NWales AR

We’ve been rained off more times than most and we’re about to be battered by Storm Agnes, but there’s a late Indian summer booked for Tuesday October 3 when we go back to our roots for our next meet at The Glasfryn, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, Mold, CH7 6LR. If the weather holds, there could be a clutch of 7s in the car park, but who knows! See you there from 7.30pm onwards.

We entertained ourselves last time we were at the Groes Inn, Conwy, sat outside watching would-be Lewis Hamiltons hurtle down Llanwrst Road towards us. So I thought it was time we went back - you never know, it might be an Indian summer and 30mph is still legal. See you there on the first Tuesday of the month - September 5, 7.30pm onwards. Postcode: LL32 8TN. Bring a spare pair of underpants!

Back by popular demand (one member suggested it!), the Tuesday, August 1 meeting will be held at The Dinorben Arms, Bodfari. We’ve been there a couple of times before and it’s extremely pleasant, with no shortage of food choices (unlike last month). Let’s kick off the month with a strong turnout, from 7.30pm-ish onwards. I hope to see you there. The postcode is LL16 4DA.

I’ve found a new venue for our July 4 meet: the Craig-y-Dderwen Riverside Hotel, at Betws-y-Coed. I’ve called ahead, and Michelle expects us around 7-7.30pm. However, blink as you drive into Betws-y-Coed and you'll pass it by. As you cross the historic Waterloo Bridge - and before you reach the petrol station - The Riverside Hotel is on your left. Go down the drive for 100 yards or so to reach the car park and then walk to the entrance. There are a couple of low ‘sleeping policemen’ but Michelle assures me they’ve had Porsches and Lamborghinis there without issue (I explained our 7s are quicker!). The postcode is LL24 0AS and telephone 01690 710293. It might be wise to call ahead if you wish to eat. I hope to see you there, but I cannot promise.

Dear all, please be advised that the Glasfryn, Mold will be the venue for our June 6 meet. Be there from 7.30pm onwards. It’s been so long, I’ll carry a rolled up copy of Low Flying so you all recognise me. I look forward to catching up with everyone and everything I’ve missed.

So let’s go back to one of our favourite spots for the May 2 meet: the Mulberry at Conwy Marina. There’s decent parking with an overflow across the road; good food and a great view of boats, some of which we could own if we hadn’t decided to buy our Sevens! See you next Tuesday, 7.30 onwards. The address is Ellis Way, Conwy, LL32 8GU.

One of our stalwart members suggested Gwesty Links Hotel in Llandudno for our April 4 meet - probably because he lives nearby. No matter, we've been there once before, shortly after it reopened after extensive renovations and it has all we need for an enjoyable evening, notably ample free parking. Meet at 7.30pm and have a jolly evening putting the world to rights. Regrettably, I cannot be with you - which is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your point of view.

We've been to the historic Tal Y Cafn once before and it's time we revisited. So, let's meet there on Tuesday, March 7, 7.30pm onwards. There's been a hostelry there since 1438AD, providing shelter and sustenance to travellers, hawkers and drovers, but it's been under new ownership since 2020, since when the place has been brought bang up to date. There's plenty of parking and good food too. The Tal Y Cafn is situated on the A470 Llanrwst Road, LL28 5RR. See you there.

Back to familiar ground for our February 7 meet. It's been so long, I've forgotten what some of you look like. I'll be there at the Glasfryn, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, Mold, CH7 6LR, and I hope to see you all. God willing, it'll be warmer than of late because I'll be feeling the cold! Please join me from 7.30pm onwards

The Dinorben Arms at Bodfari is our destination on Tuesday December 6, We know the place well - good food and drink - and at this time of year, there'll be a log fire to ward off the winter chills. Sadly I won't be able to join you as I'm in vacation mode, but I'll be with you in spirit - I might even try phoning in to wish you Merry Christmas. See you at 7.30pm. Uncharacteristically, it's chilly here but 85 degrees is promised for the weekend. Regards Chris

It's time we went back to our roots for our next meet, so make a date for Tuesday, November 1, at The Glasfryn, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, Mold, CH7 6LR, from 7.30pm onwards. Winter draws on, so feel free to leave your 7 under cover and choose your nice warm tintop! See you there (my last this year!).

Something a little different for our next club night on Tuesday, October 4: Paul Singleton, the owner of Conwy Classics in Llandudno Junction, has invited us to visit his showroom and inspect the range of cars (and motorcycles) he has currently for sale. Conwy Classics is a new business. I met Paul at the September Cars & Coffee on the Prom and learned we had just missed his grand opening event on September 16. However, he has kindly agreed to show us around at the slightly early than usual time of 7pm. Coffee and nibbles will be available. Being a new business, Paul is keen to learn from us about the kind of facilities classic car owners need in our area. He intends to both sell and buy cars and motorbikes and will sell on commission. He also has contacts who can help with restoration. He’s making a special effort to open his showroom for us and I do hope as many as possible will join me on October 4. Conwy Classics is at 25 Conway Road, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9LU.

If it's September, it's time we went back to our roots for our next meet, so make a date for Tuesday, September 6, at The Glasfryn, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, Mold, CH7 6LR, from 7.30pm onwards. If the weather holds, there should be a clutch of 7s in the car park, but I regret mine will not be among them. I'm on me hols in sunny Italy. See you at the Big Picnic on Saturday, or failing that, at the October meet, venue to be decided.

