A2OC - Duxford Air Museum Summer Outing 19th July

[ULP]

In keeping with our discussions at the last camping trip, it's time for another summer social, a day trip to Duxford Air Museum.

For those who have not been before Duxford is an awesome location for all those who like planes, machines and seeing the hard graft of some real dedicated individuals. Equally enjoyable as seeing the finished articles is a rummage around the workshops where you get the opportunities to see planes mid-rebuild.

I am organising this for the 19th July 2008, and the day opens at 10am. More details will follow as I am trying to organise more for the day, but for now I would be grateful if those of you who wish to attend could express their interest in the usual way by putting their attendance down in the link below.

http://www.a2oc.net/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=19&day=2008-7-19

No monies will be required in advance this is simply a turn-up day.

Duxford is on J10 of the M11 so is easy to get to from the East side of the country - those travelling across country may find it a long journey. However, whilst I am not planning this as a camping social if people wish I will sort out a local camp site to stay at and, despite being only 20 minutes from our home, Marie and I will also camp if at least one other fancies it!

There will be another camping social in September to the home of Cider!

As I say, more details will follow so keep your eyes peeled!!!

It'll be great to see some new faces amongst the regulars!

More about Duxford:

http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00d

[Skipton01]

Signed up and looking forward to it!

If you know of a campsite that allows single night bookings, we'll be camping on the Saturday night and if I can swing it past Kyle, we might do the Friday as well.

Cheers,

Mike

[Rob Earl]

I won't be along for 2 reasons. 1) I've been to Duxford twice recently and 2) I don't have an A2 anymore.

However, it's an awesome place with some very special bit of machinery. Concorde, Spitfires, Hurricanes, B17, B52, SR71 Blackbird (aviation porn) plus so much more. Great for kids too... Well worth a visit.

[driveforward]

As discussed Chris, I will be there and if people are camping, I will also join in the tomfoolery :p

[Paddys]

Chris, How come is it you always manage to arrange these things for weekends when I'm not free. Would have loved to have come (not been to duxford (despite having lived 5 miles down the road for a year)) but its my best mates wedding and I think he may kill me if I dont turn up....

Oh well.... Hope to make the cider country one instead !

P

[ULP]

Looks like some camping then!

I won't be along for 2 reasons. 1) I've been to Duxford twice recently and 2) I don't have an A2 anymore.

Don't let that stop you Rob, you'll be most welcome - I've done Duxford a few times and it never fails to impress!

Chris, How come is it you always manage to arrange these things for weekends when I'm not free.

That's a pain Paddy, it's quite difficult to organise these events, especially when the co-social secretary has a huge bout of 'ring worm combined with the social life of a seasoned politician... We will be doing at least three more socials this year including ADI

There will be more, and I don't want to dilute this thread with the camping social, but keep the weekend of the 5th September free ;)

[Xiter]

I've spent a day at Duxford and got to see and and hear a Spitfire taking off. One of the few left in this world. Great place! Enjoy.

[driveforward]

especially when the co-social secretary has a huge bout of 'ring worm combined with the social life of a seasoned politician...

:eek:

'Ave it, maximum pasty attack in 26 hours :D

[Paddys]

despite being able to make this I am getting to go and see the vulcan fly in a few weeks so all is not lost ;) Anyone else going to the Waddington Air Show ?

Sorry for diluting the thread further!

PaddyS

[Skipton01]

Camping could be out unless we can pitch the tent at 10-11pm on the Friday!

I can't get out of work (ridiculous as we're being made redundant) any earlier than 7pm on the Friday - so I'm looking at alternatives.

Cheers,

mike

[wooly A2]

Ive been looking forward to this one ,
I will be there for the Saturday ....

[richard-]

That dates fine for me too..

[Skipton01]

I'm absolutely up for Duxford and will probably do the tent pitching at 10-11 as Wooly did on the first Chatsworth trip.

We now have self inflating matresses, so no need for noisy pumps and engines running and as long as it's not raining, should be pretty easy (assuming we can see the colours of the poles!!).

ULP, do you know of any decent sites in the area?

Cheers,

Mike

[ULP]

Despite living here, the immediate answer is no!

