8-10 June 07: Norfolk and Use - ZRoadster's Big 2007 Cruise
8-10 June 07: Norfolk and Use - ZRoadster's Big 2007 Cruise
The Background
Taking a break from the annual Lakes gathering, the plan this year is to meet up in Norfolk!
The Plan
The plan is that we will travel to Swaffham to meet up for dinner in the hotel (The George in Swaffham) on Friday, 8 June 2007.
On Saturday, 9 June 2007, there will be a number of options on the table:
1. A dawn raid will be available for the early risers!
2. A cruise to Hethel to see the Lotus factory and optionally do a "demonstration ride" ... The cost for a factory visit is £20, the cost of the demonstration ride is approximately £90 (I'm not sure if this is on top of the factory visit, or if the factory visit is included.) Also, please note that for the Hethel visit, people have to be at the factory at 8AM!!!
3. A cruise.
4. Alternatively, there are a ton of things to visit and do in Norfolk, so if there is anything you particularly want to do, post up your ideas and if there is interest, we can try and organise alternate excursions.
We will all meet up for lunch and then cruise down to to the Norfolk Broads, where we are hoping to arrange a trip on a boat.
We will then drive back to the hotel for dinner and possibly a drink or two.
On Sunday, 10 June 2007, we will have an optional dawn raid. After breakfast, we will go on a gentle cross-country drive down to Fressingfield, where we will invade the Michelin-rated Fox and Goose for lunch. We will then travel cross-country to the various endpoint options of the cruise.
The Scenery
Norfolk is not all flat, straight roads and windmills. The roads for this cruise carry the Spokey Seal of Approval.
The Castle Acre road:
Village life:
Castle Acre remains:
Over hill and down dale:
There are some wide open spaces:
Not on this cruise, please!
More village life:
Nice country avenue:
The Meeting Point
The official starting point for the cruise is, of course, the hotel. A map of the location can be found here. The entrance to the hotel is actually on the slip road that you can see under the red circle.
To get to the hotel from the South, I would advise M11 / A11 / A14 / A11 / A1065. In Swaffham on the A1065, there is a dogleg junction with traffic lights. Turn right and immediately left to enter the hotel carpark.
To get to the hotel from anywhere else, I would advise taking the A1 to Peterborough and then the A47 to Swaffham. Do not take the first Swaffham exit, a short distance after the first exit is the A1065. Take the A1065 south into Swaffham and at the traffic lights at the dogleg junction, take the slip road to the left. The entrance to the hotel car park is immediately on the left, even before the end of the slip road.
However, it is quite likely that there will be some adventurous souls who may choose to run early starts from various starting points to make something of the Friday journey.
Watch this space for more details.
The End Points
There are two endpoints planned. The first will be the A11 near Barton Mills, where the London contingent would probably peel off. The second will be near Huntingdon at the A14 / A1 junction.
Road safety
Please exercise caution when driving, as always! Always obey the posted speed limit, and remember to take extra care when in towns and villages!
How to join in
Make your booking at the hotel as soon as possible! Contact details are:
The Best Western George Hotel
Station Street
Swaffham
Norfolk
PE37 7LJ
Phone: 01760 721238
Fax: 01760 725333
Email: georgehotel@bestwestern.co.uk (although I wouldn't recommend this for booking!)
Please confirm to the person taking the booking that you are in the Z Roadster group. This will qualify you for the excellent rate of £48 per person per night, for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Once you are confirmed at the hotel, please email zrbroads2007@hotmail.co.uk with details of
- your message board username (e.g. Zmurf)
- name of driver and passenger (e.g. Tim and Irene Cullis)
- model, colour and reg number (e.g. M roadster 3.2, Laguna Seca Blue, A4 TRC)
- mobile phone number (e.g. 07999 999999)
- whether you want to do the Lotus factory
- whether you want the optional demonstration ride
Please make sure that we have your details if you intend to come along .
