Marshmallow

***ATTENDANCE LIST SO FAR: Marshmallow Faith Buzzard Rob275 Westonian Jack-You-Hill (maybe) Kristov4 Mike RJU (maybe) Omer86 (maybe) STEVO9000 (maybe) GT86-Ian (maybe) CHOSENMAN007 We are organising another meet and drive through the Brecon Beacons on Sunday 31st May. All are welcome to join us, and I would highly recommend it as we had a blast last time. We plan on meeting at Aust / Severn View services at 8am (for those among us that need our morning caffeine hit) to leave and head over the bridge no later than 8.30am. We will stop for plenty of tea, for lunch and to admire the views. For those wanting a postcode and to check the start point on a map the address is: M48, J1, Aust Motorway Services Area, Bristol, Avon BS35 4BH Last time we were out for the whole day and came back over the bridge around 4pm. We will plan the route and give options for those that come from further afield to get back to the main roads and on their way home earlier should they have a long drive back. Hope you can make it! Lindsey

What a fantastic day! Such a shame about the weather in the morning making it a bit slippy and ruining some of the fun. And as already mentioned, there were other drivers about which held us up on some of the roads unfortunately as overtaking with so many cars wasn't really an option. But still, plenty of fun had by all, and I'm so glad you all came along and enjoyed yourselves. Above is the actual route that we did. The Black Mountain / 'nobody knows Top Gear crashed a helicopter here' road being the A4069. It was great to meet you all and it would be nice to do this again if people would like to. We can defo aim to do that other Top Gear road as well as revisit some of the places where the route was spoiled by the rain. As for the castle thing Keith, this is genuinely possible if people would like to. Might be a decent idea to do this over a weekend and get some driving in but spread over a few days rather than having to cover so many miles in one day. Had a quick look and found this little beaut. http://www.forgottenhouses.co.uk/properties/manorbier-castle-pembroke-wales/ Doesn't look like there is a moat or a drawbridge, but the sea is there and plenty of parking for semi-circle action as you can see. I'm sure there are more, Wales is chock full of castles.

Not much can slow you down unfortunately Ian! Hey Omer86... Its difficult to estimate times exactly as it depends how quickly we get on/traffic and how long we make stops for. I have planned two tea stops in the morning (10 and 11.30ish maybe) plus a potential two other quick ones for photos and admiring the scenery. If all goes to plan we'll be having lunch at 1ish around Pen-y-cae if you want to check that location on a map. I was going to leave it to the group to discuss at lunch what way they want to drive back to the bridge from there and whether people want to stop for another coffee or not. From lunch destination back to the bridge is an hour and a half drive. So without a stop you would be leaving Wales maybe 3.30pm. If we stop to say goodbyes 4.30 potentially. Not that you have to stay all day, it would be easy enough to head back earlier should you want to.

The weather is looking AWFUL for Sunday . As we have people travelling from further away already booked into hotels this event is for sure going to be ON. Just wanted to bump this thread and make sure you all know the event is going ahead, rain or no rain! I've planned the route, slightly differently from last time, along with tea/lunch/stopping points and will provide everyone with the info and a map in the morning in the likely event that we get split up. There should be more cars attending than last time and it may be difficult for us to stick together. We will be at Aust / Severn View services from 8am, and leaving by 8.30am. We will pull over to meet the hotel crew in one of the laybys on the A466 Wye Valley link road. Rob, Chris, Faith etc, I suggest you be there from 8.30am and we'll look out for you as we're driving through. We will pull in so I can give you maps etc, I'm not expecting you to just join on at the back or anything! We're still totally up for this, we just all might have to take it a bit easy on the roads as it's going to be WET!

Please see attendance list on the original post!

Had a little chat with Chris regarding this on Saturday at Japfest. I understand a few of you guys are staying in Wales on the Saturday evening so you can attend. This is great news, its looking like we should have a decent turn out for this meet. Would you like us to change the morning meeting place to your hotel car park or could you potentially join the convoy from one of the lay bys on the A466 Wye Valley Link Road?

