FUTURE EVENTS

As you can see from Nathan’s letter to members the COM have held a meeting and there was quite a lot to be done considering the fact that, due to Covid, we have not been able to hold meetings for some six months or so. When planning future events there was much more to be considered than the usual date, time, place etc. Restrictions had to be kept in mind, locations where social distancing could be respected, meeting/coffee/lunch venues and suchlike and we would like to think that we put some effort into getting it right and providing the members with a varied and interesting set of drives over the summer months. Of course we cannot please everybody and already we have received a complaint about one of the proposed drives. All I can say (as the person who suggested the drive in question) is that there was a lot to be considered such as familiarity with the route and the location of the overnight stay in order to cut down on recce work etc. and also an issue regarding the deposit money for the Ibiza trip which is being held by the travel agent. While we accept that members may have legitimate complaints from time to time my belief is that the club would be better served if those people would join us on the COM and put their valuable suggestions to a forum where action could then be taken for the benefit of the membership as a whole.

Richard O’Rourke

Secretary

Club Drive May 2021

A wonderful turn-out of 18 cars, including two new members, celebrated the return of the club to the roads of the Costa Blanca after a six month lay-off due to the Covid restrictions. We assembled at the BP near Zoco Market and travelled via Formentera and San Fulgencio to the fabulous roads around the Parc Natural del Fondo where we enjoyed a picnic, a chat and, for some, a walk around the wildlife park. Back on board again and onward via San Felipe Neri, Catral, Dolores and Benijofar to the finish in San Miguel. A slightly different drive to what we might usually expect but one that was enjoyed by everyone and we now look forward to another drive in June hosted by Mr Halvorsen.

A drive to Tipsy Hondon

What a lovely drive Johnny gave us for our first drive out in a very long time, 35 members met in Formentera and then set out via canals, farmland, fruit farms an aqueduct  and a few roads (typical Halvorsan drive). We visited Rafal , Cox,  Albatera  before the climb to Hondon and a very nice lunch at the Tipsy Terrace. After the lunch Nathan spoke of our friends Bengt and Karl who will be missed by all club members. Many thanks to Johnny & Rachael for organising such a wonderful day and we look forward to Terry’s drive in October with great anticipation.

LOST IN THE FOG

We congregated in Callosa with a few more cars joining in along the way and 12 cars set off in the early morning fog which spoiled the views of the first half of the drive but didn’t lessen the enjoyment of the route via Elche, the suburbs of Alicante, San Vincente, Agost and Alcoi. At the coffee halt some cars had gone missing but caught up later on as we headed into the mountains and over some fabulous roads (just wide enough for Dafydd’s Rolls Royce) to our destination, the Restaurant Roselada in Monovar. Now that the sun had come out the views were spectacular as you can see from Chris’s excellent video (see link https://youtu.be/KB2WilitJng) and everyone enjoyed the day out and the wonderful meal.

POTTY IN AGOST

This was another do we or don’t we drive, as the weather once again threatened to put the kybosh on the day, but in true Phoenix spirit 30 people gathered at the old Meroil  J733 and set off for our drive, and we had a very scenic drive, pleasant coffee stop and a little shopping in the pottery emporium, all be it with one eye on the very menacing clouds forming, the wind was getting a little stronger and b**** freezing. We then set off  for lunch at Las Palmaras Crevillente,  where we had the side dining room all to ourselves and enjoyed an excellent lunch, a really lovely end to the day organized by Sue & Richard.

Our AGM was held at El Prado San Miguel It was voted unanimously to adjust fees to 20e per person thus making single member fee 20e Joint member 40e                The voting in of COM : President: Nathan Hall – Secretary: Richard O Rourke- Treasurer: Lesley Hall – Vocales: Johnny Halverson, Ian Smith , Terry Sawkins .  Many thanks to all in attendance  

Christmas At Cosecha

Once again we were looked after very well by the Cosecha staff , this time we had an evening event with entertainment for a change and I think this was welcomed by most.  All members that were at the meal were treated to our now famous Calendar. Many thanks to Lesley for booking, collecting menu choices, and collecting money for all this to run smoothly.          (Calendars for members not at the meal are available at the monthly ACE)

Lo Monte Carlo Rally.

We met at the Lo Monte Hotel, hence the name of the drive, and Richard’s half took us via El Mirador and Avileses to the coffee halt at Venta El Garruchal in the hills south of Murcia. After viewing the scenery Ian took over and led us around Murcia city and then via Fortuna to the lunch stop at Los Molinicos. 38 members enjoyed a lovely drive in warm sunshine.

