It was good to return to Hartley's for our first Winter Warmer breakfast meeting in 3 years.
Our host, Paul Hartley, has created some new dining space that was reserved for our party of 21 people with room outside for their Astons.
As is typical in winter, a week of mild dull weather was followed by overnight frost that brought out the gritters... something else for us to talk about that thankfully didn't put anyone off coming along (albeit no doubt requiring more cleaning time than planned for the cars when they got home afterwards).
The day's special of Nasi Goreng, a house favourite, was appreciated by some of us who have fond memories of travelling to the Far East (no gritters there!).
The Astons ranged in ages and colours:
DB4 - Bob Carter
DB6 x 2 - David & Sarah Bryers and Andrew & Gillian Fawkes
DB7 Vantage GT - Mike & Beverley Jones
DB7 Vantage Volante - Rick & Dee Stewart
V8 Vantage x 2 - Rick Cullen and Martin Wilson
DB9 - Martin & Liz Jaehme
Rapide - David Birkett
Rapide S - Anthony & Barbara King
Vanquish x 2 - Matthew Maneely & Mark Pooley and Paul Phelan
V8 not present - Maria Dyer & Helen Ponting
It was the first time we'd seen Paul's recently acquired Carbon White Vanquish which contributed nicely to this 'red, white a blue' moment:
Thanks to all who supported this event (including Allen, Amalia and Judith who couldn't make it on the day for reasons beyond their control... you were missed) and, of course, the team at Hartley's for looking after us so well once again.
Host Paul Hartley (left) ensures all is well at Table 1 (L-R: Rick Cullen, Barbara King, Helen Ponting, Maria Dyer, Anthony King.
Tables 2 and 3 (L-R: Mike Jones, Rick Stewart, Martin Jaehme, Beverley Jones, Dave Bryers, Martin Wilson [back to camera], Andrew & Gillian Fawkes, Mark Pooley and Matthew Maneely).
Photo by David Birkett, seen here in action...
...and here's his car with the Stewart's DB7 Vantage Volante in the background:
Some Eurobox spoiling an Aston photo!
Rick captures the moment.
Paul's Vanquish created plenty of interest (L-R: Rick, Paul, Mike and Helen).