January Meeting - CHANGES - VERY IMPORTANT and All Fools Day

January Meeting - CHANGES - 

VERY IMPORTANT

DUE TO RED DAY HOLIDAYS - MARINA INTERNATIONAL CLOSED

Please note, there shall NOT be a meeting on Wednesday 6th January.

The next meeting of the Club Torrevieja should be on Wednesday 6th January 2010.  But as it is on the most important day of the Spanish Christmas it was decided at the December meeting that it would be cancelled and the first Club meeting of 2010 will be on Wednesday 2 February at the normal time of 19.30h.

An informal get together might be organised of a Noggin and a Natter and anyone wanting to know please contact the Club davidclubtorre@terra.es  

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Día de Inocente = To celebrate Spain’s Fools Day

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN

Día de Inocente

Monday 28^th December 2009

Meeting in the Restaurant La Fortaleza, Vista Bella between II.00 - II.30h

To celebrate Spain’s 'Fools Day'

Club members are invited to test their skills (loosely) at

• Egg & Spoon,
  
• Tossing the Oranges,
  
• Slalom & Parking,
  
• Spearing a Ring &
  
• Stopping on a Sixpence
  

All in their Club car

For a Chance for members to win the Sol Club Cup

everyone gets an Inocente man

This will be held in the park of the Hostel La Rotonda, Orihuela

Lunch in Restaurant Kati’s, Los Desamparados

The meal will be the same high standard as last time

Special price of 12€ each

To make sure it is a fool’s day there will be fireworks in the day light

Book email davidclubtorre@terra.es 

or 

Telephone 96 571 6360

Planning ahead for 2010 with Club Torrevieja europe events,

Club Torrevieja


Some of the meetings that members have been invited to for 2010
Plan ahead for 20+10


May 1st and 2nd 2010 Classic Days at the Circuit de Magny-Cours, France.  The great historic car meeting on the prestigious Magny-Cours circuit. The Classic Days is open for everybody to share a fun and relaxed weekend around the historic car theme. 
For entry conditions or to register your vehicle for entry email:classicdays@classic-days.fr



10th May 2010  Join a  ten day tour to see the Mille Miglia and drive over some of the best alpine passes, visit the Strumpf Motor Museum, and support the Vila Maninga charity. An opportunity to travel through Europe in your own classic (or modern) car enjoying the company of like-minded travellers. 


Organiser Bob said the trip to see the 09 Mille Miglia was the greatest classic vehicle party he and his wife had ever experienced, so check the website: www.1001miles.co.uk for latest details. You can email Bob on:bob@1001miles.co.uk or Tel: 01937 573346 to register your interest. There are also plans for a leisurely tour of the Yorkshire Dales with local knowledge leading the way in June 2010, plus a July run over the best Alpine passes.



17th – 18th  July The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power Cholmondeley Castle, Cholmondeley, Malpass, Cheshire.  The noise revs up with this exciting event incorporating power on track, water and in the air at this beautiful location. See the classic and sports cars vying for position as they compete on track, with a musical Firework Tattoo on the Saturday evening.  
Fast becoming a must-be–there event in the North of England. For details Tel: 01829 772432 or see website:www.pageantofpower.com  

12th -16th  June 2010   Swedish Rally to the Midnight Sun. The Royal Swedish Automobile Club invites you to participate in a classic rally (pre-1964 cars) covering 2210 kilometres on tarmac roads through beautiful Swedish countryside in full bloom. It starts with the Stockholm stream and the Royal Palace as an enclosure and thence, via Are, to the land of the midnight sun and Kiruna. For details and to enter your Mercedes see: www.kak.se/srtm



22nd – 25th August 2010  Disneyland Paris Car Rally & Show. A unique car show for the summer holidays – a fantastic event for car enthusiasts and families to enjoy together.  Cars will be displayed in the usual prime location on The Avenue between Disney Village and Walt Disney Studios. You can register your interest by email:rally@southquaytravel.com or Tel: 020 7510 2929.



In September/October 2010 Rally Med 2010 – a 9 week 18,000 km tour round the Mediterranean for cars in production by 1970. A drive through widely differing landscapes from Morocco to Albania, visiting major sites along the shores of the Med. from the Greco-Roman empires Cyrene & Leptis Magna in Libya, the pyramids of ancient Egypt, Jordans Petra built by the Nabateans to Syrias Palmyra. Be quick, few places left. 
 For information see:www.globalrally.org.uk or email: rick@globalrally.org.uk 


Lots more to come but don't forget to read your monthly bulletin and come to the club meetings for a run down on events from Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists Cars.


