KID IN A SWEETSHOP
Not bad for a Monday. I've just got back from a visit into the future.
My amazing wife somehow sorted out a visit for this morning to the Mclaren factory. Shoot what a place.
Like the futuristic lair of a James Bond baddie, there it sits below the radar, a swirling spaceage Foster inspired affair... the hand of Ron Dennis, Mr. Perfection everywhere to be seen.
A huge horseshoe lake frames the CLEANEST PLACE I'VE EVER BEEN IN. Literally. cleaner than a hospital.
Closed to the masses, a few sponsors get to go and have a look at what the highest art of motor car design is all about.
It's also the factory where they make the Mercedes Mclaren SLR, hand built right in front of you. Future owners are invited to actually come along and watch their car being assembled. The mechanics work in Hugo Boss designed uniforms, they wear black gloves when handling the car parts. They move in slow motion, their hands look more like those of a grand master than a garage mechanic.
The elevated glass walkways, the pod like lifts, the incredible vast wind tunnel - one of the craziest things I've ever seen - the expelled air from which heats the lake to three times amdient temperature, the lasers - used instead of rulers, the ovens they bake the F 1 chassis in, Lewis' full size simulator, (the ultimate video game), the trophy cabinets tens of metres long, breathtaking, simply breathtaking.
We were also treated to a cinematic journey in the movie theatre, the most impressive part of which for me was... the Mclared Racing mission statement....
TO COMPETE IN AND WIN EVERY FORMULA ONE GRAND.
That'll be that then.
I'm off to work on my mission staement...er,
CLP
2007.
X.
Comments
Hello CLP and bloggers
I wanted to see it for myself and found the following if anyone wants to have a look.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tah3ciWHWE
Hope the blog is back to normal now, missed you guys !
Debbie xx
To Christophe:
We are looking forward to seeing Mclared compete in every formula and win one grand.
E=MC2
Wowee, Christoph, obviously we are thinking of a prospective SLR purchase . . .ne c'est pas?? (Red would be a nice colour . . .!)
I read an article in CAR magazine a few months ago about the factory - it was just amazing, I'm very jealous of your experience!
Hats off to your good lady . .
DtM
My mission statement is:
To get as much in as possible before it's too late.
CLP - Could you lend me £5000 to help me achieve this?
DWNB
Well. I'll be bound one and all
If the blog isn't up to tricks.
Yes you can post then no you can't post and then the blog ain't there.
I thought I was going slighty mad or my computer had been hijacked by Humpa Lumpa's.
I'ts all Derek Acorca stuff to me.
They will have robots building cars next.
afternoon folks
Not a lot to say today as I've been bed-ridden for 3 days with a virus that feels like it attacked every part of me??!! I'm now on penicillan and feel better...
..it's MrsW's birthday today too and I've not been able to do much other than pass her all her pressies before dropping back into the bed. I've taken this week off work as well so I'm not best pleased.
We were planning on going to London on Friday, so all being well we'll make it to 'the smoke' and have alovely day. Gonna try to eat in a fancy tv chef restaurant...any suggestions? I hear 15 is quite nice?
Hope that you are all well, I'll stop whining now
Bonnet de douche
KWx
Message from the Pedantry.......
it was "COMPETE IN AND WIN EVERY FORMULA ONE GRAND"
Hi CLP
You have done what I have dreamed about all my life almost. WOW What a pleasure. Wish I was a rich DJ with your contacts. I would give my right..........arm to go there. WOW again. I'm impressed. Just for that I would treat Natasha to anything she wants, what a wifey. WOW again.
I've driven up to the old factory a few times but never the new one. Well Done you.
All the best
Carl in Donny
OMG two blogs in as many minutes and loads of responses - just what is happening.
I too have had the lurgy all last week in fact two days after the flu jab (I blame it completely) now have a hacking cough.....
must dash need to finish work
Alwight CLP & ALL Blog Operatatives,
Bingo Star ere.
CLP - I've seen the McLaren factory on tv a few times, certainly is a 'ighly impressive place, Woking ain't it...... in Woking.
