Club Arnage

Seems I need to sort out a few things for Le Mans this year,

Have my priorities sorted (almost)

My list - so far (more to follow)

1. Drinking - (http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/59424.jpg) (waiting for the obvious)

Oh hush!

 :'(

I thought of taking my mountain bike so I could accompany Fran round the sites/sights…

Not bothering now ;)

I wonder if I need to get into practise for the Stella/stubbies/poisonous lagery stuff...

No

Think I will just sip along gently as usual

(I looked at me tent the other day, it's still where I left it sitting in the garage in 2009. sleeping bags and bed still there too)

I think I'm about ready

Bring it on

x 2  >:(

Really Neil ??? ;)

My plans were coming along nicely. Having decided to take the camper instead of the Jensen, I thought that all I needed to do was increase my daily beer intake so as not to shock the liver come the time. However.......



Driving home in said van last night there was an almighty bang which was soon followed by a revolting smell I can only describe as a very old, wet golden retriever, that's been rolling in a mixture of pig manure, very expensive French cheese and toe batter ( you know, that foul smelling stuff you get having trimmed down your ingrowning toe nails. Why is it that you always sniff it at least twice?).

Pulling over at the side of the road and vomiting in front of two elderly women, I gathered my composure and pulled my T shirt up over my nose before re-entering the van to investigate.

My mind instantly went back to Christmas, when a few days after the turkey fest, myself and a few dozen friends ventured down to Dalby Forest on the pretence of riding bicycles, rather than our true objective which was to stand around moaning about Christmas whilst emptying several hip flasks.
 Anyhoo. Being the host, I took down several packs of bacon, bread, tea, coffee and milk. When my friends arrived they were treated by bacon butties and a brew. What a jolly day we had. My friend drove me home whilst I snoozed in a drunken state. Oh happy days.

Fast forward to yesterday, a hot day on the back of several similar hot days. The sleepy market town of Morpeth was rocked by an explosion of such magnitude it could be smelled all the way to Blyth (some feat indeed as it always smells of fish and crack).

Now I'm not sure if Al-Qaeda are Club Arnage members, but they could be onto something here. Take one carton of innocent looking milk and leave in the mini fridge of a van for five months. Add a few warm days and bingo!

So, back on topic. My preparations for Le Mans now involves buying a new van. The current van is being wrapped in thick lead sheets and then will be lowered into the ground and encased in concrete. As for myself, I'm sure that the bleach which I'm pouring up my nostrils four times a day will have taken effect by June, and hey at least the nasal hair problem that I've developed as a near forty is now a distant memory. I'm emotionally scarred for sure, and I'll never be able to touch dairy products again ( even the thoughts of breasts make me shudder today), but hopefully, one day I'll be able to put it all behind me.

Remember kids. Milk is evil.

Si

Could you illustrate it with a picture of the mini fridge? This story would be a wonderful bit for teh CA Guide  ;D

Werner

No way, that would require going back inside the van to get a photo and it's still cordoned off whilst forensics do their job.

I have been working hard on a plan to deal with it though.

(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab79/Dr_S/19168fb2.jpg)

I think it just needs colouring in now and it will be finished.

LOL

Sir, I believe you have missed a tremendous marketing trick here.  Surely you have created a cheese to rival the great and aptly named Stinking Bishop >:D  Why not venture back into the secured area, open the sealed fridge and sample the bacterial delight.  I am sure it would win a contest somewhere...... :-X

You need to some how capture that cheese, then lay it around the camp on Sunday night as a pikey prevention system.

It's like cats & lion poo - so I'm told.

 ;D

Liverot works equally well.  The problem is that you cannot sleep in the camp or anywhere near it.

Or Munster.  Banned on French buses though so if you buy some at Carrefour you must either walk back to the circuit or put it in your car...

Still can't stop laughing about your post Si.  You clearly missed your vocation as an artist too.

I purchased this -

(https://instagr.am/p/KvSGpdSHmh/media/?size=l)

then i connect it via wifi to either my phone or home internet and sit in the garden with this -

(https://instagr.am/p/KQuZAXSHg-/media/?size=l)

and tune in to radio lemans while having a bbq. I may not be at Leman this year but i wont be missing it  ;)

Whats the matter Kev?  Struggling to use a proper computer??  :laugh:

had a little practice last night.i am paying for it this morning.head hurts like old ned.orange juice and cider the only cure for breakfast.