Please don't contact the club about the above events but go directly to the organisers. 

Club Torrevieja's 3rd Anniversary Run and Dinner

3^rd Anniversary Awards Dinner

Sunday 4^th October saw the members of the Club Torrevieja Classics Cars meet in the Vista Bella Restaurant in Jacarilla to celebrate the Inaugural meeting of the club that was formed to bring together all nationalities who are interested in keeping old cars on the road as well as helping in the problems of driving in Spain. To this objective over 120 people have been directly introduced to the Classic Car in Spain by the club and as such helped with the many problems that the members from different countries have put to the club. This day the countries represented included Denmark, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Britain.

When registering every member received a bottle of the freshly made wine from La Mata that is the first wine to be produced in Spain as well as being total organic and made by the local families of La Mata of Torrevieja. Then it was time to get into the club cars for a country run that took in the beautiful green lake of Pedera sparkling in the unexpected burning sun in the light blue sky. Turning off in to the campo with the fruit producing granjas that sit between the sharply cut out hills of the Orihuelas. This part of the Vega Baja always changes and always is breath takingly beautiful. Then the club began the drive through the villages towards Torrevieja and the main objective of the Awards dinner.

This year the venue was to be the magnificent Restaurante Queen Mississippi that rests on the brow of the pine dunes of La Mata that runs down to the sea. The restaurant has been made as the old Mississippi paddle steamers with an Octagonal cafeteria in front where the members congregated for a welcome cocktail while making new and old friends. Today Frank from Ireland joined the club even though he is only a regular holiday maker and soon made friends. John, also from Ireland, was to say that he wished the Classic Car Clubs back home could be as welcoming as this one is. While the cocktails were being consumed the members sat down in the wicker chairs as though in their own house to watch a film show by Keith Nicol and his son Branden depicting the 18 events held by the club over 12 months. Last year’s show was spectacular but this year was outstanding with the use of music to complement the photos that had special effects which gave the feeling of each club day. When it was finished most members climbed out onto the top deck of the restaurant to get a view of the natural pine park with the seascape that was unbelievable surprisingly beautiful.

At exactly the time that the club was formed the members went into the restaurant or should I say the paddle steamer with the huge steam engine in the entrance for the third Anniversary Dinner and Awards. This is one of the top restaurants in the Torrevieja area and we were to experience the professionalism of the waiters and chefs. The tables were arranged as if the King of Spain was coming. Every table had a window view and everything was what you would expect from the best Restaurant. Each table had a Club menu with details of the Awards and programme. The imaginative menu was matched by the beauty of the food that did not disappoint with the tasting. Foods were put together that surprised the diner. Many were to say afterwards that they would be back. Though every course was relaxing no one was kept waiting which is unusual in Spain especially for large groups. The club took up almost the entire restaurant which made for homely feeling.

As always the awards surprised the recipients with Michael Stansmore getting the Trabant Trophy for putting a smile on the faces of the members, Muriel Blackwell who worked tirelessly during the year to make sure every member no matter what language they spoke were enjoying themselves received the Hand of Friendship Award and the Outstanding Member Award went to our Portuguese member Albino Carneiro who not only attended almost every meeting and event but made sure he met everyone with a smile and then financed and picked up the brass Club Plaques from Portugal. The evening was finally drawing to a close and everyone trooped outside to watch the firework display under the warm night Spanish sky. Lots of noise and colour shattered the night and now time to say farewells. Heiko supplied 6 rockets and David 10 metres of Crackers and 24 firework display box. The owner thanked the club for a friendly and enjoyable evening which was nice. Our oldest member in his 70s driving his blue open topped Morgan reached home in Mazarron at 1.00am which shows that life is for living not for dying.

