"We didn't want to do that."
The perils of predictive text showed their ugly head while doing the day 5 blog in the very early hours of this morning. Aside from the few spelling mistakes that I know are in the blog, instead of me decorating Lotty's bonnet, it was almost published as me decorating Lotty's boner...
Later on this morning (8am, since I know you're wondering) after greasing Jock's towball with the only thing available (copper grease) we left Jamess and set off on the arduous 2 mile slog through Inverness to Morrison's for breakfast. Duly fuelled, we did the same for the cars and headed off, as is usual on the Friday of LEJOG, up the A9 to John O'Groats.
Aside from Tinker having trouble passing the distillery again without veering into the car park, the only real trouble we had was being overtaken by a Discovery towing a caravan, which ended up overtaking other cars uphill, and eventually turning into a caravan site maybe 20 seconds quicker than if he'd just stayed behind us.
"That was close. They nearly had us there..."
We came upon what was left of a bump, it looked like a young lad had rear-ended a Volvo and was in the back of a police car having words with them. The road was clear however, so we breezed on through.
"This is too easy..."
The run up the A9 went another than ever before: weather was good, traffic light, everyone together and not long after the village of Loth (nearly home, only one letter missing) we were at our normal loo stop at Lybster.
"Right. Time for a change of plans."
Most of us refreshed, we had chance to get down to the harbour, park the cars directly in front of the lighthouse and get some cracking pictures.
Terry talked about fishing again, we spotted some tiddlers in the very clear waters of the harbour and he spotted a much larger fish out by the sea wall. One of these days he's going to find a way to bring a rod...
During coffee at the harbour cafe, I suggested another change of route to encompass a visit to Dunnet Head, which as you may know is the most northerly point of mainland Britain - that's right, John O'Groats is actually south of there.
We agreed it would be a good run, filling up at Wick on the way up rather than on the way down, when another of the cafe patrons suggested yet another change of route.
Shortly after Thurso is an A road running roughly north-south called the A897 which eventually joins the A9 on our route back. It came highly recommended so we decided to take it on the way back. More about that later though...
"We can do this, and they'll never trace it back to us..."
We went to our usual fuel stop at Tesco, and Terry was forced to use a Pay-at-pump. This was so confusing for him that he nearly filled up with diesel... but he was not as confused as David who parked us in a trolley park...
David drove us up to John O'Groats and we drove round to the roundabout. One of the first things to catch my eye was the LEJOG hotel, derelict for some years but recently purchased and undergoing a refit. The outside of it however is currently an art project by a number of artists. It currently looks like a cross between a Portmeirion taxi and the cover of some kind of right-on kids anti-drugs leaflet. Maybe next year it will have been finished.
Myself and Michelle ended up queueing to book for official photos. Now, the current photographer at John O'Groats has been something of a celebrity amongst LEJOGgers for some time, for all the wrong reasons: his clue disappeared a long time ago... he had to be corrected on his spelling several times when filling out the sign post, even though he had read the wording from the back of Michelle's fleece, and his attempt at wheresdennis.co.uk was just as bad.
We wore our disguises for the photo... not sure when we'll get to wear then again...
"Do you think someone knew we were coming?"
Our pictures taken and a few bits of tat bought, we made our way towards Thurso with the sea on our right and we were soon at Dunnet Head, for a bit of a stop off. They're obviously a bit worried about theft, as the information "shed" was strapped down to the car park...
Carol was taking many pictures of Alex (the name we've given to the LEJOG bear) using my camera, as hers had run out of battery, and she managed to get one of my head poking round the Dunnet Head marker stone...
After a while at the summit and observation point, we headed off towards Thurso, and after a quick look across the fields at Dounreay we turned on to the A897 just before Melvich.
"Put your foot down! Put your foot down, we'll lose them easy"
And what a road it is. Definitely the best route we've ever taken on LEJOG, and one that has got to be in your list of greatest British roads. The word awesome is often overused but personally I think it's suitable for this road.
It's an A road, but is actually single track with passing places along the entire length. It rolls up and down and although mostly straight on the map has a wonderful flowing run that sticks a smile to your face like no other road I've ever driven. Truly it's what Minis were made for and I hope it becomes a permanent part of the LEJOG route.
About half way down it we made a toilet stop at Forsinade Station, much to the delight of some of the residents who I don't think get many visitors. Suitably refreshed, we carried on down, still grinning (and in some places laughing!) till we got to a fork in the road. No knives or spoons though.
This fork was recommended by one of the chaps at Lybster, and in a Mini with raised suspension and a sump guard it would have made a good road to blast down. Of course ours weren't set up like that so we had to pick our way through, over some chunky grass filled cracks and through even chunkier gravel, but we made it back to the A9 eventually. This still didn't detract from the A road we'd turned off.
"Well, we did it. Jolly Fisherman next."
And so in comparison, the A9 back to Inverness was a little dull; but then it is anyway once you're on the way back from John O'Groats. Apart from a few muppets it was uneventful, and after visiting Morrison's again for supplies we rolled back into camp, ate our food, drank our tipples and all agreed that this year had been the very best LEJOG yet.
Of course it's the people who make it as much as the route itself, it's the journey not the destination and all that, but before I tell you about everyone comparing Mini war wounds, and the story of Terry being treated by a vet for hepatitis, I'd like to thank him for organising the run, Linda for being the Governor, Carol and Michelle for leading so expertly (except thru Fleetwood), David for being a good sport throughout and James for coming up with so many uses for gaffer tape...
Bedtime calling, we eventually retired for the evening, in preparation for a very long drive back to Skegness. But that's another part of the adventure...
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Friday, 1 July 2011
Day six: deepest Scottishland
"They have different rules up here... we might just get away with it..."
Morning in Moffat was a solid victory for the SCRAM (Scottish Council of Revolutionary and Angry Midges) who attacked us as soon as the tents were opened. Everything was put away very quickly and we hid cars till setting off for breakfast at Dumbarton.
Along the way we passed through such delightfully named places as Boghead...
The run through to Glasgow was good, mostly dry again and once on the main roads was only held up by the volume of traffic.
"Now's not the time to do anything silly."
David was driving and feeling a bit chilly so while waiting at a set of lights decided to slip into something warm. However hard you try though, you can't put a jumper on when wearing a seatbelt; it's better to realise before trying...
"I'm having trouble setting the Firkin Point..."
