Hey hey.
Time out guys.
Lets get a few things straight.
The Border Patrol is a group of friends who get together and enjoy our Fs and TFs.
We don't want to include other cars, although the rule is if you have an F/TF and for some reason the car becomes unroadworthy prior to a run/event you can use any car you want (although we may stop you if it's an MX5). This is so that someone won't miss out on a run simply because their car breaks down or they have an accident before hand.
Although there is a core of "friends" we do like others to join the group and they too become the core of friends if they are regulars, but we still class everyone as friends, if that makes sense.
We were thinking of getting in touch nearer the time with people in the area and see if they want to join us for a few runs and get togethers. It's a shame to go to new places and not meet the "natives"
One thing that does upset/anoy Anne is people trying to have an input on things when she is left every year to organise it. We don't mind suggestions, but when some people start becoming a bit more forceful than suggesting it does hit a nerve. If you have ideas etc then please feel free to organise something of your own.
Anyone (within the F/TF community) can come to our events, but we need firm commitment and, as is the way with these things, some money up front. There is nothing more worrying than committing yourself to a booking of £5000+ for holidays etc just for one person or another to drop out. this is not a dig at people past or present who have had to drop out, as they understand that any money paid is non refundable, unless we can sell the place on.
We try, in all our events, to seek out the best venues that we can, to a price that suits everyone, so a lot of work goes into these things. Anne can and does get very stressed on all these events as she takes personal responsibility when things go wrong.
We are currently going through the phase of " Ah, we have 6 couples, this is the ideal place" "Ah, a 7th couple wants to come, now where do we go" "Ok we have 9 now this will suit, do we book it or will someone else want to come?". This is why we do a reserve list. If an extra couple want to come they can go on the reserve, if we have 3 extra couples then we need to start looking at somewhere bigger. This is why we ended up at 2 different locations in Italy and is something we will strive to avoid in future.
I don't know what is going on on this forum lately, but will everyone please take a chill pill.
If you want to have a good time with us then please feel free to commit yourself and join us, but please don't try and organise events around ours without our input.
We may organise something nearer the time, but it won't be at our accommodation and won't be set in stone. Too much organisation just sets us up for problems nearer the time.