NWales AR

Dear all Responding to a request from one of our more active members, the July meet - next Tuesday July 3 - will be at the Wild Pheasant, in Llangollen. It will bring back many happy memories - bad food, poor service - for many of us who will recall meeting there for Sunday blats in the summer months. New ownership has solved the problems and the place now thrives, making it an ideal venue for us, especially if this wonderful weather continues. The address is Berwyn Road, Llangollen LL20 8AD. Sadly, I have decided to Sorn my car following my knee surgery, but I hope I can persuade my Business Manager (Mrs P) to buy me tea there somewhat earlier, say around 6.30-7pm. I'll stay as long as the pain relief allows! I do hope as many as possible will join us. Regards Chris

OK boys and girls, for the June 5 meeting we will be basking in the sun on the lovely Isle of Anglesey...and giving our friends living there the opportunity to save some petrol with a meet on their doorstep! We're at The Gazelle Hotel, set on the shores of the Menai Strait with panoramic views of Snowdonia. 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. Regards Chris

Club member Geoff Lofthouse has kindly agreed to us descending on him at his elegant Imperial Hotel in Llandudno for our March 6 meeting, where a warm welcome is assured. As many who have attended our Christmas parties there will know, the Imperial has no on-site parking, but there is no shortage in the streets nearby and no parking charges after dark. Meet at 8pm ish for drinks and a chat in upmarket surroundings. Hope to see as many as possible there. Chris Proudlove (N. Wales AR)

Owing to unpredictable weather; geography and weight of numbers, I think it is politic to stick to where we know best for you February meet. So see you at the Glasfryn on Tuesday Feb 6, 8ish (jetlag permitting). Regards Chris

Dear all First, Happy New Year! And to kick it off, allow me to suggest the Gogs return to their roots and meet next Tuesday at the Glasfryn. That should ensure at least a couple of hardy souls prepared to venture out in the cold. Me? I'm sorry but yet again, I must tender my apologies. I remain in a warmer place. I will be back in time for the Feb meet, however, when I will be happy to show off my tan.

Dear all Everyone who attended was so impressed with the newly-renovated Dinorben Arms at Bodfari that, by popular request for us to return, the November 7 meet will be held there, &.30-8pm-ish onwards. I very much regret I will be unable to join you as Florida beckons and I hope to be in a warmer place. Regards Chris

Historic Gwesty Links hotel and pub in downtown Llandudno has only recently emerged from a multi-millin pound restoration and is the chosen venue for our October meet on Tuesday 3rd. Hope to see as many members as possible...be there or be a flat tyre. Ignition on at 8pmish onwards. The hotel is situated at 77 Conway Road, and the postcode is LL30 1PN. You'll find ample parking. Regards Chris

It's back to our roots for the September 5 meeting: the Glasfryn at Mold. Hope to see you all there. 7.30-8pm onwards.

Don't miss the penultimate CCOTP of the season.

August has played its trick and the first Tuesday of the month is imminent. So, let's enjoy the sunset at the Mulberry, Conwy, and the luxury of the newly-renovated establishment and hopefully the setting sun on a fine August evening. 7.30-8ish 'til late. The address is Conwy Marina, Ellis Way, Conwy LL32 8GU Hope to see you all there Chris

OK boys and girls, for the July 4 meeting we will be basking in the sun on the lovely Isle of Anglesey...and giving our friends living there the opportunity to save some petrol with a meet on their doorstep! We're at The Gazelle Hotel, set on the shores of the Menai Strait with panoramic views of Snowdonia. The postcode is LL59 5PD and it's Junction 8A off the A55. This from David Ford, who has scoped out the venue in his Seven in advance for us: The venue is lovely with the sea lapping the wall in front of the hotel (and it will be high tide at about 20:00 on 4 July). The lower car park, directly outside the hotel, is cramped and likely to be occupied by hotel residents. In any event the proprietor (with whom I had a brief chat) suggested we park in the upper garden car park (approx 12-14 spaces and more in the adjacent road lay-by) which is just before the first "Gazelle" sign and immediately past the bus stop on the right hand side. There is a large pothole as you enter the upper car park (by the gate posts) so care needs to be taken - I drove in/out without incident. It was not appropriate to mention reserving car parking spaces. If anyone wants to eat dinner then they need to ring beforehand to book (01248 713384). Not to Oldies: BTW there are 68 steps between the upper car park and the hotel, so you may prefer the lower car park (which has a tight turning in/out and is single lane but was fine in the C7). I hope to see all of you for what promises to be another convivial evening. Regards Chris

With luck, this weather will hold for our June 6 club meet in the leafy lanes of Rowen. The venue is the charming Ty Gwyn pub in the centre of the village where we are expected and likely to receive a warm Welsh reception. The landlord has kindly offered us the use of the small tearoom situated next to the pub, if we want to be on our own, but the bar area, although small, is very welcoming. The food is excellent too. Hope to see you all there from 8pm-ish onwards. The post code is LL32 8YU.

