What a Christmas cracker we had at our annual Wessex Lotus Christmas Lunch at The Sway Manor Hotel in the New Forest.
We were blessed with a lovely sunny day and as we drove along the roads enjoying the New Forest wildlife, you couldn`t have wished for a more idyllic setting in which to celebrate this festive period with friends and their Lotus cars.
The Hotel as usual was decked out beautifully with Christmas decorations and it didn`t take us long to forget the recent monsoon conditions and move into celebration mode. After a fantastic lunch, the winners of the table challenge quiz were decided and given their prize of a box of Celebrations. As coffee was served the draw for the free raffle commenced and I would like to thank Club Lotus for donating some of the prizes which were greatly appreciated by all.
Whilst all of this celebrating was going on Chris, the manager of the Hotel, had been out to the car park and chosen a “car of the day” which was Ed and Lena`s Elite, as featured on page 12 of the October issue of Club Lotus News. When Chris was a boy he had a toy model of this car and to see one “in the flesh” was a real treat for him. Ed and Lena`s prize was a voucher donated by the Hotel and I would like to thank Chris for his generosity and his staff for making our celebrations a great success.
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Sunday 27th December – Post Christmas Potter
If your waistline is showing the effects of Christmas or you just fancy a bit of fresh country air with some easy going friends, then why not join us on this pleasant 4 mile walk around the pretty Avon Valley.
We start with an easy stroll across the Avon Valley near Fordingbridge then continue through a forestry enclosure which has a tremendous variety of broad leaved and coniferous trees before passing Castle Hill, the site of an Iron Age Fort with stunning views across the Avon Valley, bringing us nicely back to the pub for lunch.
We shall be meeting at the 14th century Tudor Rose pub car park, Burgate, Fordingbridge (sat nav SP6 1LX) at 10.30am and the walk will start at 10.45am. If you want to miss the walk but would like to join us for lunch, then we shall be back at 1.00pm.
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Sunday 3rd January 2010 – Seaside Spectacle
To kick off the New Year`s monthly run we are venturing across the New Forest with a touring trip around the lesser known roads of our National Park and finishing at the Cumberland Hotel, East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth (sat nav. BH1 3AF) on the sea front for lunch.
This outing will give us all the opportunity to blow away the cobwebs from ourselves and our cars as we explore some of the famous and not so famous roads we have on our doorstep.
If you are still interested in food after your Christmas indulgences then you might want to consider their 3 course Sunday Lunch at £14.95 or a main course only for £9.95. They also provide a lighter menu for those of you whose belts are a little bit tight at the moment!!
After lunch there will be an opportunity (so hopefully the weather will be kind to us) to meander along the golden sandy beach and enjoy the bracing seaside air before making our way home. Alternatively there will be the warm comfortable surroundings of the Hotel with sea views where you can relax as you watch the world go by.
We shall be meeting at St. Leonards Hotel on the A31 just West of Ringwood (sat nav BH24 2NP) from 9.30am with a departure time of 10.30am.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS:-
Sunday 17th January 2010 – Salt Marsh Stroll
Mid January provides us with an ideal opportunity to explore the south coast area of the New Forest, namely Milford on Sea. This walk takes us through the village, past the local sailing club and salt marshes, along the coastal path, through woods and back to a pub in the village. This 5 mile walk has been kindly researched and planned by Mick and Wendy and will start at the Smugglers Inn, 88, High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE.
Some of us are having an evening meal and staying at the Sway Manor Hotel the night before and will be arriving at the Smugglers Inn at 10.15am with the walk starting at 10.30am.
As always this walk is open to anyone and will give us a chance to meander through some coastal beauty spots with views of the Isle of Wight followed by lunch (1pm) back at the Smugglers Inn - sounds perfect so see you there.
Friday 4th to Monday 7th June 2010 - Weekend Away
A future note for your diaries - we have booked to go away next year to the Cotswolds. Further details will follow in the New Year so be prepared.
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As this is the last newsletter before Christmas I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year and to thank you all for your support during 2009.
See you soon
Ian
www.wessexlotus.co.uk