I will speak with colleagues on Monday and post shortly with a suitable location.

EDIT: Just checked and we can camp in our home town, I thought they only did caravans:

http://www.siteseeker.co.uk/aspx/details.aspx?id=7280

The site has a great reputation. I'll do some investigation as there is another site I know nothing about at Great Shelford which is close enough to Duxford to crawl there!

[Skipton01]

Sounds promising - it'll be a bit strange though to camp within a stones throw of your own house!

Cheers,

Mike

[driveforward]

Sounds promising - it'll be a bit strange though to camp within a stones throw of your own house!

Cheers,

Mike

Dedication to the cause!

[ULP]

Ive been looking forward to this one ,
I will be there for the Saturday ....

Get theeself onto the attendee's list then, and you Richard.

Marie reckons the one near Duxford at Great Shelford is a better location for camping, and she knows that part better than I!

So whose camping then?

[Skipton01]

Looks like we'll be camping Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with a trip to the Smoke on the Sunday for a mass cruise fit, then back 'oop north on the Monday.

Cheers,

Mike

[richard-]

I did spot that camping sign while in st neots for past 5 days. Couldn't remember if that was where you lived ULP. Surprised we didnt spot each other. I spotted two a2's one grey/black a few times around ending MYU and another XVS, cant remember the colour.

[driveforward]

How's things looking on the camping front? Do we need to book anywhere in advance etc?

[Skipton01]

Looks like just Friday night and Saturday now for us - the mass cruise fit has been moved to August.

We'll not be arriving until late Friday night (between 10 and 11pm), so save us a spot!

Cheers,

Mike

[ULP]

I have provisionally booked for four tents (Richard, Mike, Ian and I) on the Friday and Saturday nights. However, Mike I need the size of your tent as they have a limit - if you could PM me I'd appreciate it. They wouldn't give me the limit in case we fibbed!

For coucples, it is £21.20 per night (blimey!) and we'll need to make our own bookings - please don't book yet until we all know the tents fit

This is the site, it is within crawling distance of Duxford:

http://www.siteseeker.co.uk/aspx/details.aspx?id=6060

If anyone else is wishing to camp then please PM me!

[Skipton01]

Thanks Chris.

The tent is 8.4 x 7.8 metres - see here for the full sp:

http://www.vango.co.uk/products/tentsinfo.aspx?productid=35&modelid=40

Cheers,

Mike

[driveforward]

Mikes tent: "Oh dear.."

I'll probably go with Mikes lead and head down on the Friday night after work.

Keep us posted :)

[Paddys]

is that site alright chris or do I need to ask around for alternatives for you ?

PaddyS

[richard-]

Thanks for the booking of my piece.

For two nights a total of £42.40 for one or two people and we
pay when we we arrive at the site?

[ULP]

I did spot that camping sign while in st neots for past 5 days. Couldn't remember if that was where you lived ULP. Surprised we didnt spot each other. I spotted two a2's one grey/black a few times around ending MYU and another XVS, cant remember the colour.

You should have got in touch - we could have met up!

Yes, I live in St. Neots. I see a few A2's around but none of them ever wave (I have tried...), often see a meticulous '04' TDI90 Sport in Mauritius blue but only when he's driving and I'm on-foot.

I am trying a different site as the expense of the one in Great Shelford is shocking!

[ULP]

UPDATE

Finding a site for Mike's tent proved to be a challenge - don't join the caravan and camping club, Mike, as they only have pitches for mini-tents!

Anyhow, I had a chat this morning with Highfield Farm and they were very friendly indeed. They have restricted numbers for camping so I have booked for Richard, Ian and Mike but if anyone else is camping I need to know pronto. The details of getting there are:

HIGHFIELD FARM TOURING PARK,
LONG ROAD,
COMBERTON,
CAMBRIDGE,
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
ENGLAND,
CB23 7DG

The booking is in my name.

At the moment I may/ may not camp depending upon whether more people wish to due to the lack of space; however, I will be over Friday night and then back again for all of Saturday!

Details of the meet for those not camping (Alan, Wolly, A2 Sumo, possibly Darren C) will also follow; it's my intention to meet-up at Marie's workplace as it's easy to get too.

