- JAGUARS – BIG CATS IN ALTEA GOLF CLUB – DON CAYO RESTAURANT
- ANNOUNCEMENT : JEC SPAIN HAS A NEW WEBSITE : JEC-SPAIN.COM – CHECK IT OUT
28.01.2015.- The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in Spain got together again on Sunday 25th January 2015, what a fabulous day in all respects. It’s mid winter, yet we had blue skies, beautiful sunshine and warm enough to sit outside to admire the views and chat to friends old and new. Perfect weather for taking that cherished Big Cat out on the road. Somewhere different this time, up the motorway to the “dizzy heights” of Altea, the Don Cayo Restaurant in Altea Golf Club. Parking was a bit limited but we did manage to get all the cars in a row. 20 beautiful examples of Jaguars automotive engineering and 64, yes 64 people for lunch. A little down on the numbers of cars, it just so happens that a few of our beloved big cats are “at the vets”. May I take this opportunity to thank all those that attended especially the people that have never been before. As always a big thank you to Ian McMenemy for all his hard work organising this event, and a special mention and thanks to Hans Nilsson and David Sleap who helped pull this meeting together.
The superb selection of Jaguars at this meeting as always, enough to make the pulse of any “petrol head” race. We were graced with a stunning range of Jaguars as always, Ian McMenemys and David Sleaps S Types, 11 and 12 years old respectively and looking like they have just left the showroom. A fabulous XJS Convertible in white, and a seriously impressive Mk 2, X Types,XK8’s, XKR’s XJ’s, and of course the guvnors XK8 DHC to complete the line up.
We could not have wished for a better day or location, out in the sun, pre dining drinks on the terrace looking over the golf course in the valley, sitting there in shirt sleeves in January. We are so fortunate. The pleasure started with the waiters bringing round a little “amuse bouche”, piped potato tower around a grilled prawn, delightful. Into the restaurant, stunning tables, starched white tablecloths, I just knew this was going to be good. White, Rosé and smooth fruity Rioja were brought to the table. The first course was firstly a piece of art, a tartar of salmon and avocado, topped with a cream cheese, herbs and a lumpfish caviar, dressed with mustard and balsamic reduction and salmon caviar. The description says it all. Second course, a Tandori Chicken salad, a stunning contrast to the first course, fresh, aromatic with that hint of spice. Various meat and fish courses were available for the main course, my wife and I chose the lamb served with a dauphinoise potato, we even had mint sauce a rare commodity in Spain. Dessert was a light gateaux. We finished the day with a few announcements and presentation of the JEC Spain plaque to the Maitre D” for Don Cayo. Outside for the mandatory group photo then a coffee or a last drink, then head for home, a fabulous afternoon.
Our next meeting is on Sunday the 1st March 2015, location to be confirmed. Watch the website www.jec-spain.com for more details. This will be the last meeting before The Big One, a joint meeting between JEC Spain and JEC France at the end of March, this really will be something special. Other events in the planning for this year is another Mystery Tour and a “Trip Down South”.
The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is the largest of the worlds Jaguar Clubs, apart from joining in the fun at the meetings, full 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 and Ian McMenemy. Eric can be contacted by email at jaguarspain@outlook.com or by phone on 609931647 or alternatively check out the JEC Spain website www.jec-spain.com Our Events Director, Ian McMenemy can be contacted at McMenemy@JEC-events.com. Come along and join us.
Text: Eric Arnold
Photographs by: Eric Arnold and Elaine Warnock
