all photos are at
more photos at
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in September we were luckily invited by Saab Owners Club of GB to join
The Shakespeare “Sonett” Winter Weekend 4th to 6th February 2011
The invitation stated:
“It will be held at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon. Immersed in 21 acres of landscaped grounds yet just 3 miles from the centre of historic Stratford it is the perfect place to shrug off those winter blues and met up with friends old and new.”
(later we found out, that this event is organize for more than 17 years)
We made our decision within an hour, just checking availability at Ryanair
To make most out of this weekend, we decide to take the early flight on Thursday and the last flight on Monday.
So here we go: Thursday get up at 4:00 to get the flight at 6:50 we arrived on a sunny day in Stansted
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/5438519421_7956635ebd_b.jpg
Car Rental at HERTZ gave us this little rotten MITSUBISHI colt with app 36.000 miles with nearly everything marked on the damage report
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5439127974_e1e7ec6c26_b.jpg
Driving on the wrong site is not my favorite driving, but with my wife and TOMTOM it worked quite well.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5439128146_299030d058_b.jpg
After 2,5 hours we arrived in Brackley, invited by Hilary and Mike for Lunch
And of course, we couldn’t not only admire the new 9-5 TdI
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5438522619_7a5483507d_b.jpg
But also the historical cars:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/5438521679_bf9f460b6c_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/5438521495_b0a565866a_b.jpg
After a great lunch we continued to the Hotel: “Stratford Manor” described as:
It will be held at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon. Immersed in 21 acres of landscaped grounds yet just 3 miles from the centre of historic Stratford
Despite its tranquil setting, the hotel is just 5 minutes away from the M40, connecting you to a number of interesting cultural attractions, including Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, The Heritage motor centre at Gaydon and the bustling market towns and quaint Cotswold stone villages.
Additionally the indoor pool and fitness centre is available to all guests
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/5439131174_49962da147_b.jpg
Day finished resting from the journey
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, after a beautiful English breakfast we went to discover Stratford Upon Avon
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5438523613_be68c2467a_b.jpg
On the way, we spotted theses two unusual cars:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/5438524949_fe6eed764a_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5439132954_f809fa1dd4_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5439133348_cf9d96d282_b.jpg
Stratford Upon Avon
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/5439132264_2c17b3c27f_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/5439133696_8dd0abb172_b.jpg
Friday afternoon more and more SAABs arrived:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/5439132494_3dcdd117e4_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5439134518_1eca919472_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5439134252_af0b997141_b.jpg
But also a Scotsman towing his new toy to Aberdeen!!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5439134740_c262797c92_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5438528167_4f5c455814_b.jpg
The Friday finished with a lovely dinner: :smile:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5439136218_02d2361ce9_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5439135878_fd7158ae3d_b.jpg
Saturday: a road book was available which takes in some of the Cotswolds area, but we decided to go North and do the Cotswolds on Sunday:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5438528627_86b90fcd12_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5438528797_ac7bbecd6b_b.jpg
Dinner at Saturday!! What a surprise:eek:: special guest Eric
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5438530893_52a95f0ff8_b.jpg
talking for about 40min about his life (he’s nearly 82!!)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5438529331_a63dd753f3_b.jpg
Sunday started with obligatory photos:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5438531835_8b040c53fb_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5438532519_320ef3ceac_b.jpg
.. and we drove to Cotswolds area
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5291/5438532701_9dd2c81051_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5438533229_5878d6a576_b.jpg
A small part of the group continued to stay like us till Monday, so we drove to Warwick and finished the evening at the hotel bar
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5439141666_81c3aeb76e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5439141440_97123c64d7_b.jpg
On Monday we had plenty of time to manage to go to Stansted and we ended up in
“The green man” close to the airport for lunch
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5439141942_5b9372bef3_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5438534461_9c9f36d82b_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5439142550_90d3435f13_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5439142802_c392f6fdc5_b.jpg
Returning the car was no problem (we drove it for about 430miles) and again the sun was shining.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5439143042_df9b40d6e6_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/5439143254_f00334a181_b.jpg
It was a beautiful break and thank you very much to the organizer and participants for the warm welcome.