Northern Drive-Out - Coast & Castles Run, Fri/Sat 7th/8th August 2020

Y'all,

Finally, the news you've all (not) been waiting for - this year's Northern Drive-Out is now officially on!

I did say, after last year's unintended Noah's Ark inaugural do, that I'd re-run the Kielder route again this time so peeps could actually see some scenery, rather than make like they were standing under Niagara Falls. But I had a rethink and decided that we'll revisit Kielder another time, and try summat completely new for this year.... And so, having pored over maps, and entreated with the local haruspex to examine entrails for portents and omens, it has come to pass: this time, we'll be having a wizz up the stunning Northumberland coast, running by the sea as much as we can manage without actually falling in and/or getting stuck in the sand/driving off cliffs. On the way we'll be passing several famous and not-so-famous castles, keeping the water in the sea rather than on our heads (I hope), and crossing the causeway onto historic Lindisfarne, and who knows, maybe even not get stranded by the rising tide. There'll also be a bit of an inland loop over the moors before returning to the hotel, which is...

The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth - originally built as a summer house for the Duchess of Northumberland in 1872 - stands right on the sea front, and as well as being a very stylish and elegant place in its own right, is just round the corner from the rather cosmopolitan centre of the town, and not far from the ruins of Tynemouth Priory on the headland. I've secured 12 double rooms for us for two nights, Fri 7th and Sat 8th August, which was all that they had available. Cost is £368 for two people for two nights - not cheap, but what else are you gonna do with yer loot? :)

Dates are Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August, with the drive-out being on the Saturday as usual. If you want to go, give them a bell on 0191 293 6666 and say you're with the BRIERS group. They'll take your card details, but not take any money till the weekend itself. Don't forget to update this thread too so I know who's going!

It may be worth mentioning at this point that car parking could possibly be an issue (or it might not...depends!) There are 8 spaces directly in front of the hotel and a further 6 just to the side, and also 8 undercover in their own parking facility about 100 yards away to the rear. We can't reserve any of these - it's first come, first served - and with check-in being from 3pm, it might pay to be there early :)

Remember, you don't have to come in a Stratos of any description, something everyone took to heart last year when there were none at all. So this year I've not mentioned the SEC to the hotel, so no-one will be asking what the craic is with these exotic motors...

Anyway, it's all very elegant and probably far too good for you lot. I'll be going even if nobody else does :-P

*** "Stuff I Just Remembered" Section - *** Should have mentioned, if anyone wants a single room, the price is pretty much the same - just £10 less...not a particularly good deal so you might be better finding alternative accommodation nearby. And the run itself is about 110, 120 miles in total, of which you're free to do all, some or none of, with plenty of places you can stop off at should the mood take you. I'll include them in the Route Details when I post them nearer the date, and I've allowed plenty of time at a few of them for a cuppa, look round, stretch of legs, playing on the beach, etc. It's definitely more of a "tour" than a "thrash" this time, although there are still places you can, shall we say, "make progress" should you wish...ahem.

And, if anyone wants to just do the Run you're welcome to do so, but you'll still owe me a drink ;)

Wow Norm! Gotta be there for that.
No excuses this time.
No excuses for Bob either except maybe he will not bother with the hotel!

Norm
Booked, that has doubled the numbers to four.

David

Well done, That Man - I knew there'd be someone in the club with a few bob left :)

I have booked for me and Jan. I don't think I will be there in a Stratos however.

Just put the phone down, were with you Norm, for the continuation of the intellectual chat!!!

John, if you did turn up in a Strat, you'd likely be the only one... Robin, great to have you and The Boss along - knew I could count on you! :) I'll bring a dictionary and an interpreter, in case others don't understand what we're talking about.

Unfortunately we will be on holiday !................ Bugger.. sorry Norm

Don't worry, Phil - just hope your hol isn't ruined, knowing you could be with us and actually enjoying yourselves. ;)

All booked in for Sara and myself! Y'never know, there might be some Strats there this time!

