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New venue for the SVVS
and new venue for me. Not a pub I have been in before. First worry was, is
it in ULEZ and does my XJR comply. XJR because it is the turn of my red
Jaguar XJS to be SORN and my blue XKR to get some of engine bits warm. The
answer is, pub not in ULEZ and XJR complies anyway. Next problem, how to
get there? The M25 is closed in both directions and chaos is ensuing
because of full weekend M25 closure due to building a new bridge at junction
11, or suchlike. Day has dawned as gloomy as it comes with promises of
buckets. Buckets duly arrive just before lunch, just as I am setting
out.
As I had to cross the M25 I decided to get on it and see if I could use it
for a couple of junctions. Only warning of closure was a smallish AA sign
in the long grass on the left. Nothing blocking entry, so presumably OK?
Motorway practically deserted but for a few cars. First gantry had
illuminated note saying 'Delay at Junction 11, 10 minutes'!? Quicker than
on a normal 'open' day. Rain is continuing and the very wide tyres of the
XJR are producing a Formula 1 style plume of spray as I legally
plough on.
The next surprise was the pub. You arrive at it head-on, a wideish white
building with smallish car park on left. None of our cars visible in it.
Right day? You then notice as you drive in a small drive to what seems a
spillover car park up a hill out of sight. Up a hill sure enough, and parking
sideways on the up the hill. Even my automatic found it a bit of a
struggle especially as in an XJR it is impossible to see any of the four
corners. I noted that my prattishments was not as amusing as some who came
with veteran clutches. An MOT test of the handbrake/park would have proved
useful.
I also found standing and walking for a prolonged period taking photos
round the car park with my ankles at 45 degrees to be actually quite
uncomfortable. I guess others must have also had the same feeling because
this was the very first time in my SVVS history that ALL people had left
the car park for the levelness of the pub. Building is lovely inside. Interesting
contrasting mix of fluffy modernism in the restaurant and Tudor beaminess
of the pub. Not cheap, Obviously designed with weekend-eatery people in
mind. Surprisingly un-full, but weather was lousy.
By the time everybody had left the car park for the pub, it had stopped
raining. Those that were coming, came early. Those that weren't, - didn't.
We had a turnout of 13 cars and one motorcycle. Those cars that weren't
Rovers were mostly dry quite modern or very modern. Mike Gorman, who came
very late in a modern, said he went to a Morris meeting first, - where
nobody turned up 'cos it were wet!
I also hope that everybody who came here noted the relatively inconspicuous
sign in the car park, non-compliance with which could have made this visit
very expensive.
Please
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