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Bulletin
May 2008 - President’s Bulletin and information sheets.
Just a Word
CLUB VISIT TO THE OLD PALACE GARDENS
Hi everybody End of May already and our marvellous day of the club, Transport & Tourism just a memory. Last Sunday saw us visit the beautiful Ricote valley, but more of that later. Sunday the first of June is the Club Orihuela Concentration, too late to book now, I would hope that members would try and attend some of these events that we are invited to, all I have been to, to date have been excellent, not only an opportunity to see more classic cars but also to meet fellow enthusiasts. On Monday I had cause to visit a garage in Elche, RHS coches is a Jaguar specialist but who also have an interest in classic cars. You may have read their bit in the Leader this week under the motoring heading. They are offering a free summer check. Just call their number, 966 61 40 73, and make an appointment, no fee to pay for the check. They have a large place opposite the Elche football stadium, on the other side of the main road. I was given a conducted tour of the premises, reception area, 2 showrooms, 2 workshops, storage space etc., and quite busy and very nice people. I am having a meeting with the owners later this week to see what they can do for us; I will tell you more at the next meeting on the 4th. That's all for now folks Derek President’s Bulletin Update - June 10, 2008
Accreditation of Classic & Historic Vehicles new information Club Torrevieja members who have Classic Cars which are 25 years or more are able to have a free Accreditation of their vehicles. On production of a copy of their Log Book or Inspeccion de Tecnica the club will supply a certificate saying that the vehicle is a ´´Clásicos´´ which can be used for Insurance purposes and proof that their vehicle is a Classic Vehicle. If the member is changing to Historic registration then if they do it through Atrain next to Redovan ITV the engineer will supply a report to the club and the Club will supply an Accreditation for Historic Vehicles free for the member. Non Members are charged 20€. Before this agreement Atrain charged 50€ for this service.
Sunday 15th June 2008 ORGANISED BY MARION ATKINS & BASIL JOSEPH
Meeting Place of Club Cars in Urb. San Luis Car Park, Torrevieja at 10.30am. Situated off the CV 90 to Torrevieja from AP7 North Torrevieja Turn left at the San Luis roundabout (the first roundabout passed Los Montesinos turn) and the car park is on your left in front of shops & CAM Bank.
Lunch at El Torro Restaurant, Torremendo
Menu is 12€ per person
Choice of three starters Main Course Roast Beef or Pork or Lamb (Lamb orders in advance please) Choice of three desserts Included is a glass of wine, small beer or soft drink and coffee BOOK WITH MARION email info@keypropertyservices.net
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PICNIC IN THE RECOTE VALLEY Sunday the 18th of May saw the club meet at the Restaurante Fortaleza on a slightly overcast morning but not enough to dampen the enthusiasm. Daffyd was there giving an first airing to his Triumph TR3a and new member Ingo was there with his 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL,a rare, and in my opinion the best looking of all the SLs, past or present. A gentle trundle up the motorway with a comfort stop on the way where I was asked by a couple of German tourists what we were all about, the lady asked if the cars were from a museum and was amazed to be told that the cars were all individually owned. An drive through the valley with awesome views to the village of Blanca and up to the Mirador with its spectacular views down the valley to one side and the mountains to the other. Here we met a group of Spanish hikers returning over the foot bridge, one lady insisted having her picture taken by Daffyd's TR, Daffyd sat her in the car, provided her with WWII Leather helmet and goggles, much to the delight of the lady and amusement of her companions, don't you just love spontaneous moments? Then down through the village and past the anglers on the banks of the Segura, yes, it's up here as well, and our picnic on the wooden jetty, perfect. Much joviality as we ate and drank, everybody had finished eating but not drinking, the party had just got started, when the anglers started to pack up, a true sign that the rain that had been threatening for a while was about to arrive, and so it did, but that did not really spoil what had been another great day out with the club, easy drive, beautiful scenery and excellently company. Thank you Trish & Tony for taking us to another beautiful part of this wonderful country. If you have a favourite place you think we could visit, please get in touch, we are always looking for new places, or old places from a different angle, give us a call. FOOT NOTE The plan was that Angie and David on their last section of their circular tour to Portugal in their 38 year old SEAT 600 in the week of celebrating their 45th Wedding Anversary was to meet up with the Club at Blanca in the Ricote Valley. The final stage that Sunday morning was a short journey of 300 kms to Blanca in the Ricote Valley to meet the Club Torrevieja for a Picnic. David had forgotten that not all filling stations are open on a Sunday. An old Spaniard had told him many years ago that when you go out on a Sunday to places you do not know you always have a full tank because you never know when you will find a petrol place open. The only road stretched into the distance up to the top of mountains and when he got there it went on to another one. Whenever he saw a petrol sign it was closed and the petrol was getting down to a cup full. Angie was not bothered!! Finally found a hidden Petrol Oasis of Balazote and petrol. Filled up and full speed ahead. Then it was on to Ricote Valley and Blanca but too late. David and Angie arrived in Blanca at 3.15pm and the Club had left at 2.30. Just for the record they did 2433kms averaging about 400kms a day at a speed between 70-90kms and no problems or loss of coolant or oil and still ticked over when we arrived.
