Annual Meet June 2nd to 4th 2023 Details
 

As we are all too acutely aware it’s now over 3 years since your intrepid organisers returned from the Scottish Borders, where we spoke to the hotel about covid-19 and how we and they may be affected , we put together a wonderful agenda for what has now become the 2023 meet over the weekend of the 2nd to 4th June. Kelso, where we will be based this year, is a lovely traditional Borders market town, complete with cobbled streets and a great choice of local shops etc, also recent winners of the prestigious Rising Star Award at the Great British High Street 2019 Awards, beating other nominees from across the United Kingdom. Whilst the hotel is in the middle of the town it backs onto the River Tweed providing a spectacular view from the rear of the hotel. Activities include a visit to the Jim Clark museum in Duns, a beautiful drive in the scenic Scottish Borders around the lovely driving roads we have mapped out. Some of the points of interest along the way are also linked to Jim Clark.

Options for Saturday evening activities are being considered but as always it’s particularly good to meet up with fellow “8” enthusiasts and “chew the fat”, we have a lot of catching up to do since our last Annual Meet in 2019!

Sunday’s activities will include a visit to a spectacular Castle where permission will be granted for us to line the cars up on the driveway immediately in front of the Castle for a stunning photo opportunity. Various entry/ticket options will be available to members, details of which will be posted when confirmed. After the Castle visit it is hoped our sponsors will offer us the opportunity to drop into their “big shop” to pick up anything you might need. At the moment the hotel are honouring previous bookings, however it would help us in our discussion with the hotel if those who have not yet confirmed could do so ASAP in the Hotel and Attendance Thread. Also we would strongly recommend those of you who have never been to an annual meet before to come along, they are fantastic events. Please, as many as possible of you try and make it along, you will not be disappointed. Also note that no longer having an “8” is not a bar to attendance. Anyone who has owned or has a continuing interest or is part of the forum is very welcome. +++

Dare I ask what time "proceedings" are likely to conclude on Sunday?
Mrs Sauce and I are planning to stay in that region (roughly) for a few days afterwards and haven't yet decided whether to stay another night at Ednam House or move on (an hour or two away, maybe) to our follow-on location.

Annual Meet Agenda
 

I only confirmed timings with hotel etc yesterday :) see below+++

Friday 2nd June

Optional Visit to A8 Parts shop at Eaglescliffe en route
Evening free

Saturday 3rd June

10.00 Leave Ednam House Hotel
10.30 Arrive Jim Clark Museum Duns
12.45 Walk 5 Mins to Jim Clark Bistro
13.00 -14.30 Lunch
14.30 – 17.30 Scenic Borders Drive
17.30 Return to Ednam House Hotel
19.00 Dinner

Sunday 4th June

10.45 Leave Ednam House
10.55 Arrive Floors Castle for Photo Opportunity and Castle/Grounds visit
Lunch available in Castle Cafe on “free form” basis
Head home after Lunch

Annual Meet 2023 Dinner Menu
 

Below is the menu for our Saturday Evening Dinner, the Hotel have indicated that inflation now means dinner will be £42.50 inc Canapes. Canapes on offer are Tomato & Basil Bruschetta, Haggis Bons Bons & Spring Rolls.


Please indicate in the post below your choices using the usual copy and paste tradition+++


Starter

Cullen Skink
Granary Brown Bread

Homemade Lorne Sausage
Broon Sauce, Poached Egg, Black Pudding Bon Bon

Chestnut Mushroom Pate
White Bean Aioli, Crisp Bread, Port Dressing

Mains

Tornedos Rossini
Truffle Mash, Chicken Liver Parfait, Tender stem Broccoli, Madera Jus

Pan Seared Fillet of Halibut
Pea & Ham Potato Risotto, Tarragon Creme Fraiche

Roasted Beetroot & Wild Mushroom Linguine
Rocket, Parmesan, Black Onion Seeds

Desserts

Salted Caramel Panna Cotta
Chocolate Truffle, Espresso Syrup

Treacle And Lemon Tart
Stout Ice Cream, Lime Creme Fraiche

Selection of Scottish Cheese
Oatcakes, Homemade Chutney, Celery, Marinaded Grapes

Food Choices
 

Forum Name--Name of Attendee---------Food Order

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tornedos, Panacotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart

Forum Name--Name of Attendee---------Food Order

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese

(My spell checker took over... :o )

Excuse my simple ignorance, translation please.
Or can I have chish and fips, pretty please

Are there any A8Parts staff joining us over the weekend and would they be amenable to a "flying visit" on Thursday afternoon as well, if so is there an optimal contact there?
(We're probably staying overnight in Durham on Thursday night and will pass close to Eaglescliffe on the way there)

They are not attending Andrew, suggest you contact Maria directly on the number or email in the forum headline for an answer +++

Glad I'm not alone. I had to Google most of them as well.

I haven't placed my order yet as I'm still working on the car.