Breakfast over it was time to hit the Glens, with Loch Lomond first on the scenic sights list as we ran up the A82. The weather was trying its best to annoy us but the run was so relaxed (except for the odd slowcoach) that it didn't really bother us. We've been enjoying the ride and have been able to keep to our expected timings without ever feeling rushed.
So, pootling along, looking at the scenery, CB chatter really at a minimum, occasionally commenting on other drivers and cyclists, we were up into Glencoe before we knew it. While the weather on top of us was a little rough, we had great views of the hills which seemed to get bigger the further we went into them (small, far away!).
"Keep your wits about you!"
Rolling into Fort William, Lotty had to stop off and get some fresh air. With being single crewed and there being little banter on the CBs the drive so far was catching up with him.
We had our usual break at the Ben Nevis centre, while people admired the cars (or were just shocked they'd got that far), and headed to the Commando Memorial. No-one had trouble here this year; all the cars started, there were no leaks of clutch fluid and nobody ripped their handbrake off...
"Trouble is, if we spot her, we can't go public..."
And so the Great Glenn and General Wade's Military Road was calling, to take us the whole of the length of Loch Ness, past the scene of the accident last year where we were stuck for so long, and up to and past Urquhart Castle. Being a small group, and having all gone earlier, this didn't form a loo stop this year, and we shot straight past and pressed on to Inverness.
"So close now..."
The weather seemed to be holding off while we got ourselves on site, but did chuck it down a little while we were setting up. Glad I got those rock pegs at Easter, they made pitching at this site so much easier.
Once the tents were up and the gazebo held down with Lotty's van, beer and food were called for, so a trip to Morrison's and orders for the takeaway were needed. We were back from shopping just in time to order our food, and settled down with a beer or two, discussing how well the run was going, and the last leg of the main run which would come in the morning...
Morning in Moffat was a solid victory for the SCRAM (Scottish Council of Revolutionary and Angry Midges) who attacked us as soon as the tents were opened. Everything was put away very quickly and we hid cars till setting off for breakfast at Dumbarton.
Along the way we passed through such delightfully named places as Boghead...
The run through to Glasgow was good, mostly dry again and once on the main roads was only held up by the volume of traffic.
"Now's not the time to do anything silly."
David was driving and feeling a bit chilly so while waiting at a set of lights decided to slip into something warm. However hard you try though, you can't put a jumper on when wearing a seatbelt; it's better to realise before trying...
"I'm having trouble setting the Firkin Point..."
Breakfast over it was time to hit the Glens, with Loch Lomond first on the scenic sights list as we ran up the A82. The weather was trying its best to annoy us but the run was so relaxed (except for the odd slowcoach) that it didn't really bother us. We've been enjoying the ride and have been able to keep to our expected timings without ever feeling rushed.
So, pootling along, looking at the scenery, CB chatter really at a minimum, occasionally commenting on other drivers and cyclists, we were up into Glencoe before we knew it. While the weather on top of us was a little rough, we had great views of the hills which seemed to get bigger the further we went into them (small, far away!).
"Keep your wits about you!"
Rolling into Fort William, Lotty had to stop off and get some fresh air. With being single crewed and there being little banter on the CBs the drive so far was catching up with him.
We had our usual break at the Ben Nevis centre, while people admired the cars (or were just shocked they'd got that far), and headed to the Commando Memorial. No-one had trouble here this year; all the cars started, there were no leaks of clutch fluid and nobody ripped their handbrake off...
"Trouble is, if we spot her, we can't go public..."
And so the Great Glenn and General Wade's Military Road was calling, to take us the whole of the length of Loch Ness, past the scene of the accident last year where we were stuck for so long, and up to and past Urquhart Castle. Being a small group, and having all gone earlier, this didn't form a loo stop this year, and we shot straight past and pressed on to Inverness.
"So close now..."
The weather seemed to be holding off while we got ourselves on site, but did chuck it down a little while we were setting up. Glad I got those rock pegs at Easter, they made pitching at this site so much easier.
Once the tents were up and the gazebo held down with Lotty's van, beer and food were called for, so a trip to Morrison's and orders for the takeaway were needed. We were back from shopping just in time to order our food, and settled down with a beer or two, discussing how well the run was going, and the last leg of the main run which would come in the morning...
Day five: keep them guessing
"If we do what they're expecting us to do, then they won't expect us to do it, because that's what they think we'll do. I think."
Morning came, better weather than expected but still darn early. This year we decided to head for Blackpool, to make a bit of a change.
It was shut. There was nothing to see except a bit of a rusty erection. The tower is not looking good these days, and a lot of the promenade is being rebuilt, tarted up or just generally being fettled with.
During this detour it was mentioned that Linda would like to see the horse drawn trams on the Isle of Man, but as David pointed out, how do the horses hold the pencils?
"... but if we do what they don't expect us to do, then they'll be expecting us to do that instead... I expect..."
So with nothing else to keep us there, we decided to run up the prom and head for Fleetwood, then cut over to the A6 and our usual route.
Obviously this was a new route, largely unplanned, so at one point with all the TomToms fighting each other it was the Google Navigation woman who came to the rescue and before we knew it we were on our way, along a great set of roads which helped ease us into the day after the big trek the day before.
Lancaster came next, then Carnforth - which we seemed to have hit on "cut up a Mini day" - and we also tried to look out for Trigger following a sign staying "SLOW ROAD SWEEPER". It wasn't long til we hit Kendal for breakfast. Jock was getting a little thirsty on oil (too much marking of territory!) so a stop at Halfords was needed.
The run up Shap was easy enough, the weather mostly holding and traffic was light, except the push bikes...
"But if they expect us to expect that we'd expect they'd expect us to do what they'd expect us to expect them to expect us to do, then we should just expect to do what they expect us to do... I expect..."
Even though this year's run is down to 3 Minis and Lotty's van, Carlisle still beat us. By the time we were half way we were in three groups: Carol and Michelle leading Terry and Linda, me and David out on our own and James somewhere way behind. So much so that although me and David managed to catch up and follow on along the A7, James ended up on the M6... we waited in a layby about 4 miles out of Carlisle, but eventually got a phone call saying we'd meet up again at Gretna Green, our next destination.
"Things can change at any minute. We need to be less conspicuous... disguise ourselves... they won't be expecting that..."