JULY AUTOTEST

The Annual Autotest and drive took place on Thursday July 11th and 23 members took part, though not all attempted the autotest. The drive began at Castillo Conesa in San Miguel and followed a route to Montebello, La Finca, Pedrera, Torremendo and Rebate before returning to Conesa where we had great fun competing in and watching the antics of the Autotest. Tests included parking between parallel lines, car golf, egg and spoon (ladle, tennis ball and bucket), and squashing the squeak. After a stewards enquiry Ian Smith, navigated by grandson, Jack, was declared the winner with Alan Fullalove, Karl Neuinzer, Nathan Hall and Lou Sawkins in joint second place. Even though Dennis Wilson set the fastest time he was last!

BOCAIRENT DRIVE JUNE 2019

Chris and Ange Grube organised this very pleasant drive which started from Meroil in Catral and wound it’s way via San Isidro, Albetera, Hondon, (both) and Romana to Salinas where the Café Trivial was the location for the coffee halt. Onward then and the roads and the scenery got better and better as the day went on. We travelled via Yecla and Villena towards Caudete and then through Fontenars before stopping at the falls and lakes at Pou Clar Ontinyent. From there it was a short spin to Bocairent where we dined in the wonderful Hotel L’Estacio. The food and surroundings were first class and after the meal some of the more active members wandered around the old town and visited the sites including the eighteenth century bullring. Many thanks to Chris and Ange for their imaginative efforts in organising this excellent drive.

IFA Classic Car Show

I would just like to say a big Thankyou to all the exhibitors and members who attended the I.F.A. Show. It was a great success for all concerned. The organisers are hoping next year will be even bigger. Thanks to C.B.cruisers and the Jaguar enthusiasts club, particularly Brian Rae (CB cruisers) and Den Wilson ( Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) for their invaluable help in getting twenty three cars on the stand. A great joint venture from three good clubs. The Phoenix stand included Steve’s Alvis, Rogers TR3, Dens Oxford, Rolfs and Torbens Mercedes and Toms Capri. Lastly I would like to thank my fellow member and friend Joachin, without whom none of this would be possible. Once again a great weekend had by all. Massive interest in all the cars on show at our stand. People asking if each and every one of the cars were for sale!! Thanks. Regards, Bob    And many thanks  from me for all the support. So pleased it was a success. Nathan.

Mojacar 3 Day Tour

Having all met at Torre Pacheco we all headed of towards Mojacar via some of Johnny’s very spectacular scenic roads and villages, there was the usual coffee stop for tapas and then onward to the Hotel.  This was a lovely Hotel just below the Pueblo this gave an opportunity to take a taxi up to the top and explore the very pretty village then back down in time for drinks before dinner, the choice could not have been better meat and fish cooked on the plancha or hot buffet or cold meats and salad. All the rooms were very comfortable and in the evening were entertained by Richard & Ian with their guitar and an odd song from Terry.  The 2nd day we all set of for a drive along the coast and around the mountain giving fantastic views of the bays below, it was just after our stop to view the light house at La Mesa Roldan that Ian’s car had a seizure in a great cloud of steam and smoke came to a stop, the general thought was that the compressor had seized on his SLK so the Grua was called. The rest of us continued the tour and all 20 of us met on the patio for drinks before dinner. This 2nd evening the hotel had their own entertainer singing 80s songs         

 The Tour was a great success even with Ian’s breakdown and Alans MGB giving concern and Johnny’s newly painted Mercedes had the indicator light fall off but that’s old cars for you.

This was a great 3 days put together by Johnny & Rachel, we thank them for all the had work doing the research and leading the way. We thank the other members that joined the tour who also made this a very happy band of Phoenix Car Clubbers . Anyone one want to go to Ibeza next year ? 

Mazarron Guns Drive

Ian organised this drive to the guns at Mazarron and it took place on Wednesday 24th of April to avoid the congestion at the weekend as the road to the guns and parking is restricted. We took the motorway almost to Cartagena and then stopped for coffee at Venta Mona before the breathtaking views on the road to the guns. After all the rain we were blessed with warm, sunny weather and everyone enjoyed the walk to where the guns were located on the clifftop. The army were on a training exercise on the day and one of their officers took time out to give us a guided tour. Then it was back to Venta Mona for a tasty lunch before heading for home.

 ALICANTE MARQ MUSEUM

We started the day rather early for our drive to the IFA to meet up with our American club friends and then go on to meet our police escort to take the 27 cars to the Marq museum, voted the best in Europe. The building was the old hospital and has been transformed into this archaeological interest. We then continued with our escort to the Modern Art Museum, we were all now parked in the square by the town hall where a steady throng of people were able to view the cars. Some of us popped into the Church to listen to the Semana Santa band performing to a packed audience, an added bonus .. Then at 2.15 we were off to lunch with our 2 volunteer policeman forcing us through the traffic, what a task, we were then securely parked in the restaurant car park . Our lunch was a 7 course meal and we were looked after superbly ( even the gluten free ) by the staff.                                              This was a fabulous day out in Alicante well organised by Bob , Joaquin and Juan. Many thanks to them for all there hard work in putting this together .