forfour.co.uk

Forum => Smart Meets => Topic started by: CrazyG on August 08, 2015, 03:36:34 PM

Title: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 08, 2015, 03:36:34 PM
Well...this is a re-try to get a meet arranged that Funkydooycool
attempted to organise for members back in November 2012 !

The proposed date/s were:- 23rd or MAYBE 29th or 30th August.

VENUE:-      South Mimms Services (just off Jct 23 M25)
Time:-                      09:00 onwards - that way we can all be back
                                in time for lunch...if you miss your roastie
                                that much !

SEE HERE FOR ACTUAL MEETING PLACE DETAILS:-
http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4854.msg53249#msg53249

The venue is quiet enough so that we can park up near the back,
without bothering anyone, and everything we'll need will be there,
with Starbuck's, Burger King, KFC, and Papa John's. There's even
a Waitrose there, or...
bring your own flask and homemade sarnies....and have a picnic  :-\

Anyone interested, PM me  and/or pop a post up on here
and I'll add your name (and delete yr post to keep the thread neat)
so that I/we can get an idea of the level of interest.

Please...
Only add your name if you're seriously able/willing/going to try to
come along....not just cos it sound's like a good idea and then change
your mind later, ok.

     Sun23rd Aug       or MAYBE  Sat29th  or  Sun 30th Aug
        CrazyG                              CrazyG          CrazyG
        Brulaw                              Brulaw         Fast Eddy
        Cecil                                 Cecil            Cecil
        Masternack                       gregk2         njoun ?
        woody-r                                                woody-r ?
        musmart
        Scoobysook ?                 Scoobysook ?    Scoobysook ?



Ideas for an alternative venue is/were also open to discussion,
however...time is/was the essence in this...obviously, but I do
believe that the South Mimms one serves everyone in the
London & Southern Home Counties area quite well.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I put the MAYBE in for the 29th/30th...
It's because Wangswong will be down South for a wedding
on the 30th  29th...as per his post...
http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4825.msg52545#msg52545
and he's said he'd like to meet his 'fellow' members from here, so
I might see if I can jiggle things to accomodate.
I'll post up any info or changes etc as n when known...ok.

Note: Previous meets that we've held (Reading area, and Hemel)
started at the around the same time, and by 1pm there was still
quite a group of us hanging around chatting...that's how good it
is/was to get together and put faces to names, and chat about
everything and anything....not just our ForFour's !
So come on peops in the London and Southern Home Counties area..
let's make a go of it....while the weather is still good, the roads aren't
so jam packed, and it's holiday time.
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: brulaw on August 08, 2015, 06:15:05 PM
G  , I'd really like to make it to this meet ( circumstances permitting ) ,

So , ( seeing as you know how bad my memory is ) could you please keep me posted on developments    :)
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: CrazyG on August 11, 2015, 02:09:16 PM
I'm 'bumping' this up as it is getting close to decision time..

SO....come on those members in the London area,
or those close to/near to the North of the Greater London area ie.,
just outside the M25 zone.   We've yet to see any real show of
interest from around that area.    Just what is the problem ?

It's to meet, greet, socialize.....not just talk techie stuff.

There's always a complaint "Why aren't there any ForFour Meets"
well....THIS is the sort of response we see/get every time one is
proposed or put forward....so now you know !

Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: Wangswong on August 12, 2015, 12:08:37 AM
Very kind of you to suggest the 30th.

From what I know, we're travelling down on the 29th but unsure if we're leaving first thing or late on (may have to do a 1/2 day at work). Would prefer early then we can get to the hotel for 3PMish and try and do some sight seeing. Maybe even hook up with some members for a pint.

On the 30th, my wife tells me the weddings at 2pm. No idea where but being dragged along to it irrespectively!
I'll talk to her tomorrow to see if we can book another night at Windsor and treat it as a mini holiday. It will also give another day to possibly hook up with other members and / or Tony to see how the brabs running and see what's required to make her work as she should.

South Mimms is around 40 minutes from the hotel so easy enough for us to get there. Only issue would be the timing around the wedding / reception etc.

So, put me down as a maybe on the 30th and I hope to see at least one member whilst we're down in your neck of the woods!

Edit - I've added this in another post also but I'm happy to make a list of parts I have lying around if anyone needs / wants them. All stock items removed for the rebuild including -

Turbo
Air con compressor and pipework
Crank pulley
Actuator
Intercooler
Suspension
Possibly discs (may have binned them)
and maybe more.
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: Wangswong on August 12, 2015, 07:01:55 PM
Crap, I got the dates wrong.

We're travelling down on Thursday the 27th and the weddings on the 28th (A Friday which confuses me.....).

Can still try and get another night in the travel lodge so we can be down there on Saturday the 29th also.

Apologies.
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: CrazyG on August 13, 2015, 01:21:46 AM
SO EVERYONE/ANYONE WHO IS/WAS or still MAYBE INTERESTED....