And lo, the wetness did descend on our intrepid travellers, making the short(ish) run to Gretna fairly rubbish but we managed to get to our lunch stop without too much hassle. Lotty was already waiting there for us so we parked up in our usual places and headed in to see if there was any new tat. There wasn't, but we did manage to get a pair of "Jock disguises"...
With the rain proving particularly persistent we weren't looking forward to pitching tents at our overnight stop, but Moffat had a break while we got set up. Of course the break wasn't quite long enough so we did end up with a few damp patches again.
Having previously been dubbed "Team Gaffer Tape" I decorated Lotty's bonnet with the team name, written in gaffer tape in backwards letters, ambulance-style. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself...
Following this, and my earlier purchase of the cake that thinks it's a biscuit that thinks it's a cake, we ended up being dubbed Team Jaffa Cake, to complement Team Gaffer Tape.
"I think we can relax a bit now. We're amongst friends..."
Star Inn was next, me, David and James heading up first to check out the place. We ended up having quite a pool tournament, with James coming on top after several games. Personally I think we were hustled, seeing as he's still the de facto John O'Groats champion...
So after whacking a few balls and drinking the odd pint of Criffel (the local brew, very nice) the other LEJOGgers arrived and it was time for tea. The usual high standard of food and an easy to wind up waiter (poor lad ;-) ) followed, with plenty of good natured banter and a review off the run so far. Not sure the other patrons were quite so happy with the banter though...
The others left with David and I having another, and we finally got back to the camp site at about quarter to 10. Everyone else was in bed and mostly asleep by then, so we thought we'd do the same. No point staying up any later as the wee beasties were absolutely vicious this year...
Glens tomorrow, then Inverness. 7am start, up at 6am to pack away...
Morning came, better weather than expected but still darn early. This year we decided to head for Blackpool, to make a bit of a change.
It was shut. There was nothing to see except a bit of a rusty erection. The tower is not looking good these days, and a lot of the promenade is being rebuilt, tarted up or just generally being fettled with.
During this detour it was mentioned that Linda would like to see the horse drawn trams on the Isle of Man, but as David pointed out, how do the horses hold the pencils?
"... but if we do what they don't expect us to do, then they'll be expecting us to do that instead... I expect..."
So with nothing else to keep us there, we decided to run up the prom and head for Fleetwood, then cut over to the A6 and our usual route.
Obviously this was a new route, largely unplanned, so at one point with all the TomToms fighting each other it was the Google Navigation woman who came to the rescue and before we knew it we were on our way, along a great set of roads which helped ease us into the day after the big trek the day before.
Lancaster came next, then Carnforth - which we seemed to have hit on "cut up a Mini day" - and we also tried to look out for Trigger following a sign staying "SLOW ROAD SWEEPER". It wasn't long til we hit Kendal for breakfast. Jock was getting a little thirsty on oil (too much marking of territory!) so a stop at Halfords was needed.
The run up Shap was easy enough, the weather mostly holding and traffic was light, except the push bikes...
"But if they expect us to expect that we'd expect they'd expect us to do what they'd expect us to expect them to expect us to do, then we should just expect to do what they expect us to do... I expect..."
Even though this year's run is down to 3 Minis and Lotty's van, Carlisle still beat us. By the time we were half way we were in three groups: Carol and Michelle leading Terry and Linda, me and David out on our own and James somewhere way behind. So much so that although me and David managed to catch up and follow on along the A7, James ended up on the M6... we waited in a layby about 4 miles out of Carlisle, but eventually got a phone call saying we'd meet up again at Gretna Green, our next destination.
"Things can change at any minute. We need to be less conspicuous... disguise ourselves... they won't be expecting that..."
And lo, the wetness did descend on our intrepid travellers, making the short(ish) run to Gretna fairly rubbish but we managed to get to our lunch stop without too much hassle. Lotty was already waiting there for us so we parked up in our usual places and headed in to see if there was any new tat. There wasn't, but we did manage to get a pair of "Jock disguises"...
With the rain proving particularly persistent we weren't looking forward to pitching tents at our overnight stop, but Moffat had a break while we got set up. Of course the break wasn't quite long enough so we did end up with a few damp patches again.
Having previously been dubbed "Team Gaffer Tape" I decorated Lotty's bonnet with the team name, written in gaffer tape in backwards letters, ambulance-style. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself...
Following this, and my earlier purchase of the cake that thinks it's a biscuit that thinks it's a cake, we ended up being dubbed Team Jaffa Cake, to complement Team Gaffer Tape.
"I think we can relax a bit now. We're amongst friends..."
Star Inn was next, me, David and James heading up first to check out the place. We ended up having quite a pool tournament, with James coming on top after several games. Personally I think we were hustled, seeing as he's still the de facto John O'Groats champion...
So after whacking a few balls and drinking the odd pint of Criffel (the local brew, very nice) the other LEJOGgers arrived and it was time for tea. The usual high standard of food and an easy to wind up waiter (poor lad ;-) ) followed, with plenty of good natured banter and a review off the run so far. Not sure the other patrons were quite so happy with the banter though...
The others left with David and I having another, and we finally got back to the camp site at about quarter to 10. Everyone else was in bed and mostly asleep by then, so we thought we'd do the same. No point staying up any later as the wee beasties were absolutely vicious this year...
Glens tomorrow, then Inverness. 7am start, up at 6am to pack away...
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Day four: Up Country
"I overheard some of them talking..."
Late news from the camp site: we're still not sure of the context in which this was said, but at some point last night, Michelle walked past Terry and Linda's tent, just as Terry announced "It's not hard..."
So this morning we had our long run to breakfast, a hefty drive from Steart Farm up to Bridgwater.
Carol and Michelle found that their CB aerial mount was not performing as they'd like, due to one of its parts going missing. So at the usual toilet stop we took the opportunity to sort it out, temporarily replacing the missing bit with a screwdriver bit. At the same time, Lottie decided to do a better job of attaching his aerial with a spare grub screw I happened to have, and a judicious application of gaffer tape.
CBs sorted and we were off again, facing the challenges of Porlock Hill with screaming gearboxes and smoking (and fading) brakes. No dramas this time though, except the very old, very slow coach chugging away getting up the other side. Apart from this, and random sheep laid in the road, our drive over Exmoor was nice and easy.
And so to breakfast. Unfortunately although we held out hope that they'd join us at Bridgwater, Jo & Mike didn't make it on the run with us this year...
