Good to hear everyone had a good time.
Really enjoyed the karting (as did Linda who was karting for the first time), but apologies to Loz for taking him out. If it's any comfort Loz, I got black-flagged for being a bit "Lewis"
Good of the guys there to suggest the different format. It seemed to work well and could in fact have been longer without knackering everyone out. One to note for next time.
Matt, what a surprise! . A superb motor that if you don't lock it, Urby will undoubtedly nick off you.
(though to be fair he did look proper dapper behind the wheel)
Good fun crawling around the North Circular. Just goes to show that if you're with some mates in some pucker motors, first and second gear is more than enough.
Really nice to meet Chippie and YHTM for the first time. Adam, a red GS in the flesh is just sublime.
Nice to see Paul and Carole again (and pigeon) and to meet Ben and his mate at Ace (sorry I can't remember his name) and Andy,
Andy... what can I say? The 250F was everything I hoped it would be when I saw it parked up. And then you started it up!!!!! The sound as you left was just beautiful. The task undertaken and the result do you proud. Kudos.
Nice banter and some much needed Caf' grub recharged the battery after karting and then a quick blast up the motorway to Marlow. Stopped on the way there to buy some tights (don't ask) and hooked up with Loz and Kaz just in time to get lost in exactly the same place as we did last year. Thankfully no blown airbags this time around and the hotel was soon reached.
Great that everyone made time to meet at the hotel before heading into Marlow, and it proved the perfect opportunity for everyone to get acquainted over a drink or two.
As always it was a delight to see P and to meet Bernie for the first time, and also to meet Mark, Bernice and Brenda. Respect to Pat for what sounded like a pretty arduous journey to get to Marlow.
I'm sure Louise and Becky are long lost sisters and with Kaz, Mrs Tee and Carole I'm sure they were organising a forum "widows" club!
Have to send a shout out to the gang at Villa D'Este. The food, like last time, was top notch. Much banter and libation ensued with Urby especially holding court as always.
Great to see Christina in such a fine health and not at all daunted by a stint in the bar before retiring for some well earned rest. Can't wait to meet the little one in the new year.
Sadly the hotel disco left much to be desired, but that didn't seem to dampen the evenings festivities and it was lovely to see so many people, some meeting for the first time, chatting like old friends.
And then there's the "gang" - Matt, Dem, Si, Dan, Nick. Reckon we did okay? We certainly lasted longer than the hotel wanted, so next year we need an after-party venue that has a better bar than Matt's mini-bar! Matt £77 is nothing. Add a 1 to the front and that's a bar bill!
So the Maserati dawn chorus was kindly supplied by Loz and Kaz as they left followed by the morning after breakfast to mop up the worse of the hang-over.
Apologies to Nick and Becky who were all set for a bit more on Sunday, but sadly the damage had been done.
And finally a kindly nod to Urby. I hope you enjoyed the evening. I know we enjoyed your company and appreciated that you came back to the hotel after the meal.
Roll on next year..... Or maybe a Summer gathering with a similar format might be in order?..................