Dry Runs
There will be numerous dry runs to ensure that we can recommend the best routes. If you would like to volunteer for any of these, please let us know.
Confirmed participants so far are:
(Person - car - factory visit - demo ride)
Spokey - Z1
Stu - Z3s
Alfie - Z3M
BartS - Z3
alanjgreen - Z4M
dario - Z4
///m murf - Z3M
johnn - Z3
Big Mr P - Z3M
bloke - Z4
Gaz - Z3MC
J R - Z3
alexknight - Z3
Jon Miller - Elise
shabsbmw - z3
whiteminks - z3
RussJ - Z3M
Gary the fish
splutterycar's mate
easytiger - z3m
RobBruce - z3
burmagirl - z3
calbens - z3
namatjira - z3ms
Deano1712 - Z3m
jamer - z3 - yes
deano1712 - z3m
namatjira - Z3MS
bobw - z3 - -
kjayf - Z3 - -
Unconfirmed participants so far are:
G2TRG
Taking a break from the annual Lakes gathering, the plan this year is to meet up in Norfolk!
The Plan
The plan is that we will travel to Swaffham to meet up for dinner in the hotel (The George in Swaffham) on Friday, 8 June 2007.
On Saturday, 9 June 2007, there will be a number of options on the table:
1. A dawn raid will be available for the early risers!
2. A cruise to Hethel to see the Lotus factory and optionally do a "demonstration ride" ... The cost for a factory visit is £20, the cost of the demonstration ride is approximately £90 (I'm not sure if this is on top of the factory visit, or if the factory visit is included.) Also, please note that for the Hethel visit, people have to be at the factory at 8AM!!!
3. A cruise.
4. Alternatively, there are a ton of things to visit and do in Norfolk, so if there is anything you particularly want to do, post up your ideas and if there is interest, we can try and organise alternate excursions.
We will all meet up for lunch and then cruise down to to the Norfolk Broads, where we are hoping to arrange a trip on a boat.
We will then drive back to the hotel for dinner and possibly a drink or two.
On Sunday, 10 June 2007, we will have an optional dawn raid. After breakfast, we will go on a gentle cross-country drive down to Fressingfield, where we will invade the Michelin-rated Fox and Goose for lunch. We will then travel cross-country to the various endpoint options of the cruise.
The Scenery
Norfolk is not all flat, straight roads and windmills. The roads for this cruise carry the Spokey Seal of Approval.
The Castle Acre road:
Village life:
Castle Acre remains:
Over hill and down dale:
There are some wide open spaces:
Not on this cruise, please!
More village life:
Nice country avenue:
The Meeting Point
The official starting point for the cruise is, of course, the hotel. A map of the location can be found here. The entrance to the hotel is actually on the slip road that you can see under the red circle.
To get to the hotel from the South, I would advise M11 / A11 / A14 / A11 / A1065. In Swaffham on the A1065, there is a dogleg junction with traffic lights. Turn right and immediately left to enter the hotel carpark.
To get to the hotel from anywhere else, I would advise taking the A1 to Peterborough and then the A47 to Swaffham. Do not take the first Swaffham exit, a short distance after the first exit is the A1065. Take the A1065 south into Swaffham and at the traffic lights at the dogleg junction, take the slip road to the left. The entrance to the hotel car park is immediately on the left, even before the end of the slip road.
However, it is quite likely that there will be some adventurous souls who may choose to run early starts from various starting points to make something of the Friday journey.
Watch this space for more details.
The End Points
There are two endpoints planned. The first will be the A11 near Barton Mills, where the London contingent would probably peel off. The second will be near Huntingdon at the A14 / A1 junction.
Road safety
Please exercise caution when driving, as always! Always obey the posted speed limit, and remember to take extra care when in towns and villages!