NEXT CLUB MEETING Wednesday 2nd July at 7.30pm Cafeteria Marina Club, Deportes International Marina, Torrevieja
Car Parking available in the Marina private car park The after meeting speaker is still to be announced.
At the meeting information leaflets available about useful suppliers to members shall be available for those that did not pick up a copy in June. The new leaflet on changing registration, ownership and deregistering, club programme until end of year and route details of next trip.
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The best little International Classic and Specialist Car Club on the costa
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CLUB TORREVIEJA VISITS ORIHUELA FOR THE II NATIONAL CONCENTRATION OF SEAT 600 & CLASSIC CARS Club Torrevieja was among 10 clubs attending the Spanish National Concentration of Classic Cars over the weekend organised by the Club Seat 600 y Clásicos de Orihuela y Vega Baja which is the 3rd biggest club in Spain. Clubs came from Murcia, Albacete, Almeria, Granada, Denia, Levante, Valencia, Madrid and Albacetina.
Historically Orihuela has been a focal point in the struggle of the Christians against the 700 year moor occupation and the locals say that there are more churches than bars in Orihuela which must have been an influencing effect in the weather because though all the Spanish TV channels forecasts were for heavy rains this was to prove false for Orihuela. Whilst Torrevieja suffered with continuous rain on Saturday Orihuela was a dry zone with Sunday being sufferingly hot.
Saturday started at 6.00pm with the participating clubs arriving to be treated to a taste of the historic Orihuela. Having received their gifts of beautiful drawings of the old buildings with a history of the Mediterranean area including recipes of traditional food of the Vega Baja, a book on the Poet Miguel Hernández, in celebration of the centenary, plus music of the outstanding Semana Santa of Orihuela, it was time to visit the Semana Santa museum to see the 25 Tronos but as a costeleFor Car lovers everywhere
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ros to get the passion, life and pain of Easter they should be carried on the shoulders. Having said that there were magnificent carvings together with silver and gold workmanship. For me the best surprise was the Muralla Museum. 20 years ago Angie and I used to walk across this area passing the outdoor market but in developing the area recently they came across the original walled city which stretches over a huge area. Realising the historical importance and not wanting to cancel the development of the extension of the University they achieved an engineering feat in balancing the multi-storey development on legs over the excavation. The result is a walk in time under the building and on a glass walk way seeing Orihuela as it was in the 11th to 15th centuries. A must see-again visit. The day ended with a bus ride driven by the Orihuela President José Antonio who normally drives a lorry to Los Desamparados for a meal and dancing until the early hours!
