Club Arnage

Just watching the Moto GP qualifying from Le Mans.....

In just about four weeks time we'll all be getting into position for the 3pm start  ;D ;D

I just four weeks we will have been in France for almost a week!

Today, i am sorting out camping gear, what not to take.

Group is down from 6 for a week and 4 more for 4 days, to 2 for a week and 5 more for 4 days.

CANT WAIT!!!

This just sprung to mind.

And we are off!!!!

(http://www.blackout.nu/2005pics/Solifer-Burnout.jpg)

You guys are killing me.  :'(

Three more years...three more years...three more years....

LOL @ Rick  ;D

Replace that with a trailer and it will be us in three weeks time  ;D

We'll be at Brands 3 weeks today for DTM and are escaping about this time on the Sunday to head off to the ferry

We're also on camping packing duties this weekend - it's the only free weekend I've got between now and leaving!

Same here! Sorting the gazebos out, re-packing the cups, plates, glasses and cutlery, cleaning the Turkey Fryer etc etc.

I think I'm starting to get excited!  ;D

I'm excited too....
This is the time of year when Mum gets very annoyed with Dad for packing and re-packing the car, just to check everything fits....Hence I am staying away from home for a little while :)

I'm begining to wish we never burnt our gazebo last year. It only cost us £40 and split between 10 of us it was too much hassle to try and get it back in the box every year. The problem we have now is that Makro are not selling them this year. Sod it, that means I have to spend ages trying to track a cheap one down or spend a lot more.

argos have nice cheap gazebos this time of year.

In 4 weeks I will mostly be listening to RLM resplendent in my CA finery.

In the back garden £$%^$%^&%^&£$%&^&IT&U&TYHWE%NT^%$Y :(

Two week. ;D  In the pit lane taking pics of the cars for the guide.  A fortnight tomorrow they'll be firing up.  Wahay.

I have an image of KK sitting as if at Pit Exit getting a countdown by the ferry hands and getting off the boat in record time!! ;D

Welll - wooooo hooooo  ;D

We are packed and ready to go  ;D

Are we nearly there yet  ;D ;D ;D

Be sure to bring the tent they ripped up in Brands, I'll ductape it together!

In four weeks we're trying to get all the gear in Paddy's van and the trailer, and I'll be leaving tomorrow for France!

You guys gonna miss the race then??  In 4 weeks I'll be donning my black tie for the 'Poo bar.

Del

Errrrr you're right Del, in THREE weeks we'll be packing!

Time just fly's away!

Lets hope it flies even quicker for the next three weeks!

Brico Marche are doing really boggo ones for 17.50 (euros) - just a bit of white plastic on a frame - do you want one?
I think it's very mean burning gazebos etc.  A friend of mine (English) has 3 tents, 2 gazebos and a pool - all left behind on campsites in previous years.  If you burn them, he might actually have to pay for something!

What on earth is a turkey fryer, what do you do with it and is it christmas already

I'm sure Homebase has big gazebo (3m x 4m) for about £60, and the marquee type (9m x 3m) for about £90.  Not on the website though.

They do burn well

Come on Lorry!!! In 2005 me and JPC were introduce to the art of Deep Fat Frying a Turkey at Sebring. JPC got a fryer last year and used it at LM.

Check Woolworths on line

They are a lot of gazebo's reduced

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/search/search.jhtml

Thanks Neal. The marquee for £80 looks tempting. Hmmm, I wonder how they burn

In four weeks..........it'll be almost over :'( :'( :'( and the long slog will begin all over again!

Hope the weather will be better than today for the Moto GP !!

Well, it's stopped raining here now at Le Mans but the weather has been foul for three weeks now. April was warmer than May so far. Strangely enough, I've dreampt three times of a wet race..... The last time was four years back(?) when it was dry elsewhere but Mulsanne to Arnage was wet. There were cars everywhere.

If it isn't, you can always use the runoff from the gazebos to fill the pools.

If all goes to plan I will be stood in the pit lane in 13 days time.

Wahoo!

Decided yesterday that Mrs Lord Steve had to pay a penace for spending £100 on bedding plants after two hours in a garden centre so I made her follow me around a camping and outdoor centre near Doncaster! Ha!!!!!!
I can't help but dribble over frame tents, gazebos and accessories. How very sad is that??