Hi Mike, This is the route we did last time. I'm pretty sure that we will do the same route or very similar. We wouldn't have to come back on the A470 and could make the end of the route longer/more laney via Blaenavon/Pontypool if people want to stay out longer. It really depends on what the time is like when we get to certain points of the route etc. If anyone has any suggestions of somewhere in particular we should make an effort to include then please do mention. Those wishing to stay just for the morning could make their way back home after the B4520 and back to Brecon part as we'll stop at least twice for tea in the morning, so at a guess it would be around 12-1pm by the time we would complete this part of the route. I would really recommend at least staying for this part as the roads between Usk and Brecon are fantastic and the B4520 was extremely fun too. For those that get hungry and will want breakfast, obviously you could pick it up between 8 and 8.30am when we will be at Aust services or on the tea stops we'll make in the morning. We went for lunch around Defynnog I think so those staying for lunch and then wanting to go home could cut straight down to the A470 to head for the bridge. There are plenty of options depending on how much time you have to spend. So the start point is Aust services M48, but we didn't actually finish there last time as you can see from the map. We stopped for a coffee at a services just outside of Newport and made our way home from there after saying our goodbyes. But we certainly can come over the same bridge back and finish where we start if it turns out that way. Hope that's cleared things up a little, Lindsey

That's hell of a drive Faith, but it would be great if you could join us. More than welcome to come along not in an 86. I think we have some people tagging along in other vehicles. If all goes well and people are up for it, I'm sure we will do another Brecons run later in the year. Enjoy your Europe trip, sounds ace!

A few of us had a little meet yesterday at the AV8 cafe, Cotswold Airport. The usual South West suspects but it was great to see some new cars and faces too. The cafe is a little hard to find, plus it was grey, cold and windy... but well worth it as the breakfast (and company) was cracking. Attached are some photos of everyone getting a good sniff of Craig's car and all six motors lined up next to our mates lovely GTR. Cheers all for coming out! Lindsey

http://www.thornfalconclassics.com/event.aspx A few of us attended this last year. Really fab and informal event but expect it to be busy getting in. Would highly recommend it as last year around 1200 cars attended. There is food, cake and even a bar, so between that and the vehicles there's something for everyone! Bring chairs, last year was scorching! Lindsey

Sam is a lady driver btw. There are a few of us about

The yellow is a limited edition model. Only 86 have been made. We were talking about it on the weekend and the yellow really seems to divide opinion. I personally think it looks fab and would have gone for it had it been available two years ago. http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/toyota/toyota-gt86-giallo-edition-2015-review/

Hey Remal, The black is ours, orange is Westonian's, Silver BRZ is Buzzard's and the lovely yellow Giallo is a new member Sam Carpenter, who I think only uses the 'other' forum. The GTR was with us also and messed up our parking but we'll let it go as it's awesome. There was a white 62 plate there that I've seen at the Haynes museum meet before but don't know who that is. Sorry we didn't catch you, glad you also enjoyed the meet. A great drive out yesterday and a chance to see (and hear) some nice cars in the Gorge. Lindsey

Us Bristolians thought it would be nice to venture up North a little for a meet. Plan of action is to meet at AV8 restaurant (Cotswold Airport) on Sunday 26th April at 9am for breakfast, and perhaps a little drive after if people would like. http://www.av8-cotswoldairport.co.uk/ If you are in the Bristol/Gloucester area or would like to travel from further afield, come and join us. The more the merrier! Lindsey

Sorry Ian to keep hijacking your thread... but you can now sign up for this event... 'To participate in Parade laps the track access fee is £14.00 per car. If you are paying by cheque please download, print and send the completed entry form, together with your cheque (payable to ‘Bristol Motor Club’) to Zoe Tooth at the address shown on the form OR if you use online banking please complete the online entry form, then use your personal online banking service to make a BACS transfer. The account details are shown on the form. Please note that your entry will not be accepted until the payment has been received.' L

We'll join you for this. Perhaps we can meet and convoy down like the last Haynes meet? My parents should know about this one as it's just up the road from them so expect the East Devon Cobra club to be there. L

