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Post by colintf on Aug 23, 2006 17:57:11 GMT
Andie, maybe us (Emma, Holly and I) not seeing those specific items had something to do with it being so wet at times - add to that that the tour round took so long that I really can't remember what I saw - apart from F's n TF's and lots of water!!!
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Post by James Curgenven on Aug 23, 2006 21:32:54 GMT
It was a bit damp wasn't it The fact Fiona and I got lost as soon as we got out of the gate didn't spoil our enjoyment of a nice trip around the Belgian countryside. I think we went to every town mentioned in the roadbook, just not nessecarily in the right order The few photos we took will get uploaded tomorrow
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Aug 23, 2006 22:14:32 GMT
Andie, you are right about the joys of the road runs as an integral part of the event, I would not dream of attending an event without completing the road run. However Dawn and I felt a degree of responsibility towards the number of single drivers attending so we sacrificed the run to take them the quick way by following Annick and Luc direct to the end as driving on the right and following a map when you are on your own, could actually be dangerous in my opinion, so, well done to you for doing it all. We did see a good part of the countryside on our way, so it was quite pleasant even though we had to put the roof up near the end Next year let's all try to go double manned (or girled) and I can do the road run as well.
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PinkJay
Running out of stars!
The PINKSIDE - 'stronger it is' - but you can't beat Black Leather - LOL.
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Post by PinkJay on Aug 23, 2006 22:21:00 GMT
Andie, you are right about the joys of the road runs as an integral part of the event, I would not dream of attending an event without completing the road run. However Dawn and I felt a degree of responsibility towards the number of single drivers attending so we sacrificed the run to take them the quick way by following Annick and Luc direct to the end as driving on the right and following a map when you are on your own, could actually be dangerous in my opinion, so, well done to you for doing it all. We did see a good part of the countryside on our way, so it was quite pleasant even though we had to put the roof up near the end Next year let's all try to go double manned (or girled) and I can do the road run as well. Hang about - I was a single driver and I managed the road run!!!!! - abeit with Andie and David's help.
Also got left off the back end of the 'travelling' groups 3 times over the 2 days. Once was on the way back to the ferry in Dunkirk - no-one even tried to phone me to make sure I was OK and this being my first time abroad driving as well!!!!! - and it's no use telling me, when yur booked onto the ferry that you were about to phone me!!!! Wot i'f i'd broken down or crashed? how do you get back off the ferry to find out??
I'm very happy that I spent some 'hard earned' on my Belgium sat nav maps now otherwise I would probably still be hooning around Belgium even now!!!!!
If there's one gripe re this event, it's the fact that several drivers haven't got a flippin clue how to travel in convoy!!!!! I thought you made sure you could see the driver behind you at all times, not sod off into the distance like a mad demon possesed and sod the person behind!!!!
