[DarrenK]

A bit far afield for most of you lot but I thought I'd post it up anyway! Will keep you updated with pictures so you can see how we do it this side of the pond! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> <p><B>Date;</B> Sunday 14th September<p><B>Meeting;</B> Carrickfergus Castle car park, Carrickfergus<br>10.00am, leaving at 10.30 on the dot...<br><A HREF="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&saddr=54.713094,-5.80916&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=54.71328,-5.807991&sspn=0.004388,0.009956&ie=UTF8&z=17" TARGET="_blank">Google Map - Carrickfergus Castle Meeting Point</A><p>From the South / Belfast;<br>Follow the M1 Motorway through the Westlink following signs for the M2. Join the M2 Motorway and keep to the right lanes signposted M5 / Whiteabbey / Carrickfergus. At the end of the motorway take the third exit off the roundabout onto the A2. Follow the A2 along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right. <p>From the North / Antrim;<br>Follow the M2 South and exit at Junction 2. Follow the One-Way system round to the right signposted A2 / Whiteabbey. Continue to follow the A2 through Whiteabbey and along the promenade until you arrive in Carrickfergus. The castle will be on the right.<p><B>Run Details</B><br>The castle is a popular destination along the South of the coast road and is very easily accessible for members coming from any direction. From the Castle we will be heading North following the coast right the way up and taking the infamous Torr Head Scenic Route. There will be several picture stops along the way before resting for lunch at the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills (very nice, inexpensive and casual pub lunch).<p>For the second half of the run we will be travelling down through the Glens of Antrim taking in mountain scenery and passing by Altnahinch Dam and the desolate roads that surround it before heading further South and finishing at Carrickfergus Castle again. <p>The route has been tried and tested by myself and I will be doing another test run to confirm the roads are good-to-go. Some of the stops I have in mind and the roads will make for a very enjoyable cruise so you’d be mad to miss out!<p>If you are able to attend please state how many will be attending in your Volvo as I’ll need to make a reservation for lunch.<p><B>B&B & Camping</B><br>Now who’s up for a spot of camping or B&Bing? <p>Craig (craig8661), who has also helpfully assisted with the meet organisation, has been very kind to offer use of his garden for happy campers alike. There is plenty of room and no unrealistic campsite charges which sounds pretty good to me! He is located 8 miles from the Castle so it is very handy – PM him for his address and more details if interested.<p>For the spoil-sports that prefer that little bit of luxury (Brendan!) my missus has very kindly complied a small list of inexpensive B&Bs in the area –<p>Hillcrest B&B - £25 pp sharing or £35 single<br><A HREF="http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk" TARGET="_blank">http://www.hillcrestireland.co.uk</A> <p>Seascape B&B- £25 pp sharing or £30 single<br><A HREF="http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk" TARGET="_blank">http://www.seascapecountryhouse.co.uk</A><p>Beechgrove Farm- £22.50 pp sharing or £25 single<br><A HREF="http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk" TARGET="_blank">http://www.beechgrovefarm.co.uk</A><p>Drumgart Farmhouse- £25 pp sharing or £30 single<br><A HREF="http://www.drumgart.com" TARGET="_blank">http://www.drumgart.com</A>

 

[DarrenK]

Re: Northern Ireland - Volvo Irish Meet #9: Co. Antrim Coast & Glens - 14th Sept 2008 (DarrenK)

I did a test run of the route today and after a bit of chopping and changing roads it's looking very promising! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> Stops as follows;<p>Start - Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus<br>Coast - Murlough Bay, Ballycastle<br>Coast - Ballintoy Harbour, Ballintoy<br>Lunch - Causeway Hotel, Bushmills<br>Glens - Altnahinch Dam, Loughguile<br>Glens - Slemish Mountain, Broughshane<br>Finish - Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus<p>We've got five Volvos lined up and I'm trawling around trying to get a few more. <p>Here's a couple of pictures from today - first from the coast and the second from the glens - both offer great driving and fantastic scenery! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> <p><IMG SRC="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/thisismyminiadventure/2008/09-14-08_Volvo/TestRun1.jpg" BORDER="0"><p><IMG SRC="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/thisismyminiadventure/2008/09-14-08_Volvo/TestRun2.jpg" BORDER="0">

 

[DarrenK]

Re: Northern Ireland - Volvo Irish Meet #9: Co. Antrim Coast & Glens - 14th Sept 2008 (DarrenK)

We had six Volvos and a Suzuki Vitara *hisss* - in total 15 people and loads of new faces at the meet on Sunday so a sucessful turn-out! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Total distance for the run today was approximately 150 miles altogether (Carrickfergus to Carrickfergus) and that was the route shortened down!! The full monty is around 120 miles each way. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/cool.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Some of the roads on the second part were quite fast-paced and thoughly enjoyable. The lunch was also lovely! <p>Plenty of pictures;<p><A HREF="http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/thisismyminiadventure/2008/09-14-08_Volvo/" TARGET="_blank">http://s41.photobucket.com/alb...olvo/</A><p><A HREF="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/mistonia/volvo%20meet%2014-09-08/" TARGET="_blank">http://s19.photobucket.com/alb...9-08/</A><p> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0">