BMW CAR CLUB (GB)
SOUTH EAST REGION
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45th BMW CLUB EUROPA MEETING - 5th to 9th SEPTEMBER 2007
LEERSUM, HOLLAND. Report and Photographs by Melvyn Pettit
45th BMW CLUB EUROPA MEETING
This year BMW Club Europa (BCE) meeting would not only be the 45th BCE treffin, it would also be a celebration for BMW Club Nederland as it was also their 45th year and we were promised a full event programme.
Day 1: 4th September, on the way to Dover we stop off at the National Memorial to the Few at Capel le Ferne. The Battle of Britain memorial is just off the A20 as you near Dover, worth a visit on a clear day, as the views over the white cliffs are thought provoking, so was finding a “Pettit” on the memorial of the Few..
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Battle of Britain album
Day 2: 5th September,meet up with rest of South East gang as we board the 8am ferry; arrive at Landgoed Ginkelduin, Leersum, Holland mid afternoon, this being the venue for the meeting. Just one incident to report on the 230-mile trip, as club members know, Holland is the home the “Speed Camera”. Just like what is occurring on our roads, drivers are aware of the Speed limits, but ignore the “Two Second Rule”. The Lorries were travelling too close together on one auto route; one lorry ran into the back of the lorry in front, which caused him to loose his front bumper. This ended up being blown from the driving lane across two lanes into our lane, avoided most of the wayward parts, except the flying number plate that caused slight damage to paintwork. Book in at registration, pick up event pack and settle into apartment. Time for the first drink of the trip. At the bar, we meet up with BMWCC GB vice president Peter Rust and club members Robert Hogg and wife, who had arrived earlier more BCE friends start to wander in. At the evening meal, more club members arrive, Keith Waller, Jim Hudson and partners arrive, only to find their cabin already let. This is sorted while BCE Concours organiser Ron Sharrad holds a Concours judges meeting, along with which BMWCC GB members; Selwyn Frostick, Barry Gordge, Jim Hudson, Tony Pratt, Peter Rust, Keith Waller, and myself attend.
Day 3: 6th September, the programme has a road book run first thing in morning, but we decide to do the trip later, so we could clean and prepare our BMWs for the opening Flag Parade. This was held around the football field at Landgoed Ginkelduin. At the predetermine time the three sky drives drop down over head trailing BCE, Club Holland flags. After these are run up the flagpoles Club members were welcome to the event. Short break, then time to gather at the exit from site as all the Concours entrants travel in convoy to Leersum town square, the venue for the Concours de Elegance. The weather was hot and judging was thirsty work. As you can see from the photographs, there were many fine BMW car and motorbikes on show. Judging was over by 6pm, time to rush back and watch the Motorbike Trail Demonstration, just watch where you park your E30! Quick change and attend the welcome dinner, The group “Show-Gun” kept us entertained, Selwyn could not keep his eyes of the girl singers.
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BCE meeting Flag Parade album
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Concours de Elegance album
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Motorbike Trail albumon
Day 4: 7th September, Breakfast, then road book trip. First stop is at the Leerdam, not only famous for cheese, but also Leerdam Glass Centre, where a demonstration of glass blowing had been arranged. Then after lunch stop onto the World Heritage site Mills of Kinderdijk. There are nineteen Mills on the site. Due to Pauline still recovering from her ankle operation, we take the 30-minute boat trip to visit the Windmills. We arrive back at base, where the driving skills contest was still taking place on the upper floor of the car park. The Slalom course was set up with an up slalom, then into cone garage, front wheels must cross line, and then reverse into another cone garage, the farther away from the rear cone, the more time added. Then drive down the down slalom across wooden plank where both front and rear offside wheels must travel on plank, then stop with front wheels between white lines. After photographing some entrants, time to take up the challenge. As the course was set for left hand drive cars, the plank was straightforward; the only disadvantage for my right hand drive car was the marker pole for the rear cone on garage. As E36 Coupe drivers without PDC know, rear observation is not a selling point. I am pleased to report I came second in my class. I do have one comment, the convertibles did the contest with their windows and roofs down, but us tin tops had to do it with the windows up. Evening entertainment was a DJ.
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Leerdam Glass Centre album
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Windmills of the Kinderdijk album
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Driving Skill album
Day 5: 8th September,Road book trip to visit Zuider Zee museum, Enkhuizen. The 16mile part of the trip along the dike on the N302 was interesting. The museum was a whole village site, and a 30 minute boat trip was needed to get to it. We had lunch at the site. Back at Landgoed Ginkelduin late afternoon, the New BMW M3 presented by BMW Nederland was on show. The Farewell Dinner and Prize giving evening included a slide-show of the Leerdam Glass Award trophy being made. The talk was given by Mr Gijs Potters of Leerdam Glass Gallery. It was present by Mr Victor Molkenboer, mayor of Leerdam to BCE. BMWCC GB came 1st in the larger club, entrant’s mileage award. My E36 not only came second in skill contest, it won 1st in class at the Concours, Barry’s Z1 came 2nd in his Class in Concours. Entertainment was by the group Avenue6.
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Zuiderzeemuseum album
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New BMW M3 presented album
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Prize giving album
Day 6: 9th September, at breakfast we say our goodbyes to our BCE friends. We stay the extra day to visit the Military Aircraft Museum at Soesterberg, which was on an alternate road book trip. Then travelled to Arnhem to visit the John Frost Bridge “Pegasus Bridge” in Market Garden operation in WW2 “A bridge to Far”.
Therefore, the BCE event lived up to its promise as being a full event. Our group had a great laugh trying to follow the road book trips organised by the BMW Nederland club. I must learn Double Dutch!
A note for your 2008 Diary. The 46th BMW Club Europa meeting will be held in Engelberg Switzerland. 28th August to 31st August 08. We have been promised a meal at 10,00ft! In addition, exciting alpine drives. If you own a Z model BMW the Sunday is also an international Z meeting with all Zs welcome from Z1 to Z8 attending.
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Luchtvaart Air Museum album
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Arnhem album