Anyway, got home, put all the plants in, cracked open a Stella and started to sort the gear that's been in the shed all year.
Tent - check
Gazebo - check
Folding chairs - check
Barbecue - check
Sleeping bag - check
Other things too numerous to mention!
It's all there and ready for the off.

Trouble is, I think I'm peaking too early again - by the time it comes round I'll be just drained from the pure excitement and expectation.

Hurry up.

Steve

I'm worried that i've peaked too soon as well, I messed about refining the shower yesterday for the 4th time! Everything is ready and its starting to drag now. Think its time to do the traditional 'travelling down to LM' tape ( actually its a MP3 thing this year-had to move on eventually!)
Is it time someone opened the who, what, where and when thread? Thats when you know we're close:-D

You could always have a trial run a week on Friday - that would help pass the time!  I think the who, what, when thread is already about somewhere, isn't it?  Or was I dreaming?

A trial run to LM? Its a 1200 mile, £500 ferry  round trip from here you know!
I have had a 'fit everything in a 35sq m area trial run' tho. Marked it out in the paddock and as long as there is no seepage from the lav into the BBQ we will be fine- a little snug but hey- we're all friends!

£500?  You can buy 5 return trips on Eurotunnel for £350!

Euro tunnel would put 500 more (guestimate) miles on top, in an old Alfa that struggles to do 15 mpg, so thats.... Er....2 zillion quid more, and theres the wind noise. And beer induced wind too. Its a no goer.

Looked on P&O web site this morning,

they have crossings (dover) £35 e/w

In 3 weeks and 2 days I'll be setting off from leafy Henley...via Poole and Cherbourg...to sample the delights of Beausejour and Le Mans. Unfortunately in 4 weeks time I'll be back in rainy Blighty once again. What happens in the days between those two should go down in legend if I have anything to do with it. 8)

Did a dry run of packing the car today, having borrowed a roof box from a mate. Needed to tell if I could get the essentials in, and still have room for Mark. The other non-essential I might have to squeeze in is Canada Phil! Seems there might just be room, but I have a cunning plan to ensure that there is...  :o

You can't put Canada Phil in The roof box man!

I wonder if it involves a towing hitch!!!  ::)

F

Nah, there isn't one on the Veccie.

It involves a trip to La Sarthe next weekend!!! :)

Just awaiting clearance from Head Office...

woo hoo!!

I am on the Speedferries next Sat a.m... cant remember the time tho... about 10'ish i think!!

 ;D

Maybe see ya there then!! I have Thurs 6 pm booked, return Sun late.

Where are you staying?

Are you doing your normal two week vacance Fran?

Are you visiting any intresting campsites Fran? ;)

Yep 2nd to 18th June - My boss cant understand why I need 3 weeks off work for a 24 hour race!

Well, I cant be bothered going all that way, packing up the car n all that just for a few days can I?!

I have a new pushbike this year for the Bleu/MB commute too!  :)

F

I am staying on Bleu Nord Barry - I wouldnt dream of defecting across the road!!  :angel:

I meant before you got to LM. 8)

I know an MB campsite permit is expensive when only one person is in a vehicle Fran, but surely the cost of a new cycle more than covers the differential??  ;D

Let's hope the gap between the test weekend and the race itself is good tanning weather!!  ;)

I know EXACTLY what you meant Barry! 

F

Its not about the cost (or even the stress of actually getting hold of an MB ticket) - I just enjoy the quieter pastures of Bleu for my home territory and visiting MB for the social.   :)

Incidentally although this new bike cost twice as much as my last one, it was still only £20 from a certain auction site!  Blimming Manc Pikies pinched my £10 LM bike from outside the flat (hope they fell off tho, cos the front wheel wasnt fixed on properly, the seat had been pinched a week earlier and the brakes didnt work either....!!  >:(  )

F

Didn't know you were a Manc Fran. Which part?

Umm - if I am trying to impress I say "Didsbury area" - if I am telling the truth, its Fallowfield/Withington - the heart of student territory!!!!  Either way, it just south of the city.

 ;D

Are you Manc too?

F

P.S.  I am not actually a Manc - have been here about three n half years tho.  Lovin' it!

