IMOC Camping Weekend - August 24-26 2007

[irishminis]

Hi Billy, I'm hoping to go down on Friday but I won't know until Friday morning.

Simon

[Billy]

FYI, Kieran stayed at Ballinacourty over the August weekend and did a report on his stay which you will find on the homepage under events.

Billy

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Kierans report, including driving directions to the campsite, can be found at http://www.irishminis.ie/imocadds/balli ... courty.htm

[Billy]

FYI, Ballinacourty have come back this evening with a reduced rate for anyone who wants to eat in their restaurant this Saturday night. As you will see below, it's a 4-course meal for 27 Euros which is great value. They will also do kids grub. If there is anyone on the list who definitely won't be eating in the restaurant on Saturday night, can you let me know pronto to allow B'courty make the most of the available tables.

Thanks,

Billy



MINI OWNERS CLUB MENU 25TH AUGUST 2007

STARTERS

Homemade soup of the day, served with freshly baked breads

Deep fried Wedges Brie accompanied with a Redcurrant Coulis garnished with seasonal leaves

House Salad of crispy Bacon, Shavings of Parmesan Cheese tipped with toasted Pine nuts

Salad of Smoked Mackerel drizzled with a Horseradish sauce


MAIN COURSE

Prime 12oz Sirloin Steak Cooked to your liking served with a Peppercorn Sauce

Pan fried fillet of Pork served with a Mushroom and Wholegrain Mustard Sauce

Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter garnished with Crab Claws

Pan Fried Fillet of Chicken served with Ratatouille

Vegetarian Dish of the Day


DESSERTS

CHOICE OF 4 YET TO BE DECIDED


TEA OR COFFEE

27.00 PER PERSON

[twinjocks]

Menu sounds great for Saturday night, Billy.

Just to let all you hungry campers know that we're bringing a big pot of chile con carne down with us for Friday night dinner. Should stretch to about 18-20 portions, so anyone who wants some is more than welcome to share (bring your own rice though - boil-in-the-bag recommended!!)

Julie

[Billy]

Thanks Julie,

Just let you know, as anyone who did MTM this year will realise, Ballinacourty is in a fairly remote area in the Glen of Aherlow. So while the campsite in Killaloe was just 2 minutes from the town for takeaways etc, the nearest town is Tipperary itself which is about 8 miles on the other side of a mountain.

Orlaith, take it that we won't book a set number right now and if there are still places available for Saturday night when we arrive, those present can decide if they want to make a booking. Sorry I can't be more definite at the moment.

Billy

[Billy]

For anyone not in a hurry home on Sunday, the Galbally Garden Fete is taking place just a few miles from Ballinacourty. The highlight of the show will be a parachute display at 4pm by the Irish Army display team. There will be the usual activities for the kids and anyone driving a Mini will get in free and there is usually a plaque for entrants. The Fete starts at 2pm.

Billy

[Billy]

Night 1 of the camping weekend over. Julie's Chili Con Carne went down well - IMOC equivalent of loaves and fishes. Kids are mixing well. The Cork lads have their camper vans and blue DVDs while the Dubs are tenting. The O'Carrolls are expected today. The Irish Renault Scenic Owners Club president (Black7) was shamed into a Mini only to suffer a panic attack at the thought of leaving the Greater Pale and turned back at Naas. Apparently after counselling late into the night, he will travel with ZAKGT today.

There'll be a run this afternoon starting in Ballyhooly so if you're in West Waterford, East Cork and South Tipp this afternoon, watch out for us.

Billy
Tel: 087-4195640

[DaveC]

Sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy tomorrow!

[Billy]

Day 2 went well. The campers made their way to Ballyhooly yesterday for a quick cuppa and the start of a run around the local countryside. We were joined by Tommi (FlyingFinn) and Sanna along with our newest member Siobhan Dempsey in her '94 Cooper Monte Carlo with Sportspack arches.

The first leg of the trip took us along the R666 from Fermoy to the Towers in Ballysaggartmore (the place of the big priest - no comment!). Even TMG was persuaded to take the half-hour walk up the side of a hill. It was here that we were met by a rep from the Renault Heritage group i.e. Black7 in a Clio Classic.

A quick spin through Lismore and on to Cappaquin where we took the Dromina Drive which took us over an oriental bridge (you had to see it).

Into Clashmore to fulfil the obligatory Southern necessity of a big 99 on every run. From there it was a short spin to the beach on Whiting Bay to say we were at the beach (another SR necessity).

Time was starting to go against us as the kids had to be fed and certain individuals wanted to stockpile liquid refreshments.

Back to Youghal, Tallow and Lismore for the start of the highlight of the day's run, The Vee. The Vee is basically a mountain pass and with no traffic we gave it the lash. My poor Hornet was running a bit hot at the top so it was time for a break for a pit-stop and a fag break for those in need.

Down the hill into Clogheen and on to Cahir. I left the group at that stage as I had to leg it home to drop off the Hornet and Cooper with Tommi and still be back in Ballinacourty by 8.30pm.

Anyway 20 of us had a fine meal in the restaurant at the campsite. The craic was good, the staff were very helpful and it was a great end to an enjoyable day.

Maj and I had to head back to Ballyhooly at midnight but at that stage I think everyone was all ready for a night's sleep after a lot of driving that afternoon.

Heading up to Aherlow again this morning and we'll see what everyone wants to get up to.

More tomorrow along with a few photos,

Billy

[BlackSe7en]

The Renault Heritage Club is glad to report that after trading in the '98 ******g Cooper for the Fantastic Triptronic Clio he didn't experience any more difficulties, i.e. cutting out at a Roundabout in Naas and having to get a Jump Start to get going again, and was happy to join its other member in their equally brilliant Megane bringing up the rear of the IMOC convoy driving around the South East. At least we will be welcomed back to the Campsite , unlike some other Club we spent the weekend with.
Back in the 7 next week hopefully.

[twinjocks]

Thanks to everyone for a great weekend. Glad to arrive back having broken the jinx of car trouble on the Kilaloe weekend two years in a row. Must have been the change of venue to Aherlow!

Special thanks to Billy & Majella for their organisation and hospitality. Saw more of Tipperary, Cork and Waterford in one afternoon than in our whole lives to date!! Paul's only criticism is Billy's blatent sexism in assuming that a woman was responsible for producing the Chili!!!

Great to see new campers Aidan (+ Oisin), cheaters John, Evelyn, Tommy & Noreen (how are the hinges on that door, John?). Also to meet Ger and Carol, Tommi and Sanna, and new member, Siobhan, with three generations in the one car.

So where will we go next year?????? (And who'll have us??)

Twinjocks Family.

[mini_sprite94]

Thanks for the spin guys, sorry we couldn't stay for the whole but it was the anniversary, and I'd imposed on Carol enough :lol: Billy your house is fantastic.
I have a few pics I will get posted