How to join in
Make your booking at the hotel as soon as possible! Contact details are:
The Best Western George Hotel
Station Street
Swaffham
Norfolk
PE37 7LJ
Phone: 01760 721238
Fax: 01760 725333
Email: georgehotel@bestwestern.co.uk (although I wouldn't recommend this for booking!)
Please confirm to the person taking the booking that you are in the Z Roadster group. This will qualify you for the excellent rate of £48 per person per night, for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Once you are confirmed at the hotel, please email zrbroads2007@hotmail.co.uk with details of
- your message board username (e.g. Zmurf)
- name of driver and passenger (e.g. Tim and Irene Cullis)
- model, colour and reg number (e.g. M roadster 3.2, Laguna Seca Blue, A4 TRC)
- mobile phone number (e.g. 07999 999999)
- whether you want to do the Lotus factory
- whether you want the optional demonstration ride
Please make sure that we have your details if you intend to come along .
Dry Runs
There will be numerous dry runs to ensure that we can recommend the best routes. If you would like to volunteer for any of these, please let us know.
Confirmed participants so far are:
(Person - car - factory visit - demo ride)
Spokey - Z1
Stu - Z3s
Alfie - Z3M
BartS - Z3
alanjgreen - Z4M
dario - Z4
///m murf - Z3M
johnn - Z3
Big Mr P - Z3M
bloke - Z4
Gaz - Z3MC
J R - Z3
alexknight - Z3
Jon Miller - Elise
shabsbmw - z3
whiteminks - z3
RussJ - Z3M
Gary the fish
splutterycar's mate
easytiger - z3m
RobBruce - z3
burmagirl - z3
calbens - z3
namatjira - z3ms
Deano1712 - Z3m
jamer - z3 - yes
deano1712 - z3m
namatjira - Z3MS
bobw - z3 - -
kjayf - Z3 - -
Unconfirmed participants so far are:
G2TRG
Last edited by spokey on Mon 02 Jul, 2007 20:03, edited 30 times in total.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Can everyone (including those who have confirmed) please still send the email to zrbroads2007@hotmail.co.uk ... thanks!
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Unfortunately I won't be able to make this one. But for anyone thinking about going along you should. I attended both Lakes V and VI, both of which were well organised and atteneded.
Giles wrote:IMHO the Z4 generally tends to appeal to people that want to own a nice car and not those that want to drive a nice car.
Yeah, but I'm helping out with this one.Jules75 wrote:well organised
Pity you can't make it.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
I like to be an unconfirmed for the Sunday
Gazza.
Gazza.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
That's funny, that's just what she said last night...RussJ wrote: I'd love to come but really its a bit too far away
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Hi folks,
I guess I should point out the following:
1. The hotel has 30 rooms. At the moment, they have no other bookings for the weekend in question, but that could change very easily.
2. The hotel does NOT require a deposit and has a 24-hour cancellation policy, so you can change your mind very easily if you discover you can't make it.
I therefore urge you to make your booking quickly if you are interested in attending. Rather make the booking and pass the booking on to someone else if you can't make it than wait till May and then discover the hotel is full.
I guess I should point out the following:
1. The hotel has 30 rooms. At the moment, they have no other bookings for the weekend in question, but that could change very easily.
2. The hotel does NOT require a deposit and has a 24-hour cancellation policy, so you can change your mind very easily if you discover you can't make it.