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart
The Laird——— Jim——- Cullen Skink, Tornedos Rossini, Treacle tart
The Laird——- Christine——- Cullen skink, Tornedos Rossini, Salted caramel pannecotta

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart
The Laird——— Jim——- Cullen Skink, Tornedos Rossini, Treacle tart
The Laird——- Christine——- Cullen skink, Tornedos Rossini, Salted caramel pannecotta
Tonupkid ------- Nick: Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Lemon treacle tart
Tonupkid ------- Ann: Mushroom pate, Halibit, Panne cotta

That's now a definite, anyone else thinking of a similar stopover? Looks a reasonable drive, maybe A68, from there to Kelso. But is it best to head inland first (Consett roughly) or go past Newcastle?

We will be visiting Friday on our way north. Traveling from Lincoln in the morning so it will be about lunch time.

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart
The Laird——— Jim——- Cullen Skink, Tornedos Rossini, Treacle tart
The Laird——- Christine——- Cullen skink, Tornedos Rossini, Salted caramel pannecotta
Tonupkid ------- Nick: Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Lemon treacle tart
Tonupkid ------- Ann: Mushroom pate, Halibit, Panne cotta
Sarg ----------- Steve: Lorne Sausage, Tornedos Rossini (without the liver parfait please), Treacle Tart
Ms Sarg ------- Anely: Lorne Sausage, Halibut, Cheese

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart
The Laird——— Jim——- Cullen Skink, Tornedos Rossini, Treacle tart
The Laird——- Christine——- Cullen skink, Tornedos Rossini, Salted caramel pannecotta
Tonupkid ------- Nick: Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Lemon treacle tart
Tonupkid ------- Ann: Mushroom pate, Halibit, Panne cotta
Sarg ----------- Steve: Lorne Sausage, Tornedos Rossini (without the liver parfait please), Treacle Tart
Ms Sarg ------- Anely: Lorne Sausage, Halibut, Cheese
Davids8--------David: Cullen Skink, Tournedos , Cheese
Davids8---------Norma: Mushroom Pate, Tournedos, Panna Cotta

briang9---------Brian-------Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Panna cotta
briang9---------Edith-------Pate, Halibut, Treacle Tart
HPsauce--------Andrew-----Cullen Skink, Halibut, Cheese
HPsauce--------Beverley----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese
CtL ------- Mike----Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Cheese
CtL--------Angela------Lorne Sausage-------Halibut--------Treacle Tart
The Laird——— Jim——- Cullen Skink, Tornedos Rossini, Treacle tart
The Laird——- Christine——- Cullen skink, Tornedos Rossini, Salted caramel pannecotta
Tonupkid ------- Nick: Lorne Sausage, Tournedos, Lemon treacle tart
Tonupkid ------- Ann: Mushroom pate, Halibit, Panne cotta
Sarg ----------- Steve: Lorne Sausage, Tornedos Rossini (without the liver parfait please), Treacle Tart
Ms Sarg ------- Anely: Lorne Sausage, Halibut, Cheese
Davids8--------David: Cullen Skink, Tournedos , Cheese
Davids8---------Norma: Mushroom Pate, Tournedos, Panna Cotta
tintin----Cullen Skink, Tournedos, Cheese

Another "menu" question, for the cars rather than the passengers. :ROFL:

Does anyone have knowledge of suitable (e.g. Tesco, Shell) locations in, near or en-route to/from Kelso to fill up with 99RON?

My preferred local choice (should I need it...)
 

Cash
 

We have arranged a reduced admission charge to the Jim Clark museum (£5) and Floors Castle (£15). Both have requsted a single transaction covering everyone so if I could ask you all to make sure you have CASH available to pay please

thanks

Google maps route
 

copy of Saturday's route in Google maps for you to load into your phone

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Edna...!3e0?entry=ttu

Done, though I'm hoping to just follow the car(s) in front. Money wise, I've been saving any Bank of England notes I get, as they won't accept any notes from Northern Ireland banks (and I currently have three different ones from banks here).

Is that per head or per vehicle? Assuming per head....

My S8 won’t be making it, see it’s leaky coolant thread

Will probably come in the M5 now, sorry

You assume correctly, there are cheaper options available for the Castle if you wish to not take the full experience.

Definitely want the "Full experience"; just want to make sure we have enough cash, don't use it much.... :ROFL:

Will there be any valeting company at the venue?

Nothing arranged. Its a bring your own bucket do :ROFL:
There is a tap adjacent to the car parking spaces though and im sure that many will be bringing their own gear and expertise too.

Just cleaned mine this afternoon, that's it though; see you in about 400 dirty miles and just over 3 days! :o

Must admit, £1095 paid out today for front brakes and discs means no desire to polish it.

I am cleaning and detailing now, but it’ll pick up some muck between here and there

I wouldn’t do much cleaning without the right kit, no swirl marks here please

Hope to at least clean mine on Thursday, after I get the insides back inside tomorrow, although it'll be covered in dust by the time I get to the top of the lane.

