Published On 8/20/2023
I pre-ordered the sunshine and it duly arrived. 25 members and friends assembled at AV8 Café at Cotswold Airport for breakfast on Thursday 17 August to begin the annual Summer Drive. Under the shadow of the port wing of Negus, the Boeing 747, Gnat, Tornado and V Bomber breakfasts were tucked away before 13 cars took to the road heading southeast to Newbury. Tucked away in an industrial estate is Podium Place, a quite remarkable petrol heads venue, with a Jaguar 220, AM Vantage V12 and assorted other super cars in the café. Tracey, the manager, looked after us well before showing us round the Podium Paddock, the members only facility sporting amongst other things, advanced driving simulators. Fuelled with cake and coffee we headed north over the Valley of the Horse to my house in Upper Rissington. After filling my neighbours’ driveways with Aston Martins, my wife served welcome drinks with a finger buffet in the afternoon sunshine. A great day out with great Area 22 friends.