From the Committee – April 2016

Founded 2004:No. Reg.Assoc.7739

From the Committee April 2016

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In the absence of Qasim, the April Run Report has been written by John Campbell who also provided the photos. For the full report and photos see the run report page.

This run was organised by John Richardson and Marion Ballard and a fine job they did. It had been mentioned at the AGM that members liked runs with a “destination”, and this run certainly did. We went to the Bodega García Hidalgo, near Ronda.

Since people were coming from various places, three meeting places were arranged, and then all three groups met at a gas station on the outskirts of Ronda. Unfortunately the bar was closed – this is not the first time that we have found it closed. John set off on a mission to find another place and we moved a few kms up the road to a hotel with a handy bar.

Suitably refreshed we set of towards the bodega. As I have sold my car, I went in Rosie the Rover with Nick.  Being driven by Nick gave me a chance to enjoy the view and take some photos as we headed down towards Montejaque and Benojan.

Once everybody was parked Miguel, the owner, took us around to the front of the bodega and explained about his philosophy of growing the grapes for quality, rather than quantity. He uses no artificial fertilisers nor pesticides – everything is natural.

Between rows of the vines they have planted beans. These are not as a crop, but nodules on the roots of the plants add nitrogen to the soil, and they were getting ready to plough-in the plants for the leaves to add nutrients to the soil.

When we had finished the outside tour, we went down into the cellar. Different wines are matured in the bottle or in oak barrels. Miguel uses some barrels of French Oak and some of American Oak, depending on the taste he is trying to achieve. He kept referring to a testing process to monitor the progress of the wine, but I think his testing boiled down to tasting!

From the cellars we went back up the stairs to see the machinery where the grapes are separated from the leaves and stalks, and then ground up. No more treading the grapes by foot in a big trough – it is all done mechanically now.

Once the tour was over, we moved into the salon, and Miguel and his family produced a series of wines for tasting and a truly exceptional selection of tapas. The tapas slowly gave way to a large selection of starters and the main course, which was a very tasty paella.

By the time we had finished the two deserts, people were mentioning they felt like Mr Creosote in the memorable Monty Python movie – he burst after eating a “wafer thin mint”, and that is how we were feeling.

After a visit to the shop to take home a selection of wine, we made our respective ways back over the mountain, to finish off a memorable day.

It was also a sad day – we had to say goodbye to Bob & Carol Livermore who are leaving the sunshine of Spain to return to their home in the UK. Bob was one of the original 6 founder members of the Sol Classic Car Club in 2004. We wish them well for the future.

Looking Ahead

Club Night Wednesday 11^th May – El Chaparral

We had an excellent turnout for our April dinner which everyone enjoyed. We were also joined by

two new members Leif Bank and Tim Platten. So we hope you can make it for the May dinner

and look forward to seeing you there.

Gibraltar Festival event – Saturday 2ist May 2016

Joint GCVA /SOL Car Run – Sunday 22^nd May 2016

This year is the GCVA 15^th International event and it has been expanded to include – as well as the usual Classics – an invitation to all Jaguars of any age celebrating the 80^th year of the make, Four Wheel Drive vehicles and Racecars.

The Saturday Programme has been publicised. It starts at 9.00am for registration in Casemates with free time until 11.00am.

Members are also invited to join us at the Suites of San Roque for an overnight stay on the Saturday. Double rooms with breakfast are 50eu. Please contact Ray Holland – ray.l.holland@btinternet.com if you want to make a booking.

The Sunday joint GCVA/SOL run will start from the Suites of San Roque at 11.00am for a Run through roads outside of our usual run area.

For more information please email our Secretary Carol – carol.lindores@gmail.com

CHANGE – of Club Dinner venue for Wednesday 8^th June 2016 – at Avanto

The Club is holding the June dinner at the Avanto restaurant. The evening will be warm and the Sun still shining as we start with welcome drinks and canapes on the terrace overlooking the sea.  

To make the evening go with a swing the music, for us to listen and dance to, will be provided by our very own Barry Reading.   