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Post by John Ponting on Aug 24, 2006 7:58:34 GMT
If there's one gripe re this event, it's the fact that several drivers haven't got a flippin clue how to travel in convoy!!!!! I thought you made sure you could see the driver behind you at all times, not sod off into the distance like a mad demon possesed and sod the person behind!!!! [/color][/quote] Jay You made that comment to me when we stopped at J3 on the way out from Dunkirque on Saturday morning and also commented on the speed on the motorway. Adrian spent quite a long time splitting us in to suitable groups for the initial journey. The lists were in the document that AC emailed to everybody before we set off. You were listed as being in the same group as me, a couple of cars back, behind Art's white TF. When we left the ferry we formed up in the car park. My group was complete before we left the dock and I could see back to Art before we joined the motorway 2 roundabouts later. Each group was a separate 'convoy' and was self contained; there was no need to watch for anybody from the following group. The speed limit on the motorway was mainly 110 kph although there was a short section of 130 kph; traffic was fairly light, conditions were good. As we approached J3 I mirror checked, saw the cars I expected to see (including Art) and left the motorway to the stop point just off the ramp. You pulled up as I climbed out of my car so I guess you were less than 30 secs behind me - not bad after 30 miles of motorway. The run from there on to Lunch was pretty slow most of the time with multiple stops for regrouping - generally before any left hand diversions we all stopped on the right kerb first. This was the only dodgy part for me - all stop on the right then execute a left turn across traffic from a standing start? I also seem to remember the whole group sitting blocking the entrance to a garden centre while youwere in search of fuel after less than 50 miles. Another convoy rule ignored? We all arrived at each check point together, including lunch (you parked just 2 cars from me) and the hotel. Sunday morning was a bit of a problem - we had to travel to the rally start via motorway and the rain was bad at times. Convoy rules? NO - drive for your own safety first then look behind. Again, it can't have been too bad as everybody arrived at the mid point car park stop together (other than Mark, Kasper and a couple of others who stayed with him). Sunday afternoon run was an individual run following tulip diags - not always an easy task if solo but you managed it WELL DONE. Personally, I do not like car convoys - roads are too busy and a few chances have to be taken to stay together. Let an outsider overtake and join in the convoy and it can soon fall apart. At one point on Sunday morning I was overtaken 3 times by the same HGV as I slowed to see who was behind me - he was frustrated and I felt in some danger and almost missed the exit. However, I'll go again next year if there is one as the whole event is a pleasant memory.
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 24, 2006 8:16:39 GMT
I think the torrential rain on the last stretch of the motorway was the biggest problem. This was where I totally lost the four cars leading yellow group in front of me. I tried to keep up with the speed but I felt terribly unsafe driving at high speed when I was unable to see very far in front of me with the rain hammering down, wipers on fast speed and the spray thrown up from the road, and was also worried about the huge volume of water laying on the motorway itself as we headed to Mechelen, so I slowed down to around 50mph as I was terrified I'd be in an accident if I continued driving at 70mph+.
The cars who were in my group behind me remained there and we trundled on towards Mechelen with my car as temporary leader, until we caught up with the leading part of the group just outside the city.
I'm not sure that this occassional splitting up of the groups could have been helped. As JP says, cars cutting back in split up the group as did vehicles coming off slip roads.
I was in a group with people in front of me who have driven in Europe before - they were fully competent at handling the roads in that terrible weather whereas I was slightly nervous when driving on 'the wrong side' at high speed in attrocious weather. It would have been nice to drive just a little slower to accomodate the nervousness of us 'driving in Europe' newbies but I guess we had to get to the destination! LOL!
I absolutely loved my first time abroad....fan-bloody-tastic! I felt extremely safe and wasn't scared at all! Lovely people in our whole group, lovely hosts, great routes, great planning by all involved, great hotel and staff and friendly locals....and if I can afford it next year...I'll be there again....there's no keeping me back now!!!! I'll sell David if I have to.... ;D As JP says...a wonderful memory and the perfect way for me to start my foreign travel!!! I can't wait to go on another MG adventure to foreign climes......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by James Curgenven on Aug 24, 2006 9:13:01 GMT
I had exactly the same thing happen on the way to Mechelen, Andie. It was raining so hard we lost the front part of the group and I had become temporary leader for the back half, however we follwed the instructions in the road book and met up with the front half just as we were pulling off the motorway to head into Mechelen, so all in all I feel that the event went very well, and I shall certainly be heading back next year! Slight tangent but if the Italy event goes down I shall probably be heading home via Switzerland to see some friends I have there, how's that for adventurous
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Post by kasper on Aug 24, 2006 9:14:46 GMT
Just a view from one of the guys on the other side trying to take care of you, our Guests.
I think that we experienced a very well organised trip having guests who all were very carefull driving and very well mannered. We (Marion & Myself) were realy surprised by the way you arrived at the meeting point, all in cars the right order, all driving in a compact group. Making it very easy for us and for Back end Charly (Jaded aka Kris). This perfect organisation comes to help in situations where things get difficult such as town centres and heavy rainfall.