I therefore urge you to make your booking quickly if you are interested in attending. Rather make the booking and pass the booking on to someone else if you can't make it than wait till May and then discover the hotel is full.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
-
- Joined: Sat 29 Jan, 2005 08:50
- Posts: 2
norfolk
Hi Spokey,
I have booked the hotel & sent the email
Thanks a lot,
Alan
I have booked the hotel & sent the email
Thanks a lot,
Alan
Since it does seem that some people may not be keen on been slung around a test track in a Lotus, it seems quite likely that I will be running an alternative scenic cruise and we will all meet up for lunch.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Email sent
Im in
The hotel is booked and email sent
The hotel is booked and email sent
Mark
The Original ///M Roadster + maybe just a couple of mods! Gone but never forgotten, now in a Z4
The Original ///M Roadster + maybe just a couple of mods! Gone but never forgotten, now in a Z4
Re: Email sent
Thanks!///m murf wrote:The hotel is booked and email sent
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
- Big Mr P
- Z Register member
- Joined: Sun 14 Mar, 2004 19:27
- Posts: 339
- Location: Swaffham, Norfolk
- Contact:
Well what a coincidence Amanda and I are going to Swaffham that weekend and believe it or not we are staying in the same hotel, so I have cancelled our summer holiday and would love to join you.
Living around the corner I’m sure I can help out on the dry runs, dry being the operative word, you know me and water.
Will e-mail my details but nothing has changed.
Living around the corner I’m sure I can help out on the dry runs, dry being the operative word, you know me and water.
Will e-mail my details but nothing has changed.
Graham,
Something for the weekend!!!
Something for the weekend!!!
I'm counting on you to find us some fords...Big Mr P wrote:Living around the corner I’m sure I can help out on the dry runs, dry being the operative word, you know me and water.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
No, Stuart: fords, not Fords.stu wrote:spokey wrote:I'm counting on you to find us some fords...Big Mr P wrote:Living around the corner I’m sure I can help out on the dry runs, dry being the operative word, you know me and water.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
I've had some more information from Lotus, evidently the demonstration ride will comprise two laps of their circuit in an Elise 111R, reaching speeds in excess of 120MPH. Given that the Lotus handles phenomenally well and their test drivers are widely recognised as fantastic drivers, I'm kind of surprised that there hasn't been more interest in the demonstration laps.
Of course, if there isn't any appetite for these laps, then we can offer more Zedding, I suppose.
Of course, if there isn't any appetite for these laps, then we can offer more Zedding, I suppose.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
When did this become z4um?Alfie wrote:Is this what you're looking for Spokey?spokey wrote:No, Stuart: fords, not Fords.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
It hasn't yet - if it had we'd have someone saying "God Bless America" and telling us that the Iraqii invasion was done on the basis of democracy - oh and Spokey would have called Giles a mong at least 5 times this week ...Alfie wrote:Shortly after you called Stu, 'Stuart' I think.....spokey wrote:When did this become z4um?
Sorry dad.
A.
God bless America for invading Iraq in defense of democracy.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a m...
What am I doing?
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a mong.
Giles is a m...
What am I doing?
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Aren't you getting married next year?Bloke wrote:Caroline and I are in for this one,
will book over the weeeknd
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Done and dusted
All booked up and reserved......
Bloke & Mrs Bloke
Bloke & Mrs Bloke
- Jon Miller
- Z Register member
- Joined: Sun 26 Oct, 2003 19:17
- Posts: 264
- Location: Ballina/Killaloe
- Contact:
You'll be welcome Jon. I take it you'll want to see the place where they put your car together?Jon Miller wrote:Is this for Zeds only or can an ex Zed owner come along?
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Re: Post subject
JR, can you please send the requisite email?J R wrote:Hotel booked
J R
Thanks!
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
- Jon Miller
- Z Register member
- Joined: Sun 26 Oct, 2003 19:17
- Posts: 264
- Location: Ballina/Killaloe
- Contact:
- Jon Miller
- Z Register member
- Joined: Sun 26 Oct, 2003 19:17
- Posts: 264
- Location: Ballina/Killaloe
- Contact:
Elaine and I are booked in.spokey wrote: You'll be welcome Jon. I take it you'll want to see the place where they put your car together?
Had to come along, I checked my log book and it will be almost exactly to the day 10 years since my Elise left Hethel, only right I should take it back for its anniversary.
Do you think they'll let me take it around the track
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
Spokey,
Do you think the 'learning how to cruise course' will have happened by the time of this cruise?
If so I would like to come along to this one. I know the hotels you have suggested are likely to be booked up but I am sure I'll find alternative accommodation.
I have been a 'sad git' today looking at some of Jay's and Dario's most excellent cruise and pro-drive videos so I can get a feel for what happens
I have been that 'virtual driver' and indeed drove home from work tonight trying to emulate some of 'the moves'
Sounds really daft but if I am going to a competition with one of my horses I psyche myself up by watching some-one jump some bloody big fences and then it feels fairly normal when i do something a little smaller Obviously I don't go as far as thinking I'm Zara Phillips 'cause I aint
Anyway I would be interested to know how BimBeema found his first cruise and if the worries about the back end swinging etc were justified?
Anyway you lot all looked as if you had a fantastic time at Gaydon and I am jealous
Hope to meet you all in the flesh on a cruise soon!
Cheers P
Do you think the 'learning how to cruise course' will have happened by the time of this cruise?
If so I would like to come along to this one. I know the hotels you have suggested are likely to be booked up but I am sure I'll find alternative accommodation.
I have been a 'sad git' today looking at some of Jay's and Dario's most excellent cruise and pro-drive videos so I can get a feel for what happens
I have been that 'virtual driver' and indeed drove home from work tonight trying to emulate some of 'the moves'
Sounds really daft but if I am going to a competition with one of my horses I psyche myself up by watching some-one jump some bloody big fences and then it feels fairly normal when i do something a little smaller Obviously I don't go as far as thinking I'm Zara Phillips 'cause I aint
Anyway I would be interested to know how BimBeema found his first cruise and if the worries about the back end swinging etc were justified?
Anyway you lot all looked as if you had a fantastic time at Gaydon and I am jealous
Hope to meet you all in the flesh on a cruise soon!
Cheers P
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
Hi Paula,
I'm sure we will have inaugurated you in the dark arts of cruising by then. Book your hotel room, you won't regret it.
I'm sure we will have inaugurated you in the dark arts of cruising by then. Book your hotel room, you won't regret it.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Rear end sliding
Hi Whiteminks
I can vouch that the rear end can go, but only if pushed hard and helped with a scatering of leaves!!
The Spokey cruise was a 'good' introduction to criusing and thank heavens for DSC
I am out hunting for new rear tyres as someone told me that I need to get a grip.
Alex
I can vouch that the rear end can go, but only if pushed hard and helped with a scatering of leaves!!
The Spokey cruise was a 'good' introduction to criusing and thank heavens for DSC
I am out hunting for new rear tyres as someone told me that I need to get a grip.
Alex
Z3's, one of the little pleasures in life.
Re: Rear end sliding
Alex, pretty much anything is better than the 8080's.alexknight wrote:I am out hunting for new rear tyres as someone told me that I need to get a grip.
Check out http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
Jon, can you please send the email, otherwise I don't have it all in one place? Thanks!Jon Miller wrote:Elaine and I are booked in.spokey wrote: You'll be welcome Jon. I take it you'll want to see the place where they put your car together?
Had to come along, I checked my log book and it will be almost exactly to the day 10 years since my Elise left Hethel, only right I should take it back for its anniversary.
Do you think they'll let me take it around the track
I'm pretty sure the Lotus people won't let you take your car round the track, but I'll ask.
Ciao,
Spokey
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW
do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
- Jon Miller
- Z Register member
- Joined: Sun 26 Oct, 2003 19:17
- Posts: 264
- Location: Ballina/Killaloe
- Contact:
spokey wrote: Jon, can you please send the email, otherwise I don't have it all in one place? Thanks!
I sent the email last night around 9.00 to zrbroads2007@hotmail.co.uk it would have come from jonmiller'at'eircom.net, i'll send it again tonight if you didn't get it.
I doubt they will also but you never know.spokey wrote:I'm pretty sure the Lotus people won't let you take your car round the track, but I'll ask.
Cheers
Jon