Would there be an issue or problem if we changed the
last date to Saturday 29th vice Sunday 30th...so that
we could possibly get to meet up with Wangswong
whilst he is down from Morpeth ?
PM me if any of you can or cannot make that date, otherwise
it may only be the 23rd that will be THE date.

Thanks
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - Sun 23rd or 30th Aug2015
Post by: cecil on August 13, 2015, 10:28:30 AM
Can do either 29 or 30. Just need the word! 8)
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd or 29th or 30th Aug2015
Post by: brulaw on August 13, 2015, 05:58:55 PM
Hope to be able to do either of the second dates ( also should still OK on the first date ) .
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd or 29th or 30th Aug2015
Post by: CrazyG on August 13, 2015, 11:14:07 PM
ONCE AGAIN.....I'm 'bumping' this up as it's close to decision time..

SO....come on members from all over the London area, and those
close to the North of the Greater London area ie., just outside the M25.

                  SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, EH ?

All this is, is a chance to meet up with fellow members, socialize
and talk about anything and everything, not just techie Smart stuff, ok.
And no one will care if you turn up in a basic bogo 1.1 Pulse or even
a Brabus...they're both FORFOUR's, that's all that matters.
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd or 29th or 30th Aug2015
Post by: Scoobysook on August 13, 2015, 11:18:20 PM
I will try to make either date. But not 100% if Mrs has plans yet.
Title: Re: Possible London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd or 29th or 30th Aug2015
Post by: CrazyG on August 15, 2015, 01:07:07 AM
DATE FOR THE MEET CONFIRMED - Sun 23rd Aug

Right.....where about's at the South Mimms service area
will everyone meet up......(for those that turn up) ?

Enter from off the M25.
You will go around a big sort of oval and you will see the signs
for Welcome Break and a list under it for all the vendors...ie.,
Starbucks, Burger King etc....
That is where you turn off to the left for CARS.
As soon as you enter you will see a 'fork' in the road.
Take the right hand fork.
More or less immediately (after 3 parking bays)
you will be able to make a right turn.   Make that turn.
Now park anywhere in that area arund you, preferably
with the front of your car facing back the way you came.
ie., reverse park it.

Here's a link to a google street level view of that area.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.687762,-0.2231622,3a,90y,308.32h,82.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sV4gkDadsE4eSLRMx5arnQg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en
This view is looking towards where you turn in, off the 'oval'.
The car behind the VW Golf has just come in off that oval.
See the white van....just passed it is a 'right' turn...
(with yellow bands down both sides).
Take that turn and park your car 'tail end in'/nose out'
anywhere in that area.

NOTE:-
The date for the mini meet was finally decided on early hours
of Tuesday 18th evening, but I must apologise for posting up
the confirmed date a bit late due to being tired after a hectic
day driving about (around Croydon area) trying vainly to obtain
a bit of furniture for a forum member !


Thanks, G
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: jayvarads on August 19, 2015, 09:36:33 PM
I'll try to come it's close by  :)
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Wangswong on August 19, 2015, 11:10:39 PM
Aww :(

All have a great time who turn up and I'm "Well Jell!"

Would still like to hook up with anybody when I'm down with the family so if anyone's near by, drop me a PM and I'll send my mobile / landline to arrange a time / place.
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 21, 2015, 12:00:10 AM
You have my number....let me know when n where
around the Windsor area and I'll see/meet with you  ;)
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 21, 2015, 11:04:50 PM
FINAL REMINDER....

THE MINI MEET IS THIS SUNDAY 23RD.
09:00HRS  onwards....(or as close to as poss...)
South Mimms Services....M25 Jct:23  (SatNav postcode - EN6 3QQ)

Meeting point (in the car park) is as per info in a post above.

See you guys there...
And hopefully a few others who haven't said/posted anything may
well drag their sorry asses along as well ! 
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: veralum on August 21, 2015, 11:37:26 PM
i will try and pop in in my tea break, i am a traffic officer for highways england at south mimms and am doing the 0600 to 1400 shift on sunday, will see if i can arrange for you all to pop into the control room to show you how motorways are run
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 21, 2015, 11:41:24 PM
Now that would be something.......THANKS
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: veralum on August 22, 2015, 09:00:09 PM
spoke with chaps at work, should be ok to bring you into control center for a few mins, (providing nothing big going on that you wouldn't be allowed to see, we do unfortunately deal with the nasty stuff) and show you your tax dollars at work
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: cecil on August 23, 2015, 02:31:24 PM
Thanks all who turned up. A really successful meet with lots of 44's. I await the photos from G with interest.
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Problemchild on August 23, 2015, 05:18:02 PM
oooOOOoo!! can't wait :)

JJ
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 23, 2015, 05:48:05 PM
Well....what can I say !   Glorious sunshine for nearly the
entire event, with 7 ForFour's at first...shortly increasing to 8,
plus a 'guest' appearance of cowboy !
(albeit in his van..but still good to see him n catch up after so long.)