We also are no friends of convoy driving, therefor we did the run on our own! But getting there and back again for the whole lot within a limited period of time needs an organisation as we have had. To do convoy driving in the fast way you need a group of people used to do so. BDC in that case will be the leader of the pack. Setting pace and blocking the road on a highway. The first man will indicate the directions. In towns this is even a much more diffiocult job because you shoud avoid anyone not form the group to enter the que.
We do relealise that the trip on the Sunday early hours, All of you present! was not the strongest point on our organisation, (I think lesson learned, will be better next year!) And Issues as with Mark on the trip up, puts us also for difficult descisions, staying there, trying to help (for what it's worth, mental support) or keeping up with the whole lot being Back Door Charly?
We are happy you all experienced the trip as time well spend. Absolutly not everything will be as expected, but that's part of the game. I'm following the discussion about the convoy driving. All be aware that we did not have any reason to complain or comment any of you. A huge THANK YOU!
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 24, 2006 9:35:19 GMT
It was absolutely brilliantly done, Kasper!!! Even though I slowed down and lost you guys, the road book was so well written that we had no problem following it at all!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! An absolute pleasure meeting you all and thank you also for putting so much of your time and effort into making the trip so much fun! A great achievement in my opinion....40 cars is a heck of a lot to keep in some sort of order - and it was done brilliantly! See you on the next one for sure.....!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by blueroadster on Aug 24, 2006 11:02:07 GMT
Re convoy driving, On the whole,I think that the organisation on both sides of the Channel was fantastic.Our Belgian hosts and their Dutch helpers were superb-very patient and polite at all times.The effort put into this event was enormous and we should not forget that it was all done by VOLUNTEERS who gave their time freely so that we could enjoy our trip/adventure.Driving in convoy,whether it's 6 cars or 40 cars is always going to be difficult especially considering the high mileage we had to cover.Even with the best intentions,groups WILL GET SPLIT UP for various reasons,traffic lights,roundabouts,pedestrian crossings and poor weather conditions.Yes,it's frustrating to find your group split up,but we're each responsible for our own safety and should drive within our own limits.As it was my first time driving abroad it was a huge learning curve but one that I can't wait to repeat.Experience gained,lessons learned and a BRILLIANT time in Belgium. Well done Andie,for someone who was initially nervous about driving abroad I think you can be very proud that you stayed an extra day and returned solo!
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Post by herbie on Aug 24, 2006 11:02:49 GMT
I still live on the experiences of that fab weekend. Let's continue that thread until August 2007 perleaaazeeeee ;D
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Post by Adrian Clifford on Aug 24, 2006 11:12:08 GMT
Jay, I'm a little confused here, from the lead car all the way back to Dunkerque I could see a long line of cars behind me working together very well as a group, Emma, driving on her own for the first time was keeping up.
I kept the speed pretty close to the 130kph limit but we had a ferry to catch, we were all OK for fuel.
The car at the rear had it's headlights on, that helps.
At no time did anybody call up on the radio that they had a problem or any concerns, before we left you were handed a diagram of how to get to Dunkerque and once we were on the E40 it was the same road all the way, about 2/3rds of the whole journey.
If you had any problems you all had my telephone number.
I was not even aware that you were coming back with us until I saw you in the convoy as you were supposed to be staying one extra night, you didn't tell me any different. You regularly tell us how fast you like to drive but keeping a sustained speed as we did for 2 hours now, after the event, it seems to be a problem, why didn't you say something at the time or on the ferry even ? Was the pace too fast, we arrived at Dunkerque just 8 minutes early, I didn't think that was bad after a two hour drive, nobody else complained.
I cannot watch what the car at the rear of a fairly long group is doing, were you even at the rear, I don't know. I concentrate on keeping the cars behind me in sight while reading the road ahead and ensuring they know where I am going and what I'm doing.
You ask why nobody phoned you, I didn't even know what ferry you were on, you were scheduled to leave Monday.