Dear all After supporting the Glasfryn in Mold for many years, I thought it only fitting we should do the same to the latest venture by owners Brunning & Price and take our May meeting to the Dinorben Arms in Bodfari. For your satnavs, the address is Dinorben Arms, Bodfari, Denbighshire, LL16 4DA. As you can see by their website, this opens on Thursday this week (Apr 27) so the paint will barely be dry when we rock up, but it's already getting good reviews from people who have seen the extensive renovations progress over the months. Hope to see as many members as possible and with the weather set fair and light nights, it will make a nice Spring run-out in our cars. Meeting at 7.30-8pmish until you've had your fill. For those like me who have no idea how to get there, here's a link that will give you directions from your postcode to theirs. Regards Chris

Dear all I'd like to go back to the Liverpool Arms on Conwy's waterfront for our April 6 monthly meeting. If it's dry, I'll be in my 7 and with the tourist season not quite underway, there should be parking outside the pub, which is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down. Hope to see lots of people...and your cars. Be a shame not to and there's so much to plan and talk about.

By popular request, the March meeting - on Tuesday, March 7 - will be held at the recently refurbished and uber smart Mulberry in Conwy Marina. Plan to be there from 8pmish onwards. With luck it will be a balmy night to sit out under the stars. However, I very much regret that I will not be able to attend, owing to domestic duties: I have to collect my wife from Manchester airport. Despite my remonstrations! Sorry, but see you all in April, hopefully all in our 7s.

Dear all Our February meeting will be at our old stomping ground: the Glasfryn in Mold. Usual time - 8pmish onwards. Bring your de-icer and a warm blanket...just in case. Hope to see you all there. It seems like it's been a long time! Regards Chris

First, let me take this opportunity to respond to others' messages and write one of my own wishing all Gogs and others who receive North Wales Lotus 7 Club emails a happy and restful Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. It's a privilege to know you all and count you as my friends. It will soon be 2017, and the first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, January 3, will be at the newly-renovated Tal-y-Cafn, which is situated on the A470 Llandudno to Llanwrst/Betws road. 8pm-ish onwards (food served until 9pm). Read all about the £1m renovation here. Have a great night and see you in February! Regards Chris

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/jones-peckover-boss-chair-livestock-12226587

Dear all I think it's about time we returned to our roots and revisit our old haunt at the Glas Fryn. I know it's cold ...and dark ...and wet, but I do home as many as possible will join me. From 8pmish onwards next Tuesday, November 1. Regards Chris

October 4 meeting is at Swallow Falls Hotel, Betws-y-Coed. I hope you can all make it for a special evening with a surprise. See you at 8ish, the hardy ones in Sevens, the rest of us in tintops!

Let's make this the biggest and best one of the year...because it's the last one of the year before we snuggle up for the winter.

OK boys and girls. September is the month most of us, me included, take our cars off the road to be mothballed for the winter. So, something a bit special for the last hurrah club night of the season: The Liverpool Arms in Lower Gate Street on the waterfront in Conwy. Postcode LL32 8BE. This is a small pub (with no food but in a breathtaking position) on the quay in this historic town and I've phoned ahead, so they are expecting a good turnout. Be warned, though, access is a bit of a challenge by car. The easiest way on to Lower Gate Street is a right turn off the A547 Conwy Road, immediately on leaving the bridge over the river (when coming west from Llandudno Junction (leave A55 at Jct 18). Alternatively, there is a left turn off Berry Street in the town, but you will have to go around the one-way system and the road is under a stone arch and VERY narrow! See the picture above. The location is worth the effort, though. It's next to the smallest house in Britain and virtually in the water. Bring your camera! See you all there on September 6 @ 7.30pm (ish) onwards. Be a shame to miss it. Regards Chris

The penultimate Cars & Coffee on the Prom of 2016 is on August 21 and I hope as many as possible will join me. Sadly, it clashes with the second day of Tatton Passion for Power, but the second day is never as good as the first (!). Also, because of the number of cars we are attracting, we have decided to shift parking slightly to the far side of the tea hut, where there is ample room for all. Watch out for the raised kerb, however. See you there, the earlier the better. Regards Chris

If it's August (which it will be soon) it's time for the annual Gogs BBQ and once again, by the kindness of member David Richards, we are invited to return to savour his hospitality and take sumptuous repast at the mother of all firepits that is installed at his home, "Rossignol", Mold Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1SL. The BBQ will be on Sunday August 7 . This replaces the usual meet on the first Tuesday, which will not take place. Aim to be at Rossignol for 3.30pm, eating from 4pm (allowing for a potential pre-BBQ blat which Colin may wish to arrange). All food and soft drinks to be provided by David. Cost: £10 per head. Food will be a range of locally sourced meats from an excellent butcher in town, with fresh breads and salads. Coffee and biscuits to follow. Any alcohol to be brought by individuals if they so wish. Please let me have final numbers by the Friday before (August 5) so that ingredients can be ordered in good time.

OK boys and girls, it's time we went West again, in the hope that those members on The Dark Side will join us. So, I hope to see as many as can make it at The Mulberry, Conwy, LL32 8GU. The Robinson's pub is just off the A55 and easy to find. It's also recently been refurbished, so should be comfortable. Just make sure you're on the correct side of the estuary! See you at 8-ish. And one condition of attendance: No talk about Brexit (fat chance!).