NWales AR

Please welcome Andrew Catchpole, the newest addition to our numbers. Andy, a longtime member, now lives in Abergynolwyn and has asked to be added to the Gogs email list. He has also come up with the venue for our August meet, which is on Tuesday August 3, from 7pm. So, we meet at the Bryn Arms, Coed-Y-Llwyn, LL41 4EN, which is just off A487, on the edge of Ceunant Lleyrch Nationa Nature Reserve near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Read the testimonials on their website - which are very positive. Please let me know if you plan to attend and if you need food, so I can pass numbers on to the pub. We look forward to a good turnout. Regards Chris

Dear all Fate found me and mine enjoying bar food and a drink at The Mulberry, Conwy Marina, the other day and it occurred to me that it's a while since we held a club meet there. So, executive decision: let's do it there from 7pm onwards on the first Tuesday - June 6. There's nowhere nicer on a warm summer's evening! I hope you will join me. Directions here. Regards Chris

The new normal returns, so our June meet is an opportunity to drive to the Faenol Fawr Hotel, Bodelwyddan, LL18 5UN, for a noggin and a natter in the historic surroundings of this popular venue. We've been a couple of times before and they are keen to have us back. Unfortunately, however, the venue is not serving food at this time. There is plenty of parking spaces in a secure off-road setting, so your Seven will be safe and, God willing, it will be a dry night. Sadly, I'm still being chauffeured by Mrs P, but I hope to see as many of you and your cars as possible. It's been too long! Regards Chris

I am delighted to be able to invite you to the Glas Fryn in Mold (our long-standing home base) for the September meeting, which will be on Tuesday, September 1. Former AR Paul Formston has arranged for a table to be made available to us (thanks Paul), so please join Paul and me from 7.30pm. With luck, this stormy weather will have passed and we'll enjoy a balmy evening, starting in the garden, where we can admire each other's cars before moving inside when it turns chilly. It's been too long since we met as a group and I hope you will all make the effort to attend.

Please check your club email for the substitute login details to access tonight's Zoom meeting (Tuesday April 7).

Gogs will be meeting at the Dinorben Arms, Bodfari on Tuesday, March 3, and all ae welcome to join us. We've been before, but some time ago now, and with the log fire, it's very comfortable. The food's good too. There's also a lot to talk about - the magic month of April is not too far away and cars will be back on the road. I can't wait! Hope to see you there from 7.30pmish on.

Please raise a glass to absent friends on Tuesday, December 3, when the club meet venue is the Deganwy Quay Hotel, Deganwy, Conwy, LL31 9DJ. Sadly, I'm the absent one, so spare a thought for me as I struggle on in 80 degree heat and only seabirds for company on the beach. Not a 7 in sight. Set on the idyllic Conwy Estuary, the 4-star hotel commands stunning views of Conwy castle and is an easy drive from east or west, leaving the A55 at Junction 18. For those coming from the west, the toot toot tunnels is another attraction, albeit chilly in the 7 in winter! We have used the venue before and were made to feel very welcome. Meet from 7.30pm (ish) onward.

Don't expect fireworks at our November 5 meeting - because I won't be there (sorry again) - but I hope you'll bring your firecracker wit along to the meeting, to be held by popular request at the Faenol Fawr Country Hotel, a 16th century manor house in Bodelwyddan. We've been before and those who attended will recommend it, I'm sure. Find it at LL18 5UN. It's situated just off the A55 on Rhudlan Road. Take a left turn after passing Glan Clwyd hospital on your left. Meet from 7.30pmish onwards

Don't expect fireworks at our November 5 meeting - because I won't be there (sorry again) - but I hope you'll bring your firecracker wit along to the meeting, to be held by popular request at the Faenol Fawr Country Hotel, a 16th century manor house in Bodelwyddan. We've been before and those who attended will recommend it, I'm sure. Find it at LL18 5UN. It's situated just off the A55 on Rhudlan Road. Take a left turn after passing Glan Clwyd hospital on your left. Meet from 7.30pmish onwards.

Time to go back to our roots for the Tuesday, October 1 meet, which will be at the Glasfryn, Mold, from 7.30pm onwards. I very much regret I will not be free to join you as Mrs P and I will be in Switzerland reminding ourselves of what our son looks like. I hope lots of other Gogs members will be there, however, and that the weather is kind. Who knows, this might be the last time this year for a run out in the 7 before the salt starts getting chucked around. Regards Chris

I thought we would try a "two centre" meet on Tuesday September 3. First off, we'll convene at The Liverpool Arms, Conwy, LL32 8BE, around 7-7.30pm. The Liverpool Arms is the oldest traditional pub in Conwy town. It is situated on Conwy quay and beaches, next door to the famous 'Smallest House in Britain', with stunning views over the estuary and Conwy castle. It has the largest "beer garden" in Wales stretching along the quay. The perfect place to relax in and take in the natural beauty that surrounds this iconic pub. If parking is a problem on the quay, we could consider going on to a second meeting point - The Mulberry Arms, Conwy, LL32 8GU, which can be reached with a short drive through the town and avoiding the A55. Or we might just stay on the quay in Conwy town. Either way, I hope as many members as possible will join me on what for many is the last chance to drive their 7 to a club meet before the dreaded salt. See you next Tuesday! Regards Chris

Blue 7, thanks for your post - sounds like a great solution. Please let us know how you get on.