You say :
"If there's one gripe re this event, it's the fact that several drivers haven't got a flippin clue how to travel in convoy!!!!! I thought you made sure you could see the driver behind you at all times, not sod off into the distance like a mad demon possesed and sod the person behind!!!!"
I find those words quite exceptionally rude and degrading, you obviously have no idea on how much work goes in to planning these events and how much care was shown by our hosts, when you yourself change your plans without telling anybody, you fail to tell anybody you are dropping behind and then complain days after the event that we sped off like a mad demon possesed and sod the person behind. Really Jay, I think this is rather unfair criticism and a slur on their hospitality and to the rest of the group that travelled to this, the premier European MGF event.
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Be nice, i'm new!
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Post by on Aug 24, 2006 11:22:09 GMT
As said by Mark, Adrian et al, I can't thank the VOLUNTEERS enough....you guys and ladies really were amazing!!! All the effort you put in was so appreciated - you made my first ever trip abroad so memorable and extremely easy and for that I am so grateful! You made us so welcome! I never felt worried at all throughout the entire weekend - and I drove back solo to Dunkerque through several torrential thunderstorms on Monday night! Even the Belgian guy who helped us out at the umanned petrol station on Monday afternoon was lovely - we were out of fuel and couldn't find a manned garage so he allowed us to fill up on his card and we paid in cash! What a nice guy! I have nothing but praise and thanks for all that EVERYONE did, here and over in Belgium! Thanks to you all, I have crossed another 'to do' off my 'Before I am 40' list! Mark...how is the car now? I hope you got it sorted out ok... x
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Post by Emma Jackman on Aug 24, 2006 11:40:49 GMT
On the final trip back to Dunkerque, I ended up in the position of back marker. This is quite a responibility, and although I am very used to convoy driving, you need to remember this was only my second time driving abroad, first driving on my own.
The weather was good on the way back, and although the motorway trip was fairly fast paced we managed to stay together for the first half after we all stopped for fuel. After a while I could only see Jay, Jon and Ralph in front of me and just about Tony in front of them. I kept pulling into the outside lane by way of a hint for everyone to pull out, which everyone did. However we were getting very cut off from the rest of the group and in the end I felt I had to take the lead on the Jay, Jon and Ralph group and floored it to catch up with the main group (I don't know the way to Dunkerque!) I could see Jon and Ralph keep up with me ok so we solidered on and caught up with the rest of the group at which point we slowed down to reasonable speed. At this point I realised that Jay wasn't with us and I dropped right back to see if you were there, and waited but you never caught up. By this point I was getting cut off myself so had to floor it again to catch up.
Yep I felt as back marker I had a responsibility to look after the ones in front of me, but I did the best i could given my lack of European driving experience.
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Ralph
Been there, done that!
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Post by Ralph on Aug 24, 2006 12:55:35 GMT
On the trip back to the ferry Emma and myself were taking on the role of Tail End Charlie. We were travelling on the motorway with Emma at the back when I first became aware that a group of us had become separated from the lead group. I tried to contact Jay on the radio, but I guess the battery in the radio I was using was dead or very low. Emma tells me that she tried contacting the lead group on several occasions, but was unable to due to the distance that they were ahead of us.
Before Emma took over the lead of the group I pulled out into the outside lane and tried to get Jay to increase her speed. I then pulled back into line in the convoy in front of Emma. Emma then turned her lights off an took over the lead of the group. I turned my lights on to indicate that I was now Tail End Charlie. When it became apparent the Jay was making no effort to keep up with leader I decided that I had to keep up with Emma's group, so I turned off my lights and overtook Jay. As I passed Jay I signalled to her once again to keep up with us.
Like others on the trip, this was my first time driving my own car abroad. I had no idea where we were going, and was relying on following others. I had no maps and no satnav with me.
Overall, the convoy went amazingly smoothly. A big thank you to all those involved!
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