Northern Run - Damson Dene Hotel, Lake District, Fri & Sat, 11th & 12th August 2023

[Phubb]

4th run for me and Julie in my Allora and we loved every minute. We did get off to a bad start on Saturday with 2 inches of water in the footwells but a sarny box and a bit of baling out and we were fine.
I’m sure we all had a great time driving, chatting, eating and drinking with friends old and new. I for one am already looking forward to next years runs and hope a few more members might join us for a great weekend - even if you don’t have a Stratos. Who knows we might take over a whole hotel.

[STR_Strat]

Thanks again Norm for organising a great weekend, can only reiterate that the hotel and staff were great.
Weather was hot and sunny all the way up on Friday, shame I was stuck in the greenhouse for most of it (7 and a bit hours in all) but once I left the M6 for the short hop across to the hotel I remembered why I was doing it
Yes it was wet on the Saturday but it all adds to the experience, I was fortunate to pick up a navigator for the day with much more local knowledge than me (thanks David).
Having learn't my lesson on the Friday I avoided the M6 coming home and had a very enjoyable drive across to the A1M and home in time for dinner.
600 plus miles in total, can't wait for the next one

Dave

[David J]

Back home reflecting on a fantastic weekend, so enjoyable from start to finish. Thank you Norm. With overnight heavy rain on Friday expected it was time to unleash the shower cap which kept the inside of the car and engine compartment bone dry. Every owner should have one!!!.

Despite the wet start on Saturday and with Pat and Leah staying back at base, it was a great chance to ride shotgun with Dave in his LB and feel the power of a supercharged Toyota V6. (Thanks Dave)!

It always such great fun when we all get together and we look forward to planning the next one in June 2024.

[Normb666]

Some pix taken by a non-member on the drive - most in Silloth at the lunch stop. Lawrence of Arabia impersonation forced by rain when removing shower cap prior to setting off

[LOFT6.6]

I was wondering where the pics were. Sounds like a great hotel and run out despite the rain. I was out galavanting all weekend including the Friday or I would have been there or at least popped across.
I just love the look of that lads face in pic #2. I'm sure we can alI relate to that. I'm also sure it's the look I've had for most of my life whenever I see a Stratos.....
Cheers!
Ade

[westonTB]

That looked like a lot of fun, sorry I missed it... maybe next time !!!

[john]

Looks like a great weekend!
Me too, "Maybe next time". Still a way to go before it's in a Stratos though.....!
That hotel was on the tele recently. Has it got a model village in the garden, or something like that?
We should give them a model Stratos to put in the village!

[Neil63]

Thanks for organising Norm and thanks to everyone else for making a brilliant weekend. Hotel and Staff were great. The Old Piano winning the best dressed award was a particular delight. Looking forward to fly fishing lessons from David J (another story) Hopefully see most if not all at Gordon?s Garage Day if not before.

[Steve65]

Thank you Norm for organising a great hotel and route. I echo all the positive comments of all the others that were there. For those members who don't come along to these meetings you're missing such a great weekend, drive through stunning countryside (weather permitting) and great company with really interesting people. Hopefully we will see some new faces at the next do or even the he next garage day in September. Don't be shy.

[Longtimefan]

Thanks Norman, for putting together a great weekend, and as you have already mentioned the Hotel and staff were great.

I am absolutely staggered at the contortions some folks do to take a photo as we pass, or as they pass, I wouldn?t dare hang my phone out of the window at 70 mph, and in some cases with half a body as well!!!

As Peter has said, great company, experiences shared, and the opportunity to ask others how they have dealt with various aspects of details of there cars whether it is build details or driving experiences.

The only downside to any of these runs is having to come home, and unpack. As is well known, Carol does not travel light.

Shower cap put to dry, and water wings deflated and put away after the Bathroom Flood Incident, there was more water involved in that than we experienced going over Shap.

Robin.