Not at all but with possibly being away from home that weekend i wont have access to a computer so connect it to my phone via wifi - done. I cant miss it then ;)

[quote author=Lazy B'stard link=topic=11480.msg156906#msg156906 date=

Blyth (some feat indeed as it always smells of fish and crack).

Isn't this the same thing?

 I'm pouring up my nostrils four times a day will have taken effect by June

Don't you mean July?

BTW I am preparing for LM by having two weeks in Tuscany...

Martini...LB

[/quote]

2. Camper - Passed re-MOT test  ;D

oh yes Brian - How many sleeps before head off ?

Outstanding post re the milk and camper van.  We have plenty of redundant Air Weapons Ranges these days where you could bury the evidence.  Be careful though or this saga could become a rival to Mr Z and the Commer (not that he appears to give a toss about the poor old dear these days).

Getting ready for me this year is a bit lastminute.com.  Ferry only booked yesterday, car insurance renewal still to sort out, BN ticket has arrived.  For anything else that I forget to sort or pack between now and leaving on 12 Jun, I think the phrase is "that's what Mastercard is for"....

MG Mark

Van is recovering well. A good session with various cleaning products on Friday has done the trick. There was some leakage from the fridge but it tore out the trim and replaced it with some spare left overs from when I built it. There is still a feint smell of cheesy wet dog now tempered with the smell of evostick.

There is another problem however. There has been a slight leak from the low pressure fuel pump for a few months which looks to have intensified. I drove down to the Peak District at the weekend and diesel is now dripping onto the drivers side front wheel and getting flicked down the side of the van. Looks like this weekends fix. It's a right bastard to get to and involves removing the engine mount to gain access. I might as well do the anti roll bar bushes that are knocking away whilst I'm at it. I also have a one piece rear door to get on there too before the off. It needs a service and the tracking could do with sorting out.

I'm starting to think that the Jensen would be easier to get ready than the van.

It sounds like its all coming along very nicely - you are doing a grand job!!

 ;D

Getting ready for Le Mans - well, Team LeMansZone took a rather professional approach this year and we just followed the Audi routine by doing an extensive dress rehearsal at Spa Francorchamps. Some endurance beer drinking at Paddy's birthday bash in Spa provided valuable data about the shape of our livers and proof that the core team is in good shape ;D ;D ;D

Its a tough job, but I am glad to see you are taking a serious approach Werner!

:)

12 more sleeps for me, with a weeks fishing in Ireland, before departure, only thing packed is my falling over trousers.

Memory cards all emptied, batteries charged, alarm set for 7am Friday.  About 38 hours before we get onto the pit lane.   :P

Working allmost day and night this week, to get to the testday on Saturday and Sunday.
Next week same scenario and on Saturday 9th, we're off !

We're doing the long way to Le Mans this year on bikes. We've done via Spain and via Ireland before, so for a change this year its via Holland and Italy. Before you wonder how we manage Holland and Italy without Belgium/Germany/Switzerland its motorail. It might seem like a cheat, but it gets us to the French Alps for 3 days of fun before heading north for Le Mans - around 1800 miles in total.

So preparations have included new fork seals, a thorough service, new chain and sprockets and a new waterproof roll bag. I've couriered my camping gear across the country to Essex where it will be taken to the campsite by some of the party who are travelling directly by car (£6.50 through Parcel2Go if you're interested!).

The tent I'm taking hasn't been used since 2008 so needed a check over, and then  discovered the camping chairs have been attacked by mice in the static caravan they've been stored in! I chose a good one, and couriered it off, and then it will be doanated to the Pikeys when we leave!

I leave Thursday 7th, so getting proper excited now.

Unfortunately the forecast is for an inch of rain on Sunday and a little on Saturday.  28 or so tomorrow and sunny.

Why is PQ so often wet?  The sad fact is that with no qualifying times having to be set, so many teams just don't even bother to do more than fine-tune their wet set-ups then we don't see the cars again.

Damn, shame about the weather  :(.   Let's hope all of the teams will be there, I'm still missing a few for the CA guide.

