“LITTLE PUSSYCATS ALL IN A ROW”
12.06.2014.- The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in Spain celebrated it’s 3rd Anniversary on the 8th June, I cannot believe it is three years since I started the club. May I take this opportunity to thank all those people that have supported the club through the years, and a very special thank you to Ian McMenemy, our Events Director for the sterling work he does organising all of our meetings.
This special celebratory event started at Restaurant Los Almendros in Torrelano where most of the members met for some light refreshments then, with “all the Big Cats” in a row, we commenced the cruise through the beautiful Spanish country side to Restaurant Nugolat, located just outside Elche on the Carretera Dolores, Km 5. On the way we stopped once for a photo opportunity, the big cats did look impressive against the back drop of grape vines. Arriving at Restaurant Nugolat was a great surprise, beautiful gardens, great parking and the dining room allocated to us was just superb and if that was not good enough, as usual we had a fabulous sunny day.
On arrival, most people congregated outside on the terrace for a few drinks and a chance to catch up with old friends and to meet new members. We sat down for lunch just before 2:00pm in a private function room in which the tables had been set “to the nines”; I have seen wedding receptions with tables not decorated as well as these, they were incredible. I had high hopes for the rest of the day; I was not to be disappointed. The feast commences. To start, fresh bread, garlic and tomato, a plate of succulent ham and Manchego cheese, a crisp smoked salmon salad and baby squid in a light tempura coating, some of the best I have ever had, fabulous. This was followed by hot ham and potato croquets. On offer for the main course were two types of Paella, Fish, lamb chops or solomillo of pork in a light mushroom sauce, my choice, tender succulent, melt in the mouth. Dessert was ice cream and what I can only describe as a superb cream topped rum baba. Drinks a plenty accompanied this delicious feast, unlimited wine, beers, water and coffee all for 25.00 Euros a head, fantastic value for money. I have to compliment the staff and the management at Restaurant Nugolat, the service and the food were exceptional. Outside for coffee and in my case a nice cigar, if that is not nice enough, the restaurant brought out plates of hot sugar coated churro’s (like donuts). We will be going back to Restaurant Nugolat in the future I can assure you. A quick get together for the “group photo” in the gardens then back to the terrace, for a little more light refreshment.
May I take this opportunity to thank all the members that attended especially the new members and the members that bought guests, bringing the total to 44 people and 15 cars which included a stunning new XJ, a number of XK8’s, XJS’s, XJ’s, S types and many more. The meeting also held another surprise, apparently, in recognition of my hard work in forming and running the club, my good friend and the club’s Event Director, Ian McMenemy organised a beautiful gift of a pristine white JEC shirt and a Jaguar XK8 key ring and pen. I was delighted and surprised. I must also mention Brian Patterson who kindly donated, wine, whiskey, chocolates and cakes as raffle prizes, he even brought the raffle tickets with him, what a great gesture, we raised just over 100.00 Euros which will greatly help with the costs of running the club. Thank you Brian. At the end of the meeting we presented Vincente, one of Nugolats management with a JEC plaque recognising there efforts in making it such a great day.
A great meal, brilliant company, lazing in the warm air more coffee, liqueurs for the non drivers but eventually it was time to go – just an exceptional day, why not come and join us at our next meeting on the 27th July. We have something special organised for later in the year, in October, a 2 day Magical Mystery Tour, I only announced this a couple of weeks ago and it is already over subscribed, I will be holding a similar event next spring, would you like to come?. Our November meeting will also be something special, it will be held at Restaurant La Torreta, near Sax where a presentation will be given from Pellicer and Heredia, a renowned team of lawyers, about all things automobile, importation, re-registration, heritage registration etc etc. This unique event should not be missed as well as having the opportunity to sample the fabulous food that La Torreta provides e.g. the best steak’s on the Costa Blanca. Book this one early; spaces will be limited.
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 and Ian McMenemy. Eric can be contacted by email at jaguarspain@outlook.com or by phone on 609931647 or alternatively check out www.jec-spain.es or the JEC main web site www.jec.org.uk. Our Events director, Ian McMenemy can be contacted at McMenemy@JEC-events.com. Not forgetting David Shea who looks after our Facebook identity and John Parkin who manages our dedicated web site www.jec-spain.es
Text and photographs by: Eric Arnold