Trabant Trophy Michael Stansmore

Hand of Friendship Award Muriel Blackwell

Outstanding Member Albino Carneiro

Club Torrevieja's Christmas Dinner

BOOK NOW FOR THE CLUB´S

CHRISTMAS DRIVE & DINNER

SUNDAY 6^th DECEMBER

The same high standard of Christmas Dinner with live music to dance to afterwards all in the unique Restaurant Rebate

in beautiful gardens and amongst the hills of Rebate

A chance to visit the Ermita (traveller’s chapel)

The same surprises as before

Only 12€ for members 18€ partners & 22€ guests

Don’t miss out on this Special Day or you will regret it

To help with the cost Lesley is collecting at each Club Meeting

Club Torrevieja's Poker Run

Poker Wheeling and Dealing

The Club Torrevieja Classics Cars held their annual Poker Run on one of those beautiful hot sunny days that only the Vega Baja can give you at this time of year. This year was different with changing scenes and views made more enjoyable with the warm and friendly welcome everyone received from the bars that participated in the run that involved members in their club cars driving from place to place to get their poker cards to make up their hand of poker and hope to win the 20€. The rules and information were provided by our sister club in Florida, USA and adapted by Angie to suit the terrain and membership and following the successful event last year, it is now on the annual calendar of the club. The original idea was carried forward of making it a free entry with a cash prize to help the pocket in this economic crisis.

The day started by sitting in the warm sun enjoying a cup of coffee and exchanging gossip by the sea shore on the terrace of the Bar Nautilus in Punta Prima. Unfortunately the noise of the waves needed a mute on them for those that had stayed up to watch the motorcycling early that morning. Details of the route with the rules were handed out and members left in their own time having fought their way through the interested crowds around the cars.

The route took the members towards Rojales and climbing the hills that overlooked Rojales and the second stop to collect the next card. Continuing the climb gave the passengers a panoramic view that took in the Sierras of Crevillente in the far distance. They then began the descent towards the second stop at the Campo de Golf Quesada and a chance for exchanging experiences as well as enjoying a welcome drink for 1€ in Caddyshack. This was the second warm welcome and reluctantly it was time to leave. Then through Rojales and onto Benijofar, over the cobbles, passing the impressive church and continuing to Los Montesinos for the third poker card. The stop was in the main square spoilt this year by the “improvements” to the plaza that seemed only a few years ago to have been redone. The Cafeteria Central had been chosen and the owner told Angie that normally it was a quite time but she came out to the terrace and was surprised to see us all sitting down waiting to be served. Every bar and Restaurant appreciated the additional custom and their attentive service and smiles showed it.

The final journey took the club twisting past La Marquesa and towards San Miguel. All were country roads and wonderful views. Skirting San Miguel, again taking the high road to get the Vega Baja scenery of pine trees, hills and fruit orchards. It was just a short trip to the Communications Centre and Los Pinos and the final poker card in the Restaurant Pimientos. The restaurant sits on a beautiful view of the wooded area of the Communications Centre that pans out to look over the plains of the Vega Baja ending at the sea. The forms and cards were duly handed in to be checked for the winner while everyone sat down to an enormous, delicious meal. While having coffee the winner Diane Wallis was announced. She had a winning Royal Flush hand and received the 20€ to a round of applause. A great day in the hot Spanish sun through the old and new Vega Baja with a friendly bunch of people, what more do you want?

Club Torrevieja Program for November and December 2009

PROGRAMME 2009

November

1 39^th Birthday of Coche Fantastico

4 Club Meeting

8 VI Concentration of Classics in Lo Pagan

15 Visit to Port of Mazarron & Guns

December

2 Club Meeting

6 Club Fiesta del Navidad

28 Innocents Day – Fun Driving Skills Cup

Dates and events may change. Final details at monthly Club Meeting

MAZARRON SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2009

VINCE & BETTY and RON & MURIEL

invite you to visit MAZARRON with them

on SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2009

visit Cartagena & Mazarron Ports, see the Spectacular views of Cabo Tiñoso and Cartagena Bay, Garrison and the huge Guns

Coffee in Sacromonte Michelin Restaurant

Ending with a Traditional Roast Dinner

in Mazarron Port

only 11€ each Coffee, Meal & Tip included

Have you booked?

6th Concentration of Classics Mar Menor

6^th Concentration of Classics Mar Menor

Sunday 8th November 2009

organised by Club Automóviles Clásicos Mar Menor

Open to vehicles 25 years and older

9.00 – 9.30 asemble at Hotel Lo Monte drive to Esplanada, Lo Pagán. Register for the Concentration.