Is anyone else going this weekend ?

Beginning to panic, so much to do before I leave, so little time to do it in.

Should be plenty of action Termie. Lots of new cars out there so getting data will be a priority. Also 40+ rookies that will need to get their ten laps in. Should make for a busy track. Let's just hope that if it is raining that no one has a big accident. The reserve list is looking rather thin should someone really batter a car.

I know an old green van for sale that needs its data checking...

Bringing this right back to Neil's original post...

When did Stella Artois start making cidre?

Dx

It was launched on the date of the Royal Wedding last year.... 29 April 2011.  

Its actually quite nice!

:)

Apparently there may be a pear version out soon too.

It is nice, but very sweet. So don't drink to many........................................................................... then I switch to other booze  ;D

Whats Kiwi cidre like?

Doris told me that the Kiwis don't make cider.  :o

Managed to get some cans of belgium chery beer ( Kriek ).

Sweet but drinkable when its cold.

And a tray of low cost energy drinks  ( fake  red bull.)

.

Busy building my royal flotilla today  ;)

stage 1  :-X

Kiwis do make cider and it's bloody awful.  Imagine Strongbow / Blackthorn mass produced muck that gives you acid reflux at 10 paces and you're pretty much there.  Honestly, it's just plain nasty!  >:(

Dx

Watching the "old" dvd's - right now it's the 2007 race. I did remember the weather as bad, but  :-X it's really pouring down.

Going through all the old races until monday, where we're off from Denmark to - Beausejour this year  :'( - didn't make it in time for Bleu Nord as we preferred. But what the h, it's going to be great no matter what!

By the way, is there a Gentlemans club/strip bar somewhere in the area of Le Mans? In case of a rainy wednesday we we're planning a night in town.

Packing has started and after missing last year its all rather exciting!!!
I have a nice new hat as Sebring killed the original and the Postmans bike is making a return after several years.
We leave Sunday at 11..... and its Thursday tomorrow!!!
Bring it on!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D >:D

Started packing also.  Comes in handy when everything is still in the same place where I left it last June ... blow the dust off and we're ready !

Shoppinglist for Friday : Stella, Duvel & Seefbier  ;D

Seefbier? WTF is that?

Something new  ;D.
It's a beer that has been brewn in Antwerp in the early 1900's, but didn't continue after WW2.  A former manager of Duvel searched the old recipes, quit his job and started to brew it again.  Huge succes from the launch & they won a gold medal at a competition in the states last month.

Allmost exclusively sold in Antwerp and as a result of the succes pretty hard to find at the moment.


www.seef.be
If you want to taste it, just pass by  ;)

I'll be watching footy with Werner next week wednesday, save one for me. ;)

Wil start and finisch packing the RV at the weekend.

Pikking up the rental cooler / trailer on thuesday, stock it with the essentials ( barrels of beer, tent, gerny etc ) and of on wednesday early morning.

E.T.A wednesday 16.00u at MB

Just in time to go to Werner for the footie match and a Kolsch beer.

.

Running a marathon Saturday then rehydrating for a week  ;D

2 more working days!!!! then off for 3 weeks, i.e. 5 days of Le Mans, then 2 weeks recovery and rehab:D

I'll pass there after the game probably, heading on to the track first ... got a few newbies with me who don't know their way around.

Just got some Duvel triple hop also, 9,5° ... out go the lights  ;D

Beer Pong - sorted  ;D

working on the fleet now  :-X

Pics to follow, f**k wait till Le Mans  ;D

excellent :D

Just laying out all the gear in preparation. And I've built a can launcher. Which works rather well.

Can launcher?

How far can they go?

and don't forget your camped near airport  ;)

30 feet or so, more with the right propellants. We are camping up at Arnage this year, but I hope to drop in and say hello.

Preparation?
I'm training on the brandy.

Good man, I did have some nice Spanish Brandy that I was going to bring down.

But I drunk it all  ;D

Have to find other stuff now  ::)

Packed up !
Get motorhome @ 10 am, departure planned @ 12.30 am

It does feel very strange to have nothing to do and just watching all the run up to LM24!

I keep thinking I should be packing up the car or sorting "the folder" etc!!