"I think they mean well... but still... they're mad..."
So once our Morrison's breakfasts were done, and we'd grabbed bits we needed through the day, some of us nipped for petrol while Lottie ( by this time christened "Team Gaffer Tape") attached a model of a cow to his wing mirror. It seemed the natural thing to do, somehow.
Terry for once held the rest of us up, disappearing for petrol well after everyone else was ready to go; but eventually we were on our way on one of our short motorway sections, heading for the old Severn crossing.
"These guys are starting to worry me..."
Myself and David managed to save a bit of cash on the crossing. While at the services just beforehand (while Lottie sorted out his loose cow and added more gaffer tape to his aerial), I checked on the Severn crossing website and found that blue badge holders are exempt from the toll...
Once we got to the toll booths, David and I don't through easily and for nothing, while Terry again held the rest of us up by driving to the TAG- only booth.
"... but they could outrun anyone"
Up Monmouthshire next, through the twisty bits which have never seen a mobile signal (so the tracker was having trouble) and soon we were shooting past Tintern Abbey. Now, this place is admittedly a bit of a fixer-upper, but really it only needs a bit of gaffer tape.
Getting over the tight bridges is definitely easier with a small group too...
Soon we found (through Linda's giggle-fit) that Lottie's erection was far better than Jock's - which was "cock out" - and which had to be fixed with gaffer tape and a lump hammer. We're qualified to do anything with nothing... particularly when a CB mount is concerned.
Rumours were then started that Linda has a bottom fetish, for suggesting that the Herefordshire roads were making jock junior shake his ass...
"I'm kind of getting used to them now"
Not long up the road we passed the Cadbury's factory, now owned by Kraft of course. Note to David: Kraft Spray-on Cheese is allegedly a foodstuff, but is definitely NOT a deodorant...
And before we knew it, we were at Craven Arms for a loo and snack stop, and then back on our way, tired but determined to get up to our overnight stop. Not so easy when you have the Comma Classic Oil Steel Band playing a single note all the way.
Trudging along we managed (while avoiding other drivers as usual) to make it to our usual petrol stop. Unfortunately for some of the ladies this stop has no toilets, so once we'd filled up we headed a bit further and found some services about 3 1/2 miles. Disappointingly their petrol was 5p a litre cheaper too.
And on we plodded... on to the motorway heading up to the services, occasionally something on the CB such as directions:
"We're only on here for one junction, we're coming off at junction 9"
"Junction 9, Roger!"
"That's junction 9 *Carol*"
"Roger Carol... and that's not an instruction!"
"I'm beginning to like this bunch..."
Eventually we hit Charnock Richard, got booked in, checked the rooms, sorted out some food and settled down to bit of "things you never knew about your fellow LEJOGgers", including such gems as how Terry and Linda's twins were conceived, and that Michelle's friends husband sang the theme to Poddington Peas...
And now it's time to retire for the evening, with a 7am start and a stop on the Lancashire Riviera tomorrow, there's no rest til Moffat...
Late news from the camp site: we're still not sure of the context in which this was said, but at some point last night, Michelle walked past Terry and Linda's tent, just as Terry announced "It's not hard..."
So this morning we had our long run to breakfast, a hefty drive from Steart Farm up to Bridgwater.
Carol and Michelle found that their CB aerial mount was not performing as they'd like, due to one of its parts going missing. So at the usual toilet stop we took the opportunity to sort it out, temporarily replacing the missing bit with a screwdriver bit. At the same time, Lottie decided to do a better job of attaching his aerial with a spare grub screw I happened to have, and a judicious application of gaffer tape.
CBs sorted and we were off again, facing the challenges of Porlock Hill with screaming gearboxes and smoking (and fading) brakes. No dramas this time though, except the very old, very slow coach chugging away getting up the other side. Apart from this, and random sheep laid in the road, our drive over Exmoor was nice and easy.
And so to breakfast. Unfortunately although we held out hope that they'd join us at Bridgwater, Jo & Mike didn't make it on the run with us this year...
"I think they mean well... but still... they're mad..."
So once our Morrison's breakfasts were done, and we'd grabbed bits we needed through the day, some of us nipped for petrol while Lottie ( by this time christened "Team Gaffer Tape") attached a model of a cow to his wing mirror. It seemed the natural thing to do, somehow.
Terry for once held the rest of us up, disappearing for petrol well after everyone else was ready to go; but eventually we were on our way on one of our short motorway sections, heading for the old Severn crossing.
"These guys are starting to worry me..."
Myself and David managed to save a bit of cash on the crossing. While at the services just beforehand (while Lottie sorted out his loose cow and added more gaffer tape to his aerial), I checked on the Severn crossing website and found that blue badge holders are exempt from the toll...
Once we got to the toll booths, David and I don't through easily and for nothing, while Terry again held the rest of us up by driving to the TAG- only booth.
"... but they could outrun anyone"
Up Monmouthshire next, through the twisty bits which have never seen a mobile signal (so the tracker was having trouble) and soon we were shooting past Tintern Abbey. Now, this place is admittedly a bit of a fixer-upper, but really it only needs a bit of gaffer tape.
Getting over the tight bridges is definitely easier with a small group too...
Soon we found (through Linda's giggle-fit) that Lottie's erection was far better than Jock's - which was "cock out" - and which had to be fixed with gaffer tape and a lump hammer. We're qualified to do anything with nothing... particularly when a CB mount is concerned.
Rumours were then started that Linda has a bottom fetish, for suggesting that the Herefordshire roads were making jock junior shake his ass...
"I'm kind of getting used to them now"
Not long up the road we passed the Cadbury's factory, now owned by Kraft of course. Note to David: Kraft Spray-on Cheese is allegedly a foodstuff, but is definitely NOT a deodorant...
And before we knew it, we were at Craven Arms for a loo and snack stop, and then back on our way, tired but determined to get up to our overnight stop. Not so easy when you have the Comma Classic Oil Steel Band playing a single note all the way.
Trudging along we managed (while avoiding other drivers as usual) to make it to our usual petrol stop. Unfortunately for some of the ladies this stop has no toilets, so once we'd filled up we headed a bit further and found some services about 3 1/2 miles. Disappointingly their petrol was 5p a litre cheaper too.