I wonder if there's alot of chinese restaurants in Wok...ing?
PS 'ope yer 'ad a word in a few ears at McLaren that they need Fisichella ter drive for them next year.
I've 'eard now that Ralf Schumacher is possibly linked with them - DAMN IT!!!
Anyway glad you 'ad a swell time..... are you thinking of buying a McLaren SLR?
Gingembre - sorry ter 'ear yuv 'ad abit of flu by the sound of it.... been abit cold ridden meself the past few days but luckily not gone ter the achey bit which is asign of a touch of flu.
Lot going round at the moment - know what am sayin'!!!!
Ter All - Sorry about me political/ sattire mahem lately.... i'll keep me political chat ter meself.
I'd 'ate ter be a politician.... must such a thankless job.
Anyway back to 'umour & astro - Ere's me latest astro.... bit late, sorry!
Ok i'm looking inter the Bingo Crystal Ball of The Zodiac. ('ad alot of problems with it lately - been iced up so 'ad ter use de-icer which 'as ruined the squeaky cleaness gained through me extra gloss prtection car wax application - ok know though)
Yeah just rubbing the Crystal, scuff, scuff, squeak, rub, scuff...... okay yarrrr, I can see....... water... err jugs/ containers errr.... being carried.... yeah, errr getting The Water Carrier..... aka Aquarius!!!!!
Ok this one's for Clodagh & the many Aqs at R2 -Ken Bruce, Tim Smith & i'm getting..... Bobby Prior & either Finella Fudge or Fran Godfrey as Aquarians too.
Ok Aquarius are the most individual driven of all the zodiac signs who like to do their own thing.
They are known for being thoughtful & caring but believe in their own thought of independance & action and can be stubborn in their opinions.
Aquarians make very good friends & when a friend is made with an Aq it's normally for life as they are very loyal.
They like friends that are abit eccentric too, being the most eccentric sign of the zodiac themselves.
They are very communicative & have an interest in people although can be abit detached within themselves sometimes.
Aqs are known for genius and inventive. They like scientific analysis, experimentation and mystery.
Aqs dislikes - they don't like violence, people who show off or making loans/ borrowing money, errr getting inter debt.
Careers suited ter Aquarians - Dancer, scientist, astrologer, tv or radio presenter, charity worker, inventor, anything that attracts forward thinking, analysis/ experimentation.
Leisure Activities - They like dreams, magic, fame/ recognition. Aqs like writing a personal diary, the theatre, music, the arts, dance, witty comedy. politics & scentific or creative hobbies.
Health Problems Linked With Aqaurians - Eyes, blood circulation, lungs, lower legs/ ankles.
Famous Female Aquarians - Yoko Ono, Rihana, Jane Seymour, Jennifer Anniston, Sheryl Crow, Shakira (The 'ips are a shakin'!!!), Natalie Imbruglia, Lisa Marie Presley, Emma Bunton, Princess Caroline Of Monaco, Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey, Minnie Driver (Nothing ter do with golf), Paris Hilton, Natalie Cole.
Famous Male Aquarians - John Travolta, Russell Grant, Billie Joe Armstrong (Greenday singer), Boris Yeltson, Jools Holland, Ziyi Zhang, Robert Burns, Tom Selleck (The one with the big moustache), Robbie Williams, John McEnroe (I AM BEING SERIOUS.... I AM), Jack Nicklaus (Alot ter do with golf), Greg Norman (Golf too), Charles Dickens, Ronald Reagan, Travis Tritt, Charles Darwin, Burt Reynolds & Les Dawson.
'ope this 'elps & VERY BIG 'pologies for this astro reading being 4 days down..... soz!!!!
Chow!
so, Chris, with your love of automobiles, when are you going to be the 'star in the reasonably priced car' then? Did you see Jennifer Saunders last night - what a trooper!
I have always wanted to see how they make pushchairs. I never realised it was so high tech!
You jammy I'd donate my testicles for the trip you've just made. Did manage to get any photos?
:)
Have you packed...
X R
Chris,
Listening to your show here over the internet in Paris (France, not Hilton!!).