Sunday brought out the sun in all its glory and 160 Classic Cars for everyone to enjoy. Some magnificent cars were there including Antique and Popular Classics. Besides exhibiting the cars for the public to enjoy it was a time to meet old friends and make new ones. The last time Orihuela organised a National Concentration I was the Vice President and this being the first one the committee had lots to do. Now returning to being one of the 14 founder members it was time to meet up with old friends from the various clubs there, some I had not seen for 3 years. Soon it was time for the climb to the Orihuela seminary which can be quite hairy and exiting and already the crowds were out in the streets. The end result is a breathtaking view of Orihuela and the Vega Baja. Finally it was time to depart and begin the parade of cars through the medieval streets of Orihuela. Nothing is done quietly and to much honking of horns, waves and cheers the almost endless parade of cars passed through the City and on to a very long lunch and awards. On speaking to the members of Club Torrevieja to a person they said that it was very enjoyable meeting so many Spanish people and making friends. The language proved not a barrier with the people being so friendly and they cannot wait for the next time which will be an invitation from Club 600 y Clásicos Populares de Murcia for a picnic in the Granada area on the 29th June. This was very gratifying as one of the main purposes of forming Club Torrevieja was integration of Internationals. David Hudson
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CLUB TORREVIEJA’S Club Calendar; to date
Club Calendar 2006
2007
NOVEMBER 1 Club Meeting and Talk 5 Turistic Guided drive of Benijófar, Algofa, Callosa, Orihuela and Palace of Jacarilla
AUGUST 1 Club Meeting in the Hotel La Torre, Los Montesinos at 7.30pm. 11 Rustic Drive to Monteagudo & Embalse de Santomera
OCTOBER 4 Inaugural Meeting in Club Marina Cafeteria 14 Club Trip ´Picnic in Santuario de la Fuensanta, Murcia´
DECEMBER 4 Club Meeting & Talk on Importation, Insurance & Changing to Spanish Plates 16 Christmas Drive and Lunch 28 Fools Day ´Egg & Bacon Run´ Redovan
JULY 4 Club Meeting in Restaurant Troika, Marina Int. 8 Sierra de Callosa with a Picnic
SEPTEMBER 5 Club Meeting and Talk ¨The SAAB Rallying¨ Derek Fletcher 9 Trip to the Nature Reserve of Sierra de Espuna
2007
OCTOBER 3 Club Meeting and Talk ´Spanish Vehicle Registration´ by Amanda Braund 14 Club Trip ´Trip back in time´ to Cabo de Palos, Mar Menor
FEBRUARY 7 Club Meeting followed by a Forum on the Club 11 Turistic Drive to twin water mills in Las Norias 18 Climb to Seminary of Orihuela
NOVEMBER 4 Concentration of Classic Cars of Mar Menor Club in Lo Pagan 7 Club Meeting and ´Brainstorming Ideas¨ 18 Club Trip ´Hill Climb to Alicante Castle´ 25 National Turistic Concentration of Seat 600 & Classics in Caravaca de La Cruz, Murcia
JANUARY 3 Club Meeting ¨Anniversary’s of Saab & SEAT 600¨ by Derek Fletcher & David Hudson 14 Climb to Alicante Castle
MARCH 7 Annual General Meeting followed by Pinchos 11 Scenic drive to Monte Alto & Hondon Valley APRIL 4 Club Meeting 8 Easter Drive and Lunch 13/15 Antic Auto Classic Show in Alicante 15 Drive & Barbeque – Sierra de la Peña 29 3rd Encuentro Club Mediterráneo in Pilar de la Horadada MAY 3 Club Meeting and Talk ¨The Rolls Royce¨ by Dafydd Jones-Evans 5 Invitation to Exhibit our cars in Urbanisation La Marina Fun Day 20 Trip to Portman Historic Mines. 23 Sausage & Mash Drive Life Membership to Brian JUNE 6 Club Meeting & Drive to Los Montesinos 17 Magic Circle Run around Embalse de Pedrera
DECEMBER 5 Club Meeting and Talk on the ´Barbershop´ 16 Christmas Drive and Lunch 28 Fools Day ´Silly games in cars´ Redovan
2008
JANUARY 2 Club Meeting with a film ´Costaleros – the Movie´ & Car Quiz. Award to Keith Nicol 27 Treasure Hunt with Lunch in La Marina FEBRUARY 3 Trip to Guadix Racing Circuit, seeing the Ginetta Racing Cars and driving on circuit 7 Club Meeting followed by Talk ´Historic Alicante´ Mark from FM Alicante 17 Visit to Aeronautical Museum, Alacazares, Murcia & to Cenizes Mining Valley, Murcia MARCH 30 Treasure Hunt Lunch in Restaurante Pimiento
Club Events in Bold Type
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Just gotta drive
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CLUB PROGRAMME 2008 JUNE 4th Club General Meeting
+ Talk on Security 15th VISIT TO PALACE GARDENS
JULY 2nd Club General Meeting 13th VISIT TORRE PACHECO MOLIN
AUGUST 6th Club General Meeting 10th RUTA de VEGA BAJA
SEPTEMBER 3rd Club General Meeting
+ Talk on Driving in Spain 21st TRIP TO CALASPARA, Murcia
OCTOBER 1st Club General Meeting + Talk on Registering/De-Registering/Change Owners 12th PICNIC IN SANTUARIO de la FUENSANTA, Murcia
NOVEMBER 5th Club General Meeting 16th DRIVING SKILLS IN THE PARK
DECEMBER 3rd Club General Meeting 7th DAY OF CLUB FOR CHRISTMAS 28th FOOLS DAY (INNOCENTES DIA)
Full details at monthly Club Meetings held in Marina Club Cafeteria, Internacional Marina, Torrevieja at 19.30h Dates and Events may change or additions made, depending on other Special Events and invitations from other Car Clubs.
Just drive it!
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