I lived just off Barlowmoor Road for 2 years- Claremont Grove. Happiest years of my life. I still love Didsbury and would like to go back but the current Mrs Sconefinger is not keen.
Did my student days in Whithington and fallowfield. Queen of Hearts is where I met the missus!

Its a small world (as I often find myself saying)!

The "Queen of Tarts" is only just up the road from me!  The Friendship Inn is my local tho, ideal for some people watching and a swift half on the way home from Sainsburys on Sunday morning - its got a lovely new decked area for this summer!  ;)

Didsbury is blimmin expensive for property prices tho, but a lovely area.

F

The night i met the missus we had been in The Frenny watching football and had only decided to go to the 'tart' for another quick one because it was open til 2am. It was a week night and i had to be persuaded to go. Most expensive pint of my life thats for sure!
Your making me homesick now.

Fran, is Sifters record shop still going in Burnage? Many a happy saturday in there buying obscure northern soul singles. Must pop down for a weekend, must be 3 years since I last visited. So much will have changed i bet.

I dont know Shifters myself, but it often gets mentioned in listings/blogs, so it seems to be alive n well.

I have been here over 3 years and the main changes round here are a  new branch of Nandos (makes a change from kebaberies) and increased garden/decking at the Friendship.

Mr Bubbles is also alive n well!

You should get up here n check for yourself tho.  Bring the Mrs for a romantic re-enactment of your first meeting..... :)

F

Now ya talkin. Twisted Wheel, The Torch, The Catacombs and Wigan Casino amongst others. It always seemed a long journey to these clubs in a Vauxhall FB from Northampton. Always worth it. Ah, happy days.

Showing your age a little there Bob:-D
They'd all closed down by the time I was old enough to go. Great tunes tho'

Yes, my better half sometimes regales me of her trips to Wigan for the All Nighters.

To bring this back on topic....in two weeks time we should be set up on MB, beer cooling nicely and the sun beating down on us.

 ;D

In 3 days....

Sorry to go off topic again but the mention of northern soul brings back the memories. Never made it to the Wigan Casino unfortunately, but spent many a night at all niters in Brighton, London and at many scooter rallies around the country. Stick some Jackie Wilson on the turntable and i'm on the dancefloor (much to the embarassment of my kids) throwing some shapes, badly now i may add ;D

Thanks sconefinger for the reminder. I have a couple of boxes of some obscure northern in the loft. I think it is about time i got them copied to cd.  :D

Going to try putting some on MP3 in time for LM. Just listened to Spencer Davis'- I'm a man, on way home from work- top class!

Top tune :). I am going to have to get my teenage son to burn some cd's for me in time for LM. Could have my own all niter on BSJ ;D

Yesterdayevening I prepped the audio PC for Le Mans, will 250 GB of MP3 do for the week? ;D

(Choice is eveything)

Its too short notice for this year but of and the lads have decided to dust off the decks and have a Northern soul all nighter at next years classic.... Anyone fancy it?

I know my better half will be up for it (she enjoys the Classic but keeps clear of the 24 Hours).

I hope it will!  :o

In one week we'll nearly be on our way  ;D

We leave next Thursday night to go to Brands for DTM and then off to LM on Sunday  ;D

I don't wanna hear that. Two weeks tomorrow for me.

In 2 weeks time we will be on our way.... Long bloody way. Its dragging.

Well, I guess it's tomorrow now!  Whoopee!

Blimey - I am nowhere near ready and I have 2 more days at work to go!  Where does the time go???  :o

same here Fran, not even looked at/for a bit of kit yet, with only a week to get my s**t to gether for Barry to pack in car.
This year will pack it and forget it type rush i reckon.
Safe journey TO YOU ALL

Termie and Fran, if you're away tomorrow I guess you will have to start the 'Last one out, turn off the lights thread' Guaranteed to pee off everyone who has a week or so stuck at work before the fun begins!

It would be cheating in my case as I'll be back home by nightfall!

Well in that case you get to post twice!
Go on- go for it!

I'm away tomorrow but back on Sunday night...

At least the weather forecast has perked up a bit.

Well I started packing tonight. Only another 9 days till the off!

Me too!  So far its about 90% of the contents of my wardrobe and 50% of the kitchen!  Not even started on the bathroom yet.....

I think I might need to "rationalise" a bit further......

 :-\