By popular request, we will decant to The Dinorben Arms, Bodfari, on Tuesday, August 2 for a fun night of tall stories, jokes, good company ... and more discussions about what we're contributing towards The Big Picnic (which is on September 3). See you all (in your cars) from around 7.30 onwards.

I hope you'll consider joining us. We trialled Pensarn last month (because the Rhos on Sea prom is closed to traffic) and it was a great success. PLUS, we'll be raising money for Prostate Cancer Research.

Dear all We’ve met at the Groes Inn, Conwy, before but so long ago, I can't remember when. Which means it's time to go back on Tuesday, July 5 for our monthly get-together. I hope to see you all from around 7.30 onwards in as many 7s as we can muster (weather permitting). You'll find the place on the B5106 Llanwrst Road at LL32 8TN, which means it's accessible from Conwy town or Llanwrst, with either route providing some scenic driving. Parking is across the road and be advised that there is unlikely to be food (but no shortage of liquid refreshment). Please let me know if you can join us. Regards Chris

A new venue for Gogs meet on Tuesday, June 7: The Eagles Hotel, Llanwrst [sadly not California!] in Ancaster Square, LL26 0LG. I spoke to Sunny, the man in charge, who has kindly agreed to reserve six car park spaces for us (with a possibility of more) but he requires confirmation of how many we need on the Tuesday morning. So, please be kind enough to RSVP to nwales@caterhamlotus7.club so we don't disappoint. Quality food and drink are available, so why not bring a partner. And let's hope it's not a dark desert highway to get there. See you all at 7.30ish. Regards Chris Proudlove

It's back to the Glasfryn, Mold, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 6LR for our May 3 meet ... if only to give our friends from the east a break and reduced their travel time (with luck some of them might even be in their Sevens). Raise a glass to absent friends (i.e.me) at 7.30pm-ish. Yes, yes, I know I missed the last one as well, but the chance to finally get to the States was too good to miss. I'll definitely see you in June, though, I promise. If you could drop me a line to confirm attendance, I'll be sure the pub makes space for you! Regards Chris Proudlove

I need to offer my apologies this time. Mrs P and I are cat-sitting for our daughter in London. I had intended to suggest the April 5 meet should be at the Faenol Fawr Hotel (Colin's favourite) near to Bodelwyddan Hospital, but "a change of our business approach" (their words) means that due to Covid etc, they open during weekdays only for meeting rooms that are rented out. So, allow me to suggest another favourite: The Mulberry, Conwy, which we've used before and boasts a spectacular location, welcoming staff and good food. The pub is situated adjacent to Conwy Marina and the postcode is LL32 8GU. Meet at 7.30pm onwards and if the sun is shining as it is just now, there are some great views from the extensive outdoor tables. Be sure to check inside first, though, just in case. I hope you have a pleasant evening.

How better to celebrate St David's Day than a Gogs meet? (I'll be the one with a daffodil behind my ear). Let's get together at a previous haunt - the Dinorben Arms, Bodfari, LL16 4DA, on Tuesday, March 1. KIck-off 7.30. I hope you'll all join me.

Can you believe it's almost February? And the first Tuesday is the first of the month. So, it's time to invite all members - new and old - to the Tal-Y-Cafyn, which is situated on the A470 Llanrwst Road, LL28 5RR, just a few miles on from Black Cat roundabout heading towards Llanwrst. We'll meet at 7.30 and, thanks to the lovely Ebony, we have some space reserved for us, so we mustn't disappoint. See you there on Tuesday, February 1.

Dear all Blimey, it's nearly 2022 and the first Tuesday is on the fourth of the first month - I wasn't always this good with numbers. So let's return to our roots: our old stomping ground at the Glasfryn, Mold. We'll meet at 7.30ish onwards on Jan 4. Hardy souls from east and west and anyone else prepared to venture out in the cold will find a warm welcome. See you there, I hope, (Covid permitting). Regards Chris

What: Gogs November meet Where: The Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford When: 7.-7.30pmish, Tuesday, November 2 It's only fair that we should embrace our most easterly friends, so we are meeting at a new venue, The Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford, which comes highly recommended. It's also a Brunning Price establishment, like the Glasfryn and the Pen-y-Bryn, so we can expect a lovely welcome, pleasant atmosphere and good food. I hope to see you there.

It's time to return to our roots and give members on our eastern boundary an easier drive: our old stomping ground at the Glasfryn, Mold. We'll meet at 7.30ish onwards on Tuesday October 5. Hardy souls from the west etc and anyone else prepared to venture out in the chill of autumn should start hoarding petrol now to be sure you have enough to get you home. See you all there, I hope.

The North Wales (Gogs) members have been meeting at the Glasfryn in Mold on and off for more years than I care to remember, so I thought it would be good to try another hostelry in the same ownership: the Pen-y-Bryn in Colwyn, Bay. The place has the same warm welcome and ambience as other Brunning and Price "gastropubs", a safe, tarmacked car park with plenty of room mid-week, and a private room downstairs, should we wish to use it (we are expected). Meet at 7-7.30pm and enjoy the excellent view over the bay. I very much regret, however, I will not be able to join you on this occasion as I will be in the North East for some days visiting relatives. My apologies.