Good 'un! :)

Anybody else wants to come and stay in the hotel - don't wait too long - 9 of the 12 rooms have gone already!! Can't believe I'm so popular!

Any thoughts Norm?
I suppose the dates for this could be just right if all goes to
( Boris') plan?

Yo John, just posted in David's Yorkshire Run thread about having to move dates. That one deffo won't be going ahead in June, but he's proposed September or October as alternatives, or maybe just forgetting about it for this year.
As for the Northern Run, as you say, we might still just be OK if the stars align. But if not, my fallback is for September 12th if possible, as that's the Saturday when the Lindisfarne tide times are in line with our itinerary. I'm not considering October as it's a bit too late in the year for me, so if neither dates come off, it'll be next year...but at least I should have a Stratos to pose in then. I hope :)
I'll give it till July to get a feel for the lie of the land before speaking to the hotel, but it might be an idea for those booked to check their diaries to see if that alternative weekend's clear. Hope springs eternal. etc.

Had an email from the hotel this morning to say they are opening again in time for our trip.
What's the feeling about this?
We have some reservations about going, particularly as it seems the restaurants will not be open in the hotel, but could seriously do with getting away for a break.
We still cant stay overnight on our boat, and at our age all our friends are calling themselves vulnerable so are reluctant to socialize! Getting cabin fever!!

John, I must admit, similar sentiments and thoughts in our household on this, but when I saw the email this morning, I thought the Hotel were being a little optimistic on the date anyway.

Understandable Robin.
Sure, the hotel may be open, but if the restaurants are closed then we may struggle to be sociable, even at a distance.
I'm imagining Norm telling jokes by semaphore......

Funny you should say that, John - got two fingers up even as I type...not saying up where tho, before you reply ;)

But, regarding the Grand Opening (or is it the Grand, opening?), I think they're basing the re-opening date based on the government's aim to have the hospitality sector running again on the 4th July. Although they say they're only doing B&B for now, they'll obviously be looking at opening the restaurants as well ASAP, so to get an idea of their thoughts I've dropped them a mail asking them what their plans regarding that are.

I'm hoping that, with our gig being a month after their opening, they should be kicking off the actual dining by then....otherwise we'll all be having takeaway fish and chips round the corner in Tynemouth village...
It may be that we push it back a further month, to 12th September. It has to be that date because of the Lindisfarne tide times being favourable for our trip out. If neither date works for whatever reason, we'll have to call it off till next year...bummer!

As for virus nervousness, that's up to individuals, but I'm now at the sod-it stage after Our Dominic's trip to the North East and all the BLM protestors and peeps on beaches etc. rubbing shoulders and whatnot with each other. And given that we'll be pretty much isolated for the whole weekend (in cars and bedrooms), with just a few hours social interaction, and all of us still healthy, I'm willing to take the risk if you lot are too!

Anyhow, watch this space to see what the hotel's reply will be.

*** UPDATE *** The Gig's Still On!! Wahey!!! :) ;)

OK Gang - been speaking to the hotel, and they're operating according to govt. guidelines, which at present means they can open on the 6th but still have to keep people apart, hence B&B with dinner served in your room.
HOWEVER - because this is a social event rather than just a family staying for one or two nights, they've given us a private dining room, so we can still get together as a group to eat and have a few drinkies later.

Obviously anything could happen between now and then (it's 8 weeks off, after all), so I'll keep y'all posted on here, but I'm just waiting on a list of attendees from the hotel to make sure it matches what I've got. If we concur, then there's still a couple of places left, if anyone else is thinking of coming along... obvs if anyone just wants to come along for the drive then that's OK too (Bob, I'm thinking of you here ;) )

Watch this space...or the skies...but don't walk in to any lampposts while yer at it ;)

The (Social) Norm

Norm,

I have a room booked, looking forward to it.