Just read about your visit to McLaren. Last year in Paris I saw a Mclaren Mercedes SLK driving through St Michel, following a DeLorean!!
I got a picture of them both (both silver). How unusual is that!!!!!!
Great show by the way!!
Paul
Greetings one and all from Norn Ireland.
Just tuned in and heard CLP say that James Martin knows he's a gorgeous boy. Whereas CLP himself hasn't a clue what it is that makes him alluring.
Well, Christoffe bless you. That's what it IS.
And that's precisely why, cute though JM is, adept as he is on the business end of 'is chopper, though 'is raspberry souffle may be whopper, I'd have to pass if 'e came over all Lounge Lizard and wanted to show me 'is dipstick.
I once accepted a date with a chap on the grounds he was a "Good Catch"; a ringer for Harrison Ford, drove an Aston Martin, had the yacht in Antibes, etc. etc., who wanted to take me to his 'local', which turned out to be a gorgeous place in the Vale of Evesham, all four-posters and silver service. All was well until the waitress spilt a drop of red wine on his Armani suit. I wish you'd heard the fuss, the poor girl was mortified. I tried to get across to him that it really wasn't important and in fact it was extremely unattractive and boring, but no, he continued to sulk and behave like a spoilt child.
So. Mister Good Catch ended up wearing not just a stained suit, but my main course. Me, I was out the door and down the road faster than you can say Room Service, and the brother-outlaw, desperate to get me fixed up with some poor chap and thus off his hands, was mortified.
God save us, girls, from chaps that think they're chocolate.
Mind you. I reckon JM has a healthy sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously, so good luck, girls. Get in there.
Me, I'll give the lad a break and keep my Happily Divorced status. After all. Why would I want to spend me life makin' one chap miserable when I can make hundreds happy. Hurrah.
Mange tout (with porcinis.)
Clodagh.xx
Hello darling, no not packed yet - still getting over a hectic weekend in the busy pubs of Belfast.
Golf is lined up for Friday (25 degs there at the minute) and a 5-cousrse Christmas dinner (!!) at the Harbourfront Restaurant (harbourfront.bm) is lined up for Saturday . .
How was ur weekend . .?
DtM x
Chris,
It is very impressive isn't it? .... even when it's the "office" every day.
Shame it wasn't a frosty morning today - the mist covers the lake and hovers a few feet above in a very eerie way - looks gorgeous.
After the year McLaren've had it's lovely to see brilliant descriptions and comments like yours - thanks.
B..
It was fine thankyou hon.
Busy, but good.
Irish pubs are good arent they? And the black
velvet stuff deeeeelicious. It DOES taste better in
the Emerald isle ....
FIVE courses ..! I'd be there all night , five
courses
of Christmas fayre ... delicious but heavy..never
mind , burn it off on the beach eh... :)
X R
Oh WOW..........!
How stunning is that ...just had a look at restaurant
on Google. Very beautiful ,
X R
Chris
You wouldn't have found your way to the factory if you had been relying on the sat nav in a new Ferrari.
Because Woking doesn't exist on it.
Such is the rivalry between them, our Italian friends refuse to even acknowledge that Woking even exists.
I wonder what happens if you punch 'Modena' into your SLR nav.......?
We had a splendid weekend, including a rather lovely lunch at The M yesterday.
Snowdon planning in full force now. The only real problem now could be the weather. Over the past few days, two or three have looked a bit iffy for reaching the top.
Fingers crossed then.
Peace & love
MfR
PS U don't have to watch Dynasty
Never mind the sweet shop - what about the Scotch Eggs Shop - James is lovely but is speaking a load of rubbish - the famous Scottish cook - Meg Dodds spoke about Scots Eggs- long before Fortnum & Masons!! ( a bit different from ours unless you add anchovy oil as a matter of course etc)Do you know what a Welsh egg is - allegedly ( I'm Scottish so don't want to trash their history )
Lesley
Lesley - perhaps this is where JM got his info from?
I love Scotch Eggs........
For all those chef tips you keep saying everyone loves:
Did you not see my original post?
DWNB
From another pedant - Gimg - it can't be a virus and be getting better with penicillin. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, I believe!