And on we plodded... on to the motorway heading up to the services, occasionally something on the CB such as directions:
"We're only on here for one junction, we're coming off at junction 9"
"Junction 9, Roger!"
"That's junction 9 *Carol*"
"Roger Carol... and that's not an instruction!"
"I'm beginning to like this bunch..."
Eventually we hit Charnock Richard, got booked in, checked the rooms, sorted out some food and settled down to bit of "things you never knew about your fellow LEJOGgers", including such gems as how Terry and Linda's twins were conceived, and that Michelle's friends husband sang the theme to Poddington Peas...
And now it's time to retire for the evening, with a 7am start and a stop on the Lancashire Riviera tomorrow, there's no rest til Moffat...
Day three: keep on moving...
"Everywhere we look, he's on to us. Can't hang round here..."
We managed a bit of a lie in this morning (notwithstanding David's phone pumping out Radio 2's breakfast show) and had little to do before heading off to Morrison's in Bideford for our own breakfast at around nine. I had a few comments (once I had some signal) that wheresdennis.co.uk wasn't working, but this was purely down to me not running the tracker until I'd sorted out a better charging system for my phone. By nine however, it was back on and reporting our position.
During our hearty breakfasts, Lottie arrived and so as the designated back up driver he would follow us down. However instead of the usual white van, he'd turned up in his '68 850 auto, a real time warp car. That at least made 4 Minis on the run to Lands End.
"If we're not careful, we'll have a hell of a mess on our hands"
The usual loo stop at Camelford was reached in good time, though the state of the loos was sadly below par...
The run down to Lands End was largely uneventful, except for being a lot quicker than usual due to the number of cars. Lottie's auto was surprisingly good at keeping up with the others, though it was suggested that was because he was keeping it at 9000 rpm...
And so, before we knew it we were at Lands End, lined up with lots of curious (and confused) people wandering around the cars. Carol and Michelle had their photos done first then disappeared off to find more photo opportunities for the as yet unnamed bear, with some assistance from Michelle in her new role as Official Bear Steadier.
We had our pictures taken too, with the signpost showing wheresdennis.co.uk after which it was time to go tat shopping.
A short while later, after a lengthy discussion in the relative merits and lifespans of different sticker materials, it was time to head back.
"Got to stay alert now, don't want to miss anything..."
The run back was similarly uneventful, except for a couple of sharp stops with Tinker (Terry and Linda's car) marking territory with rubber. Terry and Linda were too busy between emergency braking to answer on the CB as their new album was just too good to stop listening to...
"Chainsaws. Nasty. But effective..."
We did stop on the way back to have a look at the work of a wood carver, who'd set up shop in a layby. While the quality of work was amazing, we were all too loaded up to take anything, even if we could have afforded it. There was another photo op for the bear though, on a log between two wolves.
"Do we need to lose them now, or later?"
Soon we were back at the campsite, with dinner plans at the Thatched Inn at Abbotsham, though Terry and Linda headed back to their house to sort out some bits. Not long after, word reached us that we might end up as a two car run, as Tinker had developed a nasty noise when turning.
"It's the little things that'll end up catching us out."
Terry managed to strip down the hub and the first thought was a dodgy wheel bearing. While I have one in the parts box it's a genuine (v expensive) one, so the plans changed such that Terry would get a cheaper one first thing in the morning, for it, then catch us up.
The diagnosis then changed to the CV joint, one of which I have again, but the symptoms still weren't matching up. Finally, Terry spotted the metal band on the CV boot had moved and was catching badly on the hub. Once replaced, it was all sorted and Tinker and crew joined us back at camp a short while later. Few relaxing beverages and the packing of what could be packed, and all off to kip awaiting the long drive on Tuesday...
We managed a bit of a lie in this morning (notwithstanding David's phone pumping out Radio 2's breakfast show) and had little to do before heading off to Morrison's in Bideford for our own breakfast at around nine. I had a few comments (once I had some signal) that wheresdennis.co.uk wasn't working, but this was purely down to me not running the tracker until I'd sorted out a better charging system for my phone. By nine however, it was back on and reporting our position.
During our hearty breakfasts, Lottie arrived and so as the designated back up driver he would follow us down. However instead of the usual white van, he'd turned up in his '68 850 auto, a real time warp car. That at least made 4 Minis on the run to Lands End.
"If we're not careful, we'll have a hell of a mess on our hands"
The usual loo stop at Camelford was reached in good time, though the state of the loos was sadly below par...
The run down to Lands End was largely uneventful, except for being a lot quicker than usual due to the number of cars. Lottie's auto was surprisingly good at keeping up with the others, though it was suggested that was because he was keeping it at 9000 rpm...
And so, before we knew it we were at Lands End, lined up with lots of curious (and confused) people wandering around the cars. Carol and Michelle had their photos done first then disappeared off to find more photo opportunities for the as yet unnamed bear, with some assistance from Michelle in her new role as Official Bear Steadier.
We had our pictures taken too, with the signpost showing wheresdennis.co.uk after which it was time to go tat shopping.
A short while later, after a lengthy discussion in the relative merits and lifespans of different sticker materials, it was time to head back.
"Got to stay alert now, don't want to miss anything..."
The run back was similarly uneventful, except for a couple of sharp stops with Tinker (Terry and Linda's car) marking territory with rubber. Terry and Linda were too busy between emergency braking to answer on the CB as their new album was just too good to stop listening to...
"Chainsaws. Nasty. But effective..."
We did stop on the way back to have a look at the work of a wood carver, who'd set up shop in a layby. While the quality of work was amazing, we were all too loaded up to take anything, even if we could have afforded it. There was another photo op for the bear though, on a log between two wolves.
"Do we need to lose them now, or later?"
Soon we were back at the campsite, with dinner plans at the Thatched Inn at Abbotsham, though Terry and Linda headed back to their house to sort out some bits. Not long after, word reached us that we might end up as a two car run, as Tinker had developed a nasty noise when turning.
"It's the little things that'll end up catching us out."
Terry managed to strip down the hub and the first thought was a dodgy wheel bearing. While I have one in the parts box it's a genuine (v expensive) one, so the plans changed such that Terry would get a cheaper one first thing in the morning, for it, then catch us up.
The diagnosis then changed to the CV joint, one of which I have again, but the symptoms still weren't matching up. Finally, Terry spotted the metal band on the CV boot had moved and was catching badly on the hub. Once replaced, it was all sorted and Tinker and crew joined us back at camp a short while later. Few relaxing beverages and the packing of what could be packed, and all off to kip awaiting the long drive on Tuesday...
