Heh, i'm back now.
Looks like i've missed all the good fun with you lot. Hope the weather was good and every one managed to get back home. Looking forward to next event up in North Yorks.

When is it?

Well I'm totally shattered, but I thought I would put up a quick post just to say thanks to everyone who came for making it such a great weekend, the whole thing has been absolutely fantastic and a huge laugh, epsecially the evenings!

I hope everyone has/had a safe journey back home, the distances some of you travelled is nothing but epic, all to spend the weekend in a muddy field full of Pandas! Hopefully photos will follow from everyone, is it possible to get a gallery sorted Freebo? I have one or two myself but getting the camera out was not top on my list of priorities!

JimMagill said:

When is it?

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This was only briefly mentioned, the firm date still to be agreed using our usual pooling method to pick 1 of 3 weekend to suit all. Due to camp idea ( to cut accomodation cost) I would point out towards late secod quarter of 2016. It is planned as strictly 4x4 event as lanes round the coast are pretty muddy. If bank holiday weekend will be selected we might have 2wd friendly days as well.
New thread will be started soon.

Fantastic weekend, thank you Freddy, Jon and family your hosting was magnificent.
Great craic, great roads, tracks and views, and even great weather. Mostly.

Two particular observations I'll offer. - Why does getting some little cars up a steep rocky track or through a puddle, make everyone from small children to middle aged men and women (bear with me) smile and giggle with excitement? I don't understand why, but I like very much that it does.
And secondly, what a nice bunch of people are attracted to these simple little cars. It was a pleasure to spend time with everyone this weekend. Interesting, funny, friendly and adventurous. I salute you all.

andyholli said:

Fantastic weekend, thank you Freddy, Jon and family your hosting was magnificent.
Great craic, great roads, tracks and views, and even great weather. Mostly.

Two particular observations I'll offer. - Why does getting some little cars up a steep rocky track or through a puddle, make everyone from small children to middle aged men and women (bear with me) smile and giggle with excitement? I don't understand why, but I like very much that it does.
And secondly, what a nice bunch of people are attracted to these simple little cars. It was a pleasure to spend time with everyone this weekend. Interesting, funny, friendly and adventurous. I salute you all.

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Our pleasure Andy, thanks for coming! I do think thanks need to be directed at my Dad the most though, no way I could have done it without him!

Please pass on our thanks to your dad too Freddy - Angie says he's "Lovely" and I think the same..

About his 4C.

Home safe, and would also like to jump on the "thanks so much for organising a most excellent weekend!" band wagon...or panda wagon...photos and video to follow at some point!

Also..observation...M6 was still crap even late sunday evening...think I must have been very lucky previous trips on that road as didn't have trouble before

One small scare on the way back...headlights went out completely as I dipped the lights before a bend! The lights stalk switch has failed so it was main beam or nothing! :bang: Got all the way to Gloucester before it happened though, so no big deal really!

Look forward to the next one! :devil: Will start looking into a SW / Midlands / or Forest of dean off road session of some sort as well :slayer: Can break out the Panda BBQ as well.

Was a cracking weekend. My body is broken but had an excellent time. That's to Freddy and John for their excellent hospitality and thanks to everyone who turned up!

I have asked Ben for a gallery to be created so keep your eyes peeled it might appear shortly.

And another echo of a massive thanks to Freddy and Jon for organising a fantastic weekend, we had a great time through all of it. Brilliant roads and scenery on the Saturday with some awesome trails on the Sunday. It was also lovely meeting new faces and Pandas. Looking forward to reliving it through the pictures

We must do this again very soon everyone!

Fantastic weekend Freddy and Jon. Thank you so much for organising and making it easy for the rest of us to just pitch up and enjoy. Our observations from the way back:
1. Pandas are great
2. Panda people are great
3. What an unexpected gem the area around Leek is!

Tried to capture Andy climbing in Hadrian but it all happened too quickly for me.

[ame="https://youtu.be/zGPVkkHN-74"]https://youtu.be/zGPVkkHN-74[/ame]

Excellent weekend, thank you Jon and Freddy for a flawless couple of days. My wife and son really enjoyed their first trip, even though she is still shaking a bit from the rocky climb!, and to all the fabulous group of people who make these meetings special, thank you. PS, Jon thank your good wife for the eggs, Sully can't wait to try one.

AndyPanda4x4 said:

Anyway I'm just bossing some shaft work right now..

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I just read back a few pages and must have missed this first time. - You can't say that on here. Mods where were you?

i see nothing wrong with that post. must be an adult thing...:devil:

so these are the only pictures i managed to get.. i think my brother got better ones.. ill have to get them from him.

.
Fantastic guys !!! Nice meeting


Now keep it alive every year !!

What a fantastic time, for such a huge lump of PandaL it's more capable than I thought!

Huge thank you to Freddy and John for organising and finding the best lanes in the area! :slayer:

Dom

A couple more from me:

Look at that sky!

The weekend served to deepen my case of 'lichen envy' on aquamarine's new car

andyholli said:

Tried to capture Andy climbing in Hadrian but it all happened too quickly for me.

https://youtu.be/zGPVkkHN-74

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If in Doubt, flat out.

Thank you John and Freddy for your generosity and planning of what was an excellent day of Panda-ing for me. Making this weekend happen needed a huge effort and you rose to the challenge brilliantly!

Great to catch up with everyone again and meet some new faces, Pandas continue to attract lovely people!

Sorry I missed the Saturday but the Sunday alone was well worth the trip. It's a shame Panda Mo didn't make it this time as she would have really enjoyed the presence of more females and children. Pandas are for all the family and not just piston head geeks! :slayer:

Two things particularly impressed me yesterday........

1. Crossman and his family battering the floorpan of their 'fresh from the showroom' Cross and taking it all with a great spirit. I nearly had to come in Buzz but was so glad I didn't, I'm not sure I could have done the same. :worship:

2. I hear lots of non Panda owners using the excuse "we have small children so need a car that is safe". There is no better counter argument for this than Aquamarine's shabby chic Mk1 with two child seats strapped to the rear hammock seat and only each other for air bags. What a great way for a family to enjoy a day out together. :worship:


Here are my few pics.........

























"It used to be so quiet around here"





Friends reunited.