Registration 10€ per person which includes Traditional breakfast, Almuerzo & meal plus bag of gifts.

On the sea front will be over 200 Classic Cars, Motorcycles and Lorries of 25 years and older.

11.00h Participants will get a free Bocadillo & drink.

12.00h Recorrido to the Antigua Molinos Salineros, The Nature Park of the Salinas and Beaches of San Pedro, the Mediterranean Port - total of 15 kms.

14.00h Returning to eat a Gigantic Paella on the Explanada.

15.30h An Exchange of Trophies between Clubs to remember the day and then the Concentration will close.

To book please contact before 6^th November 2009 davidclubtorre@terra.es or Telephone 96 571 6360

Wednesday 4th November- Club M

NEXT CLUB MEETING

Wednesday 4^th November at 7.30pm

Cafetería Marina Club, Deportes Internacional Marina, Torrevieja

Car Parking available in the Marina private car park

October 7th General Meeting

CLUB GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday 7^th October

at 7.30pm

Cafetería Marina Club,

Deportes Internaciónal Marina, Torrevieja

8.30pm Open Meeting

on New rules on Emissions from

Tom of Legal Solutions

Parking available in the Marina private car park

18th October = Poker Drive

Details at our next meeting on October 7th.

Club Anniversary October 4th

III CLUB ANNIVERSARY DRIVE & AWARDS DINNER

SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 2009

The Club will meet in the

Restaurant Vista Bella at 16.00h

and leave for a country drive ending with a picture show followed by meal with gifts in the spectacular Restaurant Queen Mississippi built as the famous paddle steamers overlooking the

La Mata pine dunes and the sea

ending with the Club awards and

firework display

Normally the meal here costs 50€

Club members - partners 13€

(guests 15€)

MENU

Pate Variety Plate

-o-

Chicken Scallop

stuffed with Roquefort & plumbs

-o-

Fairy Cake Pudding

with Caramel

-o-

Coffee

one drink included

BOOK davidclubtorre@terra.es

or Telephone 96 571 6360

1 CONCENTRATION OF CLASSICS VILLA OF CREVILLENTE

CHANGE- CAMBIO - ANDERUNG

CHOICE- OPCIÓN – WAHL

FROM THE GOOD IDEAS AT THE CLUB MEETING, ESPECIALLY FROM JOHN & DIANE WALLIS,

WE HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE

SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

SPECIAL DAY FOR CLUB

YOU HAVE A CHOICE OF

(A) MEETING THE CLUB AT 14.00H

IN THE PINE GARDENS OF THE

RESTAURANTE LOS PINCHOS

WITH LIVE MUSIC

MENU EXAMPLE – EJEMPLO – BEISPIEL

Chicken and leek Soup or salad or

Mushrooms in butter with garlic and parsley

Ribs of Pork or Ajam ketjap

(chicken in picante of Indonesia sauce)

or Papardelle (noodles) with tomato pesto and tuna

Mousse of Strawberries and orange

or Chocolate mousse or Mojito Granisada

or Ice cream with caramel

9.50€ per person

(B) MEETING THE CLUB IN CREVILLENTE BETWEEN 12.00h – 13.00h to see the

CONCENTRATION OF

CLASSIC CARS & MOTORCYCLES

THEN JOINING THE CLUB FOR A COUNTRY DRIVE & MEAL IN THE RESTAURANT LOS PINCHOS as above

(C) Participate in the

1 CONCENTRATION OF CLASSICS VILLA OF CREVILLENTE

LIMITED TO 100 VEHICLES 25 YEARS PLUS

Registration between 9.00h – 9.30h

For 5€ per car you will get a bag of gifts, Bottle of Wine of honour, eat a Brunch,

Visit the Semana Santa & Fiesta Museums

The Fiesta Museum has been declared a

Museum of Tourist interest

Finishing with a parade of the vehicles around the streets ending at 13.00h

The Club will then continue with a country drive to the Restaurant Los Pinchos as above

BOOK davidclubtorre@terra.es

or Telephone 96 571 6360

September Meeting

Our next meeting is on Wednesday September 2nd, 2009, at 7.30 pm.

Here we shall be giving out details about our picnic run to Tabarca (bring a swim suit) and an invitation to another classic car event. 

See you then. Happy and safe motoring. 