Attached is the excellent menu for you to choose main and sweet courses from. The cost is

25eu pp for members, and 30eu pp for non-members and guests. I know that June seems a way off but it would be helpful if you confirm if you can attend.  We hope that you will join us to make it an enjoyable evening to remember

Queen’s Birthday Tea Party – Saturday 11^th June 2016

This event has already been advertised extensively under the direction of John Campbell and the Director of the Aviation Museum. This is expanding into a significant event – full details will be issued shortly so please reserve this date in your diary.

SOL Club Run – Sunday 12^th June 2016

This Run is being organised by Mike & Irene Mackie and Terry & Sue Grogan. It includes an exceptionally interesting visit to the British Cemetery in Malaga, Full details to follow.

Finally

We have samples of Caps and Shirts with Club logos. These have been obtained by Jim and Charlene and will be on display at each of our Club meetings.

Carol has already fulfilled 8 orders – 7 Shirts and 1 Fleece – for members. If you want to order anything please contact her and she will deal with it.

The costs are:

Club Shirt in a choice of colours, embroidered with Club Logo and your name – 14eu

Club Fleece in a choice of colours, embroidered with Club Logo and your name – 20eu

Cap – in Blue or Beige – embroidered with Club Logo – 6.50eu

To give our Club a visible identity on Club Runs we hope as many members as possible will buy a Shirt and/or a Fleece.

As was suggested at the AGM – Ray and Carol have sourced Car Plaques depicting our Club Logo and website address. Each membership, either single or joint, will be given a free Plaque at their first attendance at a Club dinner or Run. If you would like any extra plaques these will cost 5eu each. Please contact – carol.lindores@gmail.com or ray.l.holland@btinternet.com

Qasim Shaikh Carol Lindores

Chairman Secretary

SOL Classic Car Club SOL Classic Car Club

qasim.shaikh@gmail.com: carol.lindores@gmail.com

Tel: 951 244 149 or 671 440 194 Tel: 675 335 149

SOL Classic Car Club – Program 2016

Day	Date	Event	Leader	Time	Meeting Venue	Comments
Wednesday	11 May	Club night dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	El Chaparral
Saturday	21 May	Gibraltar Festival	Ray & Carol	10.00am	TBC	Gibraltar
Sunday	22 May	Run with other Club	Ray Holland & Stefan Nichols	TBC	TBC	An overnight stay at the Suites of San Roque is available.
Wednesday	8 June	Club night dinner	Ray	7:30 pm	Avanto	Special Mid Summer Dinner
Saturday	11 June	Aviation Museum	John Campbell	10.00am	TBC	Queen’s Birthday
Sunday	12 June	Club Run	Mike Mackie & Terry Grogan	TBC	TBC
Wednesday	13 July	Club night dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	El Chaparral
Saturday	16 July	‘AT HOME’ day & Car Run	Brooke & Cammie	10.00 am	Brooke & Cammie	Bring a plate to share
Wednesday	August	NO CLUB NIGHT IN AUGUST
Saturday	August	NO CAR RUN IN AUGUST
Wednesday	14 Sep	Club night dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	El Chaparral
Friday Saturday Sunday	16 Sept 17 Sept 18 Sept	Sept weekend Hotel Cuevas la Granja	John & Marion	10am ====== Lunch 14.30	Las Platero Coin	For Breakfast ====== Non-weekenders welcome
Wednesday	12 Oct	Club night dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	El Chaparral
Saturday	15 Oct	Car Run	Ian Couch, Phoung, Pat & Roley	10.00am	Los Almendros & Ronda
Wednesday	9Nov	Club night dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	El Chaparral
Saturday	12 Nov	Car Run	Mike Glitheroe	TBA	TBA
Wednesday	14 Dec	Club Christmas Dinner	Qasim	7:30 pm	Provisional booking made	TB
Saturday	3 Dec	Christmas Theme Car Run	Jim & Charlene Sutton	10.00am	TBA