It turned out to be a great 'gathering' for everyone, as not only
did we get to meet n greet n put names to faces that we possibly
hadn't met before, but also because we were priviledged to have
a special treat laid on for us, that was arranged courtesy of veralum.
He was on duty in the Highways Agency Control Centre, which is
located just outside the South Mimms Services area !
We got a personal insight' as well as a 'guided tour' of their
operational headquarters, and a we were even allowed a 'hands on'
experience of using/operating some of the camera's on the motorways
around the London area, with the images either on the screens on the
desk, or projected up onto really massive wall screens !
It was a truly great experience, for which I extend the thanks
of all those present to veralum.   

Here's a couple of pictures I took at the time on my Samsung mobey....
(sorry...none allowed inside the Agency building.)

The first '7-in-a-row' line up....
(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/CrazyG_photos/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/7-in-a-row_zps8io0ye8r.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/CrazyG_photos/media/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/7-in-a-row_zps8io0ye8r.jpg.html)

The final '8-in-a-row' line up...
(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/CrazyG_photos/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/8-in-a-row_zpshvqn0vhg.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/CrazyG_photos/media/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/8-in-a-row_zpshvqn0vhg.jpg.html)

At the Highways Agency....
(L to R =                     veralum   jayvarads+friend   Brulaw   Scoobysook   woody-r)
(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/CrazyG_photos/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-1_zpsohp3rqbw.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/CrazyG_photos/media/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-1_zpsohp3rqbw.jpg.html)

And with me in it.. (yeah I know...spoiling it..LOL)
 (http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/CrazyG_photos/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-2_zpscds6exmp.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/CrazyG_photos/media/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-2_zpscds6exmp.jpg.html)

(Not present in any of the pictures =  Cecil     masternack    Musmart    Cowboy)

The view/comment from all those present was that it was worth
coming along...and hopefully we'll manage to organise another
one....just as good....in the not too distant future.
My thanks to everyone that came along.... ;)

Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Problemchild on August 23, 2015, 06:50:51 PM
excellent - great stuff guys!!

well done

JJ
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: woody-r on August 23, 2015, 07:32:41 PM
It was a great day out,really enjoyed it. Thank you for organising it. Was nice to meet all that attended and loved the tour of the highways agency control room.
Regards
Rich
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Fast Eddy on August 23, 2015, 07:42:40 PM
Glad it all worked out, sorry I could not make it

Eddy
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: brulaw on August 23, 2015, 08:06:28 PM
Was good to meet up with a few  forfourers , Good weather , Good company  and a good  " full English breakfast  " .... Cheers G  , and a big thank you to veralum for the guided tour and the behind the scenes look at the  Highways Agency Control Centre  .
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Scoobysook on August 23, 2015, 09:04:15 PM
A big thanks to G and veralum for today. Was great to meet up with you all. Hope to do it again the not too distant future.
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Problemchild on August 23, 2015, 09:19:11 PM
faces to names??

JJ
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 23, 2015, 10:52:41 PM
faces to names??

Picture/s n names updated with info.... ;)
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: mr singh on August 24, 2015, 08:13:21 PM
(L to R =                     veralum   jayvarads+friend   Brulaw   Scoobysook   woody-r)
(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/CrazyG_photos/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-1_zpsohp3rqbw.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/CrazyG_photos/media/South_Mimms_23Aug2015/Highways-1_zpsohp3rqbw.jpg.html)

this has to be done... SINGH

another thing... what is it with non brabus owners not turning up?
id have loved to have come but is a little far for me to come. on another note is there a smart fest happening or ever going to happen?
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: CrazyG on August 24, 2015, 11:42:41 PM
... what is it with non brabus owners not turning up?

we did have a non-Brab owner...Brulaw...  ;) and he didn't feel
out of place amongst the Brab's, in fact he loved it, and so did we.
I never felt 'left out' or 'different' at meets when I only had my CDI,
which is why I've always said..."A ForFour is a ForFour, no matter what model."

I do understand your sentiments and tend to agree, but I temper that
with the fact that most attendee's will tend to be enthusiast's, and I
don't think I'd be far wrong if I said that most of those 'enthusiasts'
will own a Brab.  I think it's about time the 'other owners' pulled their
socks up and made a show of themselves at one of these meets....
after all......everyone and anyone with ANY ForFour is welcome. 
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: brulaw on August 25, 2015, 12:25:06 AM
... what is it with non brabus owners not turning up?

we did have a non-Brab owner...Brulaw...  ;) and he didn't feel
out of place amongst the Brab's, in fact he loved it, and so did we.
I never felt 'left out' or 'different' at meets when I only had my CDI,
which is why I've always said..."A ForFour is a ForFour, no matter what model."

I was quite happy to be the only non Brab owner there ,  after all I did have the only BRUBUS to show up .........  ;)   ;D
Title: Re: London & 'southern' Home Counties meet - 23rd Aug2015 - CONFIRMED
Post by: Wangswong on August 25, 2015, 10:03:59 PM
Looks like a great meet! Hope to see a few of you on Thursday / Saturday!