JAGUARS – LA COVA HOST’S THE BIG CATS
11 May 2015.- Sunday 10th May, yet another terrific day out with the members of The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in Spain. Again we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day, warm with just a gentle breeze, glorious. This time we took the members to a fabulous little restaurant in El Campello. Restaurant La Cova, on the cliff top overlooking the harbour of El Campello with wonderful views over the harbour and along the beach. A perfect setting to show off 20 gleaming examples of Jaguar engineering perfection.
Restaurant La Cova is a well known and very popular restaurant, especially with expats. The food is fabulous and great value for money. On top of that, stunning views while you partake in pre dining drinks and a leisurely lunch. La Cova’s menu is typically English fare with a slight Spanish twist. We chose the standard Sunday lunch. A choice from three starters, quiche, prawn cocktail or pate, followed by soup, then a choice of a roast dinner, beef, pork or turkey or sea bream for the fish lovers. A sumptuous chocolate dessert and coffee. Wine beer and water are included. Brilliant value for 20.00 Euros a head. I can highly recommend it. I have eaten at this restaurant many times and it is the second time we have taken the Jaguar Club there. As we always get looked after really well, this time we presented “Billy” the Maitre D with a small memorial cup in recognition of our appreciation.
Parking is a little tight in the small car park and The Big Cats took over a good proportion of it. A nice surprise was Ian McMenemy’s new XJ8 (X308) in cardinal red, an impulse buy which he kept very quiet until the meeting. All of our members cars are beautiful but this meeting brought out some exceptional examples of these stunning cars. Some of the old favourites were there as usual, David Shea and his fabulous gold XJS Convertible. David Sleap our Vice President brought along his stunning XKR Silverstone Convertible, an exceptional example of this rare limited edition Jaguar. Chris Fox and Lydia arrived in their fabulous XK120 DHC. More examples of XJS’s, XK8’s, XKR’s XJ’s, X Types and S Types, The Guvnors” XK8 Convertible. completed the collection this time, looking particularly nice after some expert restoration work. A total of 20 cars and 46 people, a slightly smaller turnout than we are used too but very good all the same. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that attended the meeting, especially all the new members, and of course a big thank you to Ian and Uschi McMenemy for organising the event.
The next meeting will be on Sunday, 21st June when we will be returning to Restaurant Rebate in Pilar de la Horodada. This is always a very popular restaurant with the club so reserve your place as soon as possible. Just looking into the future a little bit, Ian, our Events Director, is planning something special for September, a trip to a Monastery up in the mountains with an option of an over night stay. November is our Trip Down South. These and other events are detailed on our web site. Last of all, The Big One, in March 2015 was so successful we are going to do it again, just bigger and better. The Big One 2017 will be held at Parador de Leon, built in the 16th Century it was originally the head quaters for the Military Order of Saint James. It is now Paradors flag ship 5 star hotel. This event is proving to be very popular already, currently we are expecting over 300 people and 153 beautiful Jaguars. Even though it is nearly two years away, if you want to come to this event, you have to register your interest now.
The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is the largest of the worlds Jaguar Clubs, apart from joining in the fun at the meetings, members also benefit from a glossy 140 page A4 monthly magazine, Jaguar spares department and a technical advice service second to none. If you live in Spain and own a Jaguar you should be a member of The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. The JEC in Spain is organised by Eric Arnold, Club President and Ian McMenemy, Events Director. Costa Del Sol region is organised by Philip Wray. Eric can be contacted by email or by phone on 609931647 or alternatively check out our web or the JEC main web site. Our Events director, Ian McMenemy can be contacted by email. Not forgetting David Shea who looks after our Facebook identity. Contact details and news of future events can be found on our web site.
Text and photographs by: Eric Arnold