If anyone else is coming please PM me or post your attendance

[Skipton01]

Marvellous!

Thanks for your trouble Chris. I presume it's a pay on arrival job?

Cheers,

Mike

[ULP]

I knew I'd miss something... :)

Yes, this is pay on arrival

[Skipton01]

Great Stuff!

I'll probably give them a ring before-hand, as we won't be arriving until about 10pm, as I'll be setting off straight after work.

If any happy campers want to know more, look here:

http://www.highfieldfarmtouringpark.co.uk/index.html

Thanks Chris, hope you do make it under canvas!

Cheers,

Mike

[driveforward]

Thanks Chris, hope you do make it under canvas!



Mike, that just sounds wrong; but I will echo the sentiment!

Great work Chris, I will probably be late to arrive - around 9ish I'd imagine although I haven't really looked into it yet. Weather forecast is looking OK so hope to see you there Chris!

[SirTrevor]

Myself and No. 1 son hope to make it on Saturday too, as well tie in coming home to see my folks as well. We won't be camping as my mum and dad will provide slightly more comfortable lodgings on Friday night. What time and where shall we meet up with the rest of you?
Looking forward to seeing you in St Neots.
ST

[richard-]

Who is camping? Ian? Me and Mike any one else?

[ULP]

Myself and No. 1 son hope to make it on Saturday too, as well tie in coming home to see my folks as well. We won't be camping as my mum and dad will provide slightly more comfortable lodgings on Friday night. What time and where shall we meet up with the rest of you?
Looking forward to seeing you in St Neots.
ST

PM me your details - as your Mum lives withing spitting distance of my house we might as well catch-up together and drive over in convoy!

[ULP]

The Meet Location

Right, having thought about everyone decending en-mass to the camp site, I have had a look for an alternative location for the meet location on Saturday which is a lay-by on the B603 in the village of Barton, the exact location is on the outside of the bend marked by a public telephone in the centre of this streetmap image:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=541500&y=255500&z=3&sv=541500,255500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=538830&ay=256733

The time of meeting is 09:30-09:45 so we can get to Duxford for near-after 10am. I understand there are a couple of shows on this weekend so I expect it will be busy - last weekend was an airshow and the car parks were full from the crack of dawn but it shouldn't be that bad this time!!!

I'm not sure on exact numbers yet, but suspect we may be able to get a group discount.

Please PM me with queries - otherwise see you all Saturday!

[wooly A2]

False Alarm
ill be there guys in the Stretched A2 ...LOL !!!

[driveforward]

False Alarm
ill be there guys in the Stretched A2 ...LOL !!!
See you tomorrow mate!

[Darren C]

Unfortunately the credit crunch and future house sale means that we will reluctantly not be making this one.

I would like to wish you all the very best tomorrow for yet another well organised social - hope that you all have a great time and the weather is kind to you.

Enjoy. :)

[the_IT_bloke]

I was planning a visit to meet everyone :)

Unfortunately my trusty reliable A2 has broken a bit of plastic in the manafold and is with the dealers :(
£900 + VAT later I might see you all next time, if I can afford it!

Have fun!!!

[driveforward]

Thanks to all for making this yet another brilliant A2OC social!

I really enjoyed the day, and the combination of a great venue, new and old faces and some great banter and serious discussion made the day what it was :)

Keep you eyes peeled for details of the next social in September, and don't forget to check out the Audi Driver International (October) and Warwick Castle (Nov/Dec) social threads int his section too!

[SirTrevor]

Thanks again to all who organised the Duxford trip.
Myself and Theo had a great time and are looking forward to the next one, especially as the little chap got in for free!
We may even be able to make the camping trip in September.
Thanks again and nice to meet new people.


PS Out of embarrassment, I cleaned my car Sunday morning.

[pamanal21]

Hi all,
May I echo what has been said in last two threads! i had a most enjoyable/interesting day (lear'nt a lot ) with great company to boot! plus good weather as an extra bonus, my thanks go out to Chris/marie for the organising and planning involved, see you at the next social folks!
Cheers for now,
Alan.