ThamesMog

May 2011

Last month I promised we would have a look at tablet computers, but with the recent launch of a new version of this genre by a major player and with more to come as the year unfolds, it may be wise to hold off our discussion for a little while. The apps available for these devices are just amazing. As Mike Smith pointed out to me recently, one can be sitting in one's Morgan, with the hood down of course, and with the simple action of offering one's device to the sky, one can be told which constellation one is parked under - a boom for navigation. All I ask is for a Morgan and a star to steer her by. We do all the best misquotes here you know. Therefore, tablet analysis to follow. Also, I want to have another chat with Steve Bridge.

Back in March we held our AGM. All standing officers were returned for another year of duties. I would like to thank everyone for being prepared to stand for office and to help with the smooth running, hopefully, of the Centre. Also, I would like to thank the Centre for supporting us. The next AGM will be held on March 1st, 2012 at the Bird In Hand, Knowl Hill, starting at 20:00, on the occasion of our normal first Thursday noggin for that month. We hope to run a buffet and to invite a guest speaker. As you read this piece, Ann Miller is looking to approach someone for us. It should be an enjoyable evening. Please put the date in your diaries and I hope you will be able to make it.

Now this is quite an exciting month for us. We have trips to Somerset and Buxton, afforded by Phil and Julie Cripps and Howard and Carol Rose, respectively. These short breaks have loads of interesting visits planned. Brian Lee and his wife Jean will be joining us fresh from their visits to the Mexican Pyramids. I'm sure we will take this opportunity to learn all about their trip and whether they used the constellation mapping system previously described, for finding their way through the jungle. I hope you will all have a great time. On behalf of the Centre, I would like to send many thanks to Phil, Julie, Howard and Carol.

And in amongst these trips away, we have a return to the Ace Café with the Marcos club for: music, good food and great company in an unbeatable atmosphere (don't forget the full cream rice pudding as just one of their delights). But we also have probably one of the most spectacular walks to date with a visit to Savill Garden, Valley Gardens, and Virginia Water with Jeff and Joyce Marshall. At this time of the year the azaleas will be breathtaking. I hope you will be able to join us on both events.

It was good to see you all at the Great Energy Debate, at Reading University, back in March. With black outs predicted by 2015, with the corollary of: the inexorable build of gas fuelled power stations; the need to bring on renewable energy sources; the plentiful use of electric cars as a useful distributed storage of power; with a need for us to cut back on our carbon emissions generally and the thought that in the short term nuclear power will be essential to keep the lights on, I left the lecture theatre on a bit of a low. Fortunately, while on the way to the gents I bumped into Jerry Tanner. "Hi Roger, I think tomorrow I shall get my Plus eight out," he said as he smiled at me. Now this is an example of the good sense that I have learnt to expect from Jerry over the years. Thank you Jerry you did cheer me up!

To continue the good news theme and to give you another opportunity to get your Plus eight out Jerry, Mike Aldrich has organised a splendid afternoon out for us at the Walled Garden Centre in Berkshire. We plan to visit on Sunday 31st July. Those wanting to have a Sunday lunch this is available in the restaurant between the hours of 12.00-14:00. Mike has also arranged a cream tea for those attending starting at approximately 16:00. The owners will be reserve a special area for us in the car park with space for our club banners and flags. They will be thrilled to see as many Morgan Sports cars as possible. Mike hopes that during the afternoon we shall be able to visit the adjacent Elizabethan Manor. An admission charge will be made to help with the upkeep of the house and grounds. If you are interested in attending please contact Mike Aldrich on telephone: 01628 676619 and/or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text39705); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - so that we can give the owners of the garden centre an idea of numbers for catering purposes. The garden centre has a wide range of garden accessories, plants and trees etc. I hope you will be able to join us for what I am sure will be another great Centre event.