Monday, 27 June 2011
Day two: Laying Low...
"Damn, outside ain't so nice..."
Morning came (as it typically does) and the weather had improved a little. Not much, but enough that we could tell once the midst had burnt off it was going to be hot.
Breakfast was had: bacon butties, Shreddies and custard creams (!) and the topic of conversation moved to people's plans for the day.
As there are so few of us doing LEJOG this year, we hadn't been planned in to do the traditional minibus washing, so today was a lazy day. This gave us a chance to rest after the drive down, and I drove today letting David take it easy.
"When I said I'd put their lights out,I didn't mean it like that..."
I wanted to get some more bits from Asda, and try to find a 12v charger for my phone, which had suffered a bit yesterday. The USB charger in Dennis is only on with the ignition and it was impractical to leave the keys in the car while the phone was charging...
I also wanted to see if the Saltrock shop at Atlantic Village had any more of the hats to which I'm partial, so we headed off there to see what was what. By the way, the battery situation is why wheresdennis.co.uk was not running today.
Arriving at Atlantic Village, we saw quite a crowd outside Asda. There was an electrical problem which meant that there was no power thru the whole place so people were being turned away. We went to Barnstaple instead.
After a wander round a few places, Tesco came up with the goods and we were on our way back.
"We still need supplies, but we need to lay low..."
So off back to Atlantic Village we went, and it looked like they'd stuck another 50p in the meter as it was all open again. Saltrock didn't have any hats so we headed in to Asda for a bucket, some salt and 2 bags of ice to help chill the tinnies back at the site.
Back to the tents and we found the Students had headed off home and Jock's crew were out doing similar. Nothing for it but to get the beer chilling and do some chilling ourselves.
"Maybe there'll be fewer cops in the next town?"
Terry and Linda arrived too, and after a bit of stickerification for the door plaques we all headed in to Westward Ho! to have tea at the Waterfront, which was nice, then back to the site to relax and plan Monday.
"We might be on our own here..."
Back at the site, Jo and Mike were there to greet us, but also to say that they might not be able to join us on the run - which was a great disappointment as I'd only just put the run number on Dennis' back window! - but they'd be trying to make arrangements to come with us. Jo was very disappointed, but was very good at resisting a slice of chocolate cake...
So we discussed the chances of us being a 3 mini run, while the sun went down and the fleeces went on. Carol and Michelle also unveiled their solar powered tent fairy lights, amid cries of "ooh!" and "aah!", and after another quick beverage, it was time to retire for the day.
Morning came (as it typically does) and the weather had improved a little. Not much, but enough that we could tell once the midst had burnt off it was going to be hot.
Breakfast was had: bacon butties, Shreddies and custard creams (!) and the topic of conversation moved to people's plans for the day.
As there are so few of us doing LEJOG this year, we hadn't been planned in to do the traditional minibus washing, so today was a lazy day. This gave us a chance to rest after the drive down, and I drove today letting David take it easy.
"When I said I'd put their lights out,I didn't mean it like that..."
I wanted to get some more bits from Asda, and try to find a 12v charger for my phone, which had suffered a bit yesterday. The USB charger in Dennis is only on with the ignition and it was impractical to leave the keys in the car while the phone was charging...
I also wanted to see if the Saltrock shop at Atlantic Village had any more of the hats to which I'm partial, so we headed off there to see what was what. By the way, the battery situation is why wheresdennis.co.uk was not running today.
Arriving at Atlantic Village, we saw quite a crowd outside Asda. There was an electrical problem which meant that there was no power thru the whole place so people were being turned away. We went to Barnstaple instead.
After a wander round a few places, Tesco came up with the goods and we were on our way back.
"We still need supplies, but we need to lay low..."
So off back to Atlantic Village we went, and it looked like they'd stuck another 50p in the meter as it was all open again. Saltrock didn't have any hats so we headed in to Asda for a bucket, some salt and 2 bags of ice to help chill the tinnies back at the site.
Back to the tents and we found the Students had headed off home and Jock's crew were out doing similar. Nothing for it but to get the beer chilling and do some chilling ourselves.
"Maybe there'll be fewer cops in the next town?"
Terry and Linda arrived too, and after a bit of stickerification for the door plaques we all headed in to Westward Ho! to have tea at the Waterfront, which was nice, then back to the site to relax and plan Monday.
"We might be on our own here..."
Back at the site, Jo and Mike were there to greet us, but also to say that they might not be able to join us on the run - which was a great disappointment as I'd only just put the run number on Dennis' back window! - but they'd be trying to make arrangements to come with us. Jo was very disappointed, but was very good at resisting a slice of chocolate cake...
So we discussed the chances of us being a 3 mini run, while the sun went down and the fleeces went on. Carol and Michelle also unveiled their solar powered tent fairy lights, amid cries of "ooh!" and "aah!", and after another quick beverage, it was time to retire for the day.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Day one: The Escape
"I've got us a car for our trip. Might be a bit of a crush with our kit in, but it'll do. Going to get John from his safehouse early... stay away from the motorways and the traffic cops..."
So, by 7am I'd picked up David, the kit all packed in Dennis the night before. He decided to drive the first section of the route we'd planned, as he knows the roads so it would give him a chance to get used to the car.
"No way I want to be caught driving this car, not today..."
It was going to be all the B's on the route we chose: Boston, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham, Bristol, Bridgwater, Barnstaple, Bideford and Buck's Cross. Boston was no issue, and largely over to Burton was fine as well. Usual things with other traffic, but Dennis was running well and apart from general wetness the weather was, er, a bit dodgy...
"Damn roadblocks!"
We made it through Burton and on to Birmingham on the A38. Bit nervous round here, but Spaghetti Junction went smoothly. Not so much for the lane closures getting to Longbridge though which slowed us up quite a bit though once we were out the other side things eased off, and we set the shatnav for Tewkesbury.
"Got to stop for something that isn't porridge..."
On the way we stopped at the Bus Stop Cafe, the same converted coach that me and Tony had previously visited on previous LEJOGs. Sausage sandwiches consumed, we were back on our way, with slightly worrying references to Brokeback Mountain and mankinis (shudder...)
"Sure they know where we are before we do..."