F

I'll envy all of you who can take off alraedy. Still need to work Monday and Tuesday - taking of Tuesday evening then...

Not to late to change your mind!!   >:D

Finished work this morning. Got rid of surplus seats into my mates garage, picked up a bottle of gas and the fridge freezer. Made list of what I'm taking and will sort it all out tomorrow ready for the off tomorrow night. Arrive Blue Nord around 3:30pm Monday, C'MON.

Yes, agree with Fran, very odd not getting the gear together, I guess the last 2 years have been a wind down thanks  to the Brethren, Tom and Bob. The shed full of gear will be stowed safely for our return.
Have a Blast Guys and Girls, very envious.

Not to late to change your mind, first ones are always late.  >:D

Car, fueled, valeted and part packed ready for our am departure tomorrow. 8)

Afternoon is PM!!

But you know I will be jingling around eleven.

Well I've located my Tent, Stove, Chairs, Table etc after the mess the Removal men made.  (They stacked the contents of the garage very nicely but nothing was labelled <sigh> )

Just need to await the arrival of Canada Phil.

t.

Packing, Pack, Pack, Pack, Packed.

Leave at 9pm see you all there. Safe trip everyone or as the french say Bon Voyeur.  >:D

Haven't even started yet but whatever we are traveling Tuesday with whatever will be required. I'm getting too laid back for my own good  :)

Hi Tom
I am wrapped and packed . Just some sleep and one day of work before flight and first sleepless night. Endurance spectating is hell on the liver  ;D
Phil

Hi Phil,

looking forward to see you again. I will arrive Wednesday and, same as last year, there'll be a fresh, cold german Bitburger beer waiting for you once we've set up our pub , aaah camp on BN.

Have a good trip

Werner

Tent, Check
Sleeping bag, Check
Gazebo, Check
Cooker(s) Check
Barbie, Check
Gas Check

Just as shame that they are dotted around three garages in SE London, got some driving to do tonight to round it all up...

Still, that's better than a mate, who is due to arrive at the passport office at 11am to pay silly money to get get his passport emergency renewed, ready for Wednesday...

Pretty gutted not to be loading up the van today. I have to keep reminding myself that I'll still be heading down for the classic in just over three weeks.

Did a big shop yesterday. Plenty of beer in, lots of Red Bull, ingredients to make Tartiflette etc and looking forward to watching it all on telly. Still need to get the van fixed up in time for the classic so plenty to keep me occupied. Downloaded the Radio Le Mans previews onto my IPod last night and listening to them at work today.

Just like to wish everyone a very safe journey and an enjoyable race. Have fun everyone but please come home in one piece. Hoping the weather is kind and the beers are cold. Oh, and if you get the chance take plenty of photos.

Si
The Home Guard

Just got back from a long weekend in Bristol where i have been mostly been practicising drinking beer!!
Arrived home in "sunny" west sussex to find most of the roads underwater!! Team booze n tabs off on wednesday so better start packing  ;D

Had last minuite planning meeting on Friday evening, ended up as a bit of a pub crawl and me in the dog house once i got home. Very little planning was done other than a agreement to take a BBQ.

Leave West Sussex early Wednesday assuming the local water level has fallen and should hit the hallowed and beautiful Houx Annexe late afternoon!

Work is dragging and people keep phoning with the most stupid of questions and I know tuesday will be worse.

 All just about ready. Days holiday on Tuesday for getting ready and packing. Almost everything located now, music downloaded. Batteries and phone on charge.

 Early departure from W Sussex for Newhaven/Dieppe on Wednesday, Arrive due to arrive at the sunny and tranquil Houx site Wednesday early PM.

 Simon 

Big load up of the transit tomorrow after I have left work early ready for the convoy down on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is going to be a long slow morning with guaranteed last minute work issues. Must remember to stick out of office on early!

Trying to keep my mind off departure with a 2.25 hour train journey each way to/from Wales tomorrow.

It has to be better than driving 125 miles each in the pouring rain?

Cost centre # 1 has just got back from uni, I'm out the habit of checking ingredients lists for what he's allergic to.

Whoops!!  Where's the epipen.

Everything ready for stashing in the Cayman first thing for the drive to Pompey from South Wales.