Mark

Yipeeeeeee

Great news Norm... we will be all ready for this event !!... fingers crossed

More info after I asked the hotel to send me a current rooming list - only one room left from the number I initially asked for, but it looks like they've had some cancellations over the last few months cos they say other rooms are currently available (which wasn't the case previously - we got the last 12 rooms). But they're not guaranteed, so if anyone wants to put their name down, get in there quick (and let me know please!)

The other thing they mentioned was that indoor events and social functions are currently banned by the govt, so our private room is dependent on that restriction being relaxed, which they're hopeful of. The offer of the room was to ensure we could have our event without worrying about anybody else, which I thought was pretty good of them. Anyhow, more news as I get it, but right now we're expecting the Run to go ahead!

Latest news - been talking to the hotel again (OK, not the actual hotel, but the peeps who run it...durrr!) and I'll be going up there sometime this month to 1) sanity-check the route and see if there are any "gotchas" and what's open, or not, and 2) call in at the hotel to see the function room, find out what the various arrangements are, and what we'll have to do to stay safe. Not sure what day that'll be but it won't be next week - probably the week after.

Soon as I've been, I'll update this post again with the details so we all know what to expect.

In the meantime, anyone else wants to go, shout out, even if it's just a day trip and not a stopover!

Hi Norm,

Just to confirm I will be tagging along for the Sat run.

Thought I had better update you on some of the local road changes which may or may not affect your planned route but will definitely change hotel approach.

The local council have had the 'bright' idea of making a cycle lane along the seafront from the Gibraltar Rock pub in Tynemouth all the way north to the Spanish City dome at Whitley Bay.
To achieve this the seafront road is now a one way route north bound only for cars etc and separated by thousands of cones the south bound carriageway has become a cycle lane.
All roads leading onto the seafront are now left turn only.
Unless there are any changes the only way to approach the hotel now is through Tynemouth village and along the seafront an alternative would be from the village and down Hotspur Street although you wouldn't be able to turn right at the hotel.
There may be some parking still available opposite the hotel in the new cycle lane, cars were parked there yesterday.

best rgds Bob


This is the council plan and within this is a link to a map of the changes

https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/cate...ng-and-cycling


Here are a couple of photos as the road outside the hotel was yesterday in top photo the BMW next to hotel is on Hotspur St.


Attachment 16487Attachment 16488

Hiya Bob - knew you'd be along for the ride...if you'd not confirmed, was considering calling the whole thing off... :)

Much thanks for the road situation update. I'll be up there the week after next so would have found out for myself, but the early heads-up is just the ticket. Having studied the council's proposals and docs, I'm wondering just what it is that'll be improved by the ultra-wide cycle lane? Suspending all southbound traffic will have a massive effect on tourism and business. Probably not so bad if you're local and know where you're going, but otherwise, a recipe for gridlock and disaster! Wonder why they didn't just take half the southbound lane for cycles, and have narrower vehicular lanes both ways?? And then there's the diversions around Spanish City, but I kinda get that cos of the car parking situation there.

Anyhow. This DOES affect the route of the run - no problem on the outward leg, but gonna have to change it on the return (was intending to also come back via the coast road). As for parking, I'll have to look at the situation when I'm up there...what a daft scheme to inflict on a popular tourist road.

Just a wee update, as I've been asked if there's any news. I did say I'd be visiting the hotel last week, but due to the usual Unforeseen Circumstances I've had to put it back to tomorrow - so I'll post the latest info and need-to-knows on Tuesday (or tomorrow eve if I get back in time). In the meantime I've been chatting with the Reservation peeps (in the hotel, not the Black Hills of Dakota) and I can tell you we've been given exclusive use of the Brasserie for our evening nosh-up. This has separate tables so we can distance easily, and for those who're not bothered by such niceties, the hospital's only a hop, skip and jump away. Anyway, more info (check-in and -out times, and that) shortly!