The DennisTracker was using a lot of power even though charging constantly. Battery was a bit warm too but it was working ok. More traffic and plenty of 50 limits meant we were getting behind by the time we got to Bristol, where we were diverted by an incident (and David was distracted by an incidence of Bristols...)
"We'll be safe in the country, they'll never find us there..."
Through Bridgwater and carrying on down the A38 still, we heard that Carol and Michelle had left the motorway and were onto the road to Barnstaple after refreshments; the Students had already made it with Barry's LEJOG bear and set themselves up for a night of camping with us.
Soon we made it to the campsite as well, about 11 hours after setting off.
"We're just a pair of encyclopedia salesmen going to a conference, don't mind us"
We met up with everyone and completed David's introductions then soon had our tents pitched and ready, airbeds filled from our 2 pumps. A quick visit to Asda for supplies (beer) and back to the campsite and we were ready for food. Of course, where could we go but to the good old Sunshine Cafe in Westward Ho!
Following a wonderful "been out All Day Breakfast" and a slightly dodgy " mostly steak before it was nuked pie" we headed back to the campsite for more getting to know each other, tone and boundary setting, and of course beer, as the drizzle drizzled, the wind winded and the cold got a bit colder. Time for bed.
So, by 7am I'd picked up David, the kit all packed in Dennis the night before. He decided to drive the first section of the route we'd planned, as he knows the roads so it would give him a chance to get used to the car.
"No way I want to be caught driving this car, not today..."
It was going to be all the B's on the route we chose: Boston, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham, Bristol, Bridgwater, Barnstaple, Bideford and Buck's Cross. Boston was no issue, and largely over to Burton was fine as well. Usual things with other traffic, but Dennis was running well and apart from general wetness the weather was, er, a bit dodgy...
"Damn roadblocks!"
We made it through Burton and on to Birmingham on the A38. Bit nervous round here, but Spaghetti Junction went smoothly. Not so much for the lane closures getting to Longbridge though which slowed us up quite a bit though once we were out the other side things eased off, and we set the shatnav for Tewkesbury.
"Got to stop for something that isn't porridge..."
On the way we stopped at the Bus Stop Cafe, the same converted coach that me and Tony had previously visited on previous LEJOGs. Sausage sandwiches consumed, we were back on our way, with slightly worrying references to Brokeback Mountain and mankinis (shudder...)
"Sure they know where we are before we do..."
The DennisTracker was using a lot of power even though charging constantly. Battery was a bit warm too but it was working ok. More traffic and plenty of 50 limits meant we were getting behind by the time we got to Bristol, where we were diverted by an incident (and David was distracted by an incidence of Bristols...)
"We'll be safe in the country, they'll never find us there..."
Through Bridgwater and carrying on down the A38 still, we heard that Carol and Michelle had left the motorway and were onto the road to Barnstaple after refreshments; the Students had already made it with Barry's LEJOG bear and set themselves up for a night of camping with us.
Soon we made it to the campsite as well, about 11 hours after setting off.
"We're just a pair of encyclopedia salesmen going to a conference, don't mind us"
We met up with everyone and completed David's introductions then soon had our tents pitched and ready, airbeds filled from our 2 pumps. A quick visit to Asda for supplies (beer) and back to the campsite and we were ready for food. Of course, where could we go but to the good old Sunshine Cafe in Westward Ho!
Following a wonderful "been out All Day Breakfast" and a slightly dodgy " mostly steak before it was nuked pie" we headed back to the campsite for more getting to know each other, tone and boundary setting, and of course beer, as the drizzle drizzled, the wind winded and the cold got a bit colder. Time for bed.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Nearly ready...
Dennis is packed up now with everything we're taking with us; David's TomTom is being updated in preparation and we've worked out our route.
This year it'll be a combination of previous routes, heading over to Derby and on to the A38. Of course for the exact route we take, you'll just have to watch us on wheresdennis.co.uk and see where the roads take us...
This year it'll be a combination of previous routes, heading over to Derby and on to the A38. Of course for the exact route we take, you'll just have to watch us on wheresdennis.co.uk and see where the roads take us...
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Last minute prep
Well, all the tools and spares have fitted in the car again, still leaving room for drivers and kit. Getting good at this after 5 years...
Andy@Acespeed worked his magic again and has now "repaired" Kwik-fit's attempt at tracking. It feels much better and now self-centres, plus with us doing LEJOG for charity, Andy has donated the fee. Spot on bloke, he is.
Last few tweaks to do tonight before heading down to the start point tomorrow...
Andy@Acespeed worked his magic again and has now "repaired" Kwik-fit's attempt at tracking. It feels much better and now self-centres, plus with us doing LEJOG for charity, Andy has donated the fee. Spot on bloke, he is.
Last few tweaks to do tonight before heading down to the start point tomorrow...
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Going live
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Ah, how things change...
So, once again it's been a while since the last post on here. In that time, I've been a little busy. Here's the updates, anyway:
- so firstly, I'll not be accompanied by Vince. Circumstances have arisen which means he can't make it this year (gutting).
- secondly, though Vince isn't really replaceable, I have arranged another co-driver, David, one of the Skegness Mini Owner's Club. Still not sure he knows what he's let himself in for...
- thirdly, 3dtracking.net have apparently stopped supporting the free version of their GPS tracking app. Or at least, the lack of responses to emails, and the 404 errors every time the app updates the location suggest that they've stopped supporting it...
- fourthly, I've written my own app for Android (as that's what my phone's now based on) so wheresdennis.co.uk will (should hopefully) still be updating our location on the trip
- fifthly, Dennis is now ready for the run, after a gearbox rebuild, replacement of much of the boot floor, replacement wheel bearings (and one of the MiniSport alloy hubs, which cracked *before* the wheel bearings were removed, not happy!)
- sixthly, the route's slightly different this year because we're no doing Leeds - LEJOG - Leeds, we're doing Skegness - LEJOG - Skegness, which is going to put another 100+ miles on the trip.
- seventhly, because of the change of start/end point, our website is now www.criMINIlly-insane.co.uk, reflecting the fact that we're in a Mini, and we must be mad to be adding even more miles on. And yes, we're still aiming for less than 50 miles of motorway for the whole route. You can visit it now, but it's still WIP...
