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Post by John Ponting on Aug 22, 2006 14:33:47 GMT
Lyn & I went home via Iepre and visited the Menen Gate in suitable pouring rain. We cancelled the 1400 ticket, changed to 1800 but got to Dunkirque 5 mins before the 1600 left. Stopped at Ashford for a meal so that we would miss the M25 rush hour and got home in 90 minutes (again, instead of over 4 hours last Friday).
Were there still huge queues of lorries on the way in to Dover when you drove out? Glad we wern't behind them!
Glad you got back OK.
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 22, 2006 14:38:43 GMT
John, when we came out of Dover there was at least a 5-8 mile queue of stationary lorries on the other side of the M20 due to an accident...I have never seen so many lorries parked in a row in my life....the queue was seemingly endless.
Herbie....I realised today that we could have all found the hotel carpark quite easily - the route was at the end of the roadbook for the run we had from Dunkerque/Ardooie/Mechelen....DOH!
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Post by John Ponting on Aug 22, 2006 14:51:41 GMT
John, when we came out of Dover there was at least a 5-8 mile queue of stationary lorries on the other side of the M20 due to an accident...I have never seen so many lorries parked in a row in my life....the queue was seemingly endless. Herbie....I realised today that we could have all found the hotel carpark quite easily - the route was at the end of the roadbook for the run we had from Dunkerque/Ardooie/Mechelen....DOH! There had been a fire alarm on a train so the tunnel was closed - lorry drivers worked it out before the police could close the M20 and get signs up. Motorway makes a great lorry park doesn't it. Who read the road book on Saturday afternoon? I presumed you had and that it didn't really help ;D
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Post by herbie on Aug 22, 2006 14:53:41 GMT
Not really or what Andie ?? Hahahaha that brings back a huge smile, we will talk about that car park after years ! After I left, I was charged 6 € by the machine, put in a 5€ bill and the rest in coins. The machine didn't want my money so I had to call the emergency number...... Later on, the guy called me back on my mobile and told me to go downstairs at -1 ..... there is another machine. I was laughing about my own goofiness I have waited 30 minutes and could hardly understand him talking cos of the loud music. That was the most precious Euro ever (my last coin) I put into the slot then
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Post by Jonathan Tully on Aug 22, 2006 16:35:48 GMT
Just like to say a big thanks to our Belgian hosts and to Adrian, for what was a very enjoyable time. I was really impressed at how well we were looked after, especially considering the size of our group. As everyone else has said to Art and Christine, I am glad that you were not seriously hurt. If I see any white TF's I will let you know. Mark, I hope that you get your car sorted soon. I hope that you weren't too cheesed off after all the efforts that you had gone to - to get to Belgium. A big shout out to all of the people who stayed at Ashford North - who all made me feel very welcome from the beginnning of the trip. It was great to see a lot of new people (too many to mention), especially from Europe. Even got to practice a bit of my dodgy German - cheers Herbie ;D Even the journey back was good fun - top down with music pumping out to keep me awake. I had to have a couple of red bulls to keep me going though ;D and slept in till 5pm Monday LOL Great trip and would totally reccomend it. Jon
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PinkJay
Running out of stars!
The PINKSIDE - 'stronger it is' - but you can't beat Black Leather - LOL.
Posts: 1,685
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Post by PinkJay on Aug 22, 2006 18:25:12 GMT
Hi everyone - I'm back!!!!!!
Wot a fantastic time!!!! Big'UP' to all the belgian lot inc Kasper and Daphne for organising this terrific event and also a big shout out to Adrian for all his work - even though he and the rest left me for dust on the autoroute out of Brussels on the way back to Dunkirk!!! - i won't hold it against you for more than a few months - LOL!!!!!!
Picks will be online very shortly.
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Post by colintf on Aug 22, 2006 18:28:36 GMT
Hi all, got home about 11.30 thanks to Dave for the quick trip down to Calais, nice one mate. Confused - you sped off into the distance, but when Emma, Holly and I arrived at the Eurotunnel checkin, you were only one car in front of us? ?
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Post by erikb on Aug 22, 2006 20:19:43 GMT
Time for my words of 'dankuwel' It's great to read you all enjoyed the event. I am so sorry I couldn't join on Saturday (we use Saturday for a final run of the Kempenrit, checking out every village center), printing some more A4's with additional info, creating the practical test, and so on. We helped Art and Christine, 'cause they are friends and 'cause they are driving an MG. Helping each other is one of the basics behind the octagon. If some one gets stuck, I am proud to stick out my hand and offer him some help... especially if you're one of the responsibles of the event and a local. So we didn't do anything special, we were just acting like we should be doing as fellow MG-ers. We have learned a few more things and we will try to remember them on another edition of this event. - I got the impression that the main dish on Sunday evening was a bit too small. Serving was quick enough (important for those trying to catch their boat/train the same evening). - Did anyone use the pink paper showing the route out of Hove (going over Antwerp, instead of Brussels or even worse Mortsel) ? - I will try to create some more time next year.... PS. Art & Christine were safely returned to their Hotel in Mechelen by a BMW 3-series touring... so they are not all that bad. I just keep my fingers crossed regarding the repair of that gorgeous white TF.
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PinkJay
Running out of stars!
The PINKSIDE - 'stronger it is' - but you can't beat Black Leather - LOL.
Posts: 1,685
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Post by PinkJay on Aug 22, 2006 22:22:32 GMT
Glad to see you are back and all OK Art and Mrs Art.
Cars can be replaced - people can't.
Take care and here's to getting back F'ing again real soon.
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Post by mgtfnut on Aug 23, 2006 7:02:54 GMT
I get the feeling that Jay and I were some of the few people who actually completed the tulip run EXACTLY as it was planned... we were not overtaken by anyone, we stopped twice - once at the awful accident to check Art and Christine were ok and again at the windmill (that no-one else seemed to have noticed!) - yet several people who left the start at Averbode after us arrived at the finish before us....hmmmmmmm.... Actually most people completed the tulip in full, but got there 2 hours earlier!!! A few did short cut, but to get to an earlier ferry or train. As Adrian remarked on the ferry home, we really needed 3 days to take in so much, especially for us newbies
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 23, 2006 7:35:34 GMT
Aha....Thats why David and I stayed the extra day - room service with breakfast in bed on Monday and a romantic leisurely stroll around the city....perfect! The only complaint I can make re staying Monday was that the only choccie shop we could find in Mechelen was CLOSED ALL DAY .....disasterous!!!! They should have opened up just for me and David....!!! I had to make do with standing outside and drooling over the windows! I'm sure that the people who left in front of us did complete the tulip route but...the guys who left after us who never saw the windmill...or the pear orchards en route ... who managed to finish before us and yet never overtook us... but insisted they'd followed the route exactly - no names mentioned, you know who you are Johnny WoW, Emma, Holly and Colintf.........LMAO!!!!
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Post by Tony Williams on Aug 23, 2006 9:06:53 GMT
no names mentioned, you know who you are Johnny WoW, Emma, Holly and Colintf.........LMAO!!!! And Me!
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 23, 2006 9:50:15 GMT
Tony !!!! I'm so shocked!!!! LMAO!
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Post by ianhunter on Aug 23, 2006 12:22:20 GMT
Colin, thats because we had been waiting 30 mins while they sorted out someone who was 10 cars in front, had a fab time and thanks for meeting us at Eurotunnel prior to the trip, nice to know that Liz and I wern't the only early birds. See you again soon mate.
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Luc
Learning the ropes
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Post by Luc on Aug 23, 2006 17:07:50 GMT
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