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What a great way to start 2012 with lunch at the very popular ‘The Jack in the Green‘ at Rockbeare, near Exeter. It was the first time we had been to this restaurant but it had a good reputation and perhaps explains why we had over 30 people booked in for a January event - which is unheard of in our Area.
For January it was a warm(ish) sunny(sh) day and Maureen and I decided to take the ‘long way round' on the drive to Rockbeare to give the Aston a run and it was great fun. Driving through Cullompton we heard the unmistakable sound of Tim & Georgie Hipwell's DB7 Vantage Volante somewhere behind us and then it came into view with lights flashing and looking as beautiful as ever. We then travelled in convoy to the venue which brought back memories of some of our foreign trips that we have been on. When we parked it gave Tim & Georgie the chance to admire ‘my new shoes' although Georgie did take the opportunity to ‘thank' Maureen for setting a new, if unwelcome, precedent in her choice of Christmas present for me. For some reason this seemed to be echoed by the ladies but not the men present. Can't think why because I am a very happy boy!
Seventh heaven - a DB9 with "new shoes"
A good number of Astons came out in the temperate conditions and made very fine viewing in the car park. With such a good number booked in to the event it was always going to be a lively one and so it proved but before going into lunch people had the chance to catch up and hear what had been going on since we last met. We also had the pleasure of welcoming Paul and Leigh Cheetham and their beautiful DB7VV and it was great to have the opportunity to get to know them. I do hope we have not put you off and we will see you joining us at more events in the future.
Beautiful Astons in beautiful Devon countryside
The food was absolutely superb and we were extremely well looked after by Paul Parnell and his team. When Paul and I had originally talked about holding a lunch with them we had gone for a smaller room but as the numbers grew we got moved to the Otter Room which worked out perfectly. What I can say is that if ever you are near Exeter and are looking for a great place to eat then we would highly recommend looking at the Jack in the Green.
Ian bringing Area 20 members up to date on our 2012 programme
Our thanks go to Paul and his team for helping make this such an enjoyable event and we are sure to return in the future. As we were leaving we had the opportunity to meet David and Rozie Pether's new addition, Toffee, who is a six year old retired gun dog. Not surprisingly I think she was a bit overcome by all the attention and David was trying to work out how he would be able to bring her along in the V12V in future instead of the Range Rover Sport that they had today. I am sure that you will work it out and we will see the beast (the V12V I mean, not Toffee) at forthcoming events. The next event is at the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock on 26 February and Richard Pinkett is organising this one. Details have been sent out but if you have not seen them then please contact Richard.
Report by Ian Postles and pictures by Tim Hipwell
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