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

[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!

[Normb666]

Yeah, it has, John - they also had model Lakeland buildings you could buy or commission....couldn't help but wonder why you would, though, cos surely you'd need to hire an equally-small cleaner and gardener Think a model Strat would be out of place in their outdoor one as it's all very Wordsworth/Beatrix Potter stuff, a bit "stuck in 1850", but then I suppose a lot of the Lakes is still like that

Ade, that kid was part of a family group who were all over the cars and actually fairly well clued-up. Spent quite a while talking to them, further reinforcing my assertion that a Stratos is slowest form of travel between A & B cos you spend so much time at either end talking to peeps!

[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.