Am on holidays for 12 days after today - too excited to think. Need to get broadband set up at home though.... Otherwise shan't see you guys for weeks.
jx
j...
...I can only repeat on here what my GP said, I am in no way medically trained!
The penicillin is for a throat infection which I now also have!! Fuel to my ill fire?
Hope you are all well today. I am up and about and feeling a tad more human, so we'll have no more whining MrW thank you.
Have you ever been totally blown away by someone's kindness?
Last night there was a knock at the door of Gingembre Towers and my best pal was there with a bday card for MrsW, all very normal.
Then he proceeded to cart in boxes and boxes into the hallway. Basically he was having a clear out at home (or to be accurate, his parents home) and he came accross something that he wanted son #1 to have. (He is his godparent)
Son #1 now has EVERY Roy of the Rovers comic AND annual for when he's older.
Now this may not seem much to some but I was blown away by it and couldn't find the words to express my gratitude. The boy hasn't a clue yet but having read it myself all those years ago I will have so much joy sitting with him in a few years and re-reading all those exploits with him.
Debbie - I checked the youtube clip, looks amazing - and thank you for the email x
Have a great day everyone
KWx
Chris............
Stunning day out mate, talk about sweet shop....... jelous as hell!
Although I challange you to try a trip of a life time?
We in the black country are about to open the hidden Caverns under the area and would love to invite you down under as such? Brings a new meaning to breathtaking! a series of cavern locked away and only opened briefly onece a year for safety inspections! this year we are iviting a handfull of special guests........
So back to you, its so breath taking we even give you oxygen just incase! beta that Mclaren!
cheers Chris - please give us a mention - Black Country!!
oh Bingo...
...spot on with the Aquarian thing
Couldn't have been more accurate
top stuff
KWx
oh Bingo...
...spot on with the Aquarian thing
Couldn't have been more accurate
top stuff
KWx
Chris............
Stunning day out mate, talk about sweet shop....... jelous as hell!
Although I challange you to try a trip of a life time?
We in the black country are about to open the hidden Caverns under the area and would love to invite you down under as such? Brings a new meaning to breathtaking! a series of cavern locked away and only opened briefly onece a year for safety inspections! this year we are iviting a handfull of special guests........
So back to you, its so breath taking we even give you oxygen just incase! beta that Mclaren!
cheers Chris - please give us a mention - Black Country!!
Yo Christoof & Every Single Blog Operatative (& The Not Single Ones Too).
Bingo Star ere.
Gingembre - Glad ter be of service. 'ope yer flu/ cold is getting better.
My cold is worse terdee than yesterdee but i'm ok.... I don't need sympathy.... I can take being ill..... close ter intensive care...... close ter the the need of........ a female nurse!
PS ALL - I'm writing me new song for next year's R2 song writers comp & I just wanted ter ask the advice of CLP or anyone in the know...... is 37 'ooks (hooks) in me song too many?
37 too many??????? I ain't know, I ain't know?
Chow!
I'm off ter book inter A&E!
Hello all. Just a quickie to say hi - hope the blog's working again now - I hate writing a big long post and then it disappears without trace!!!
My news - I am the proud owner of a little terrier called Alfie. Slightly different dog from the greyhound I was hoping for, but Alfie just came along - he's 6-8 months old and he was about to be put up for adoption. A cutey in need of lots of love and attention, and very VERY sweet. He's just been to the vet, who's said he's old enough for the snip which is good - my cushions have never known so much love!! - so he's got one more week to be macho!
Gingembre, hope you're feeling a bit better now mate, and manage to get to Londres for the big day out.
Darren - ha ha love it!!
DWNB - like your style - Chris, can I have £5k too please??
Missed you all, hope blog is back to normal now.
Txxxx
To Pedagogue:
We know.
Thank you for your time.
Lookin sexi Chris ;-) xx
After reading this, and not long seeing a repeat of Top Gear, my question is when are you going to have another go in the reasonably priced car ???
Himself used to work there, said it was unbelieveable, a world away from the back street garages from where he learnt the trade.......