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Corkills Abarth

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Author Topic: Freedom  (Read 1362 times)

GTMartin

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #15 on: December 16, 2009, 09:26:09 PM »
Quote from: AlexK on December 16, 2009, 08:49:54 PM


When I did the Goodwin thing, we billed it as the only 'beach' in the UK where it's technically legal to drive.  I've not looked into it since, but I reckon that's still the case.



I think you can drive on Morecambe beach, again classed as a car park, but don't overstay.

Martin
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Joe

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #16 on: December 16, 2009, 09:28:57 PM »
I assume the chinook charter means they ditched the hovercrafts to Goodwin then? Where they run by Hoverspeed? I went on one of those across the channel before they decommissioned them a few years back - something to do with high running costs I think. I imagine they used to run on aviation fuel?

I'd love to have a go ragging round on a beach, shame it destroys your car though. How are the roads down in Wales this time of year Paul? Much ice/snow? A tempting weekend brake could be in order...
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DraigFlag

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2009, 09:32:12 PM »
Quote from: Joe on December 16, 2009, 09:28:57 PM
I assume the chinook charter means they ditched the hovercrafts to Goodwin then? Where they run by Hoverspeed? I went on one of those across the channel before they decommissioned them a few years back - something to do with high running costs I think. I imagine they used to run on aviation fuel?

I'd love to have a go ragging round on a beach, shame it destroys your car though. How are the roads down in Wales this time of year Paul? Much ice/snow? A tempting weekend brake could be in order...
Hi Joe  :wave: The roads are a little damp and gritty, not icy yet as a result, but still slippery due to the cold damp. Best thing is, the whole country has "evacuated" the winter has turned tourist heaven into ghost town paradise! On my 80 mile spin on Saturday, i maybe saw 3 cars!?  :o
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Joe

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #18 on: December 16, 2009, 09:36:35 PM »
Damp and grit sounds familiar. I'll be bored and frozen solid over Crimbo, so once family festivities are out of the way, give me a shout if you're at a loose end. We could ambush a beach then I'll borrow some of your fine Welsh water & lamb's wool to wash the motor  :thumb:
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DraigFlag

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #19 on: December 16, 2009, 09:41:37 PM »
Quote from: Joe on December 16, 2009, 09:36:35 PM
Damp and grit sounds familiar. I'll be bored and frozen solid over Crimbo, so once family festivities are out of the way, give me a shout if you're at a loose end. We could ambush a beach then I'll borrow some of your fine Welsh water & lamb's wool to wash the motor  :thumb:
Sounds good Joe, although i am adamant that i will never drive fast on a beach again! I did it in my 2nd car, the paint was rough to say the least on the sills after a quick drive up and down...not good. But it's 100% fine if you stick to 15/20 MPH. Great place for photo's during the day, caves that you can drive in etc. I've got a feeling the roads will be busy again whilst people last minute Xmas shop, but after crimbo should be good. There are a few bobbies around this time of year too, after the Drink drivers so we better watch out! 
:watching:
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AlexK

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #20 on: December 16, 2009, 10:07:24 PM »
Quote from: GTMartin on December 16, 2009, 09:26:09 PM
I think you can drive on Morecambe beach, again classed as a car park, but don't overstay.

Yes, I should edit my post to say those and privately-owned beaches are another matter.  There's a couple in Sussex we've used for barbies in the summer, which is kinda funky, but I wouldn't do it in anything that didn't have 4wd.

Quote from: Joe on December 16, 2009, 09:28:57 PM
I assume the chinook charter means they ditched the hovercrafts to Goodwin then? Where they run by Hoverspeed?

Yup, s'right.  A few weeks after our event, Hoverspeed charters stopped.  The costs were pretty mental - I have a vague recollection of the Hoverspeed bill alone being around £7k (and this is 10 years ago!).  Don't think my brain even wants to remember what the insurance bill was.  The Risk Assessment and 'elf and Safety rubbish for something like that today would be enough to drive you insane.  As far as I know, no-one ever drove a 4x4 on Goodwin after us.  Shame.  Nerve-wracking as an organiser, but epic fun.

Edit: Oh yeah, random trivia: Hoverspeed referred to our journey on all docs as a 'flight!'
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Hawk

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #21 on: December 16, 2009, 10:33:43 PM »

Great post DF, sounds like you had some fun and your experience has been described and written really well.  It's great when you find somewhere that makes you feel good and causes you to stop, look and think.

On another note there are some right miserable sods who just want to put a downer on any fun you have.  I say great, go and enjoy yourself and remember it's only a car and your not going to do any major damage to it by driving it on sand.  The paint work gets the most stick but it gets plenty of that by driving it on our 'well maintained' roads!  Most joints and bearings are well sealed now in any case. It was different 20+ years ago when cars had a lot of open uncovered parts but most things now are made to much higher spec and well sealed so all should be ok......... and if it's not then it's hardly the end of the world is it? At least you've had a bit of fun  :thumb:

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DraigFlag

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #22 on: December 17, 2009, 06:24:44 PM »
Quote from: Hawk on December 16, 2009, 10:33:43 PM

Great post DF, sounds like you had some fun and your experience has been described and written really well.  It's great when you find somewhere that makes you feel good and causes you to stop, look and think.

On another note there are some right miserable sods who just want to put a downer on any fun you have.  I say great, go and enjoy yourself and remember it's only a car and your not going to do any major damage to it by driving it on sand.  The paint work gets the most stick but it gets plenty of that by driving it on our 'well maintained' roads!  Most joints and bearings are well sealed now in any case. It was different 20+ years ago when cars had a lot of open uncovered parts but most things now are made to much higher spec and well sealed so all should be ok......... and if it's not then it's hardly the end of the world is it? At least you've had a bit of fun  :thumb:


Thanks, Exactly my attitude too  :thumb: Yes on a new car i would probably avoid the beach, but it's 9 months/10600 miles old now, it has plenty of wear and tear already as you can see in this thread and i'd rather go and explore and find some amazing places and make some fantastic memories than just drive through every place i visit without discovering these little gems of places! And like you said, it's only a car, it won't last forever no matter what you do.
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fiona

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2010, 09:18:50 PM »
Missed this thread.  Here I am on Black Rock Sands having fun.

I swear I can still find sand in the car....
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scuderia sitar

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2010, 07:38:35 AM »
 :o

Have you got any paint left on the back end !!!

Looks like great fun Fiona   :thumb: :thumb: ;D
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DraigFlag

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #25 on: March 08, 2010, 07:55:31 AM »
Ouch! Yea i limited myself to around 20 MPH as i've seen the effect sand can have on paintwork! Well at least the Lotus wouldn't rust if the paint were to be sanded away completely!
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BIG TIC

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #26 on: March 08, 2010, 09:45:58 AM »
I can't believe that noones asked if the friend who suggested the trip to the beach was a lovely young lass. I always find that stunning scenery brings out the best in women  :whistle:

Calming story though DF  :thumb:
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fiona

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #27 on: March 08, 2010, 02:12:45 PM »
Ach, it's only a car.  The gravel trap at Donington does a lot more damage.... :'(
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carolt

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Re: Freedom
« Reply #28 on: March 13, 2010, 07:14:20 PM »
Hi DF, great story, sounds fun.  I feel so often on my way to work that I just wanna keep driving to wherever the car takes me.  Freedom.
C
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