It would bloody well go and rain last night after about 6 weeks with none :(

Beading is impressive though+++

The lunch time stop after visiting the Jim Clark Museum is the Jim Clark Bistro - a short walk from the museum into the "centre" of Duns (its a small village) where we can grab a coffee and, if wanted, a sandwich. Apparently, due to numbers they would appreciate that we pre-order. The menu is:

Soup of the day with crusty bread - £6.50
Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone - £7.25

Choice of Sandwich served on Malted Brown Bread with Mixed Salad & Tortilla Chips -
‘Ross Dougal’s Smoked Salmon’ & Cream Cheese - £9.00
Brie & Homemade Apple Chutney Sandwich, - £7.95
Chicken Mayonnaise & Rocket Sandwich, - £8.95
Cheddar, Branston Pickle, Tomato & Rocket - £8.00

You know the routine:
DavidsS8 and Mrs D. Soup/crusty bread x 2

The lunch time stop after visiting the Jim Clark Museum is the Jim Clark Bistro - a short walk from the museum into the "centre" of Duns (its a small village) where we can grab a coffee and, if wanted, a sandwich. Apparently, due to numbers they would appreciate that we pre-order. The menu is:

Soup of the day with crusty bread - £6.50
Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone - £7.25

Choice of Sandwich served on Malted Brown Bread with Mixed Salad & Tortilla Chips -
‘Ross Dougal’s Smoked Salmon’ & Cream Cheese - £9.00
Brie & Homemade Apple Chutney Sandwich, - £7.95
Chicken Mayonnaise & Rocket Sandwich, - £8.95
Cheddar, Branston Pickle, Tomato & Rocket - £8.00

You know the routine:
DavidsS8 and Mrs D. Soup/crusty bread x 2
HPsauce and Mrs HP, we'll just have coffee and (if available) cake/scone.

The lunch time stop after visiting the Jim Clark Museum is the Jim Clark Bistro - a short walk from the museum into the "centre" of Duns (its a small village) where we can grab a coffee and, if wanted, a sandwich. Apparently, due to numbers they would appreciate that we pre-order. The menu is:

Soup of the day with crusty bread - £6.50
Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone - £7.25

Choice of Sandwich served on Malted Brown Bread with Mixed Salad & Tortilla Chips -
‘Ross Dougal’s Smoked Salmon’ & Cream Cheese - £9.00
Brie & Homemade Apple Chutney Sandwich, - £7.95
Chicken Mayonnaise & Rocket Sandwich, - £8.95
Cheddar, Branston Pickle, Tomato & Rocket - £8.00

You know the routine:

DavidsS8 and Mrs D. Soup/crusty bread x 2
HPsauce and Mrs HP, we'll just have coffee and (if available) cake/scone.
tintin - Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone x1

The lunch time stop after visiting the Jim Clark Museum is the Jim Clark Bistro - a short walk from the museum into the "centre" of Duns (its a small village) where we can grab a coffee and, if wanted, a sandwich. Apparently, due to numbers they would appreciate that we pre-order. The menu is:

Soup of the day with crusty bread - £6.50
Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone - £7.25

Choice of Sandwich served on Malted Brown Bread with Mixed Salad & Tortilla Chips -
‘Ross Dougal’s Smoked Salmon’ & Cream Cheese - £9.00
Brie & Homemade Apple Chutney Sandwich, - £7.95
Chicken Mayonnaise & Rocket Sandwich, - £8.95
Cheddar, Branston Pickle, Tomato & Rocket - £8.00

You know the routine:

DavidsS8 and Mrs D. Soup/crusty bread x 2
HPsauce and Mrs HP, we'll just have coffee and (if available) cake/scone.
tintin - Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone x1
CtL & the LHA 1 X Salmon and 1 X Chicken please.

The lunch time stop after visiting the Jim Clark Museum is the Jim Clark Bistro - a short walk from the museum into the "centre" of Duns (its a small village) where we can grab a coffee and, if wanted, a sandwich. Apparently, due to numbers they would appreciate that we pre-order. The menu is:

Soup of the day with crusty bread - £6.50
Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone - £7.25

Choice of Sandwich served on Malted Brown Bread with Mixed Salad & Tortilla Chips -
‘Ross Dougal’s Smoked Salmon’ & Cream Cheese - £9.00
Brie & Homemade Apple Chutney Sandwich, - £7.95
Chicken Mayonnaise & Rocket Sandwich, - £8.95
Cheddar, Branston Pickle, Tomato & Rocket - £8.00

You know the routine:

DavidsS8 and Mrs D. Soup/crusty bread x 2
HPsauce and Mrs HP, we'll just have coffee and (if available) cake/scone.
tintin - Soup of the day with a warm cheese scone x1
CtL & the LHA 1 X Salmon and 1 X Chicken please.
briang9 & Mrs bg9 Soup/Crusty Bread x 2