Had such an awesome day yesterday! Great to meet you Simon and Chris. Love the photos. I have a couple on my camera, will try and get them up at some point. Hopefully this link will work if you copy paste the whole thing. I reckon we did almost 200 miles yesterday, with only a couple navigation mistakes! Highlights being the B4235 to Usk, B4520 between Brecon and Builth Wells and A4067 through Glyntawe to Abercraf. Lovely views, even better roads. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/M48+Interchange+(W-bound),+United+Kingdom/Usk,+Monmouthshire,+UK/51.8560162,-3.1429906/Brecon,+Powys,+UK/52.1288922,-3.409555/Brecon,+Powys,+UK/Defynnog,+Powys,+UK/51.7994975,-3.7112092/51.5327849,-2.5346787/@51.8614071,-2.9486631,10z/data=!4m51!4m50!1m10!1m1!1s0x4871942599cb90eb:0xa79fa932e8bd97c7!2m2!1d-2.617975!2d51.600498!3m4!1m2!1d-2.7024023!2d51.646063!3s0x4871955146fd62e1:0x974a03bf48c02fb7!1m10!1m1!1s0x4871c118b764ba9f:0x2b773c1d5b9e032f!2m2!1d-2.903404!2d51.703533!3m4!1m2!1d-2.9387066!2d51.736564!3s0x4871db5bdbf99dbd:0xdd579a9d506c2c2b!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-3.2535097!2d51.8718916!3s0x486e2eb86f9d6c51:0xb15c62878b82c3be!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e295269352fb7:0x9a709ed66f96fdd9!2m2!1d-3.391463!2d51.9489469!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e295269352fb7:0x9a709ed66f96fdd9!2m2!1d-3.391463!2d51.9489469!1m5!1m1!1s0x486e4a8f1ae59349:0x371060be962d1910!2m2!1d-3.563444!2d51.937551!1m0!1m0!3e0 Would defo be up for this again or another route in the summer when it would be less murky! L

Email today from Bristol Motor Club regarding this event. 'I contacted you a few weeks ago about Bristol Motor Club's Family Sportscar Day 2015 at Castle Combe. Since then our club has been informed by Castle Combe Circuit that due to other commitments our event has been moved. So I'm now letting you know that instead of taking place in June the new date will beSunday 26th July. I appreciate that this clashes with the Silverstone Classic weekend, and no doubt other events, but unfortunately this is the only date available. I'm very sorry if you've already circulated this email to others, advertised the event on your website, or made plans around the date previously advised but I sincerely hope that you will be able to join us on the new date in July instead. Even though it won't be Father's Day you may still like to bring Dad, or any other friend or relative for that matter, to participate in a few parade laps of this iconic circuit! I have been assured that the date will not change again, so hopefully this will be the last time this year that I ask you to add the event onSunday 26th July to your calendar! An invitation letter and entry form will be sent out in April, but meanwhile please visit our website, which is updated regularly, or alternatively email me if you need any more information. I look forward to seeing you in July! Zoë Tooth Event and Entries Coordinator BMC Family Sportscar Day'

Got this email yesterday Ian. We will be there again, looking forward to it! L

We have a couple medics doing higher degrees in our department who do laboratory research combined with clinical trial stuff. I know funding through trusts/hospitals is different to the kind of grants we get from funding bodies, but in theory it's the same as you have to justify that what you're doing is relevant/interesting/will help people. Most difficult time of my life completing my thesis, but it's worth it to get that Dr in front your name and know that it's something huge you've achieved for yourself. Dr. Faith, sounds great! You will be an awesome PhD student, where ever you end up. Good luck.

Hi Faith, We briefly met at Gaydon last year. I had no idea that you are a midwife and lecturer, so awesome! I am a PhD level biomed research scientist and tutor undergrads (my car is also my desktop!). Most people I encounter at work are surprised when they find out I own a GT so I know the feeling. I'm also used to strange looks from boy racers when I'm driving. An 86 can be a ladies car too you know! Keep up the good work love, great article! Lindsey x

Hi Tareim, If you fancy a drive to Bristol a few of us are usually knocking about at Queen Square Avenue Drivers Club meet (next one being 8th Feb from about 9am). Would be nice to meet another South Westie. Lindsey

We're up for this Ian! Hope the weather holds out as we can't make it on 22nd Feb any more if the date changes. There's a couple people on the other forum showing some interest as well. Kev, you are planning the route no? So make it tea stops aplenty. Glad to see some other people willing to join us for this. Love you South West regulars, but four cars every meet (plus the occasional show of old and new GTRs) is just a poor turn out really. L xx

Hi guys! Here are the best of the photos I took. Sorry, I'm not a great photographer and the sun has played havoc with some of them. If anyone wants the original, larger images, just let me know. It was so cool to see all those GT/BRZs (and one stealth Celica!) in the same place. The most we have managed together in the South West is two or three at the same time. I do wonder what other drivers must have thought when we were in convoy over. This was our first big meet and it was great to get to know some of you guys and put faces to names. It was so awesome to see all the mods that people are doing. However, my husbands getting ideas now! It was great to meet people who share the same love and appreciation for their GT/BRZ, just like us! Unfortunately, we didn't get to speak to everyone there but hopefully we will meet again in the future. Cheers, Lindsey