Attachment 16568

I'm ready.....

Well that was a bit of a long day....thick end of 500 miles and, I'm pleased to say, a successful outcome :)

First off - the hotel. Check-in is from 3pm, checkout on Sunday 11am latest. Upon arrival, as you enter the hotel, there's a temperature scanner to the left which everyone will have to test themselves against; it incorporates a camera and shows what it sees on a screen below the sensor. After a very short measuring perios it displays the reading and tells you if you're OK or not. You can then proceed forward to Reception and check in. At this point you'll also be asked about your breakfast preference - cooked full English served in the Brasserie, with a dining time, or Continental in your bedroom. For our evening meal, we have the Brasserie for our own use. It's not open to anyone else and is very spacious with well-spaced-out tables, and a great view out over the beach. I anticipate we'll be sitting down to dinner at 7:30 or 8:00 - I forgot to ask about the time but I'll check with them!
Post-prandial drinkies are available just across from the Brasserie in the Drawing Room, a bar open only to residents, or Copperfields, the pub-type thing round the back which is also open to the Great Unwashed.
Car parking - they've reserved us 4 spaces undercover in their own "The Stables" car park, just up the street from the hotel, and these are for those going in a Stratos. There might be spaces for the rest of us but it's first come, first served. There are also spaces at the front of the hotel, but you can also park around the corner in Hotspur St. The on-street parking across the road has been removed by the daft one-way system the council's set up to provide extra space for pedestrians and cyclists... not that I could see many of either today despite it being school hols...but, there are spaces on the road that runs down to the beach opposite. It's £3 for all day between 9am and 6pm, free the rest of the time, so that's an option too.

The route - well, that seems fine too, with caffs and pubs etc all seeming to be open and doing great business (it's the first week of the school hols up there, so everyone was out and about). I'll knock up the directions this week and post them on here for you all to see.

So, all looking good, and I'm looking forward to it even if you lot aren't. Still space left if you wanna come along and hone your crap-talking skills.... ;)

Hi Norm, I live locally too so can't justify an overnight stay (or two) at the Grand. I would like to join you all on the planned run though and as I still await my Chassis it will be another non-Stratos entry!
I hope that's ok and look forward to meeting some of the SEC on the Saturday.

No problem Ade, be good to see ya. Will you be alone? Hope not or the route-reading will go to sh*te early doors :)

We have even extended the break with an overnight stop in Helmsley on Thursday night.

PS Norm what was the vehicle of choice for your recce ??

Love my little Red Number !

Glad you're enjoying the 124... ace car, very underrated, I reckon.

Did the recce in the Spyder. Hadn't been out in it much this year and it was good to give it a proper work-out. I'm always impressed with how capable it is - it'll pootle if you're not in the mood, and then when it's time to give it some welly it never fails to handle whatever gets thrown at it. I'll be in it for the Gig itself too. Keeping fingers crossed for good weather....but it can't be as bad as it was last year!! (...can it??)

[QUOTE= (...can it??)[/QUOTE]

Yes, but get the prayer mats out now!!!

Count us in. Rain or shine!

Attachment 16570

Right, after much time at the computer with Word and Google Maps/Streetview, and much use of the ole grey matter, herewith the blow-by-blow document of the route for Sat 8th....altho I seem to be having bother attaching the file, so fingers X'ed it works :)

Was also intending to add a GPX file of the route that could be uploaded into a GPS device, but the site won't let me. So if anyone wants it, it's gonna be good old email - let me know if it's of interest (cos I'd hate to have gone to the trouble for nowt...)!

It works Norm !!!

Phew! Cheers Phil! That's one step forward....now, does it make any sense??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Normb666

Phew! Cheers Phil! That's one step forward....now, does it make any sense??

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Sent you an email Norm, via this site, hope it got through?
Ade

Ade, no, not arrived - but coulda been a full mailbox. I've cleared some out to make room so can you try it again please? Ta!