August 9th, Cool Run

We'll be meeting at the Vistabella Restaurant (CV95) around 11.15h for coffee and refreshments.  We paln to be leaving at 11.45h and will visit the Marqués de Fontalba Palace & Gardens then see the Sierras of Callosa & Orihuela continuing on the old Callosa road to the Hostal La Rotonda, who have a large car park, where they will open up for us to enjoy either a coffee or caña (small beer) or fresco in the cool.  

From here, keeping on the Camino Vieja de Callosa we will drive through the old part of Orihuela, hopefully see the original Desamparados reed roof house on the roundabout, past the Ermita and along the river Seguro to Beniel stopping at Las Norias (unique in Europe because her of twin waterwheels) where we can see the restored waterwheel and the original 1000 year old Moors water system still in operation.  

It's then a short journey through Las Desamparados to our final destination of Kati Salón de Celebraciónes for our meal which is Ensalada, Entremeses, Paella or Pollo Horno, Postre with Coffee to finish.  Also included are drinks with the meal.

Those that came on the June trip will know that Kati´s has very good food and service and Loli has kept the price the same.

The Total price including the drink on the way is 10€ per person.

Far from the Madding Crowd

For June the Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists Cars took their members for a trip far from the madding crowd.  The members arrived at the Ermita of Pilarica high above Benejuzar which since it was rebuilt in 2001 the magnificent Ermita now has an impressive terrace that over looks the plains of the Vega Baja and the tree lined avenue takes your eye to the jagged Sierras of Callosa.  From there the cars took the almost deserted country roads through the Sierras of Orihuela and Redovan through the lemon groves surrounding the Village of Matanza.  As four crops are picked from one lemon tree each year no matter what time of the year you are there you are able to see the lemons stretching for miles. 

Starting the slow climb they entered the almost deserted Albanilla with the narrow calles only once having to stop when a local in front stopped his car in the centre of the street to collect his paper and pass the day, of course not getting out, then continued. Passing through Mahoya and the steep twisting road though the Sierras del Puerto and Barinas dropping down below are the wine growing plains. Spectacular vista though the lorry logged on a shelf below did not make one corner.  The road was so deserted that it was spot the car but always the people on the roadside enjoyed our cavalcade and the fresh air made a welcome relief from the searing sun of the Costa.The inner man was calling and the little village of  Macisvenda, clinging to the mountain side, awaited us as was the Mayor to a guide us to deserted street near the little white church.  The display of Cars gave the locals something to see while we retired to Javi´s for our meal.  The Mayor had just asked the people living there if they could move their cars while we ate.   The people are so friendly and interesting that one old man seemed to have lived in nearly every country in Europe and spoke the languages except English and it was a shame to leave him.   To save on building large foundations there are many traditional cave houses carved out of the mountain side similar to the ones that used to be in Guardamar and Callosa.   During the meal members were able to buy the new car plaques that Albino had organised from Portugal similar to the ones that the Portuguese Historic Car Club has and of which Albino is a member.  Having well satisfied the inner man it was on to Honden de las Frailes and a challenging twisting drive down to Albaterra for Ice Cream and coffee then good byes and home.

photos by Keith Nicol

Welcome to Club Torrevieja

Club Torrevieja, the Southern Costa Blanca's original International Car Club

invite all owners and aficionados of Classics, Future Classics, Specialists and just interesting cars, trikes, vans and fun vehicles to join us for our monthly meetings and activities. 
These include guest speakers, museum visits, discussion groups, club runs, family days out, show and shine, night cruises, displays plus day trips around the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and surrounding area. 
We produce a monthly Bulletin and on exploring our web site you'll find lots of useful information about Car ownership in Spain, cars and parts wanted and for sale, plus helpful advice relating to classic car ownership. We look upon ourselves as more than just a car club and hope to be able to enlighten and advise you on how to get the most out of your motoring experience in Spain. 
Our meetings are all in English although we do have members from Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, Scandinavia, Belgium and even Spain, to mention but a few. 
Why not come along and join in the fun that is Club Torrevieja. 
We don't believe that interesting and classic cars, no matter how much they are worth, should be locked up in moth balls or a museum, so we have led the way in giving owners a reason to get their cars back on the road and enjoy them in the best possible way, by driving them. 

We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30 pm (1930 hrs) at the Cafeteria Club Marina, inside Torrevieja's International Harbour.