May 98

Surrey Madhatters

May 98

Number 77 - May 1998

Chat from the Chair

Well, I know I wasn’t there at the last meeting so I can’t say anything about that. I heard that it was good - well it usually is if I’m not there !

I am sure that everyone out there will join me in saying that I am glad that Lynne suffered no serious injuries in her ‘brush’ with a Dutch ‘trucky’. However I am really sorry that ‘Dolly Green’ was seriously hurt. I am sure we will hear more news later.

We were in Toulouse for Easter. In spite of being told to bring T-shirts and a jumper for emergencies, the weather was not very good. The emergency jumper was well worn ! We had a lovely time - plenty of food and wine. We even went down to the Pyrenees to see Noëlle (Jon’s girlfriend’s Mum). As she was cooking one of her famous six course lunches it began to snow - and snow until her garden looked like Christmas !

The best thing about the visit, if there can be a best thing in France, was seeing lots of lovely 2cvs. Toulouse is the 4^th largest city in France and the 2^nd largest University town. The cars we saw - and Bill photographed - were in good condition and obviously used a great deal. We saw some old vans in barns or fields when we were on our train journeys, so we couldn’t stop. There was a green & white Dolly parked not far from Jon’s flat so we thought of Lynne and Ham every time we walked past. Obviously the drier, warmer climate (well it is supposed to be) keeps the cars longer - so if you want an ‘oldie’ this is a good place to go searching for it.

Gill.

P.S. Bill has bought 2 Solido H-Van models - when will he stop !!

Editorial

Since Gill and Bill were in France for the April meeting there were several others who decided not to venture out to the pub ! Despite an attendance of only eleven we had an enjoyable time in a colder than usual small room (not enough bodies to warm the room up !). As usual we were made very welcome by the returned landlord who was working his socks off on his rest day

.Dick brought along a print out from our web site for all those without access to the web and I’m sure he’ll do this again. It truly is well worth a look with loads of pictures of our cars, events lists, links with other Citroën sites. If you haven’t already lent Dick a photo of your pride and joy he will be delighted to add more.

Don’t forget to bring (or send) your suggestions for a name for the newsletter to the next meeting. It was broadly agreed to keep to the Alice theme in April but we’re still looking for more ideas. I am still threatening to find a bottle of something French and alcoholic as a prize for the best suggestion.

Now for the unpleasant bit - it’s the time of the year to dig deep and send money (Postal Orders, Cheques, cash or stamps gratefully accepted to the tune of around £5) to help in the costs of envelopes etc. Please give your contributions to me or, preferably, to Dave the Treasurer.

Ham

Sandie reports that our good friends in Wales, Lee and Claire are proud to announce an addition to their family! He arrived on 23rd April (St. George’s Day !), weighed in at 4lb 2oz and is to be known as Charlie George. Mother and son are reported to be well. I am sure that we all send our love and best wishes.

Southern Clubs News - The Camp - 24-26 July

Things are going well. Refreshments and extra toilets are now organised. We are just hoping that we will have plenty of support. Please come for the day (or days) if you are not into camping. We will need help for some of the jobs and we want people to enjoy themselves. From what I hear there are quite a few cars coming from outside the area - even abroad. We will be handing out flyers in France, so we’re definitely looking forward to welcoming some European friends.

The International - Worcester

We must not forget this event on August Bank Holiday weekend. There are exciting things planned for this based on the "Golden Theme" so plan a space for this in your busy summer schedule. The Midland Clubs have put a lot of work into the event so let’s help make it a success for them and 2CVGB. It is the National Clubs big camp and this one is rather special. We have all been to these events in the past and have had great times with 2CVers - let’s do it again.

Les Fils Treasure Hunt - Sun 19th April

Sunday was a lovely morning - OK so we will have lunch and then go on the treasure hunt. We checked with Trevor on the exact location of the rendezvous and set out. Oh dear, spots of rain..... bigger spots of rain..... REAL RAIN in Fleet Civic Centre car park. We paid our £2 for the clues and safety envelope and set off. Bill and I were doing well but when it came to looking around graveyards in the rain then I felt less than a happy bunny - well it’s only a game - don’t worry. Somewhere we made a mistake and met everyone else coming in the opposite direction. We met the organisers - Michael & Ruth - who put us right and then there was no stopping us. It did not stop raining - a few churches, graveyards and pottery shops later we saw we were on the last clue - YES it was the pub at the end of the route and we were the second ones there. It was not a time trial - just get the answers right. We sat round the fire, Michael marked each paperas they arrived. Eventually Tony & Shirley got there to make up the last. Phil & Wendy got lost, so opened up the envelope to find the pub. (Phil is a policeman who didn’t know where he was) After a nailbiting 30 minutes the prizes were awarded and YES, Bill & I had won AND we were still speaking.

Thanks Michael & Ruth. It was a lovely route and we saw places we had never seen before. If only the weather had been kind so that we could really appreciate the beautiful countryside around Fleet and Hartley Wintney.

Gill

Dates for Your Diary

May 12 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley. Bring your photos of the London to Brighton. Make your last minute plans for France.

May 21-24 The 6^th French National 2CV Meeting, St Quentin en Yvelines Leisure Park, Paris. BE THERE ! (P.S. camping for the Sunday night is around 25FF per person.)

Jun 9 at 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley.

Jun 12-14 Fils - Summer camp at Batcombe Vale.

Jun 19-21 Ducks - Duck Race Camp, Red Shoot Inn, New Forest.

Jun 26-28 Puddleducks - Camp at Headley Park. £3.50 per night per tent.

Jul 5 2CVGB - Registers Day, Peterborough.

Jul 5 Tortoises - Seaside fun and games.

Jul 14 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley.

Jul 24-26 Southern Clubs "50th Birthday Bash".

Aug 12 Puddleducks - BBQ at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

Aug 21-23 ICCR - Belgium

Aug 28-31 2CVGB - 21st International & 50th Anniversary, Worcester.

Aug 31 Puddleducks - Gosporteers Vehicle Rally at Stokes Bay.