Not too sure what our Antiopdean guests are packing into their Megane estate but looks like more than you would need for a fortnight's worth of camping for a family of 6, and we're staying in a gite!  Still that's the price of taking a very small child to Le Mans  ;)

Pete.....

Been there, seen the movie, read the book etc etc.....

This year....Dad....." is there enough room for our beer"!!!!

Andy

Service and brush up on the car Weds then early start Thurs for a bolt down the M20 to the raft across.
Chomping at the bit already.

Getting ready for Le Mans?,  panicking yesterday thats what I was doing,  Father inlaw fell ill and wouldn't go to hospital, (he's 79, had a couple of strokes and an awkward old git) I felt this years race rapidly fading away for me,  but a few words in his shell like had him perking up in no time, and off to hospital for some drugs and drips.  Those few words?  Well I just said,  "how about a few days peace and quiet away from the missus" ;D 

So as of now the panic is over.  Let's hope today is fine, and we can catch that ferry for Pompey at 11:00 tonight!

I hope allis well with your Dad Geoff.     I plan to get really Grumpy if I get to that age.

Final preparation has started I have the plane Canada Phil is travelling in on http://flightradar24.com/ he's just crossing the Bristol Channel.  I will be setting off to pick him up in about an hour. 

Geoff I'm meeting up with No-Panic Neil in the J.D. Weatherspoons pub in Port Solent around 19:00.

I'll do a last roundup at Paddy's this morning, getting some last stuff at his place, so we know what we will fall short off tomorrow. ;D Then tonight 'clothes packing', and putting the tent pegs with the correct tent. :P

We've had a minor worry with the '65 Cadillac.  A 'test' drive on Sunday revealed some grumbling front wheel bearings.  Thankfully, Andy was able to lay his hands on a couple of sets yesterday and spend the morning fitting them.

If all goes to plan, we'll set sail in the land yacht this arvo to be in Newhaven this evening for a few sherbets prior to the Wednesday a.m ferry.

Thanks for the kind words, it's the Father inlaw though, sadly I lost my father to that hatefull asbestos cancer three years ago :'(.
No further news on the inlaw front, so I'm taking that as good news!  Having not got home from the hostpital till 11:30 last night, we have to pack and load the car (luckily not camping!) before leaving later, so we'll probably not get down to pompey until gone 9, but might have to crack open a bottle of something in the LD queue to celebrate actually getting there!

Bertie is loaded and ready to go!!!........................10 hours and we'll be off ;D

Pottering down south at the godawful hour of half three in the morning, rendesvousing with BobT at some godawful coffee shop at half six then joining you at Newhaven.

Don't I SAY DON'T let them close the gates before we get in

then we can belly up to the bar on the boaty thing :)

Well.......had to leave the lights on for  errindoors.........now heading in a southerly direction to La Sarthe ;D.......see you all down there!!

Sitting in vero beach, Florida getting ready for the tenth annual Breakfast At Le Mans party in my house. We've got 22 hours of tv coverage here and pretty much stay up all night watching the race on the SPEED channel. We do go to Sebring every year, Daytona 24 in February and the Indy 500 so we are motorheads. I love France and want to go to LM but has t worked out. Anybody going to Sebring are welcome at our spot between turn 3 and 4 on the track. I enjoy the banter on this site. We have maybe 10-15 guys at my house with a giant tv. Wave at us on the pace lap please if any of you can still stand up by then. I think we would fit right in there. Btw, Brian Redmond will be around at some time tomorrow. Any words for the old codger? Have fun!

Sounds like you guys will be having plenty of fun over there. Hopefully there should be plenty of craic and banter going on here on CA so keep checking in over the weekend. It will be cool to have some of our stateside brothers join the party.

The home guard thread is now up and running here....

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=11540.0 (http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=11540.0)

Leaving work in an hour, home to chuck the stuff in the car, collecting young Ben at 6am tomorrow and heading west across France.
Should be in Arnage for lunchtime beers.  :D

Stella chillin', wine stacked, Makers Mark in the cabinet.

'puters all warmed up and tuned into RLM.  Breakfast At Le Mans for the tenth year...race starts at 9am!

Porsche Uber Alles!