Ice Cream by the Charles River

Posted on by Ian C.

Today was the Charles River Ice Cream run, following a route planned by Ivan (snek on MINI2) and ending at Needham Junction Ice Cream, owned by Eliot & Donna (MINIrandolph on MINI2). We started the day gathering at a school just off exit 18 of route 95/128, then took a drive along the Charles River through some great locations, including estates with many multi-million dollar homes … we stopped half way at this pond for more pics:


Finally at Needham Junction Ice Cream, everyone got free ice cream courtesy of Eliot!


Thanks to Ivan & Eliot for a great day (and thanks to Hurricane Charley for not raining on us).

Lunch at MINI Peabody

Posted on by Ian C.

Today there were a number of MINIs at MINI Peabody; some in for service, some just visiting … Steve needed a wheel hub replacing after a bolt sheared in it at the end of his track day this week, Ivan had a strange noise from the front of the car (turned out to be loose suspension) and Jason had a Borla exhaust installed!
Lunch (pizza from Steve and cake from Dan) was served, while watching one of Hrach MINI videos, upstairs in the “staff canteen”:

(Jared, Susan, Dan, Ivan, Steve, Evan and Jason)

Thanks to MINI Peabody for allowing us to hang out – more like visiting family than a car dealership!

“mini MOT”

Posted on by Ian C.

Today I joined some other MINIs for a “mini MOT” trip around Worcester, including Wachusett mountain. The day began at Bancroft Tower in Worcester, with MINIs gathering:

 

For a while we had 11 MINIs but Jeff dropped out and headed home, leaving us with 10 when we arrived at our first stop – “Major Willard Moore State Park”:

Minolta DSC

After a pleasant walk around the park, we returned to the MINIs and headed up Wachusett mountain, for some great views and light breezes to help cool us off:


Next stop was Wachusetts Brewery, including free samples (and no, I did not try any!); then, after some interesting back road driving, we arrived at Mikes house where a BBQ was on offer – Mikes home is a very nice place, with great landscaping for a very peaceful afternoon. And loads of food!

Eventually I had to leave, along with Jared, Harvey and Jason, heading up 290 and 495 in speedy convoy:

 

Special thanks to Mike and family for organizing the day, and for providing a spectacular quantity of great food and hospitality! Thanks also to Jeff for the Friday night personal tour of Worcester, for modifying my EZpass, and for the “eyes”: