to have a few of yours too.

Just PM me with details.

Loved the weekend it was great. Was a bit tired afterwards though !

Cheers

Toby

Wow, what a fantastic weekend!

Big thank-you to Toby and Anna for putting on such a great event.

Also, it's not every day you open your front door to be greeted by Dutch paparazzi - thanks Pieter!!

Great cars, great company. Looking forward to the next one!

@Possum - Not so much vino rosso this weekend, but made up for it with a plentiful supply of REAL ale. I've been living in the UK for too long I actually don't mind a warm beer these days

A bit of nostalgia for me and the same lay-by stop we used this weekend. It was 2005, and my old portofino blue coupe is 4th in from the right.

Lay-by

Wonder how many of those are still on the road?
Hopefully all!

Boosted7, when you return "Downunder", we will have to get you back into drinking 'icy cold beer' or a nice chilled vino bianco like we did on your last visit.

Pictures taken by the driver of the back-up vehicle.

Some great action shots Pieter.
Thanks for posting.
Mark & Dan

Anyone going for a drive out in the Brecon area tomorrow?

I'm thinking about going for a spin and could meet up if anyone's out and about...Making progress

Dave

Maybe.... what time?

???????????????

Again

yup. you just can't get the staff.