Friday, 20 November 2009

Club Torrevieja's 3rd Anniversary Run and Dinner

3rd Anniversary Awards Dinner

Sunday 4th 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

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Club Torrevieja's Christmas Dinner

BOOK NOW FOR THE CLUB´S
CHRISTMAS DRIVE & DINNER
SUNDAY 6th 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

Thursday, 5 November 2009

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 39th 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

6th 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 6th November 2009 davidclubtorre@terra.es or Telephone 96 571 6360

Wednesday 4th November- Club M

NEXT CLUB MEETING

Wednesday 4th November at 7.30pm

Cafetería Marina Club, Deportes Internacional Marina, Torrevieja

Car Parking available in the Marina private car park