Northern Run 2025 - 5th/6th September, Shap Wells Hotel

Thought I'd better get my finger out and get somewhere booked for this year's effort. Good job I did as availability seems to be tight! - and that's why the Northern Run clashes with Gordon's garage day :( Many apols to Gordon for that, but that weekend was the only one available....I'm hoping that there won't be too much of one event "stealing" attendees from the other! Anyhow, here's the details for those who fancy getting away for a coupla nights.

Rates are ?75 per person per night for peeps sharing a double/twin, on a dinner, bed and brekky basis, so ?300 for a couple for both nights. If it's sole occupancy of a twin/double it's ?115 per night. Single rooms are ?103.50 per night.

To book, call 01931 716628 quoting "Stratos Enthusiasts Club" or you can email groups@shapwellshotel.com. They'll want a ?50 deposit at time of booking. Full payment will be taken upon arrival. If phoning, call Mon-Fri between 9-5 as that's when the reservations team are in.

Now, I know a couple of people were less than keen on Shap Wells last time we were there - not because of any failings of the place itself, but because they felt we should've been going "further upmarket". Well that's all well and good, but not everyone can afford "further upmarket" prices, and I reckon that ?300 for two nights all-in is excellent value. Anyhow, it's what it is, and it's been great fun when we've stayed there previously. So if it appeals, get booked in and update this thread so I know who's coming! In fact, I'll even be there meself :) :)

Cheers!

Norm

I am interested in joining this - as a newbie I am hoping my car will be ready by then! What's the running order of the couple of days?

Yo Matt, it's dead simple. Rock up on Friday, eat/drink/talk rubbish, then bed. Go on the run Sat (or don't, it's all up to you) and then back at Shap, it's a repeat of Friday eve :) Sunday, bugger off home.

Forgot to say in my introductory post that you can come in whatever car you fancy, doesn't have to be a Strat. I won't be in one! As for the run, although there's a route with directions, you don't have to go on it, or if you do, you can divert if you like, and you do it all at your own pace - it's not a procession, although you could well bump into fellow attendees here and there. Still sound alright, or all a bit scary? :)

Bring it back to the top. Pat and David booked today that makes four of us so far.

David

Well I've just remembered to book meself in as well.....seemed like a good idea! Also got a few mates coming so that's 4 cars and therefore 8 people in total so far. Hope we get a few more participants but early days yet - 5 months off!

I have taken the plunge into the Shap Wells invigorating waters, and made a booking to join the happy band in September. !!!!!!

Great stuff Robin! I'm not planning on a mega-mile extravaganza, and in fact a lot of the route will be familiar to seasoned attendees... But there'll also be a couple of stops en route for the purpose leg-stretching and partaking of refreshment :)

Anybody else fancy giving it a go?

Well, 3 weeks ro go, and not a massive response. There's a few who've told me they can't make it this time - so thanks for letting me know - and fortunately some non-club pals are coming along so it's not so bad, number-wise. There could well be as many Porsches as there are Strats.....

Anyhoo, here's the directions for the route, which as promised isn't a marathon effort and has a couple of stops, including a visit to a bike museum, if that floats yer boat (or balances yer wheels, more appropriately).

Attachment 24124Attachment 24124

Hmmm, think you mighta got it twice, but now there's a copy for driver and passenger :)

I'm booked in Norm, thanks for the directions:)

Norm. Sorry I can't make it.
Birthday and family lunch on Friday and Buxton Garage day on Saturday.
It is also Morecambe Classic Car show on the Sunday

Dave, I knew you were coming cos the hotel told me.....they sounded worried :) :)

Steve, no prob, I knew about your other commitments. But you'll be there in spirit, cos we'll talk about ya behind your back :)

Hi Norm, I'm sorry but we're going to be away for my big birthday (queue to comment's). Disappointed to be missing it but I hope you all have a great weekend and the weather is kind.

No worries, Steve. Which "big" birthday is it - 40, 50, 60, 70,.....?? ;)

Hi Everyone,

now the Silverstone stuff is over, just a reminder of this drive-out and stop-over for anyone who might be interested. There's only a week to go and the reserved rooms are going back to "general availability" status on Friday, so get in there quick if you wanna come!

You know you'll only regret it if you miss it.....well, maybe :)

Norm

A quick post-event note to say Ta to those who came, and to make everyone else jealous :)

We had 6 members plus partners this time, but only 2 Strats for various technical reasons. Also tagging along were 6 others who made up the numbers nicely!

The hotel - now under new ownership since May - was good, although there were a few teething problems as the new management seem to be still finding their feet.....the new owner is only 19 years old!
Everyone really enjoyed the drive, to the extent that a few peeps are gonna do it again shortly as a day out. Sadly everyone gave the bike museum a miss apart from me and my nominated driver, so you all missed out on something special there, but The Robin Hood Inn/Tearoom/Antique shop was given the thumbs-up. The two Strats managed to make a turn too soon in Brampton and so ended up on some interesting country roads, rejoining the route at Melmerby but having missed the ace Pennines section....ah well. Richard and Sara Craig could only make it late Saturday so went straight to the hotel.

Anyhow, if any of this has made you keen to have a go, there's always next year!

- Norm

Melmerby was were my son lived until 3 months ago. It was also were all those pies were stolen - no connection.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpl8r2e48o

Thanks Norman for organising, thoroughly enjoyed the route including the "ad lib off piste" bit, courtesy of Dave E.

We managed to reach home about 2.00pm after encountering almost biblical rain on the M6 which started in earnest as we approached the Ship Canal in heavy traffic and continued with us until we decided to take the Scenic Route at J15 and travel cross country to the A41 towards home. For some time up to then we had been suffering shower symptoms due the rain coming in through the Roof vents which Carol tried unsuccessfully to cope with.

The scenic route was plagued with an abundance of standing water and still raining, but I can report that this did not cause any problem to the car, with no evidence of any water entering the area behind the radiator despite sending splashes as high as the hedges, and amazingly the shower syndrome stopped as soon as we were turning left and right rather than traveling in a straight line and at similar speed to the later part of the Motorway travel.

Just doing the washing ready for our trip on Wednesday, and for those who were there and may be interested, the Case is still somewhere in Paris !!!!! better source some disposable underwear.

Robin.