Group name: Thames Valley
Magazine Issue: 366
Author: Peter Rocks
In addition to our usual monthly meetings and busy repair and upgrade activity we have two reports of members going further afield. Mervyn Rogers tells us how four couples took part in the TR Register European Meeting while Leigh Jones organised and describes the Autumn Colours Run: A Great Day in the Surrey Hills on 30th September
Mervyn writes: This year’s TR Register’s European Meeting in early September was hosted by the TR Register Belgium and the weekend meeting was located at Hotel Castel a Pont-a-Lesse, Dinant. This beautiful location is situated in the Ardenne region where we saw over a hundred TRs from 11 different countries come together for this wonderful annual event. From our Thames Valley Group attending was Carla, me, Dick and Sylvia Hunt, Leigh and Sonia Jones and David (former TVG GL) and Janet Goswell. Carla and I travelled earlier, via Dunkirk and Ghent, than the others, giving us a chance to discover Dinant, rich in history and beauty. You can visit the citadel high above the city or visit the Abbey of Leffe where beer started being brewed from the 13th century. You can also visit Mr Sax’s house where Adolphe Sax created the saxophone in the 19th century.
These European meetings remind you of how popular the TR is and has been in Europe, bringing together so many like minded people. It is always a pleasure meeting up with so many friends made at previous meetings over the years. We didn’t do the tour that followed the meeting, centred in Stavalot and the famous F1 circuit at Spa Francorchamps. A great experience and I recommend them to TVG members. If anyone would like this experience, in 2027 it will take place in Norway at the Hotel Alexandra in Loen.
Leigh writes: Eleven TRs — a cracking mix of TR3s, 4s, 5s and 6s — gathered at Toque Moto Café for our latest run through the Surrey Hills. We split into two groups. I led the first five cars, while Dick Hunt took charge of the second group. Both groups enjoyed the winding lanes and autumn scenery, although Dick’s flock managed to briefly part company with their shepherd along the way. In true leaderly fashion, he made sure everyone was safely accounted for — even if that did mean bringing up the rear into the Abinger Hatch! With all eleven TRs safely reunited, we settled down for a very pleasant lunch and catch-up, with plenty of conversation about the morning’s drive. Nearly 50 miles of lovely Surrey Hills roads, beautiful autumn colours, a great selection of TRs and, most importantly, excellent company. Thanks to everyone who joined us — a thoroughly enjoyable TR day out.
Our regular meetings are at the Stepping Stones pub in Westhumble, Dorking (RH5 6BS) on the third Wednesday of each month from 20:00 and our Sunday lunchtime meetings on the last Sunday of the month at the Surrey Oaks (RH5 5DZ), starting at 12:00.
Picture 1 : Mervyn and Carla somewhere in Europe
Picture 2 : TVG at The Abinger Hatch