Ian B, thanks so much for your response I confess I’m not on here much, but I’m changing my opinion, the helpful suggestions I’m getting on my initial post is very encouraging. i shall give your solution a go at the weekend when I attend the Tatton, Chester, meet (when it’s sure to rain!).

Indeed it was Ian B's Sumex. The jury is very much out on its effectiveness but I need something desperately. I take all comments about being a wus on the chin, but living in darkest North Wales, where the rain comes in with a vengeance, I need to at least try ... I even put the full hood up the other day with skinned knuckles and broken finger nails to prove it. I too like the idea of making my own, it's Plan B if all else fails.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0y020mpcikl2ydi/CCOTP%20Aug%20%2719.jpg?dl=0 Only two more to go before the hi-vis boys start chucking salt about. Soooo, don't miss the August CCOTP - the penultimate event of 2019. Where did the year go?

Dear all I know we've been before, but things have changed: The Tal y Cafn is under new management, being run by a Peter, a friend of mine who also runs The Toad in Rhos on Sea. The place is lovely, but it needs a little help to get back on its feet after a period of mismanagement and closure. If it's a sunny evening, there is a large area raised above the car park where we can sit and enjoy the view and if it's not, I have reserved the snug, which is just that. I hope as many people as possible will join me from about 7.30pm onwards. It's easy to find, just off the Llanwrst road, from which it can be seen prominently. Regards Chris

Dear all I am delighted to be able to invite you all to The Gousemoor, at Llandegla, on June 4 for our meet in one of the nicest venues in North Wales. A high-quality, newly-refurbished high-end hotel, it is hugely classic car friendly and has the cosy ambience of a rustic country inn, featuring beautiful beams, real fires and warm and friendly staff led by Pam, the owner. I cannot recommend it too highly and I hope you can join me from about 7.30pm-ish onwards. Light meals and snacks will be available from the bar menu and it would be greatly appreciated if you could give me an idea of attendance and indication of whether or not you would like to eat, so that I can pass numbers on to Pam. Regards Chris

Dear all In order to spread a little love to our more westerly-based friends, the May meet next Tuesday (May 7) is at the Deganwy Quay hotel, Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9DJ Set on the idyllic Conwy Estuary, the 4-star hotel commands stunning views of Conwy castle and is an easy drive from east or west, leaving the A55 at Junction 18. For those coming from the west, the toot toot tunnels is another attraction! We have used the venue before and were made to feel very welcome. So join me from 7.30ish onward; with the weather set fair, there's no excuse... Regards Chris

Dear all No, not President Trump's gaff, but an exceedingly smart restaurant and bar just off the A55 at Rhuallt. Read all about it and see the menu here. The postcode is LL17 0AW. Travelling westbound (ie into Wales) – Exit Jct. 29, follow the B5429 for approx. 1.5 miles; you will find the White House located on your right. Travelling Eastbound (towards England)– Exit Jct. 28, take the third exit off the roundabout onto the B5429; you’ll find the White House located approx. 0.5 mile on your left. I hope to be there around 7.30pm and will stay until people stop buying me drinks. Regards Chris

Dear all Spring is springing, and it's time to venture into the countryside. So, I thought the March 5 meet could be at the Dinorben Arms in Bodfari - a Brunning and Price hostelry and restaurant like the Glasfryn, steeped in history and beautifully renovated. I'll be there from 7.30pmish onwards and I hope many of you will spring into action and join me. The goal is to beat last month's turnout of 13! The postcode is LL16 4DA. Regards Chris

Well, I wish I could say I was pleased to be back. But I will be pleased to see all Gogs members new and old for our first meet of 2019 at The Mulberry in Conwy Marina, Ellis Way, Conwy, LL32 8GU on Tuesday February 5. It's a while since we've been there and the venue is chosen specifically with our friends from Beddgelert and Anglesey in mind. I'll be there from about 7.30pm ish onwards. I hope you can make it.

In an attempt to encourage those who have dodged the net in recent months, it is hoped the November meet will see them return to the fold. To make it even easier, it's back to our roots at the Gasfryn, Mold. I hope as many members as possible will be able to attend. I regret I cannot as will be away for my annual vacation. Regards Chris PS Watch this space for news of our Christmas meal, which for the first time will be a joint affair with our friends from Merseyside and District.

Yes, I know it's a long way for some people, but think of those members living way out west ... So, the October 2 next Tuesday meet will be a return to The Gazelle at Menai Bridge on Anglesey. Set on the shores of the Menai Strait with panoramic views of Snowdonia, it's a wonderful place for a noggin and a natter, specially out of season. The postcode is LL59 5PD and it's Junction 8A off the A55. I hope to see all of you for what promises to be another convivial evening when we can meet old friends who live on the island, in Beddgelert and beyond, Regards Chris

Back to our roots for the September 4 meeting, which will be at the Gasfryn, Mold. I hope as many members as possible will be able to attend, but I regret I cannot as will be away, visiting the boy before the snow season starts. Regards Chris

Dear all The August meeting on Tuesday, Aug 7 will be steeped in history at Faenol Fawr Country House Hotel, a 16th century manor house in St Asaph. Apparently, it's where the Land Rover Owners' Club hold their meetings, so we already have something in common with the venue. Find it at LL18 5UN. It's situated just off the A55 on Rhudlan Road. Take a left turn after passing Glan Clwyd hospital on your left. Hope to see you there. Regards Chris