- eighthly, this is getting daft, but leeds-lejog-leeds.org.uk *will* still work, it'll just be pointing to criMINIlly-insane.co.uk instead 8-)
- ninthly, the virginmoneygiving.com page will soon be active too...
Er, and that's about it for now...
- so firstly, I'll not be accompanied by Vince. Circumstances have arisen which means he can't make it this year (gutting).
- secondly, though Vince isn't really replaceable, I have arranged another co-driver, David, one of the Skegness Mini Owner's Club. Still not sure he knows what he's let himself in for...
- thirdly, 3dtracking.net have apparently stopped supporting the free version of their GPS tracking app. Or at least, the lack of responses to emails, and the 404 errors every time the app updates the location suggest that they've stopped supporting it...
- fourthly, I've written my own app for Android (as that's what my phone's now based on) so wheresdennis.co.uk will (should hopefully) still be updating our location on the trip
- fifthly, Dennis is now ready for the run, after a gearbox rebuild, replacement of much of the boot floor, replacement wheel bearings (and one of the MiniSport alloy hubs, which cracked *before* the wheel bearings were removed, not happy!)
- sixthly, the route's slightly different this year because we're no doing Leeds - LEJOG - Leeds, we're doing Skegness - LEJOG - Skegness, which is going to put another 100+ miles on the trip.
- seventhly, because of the change of start/end point, our website is now www.criMINIlly-insane.co.uk, reflecting the fact that we're in a Mini, and we must be mad to be adding even more miles on. And yes, we're still aiming for less than 50 miles of motorway for the whole route. You can visit it now, but it's still WIP...
- eighthly, this is getting daft, but leeds-lejog-leeds.org.uk *will* still work, it'll just be pointing to criMINIlly-insane.co.uk instead 8-)
- ninthly, the virginmoneygiving.com page will soon be active too...
Er, and that's about it for now...
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Things have been a bit quiet on here...
... but that should soon be changing...
Yes, 2011 will see Dennis attempting a 5th Lands End to John O'Groats, but there's a change in co-driver: instead of Tony, I'll be accompanied by Vince from Exeter. Yes, geography is no obstacle when it comes to LEJOG...
However, having a working car is sort of a necessity, so I'm currently hard at work with a gearbox rebuild (now complete, except for the clutch) and some more of that dreaded tinworm...
Further updates will follow - still have to sort out the website for this year, and the donation pages too. And sort out the insurance...
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
LEJOG 2010 COMPLETED
... and what a fantastic run it was - from Dennis' performance, to Maisie's sickies and then on to Bug's head music, the dull moments were few and far between.
I'd even risk saying that it was the best I've been on so far, and of course I'm full of the desire to do it again next year. For now I'll have to settle on doing the Grand Tour in August; not quite the same but it will have to do. At least I'll be able to see many of our fellow LEJOGgers there, friendships forged by a Mini bond and all that guff.
And so, to the statistical analysis:
- 2 Sainsburys and 10 Morrisons Breakfasts
- An average of 45.42mpg over 2008.5 miles (or 19.31 km/l over 3232.4km, or even 6.36 SPi tanks over 1745.3 nautical miles)
- 2 electrical faults, both fixed
- over £1500 raised for our charities
- an odometer which now reads over 122,000 miles
And, er, that's all the important bits. Until the run-up to next year's event, it's goodbye from me, Tony and of course the Mini that did it for us, Dennis.
I'd even risk saying that it was the best I've been on so far, and of course I'm full of the desire to do it again next year. For now I'll have to settle on doing the Grand Tour in August; not quite the same but it will have to do. At least I'll be able to see many of our fellow LEJOGgers there, friendships forged by a Mini bond and all that guff.
And so, to the statistical analysis:
- 2 Sainsburys and 10 Morrisons Breakfasts
- An average of 45.42mpg over 2008.5 miles (or 19.31 km/l over 3232.4km, or even 6.36 SPi tanks over 1745.3 nautical miles)
- 2 electrical faults, both fixed
- over £1500 raised for our charities
- an odometer which now reads over 122,000 miles
And, er, that's all the important bits. Until the run-up to next year's event, it's goodbye from me, Tony and of course the Mini that did it for us, Dennis.
DAY 8: 26th June 2010
Yes, OK, I know, it's a bit late, but with one thing and another the - relatively short - blog post for the last day is now here.
So, having set my alarm for 0600, I got up at 0445. Some had already gone from the campsite, some were getting ready to leave, so I managed to say some goodbyes.
I nipped to the loo and on returning, Tony was also surfacing and with little else to do we cracked on with dropping the tents and getting the last bits packed into Dennis.
After a few more goodbyes from others who had got up in the meantime, it was time to hit the road, and by 'eck did we hit it... out of Inverness before we knew it, and on to the glorious boredom of the A9 south to Perth. With Tony's updated TomTom maps, the next instruction showed us keeping right after a mildly humourous 89 miles, rather than last year's roundabout in 126 miles...
And so we went, eating up the miles at a positive rate of knots; hitting Edinburgh and rolling round on the bypass, munching the borders before we realised they were there. First petrol stop was a bit of a shock as the MPG had dived a little, but we were hammering it on the dual carriageways (at or below the speed limit, obviously!).
The run kept going smoothly, and that uppy-downy bit was fun again, more so without the trailer. We rolled on until we were in the Barnard Castle area. TomTom wanted to take us through a ford - which I would have done - but the gates across it, meant to be locked from October to March, were still locked and rather than ring the keyholder, we just took the alternative route. Which had a road closure on it.
So, a half hour detour later to get round the closure and we carried on belting down to Leeds. We reached Scotch Corner without issue, tanked up again then hit the A1 down to Ripon. From here it was a blast through to Harrogate, and then over to and through Leeds.
We made it back to first direct at about 1430, a cracking time and leaving me plenty of leeway to get Tony's stuff unloaded, shake hands and say our congratulations on completing the event, before I headed off to Skegness... but that's another story for another time...
So, having set my alarm for 0600, I got up at 0445. Some had already gone from the campsite, some were getting ready to leave, so I managed to say some goodbyes.
I nipped to the loo and on returning, Tony was also surfacing and with little else to do we cracked on with dropping the tents and getting the last bits packed into Dennis.
After a few more goodbyes from others who had got up in the meantime, it was time to hit the road, and by 'eck did we hit it... out of Inverness before we knew it, and on to the glorious boredom of the A9 south to Perth. With Tony's updated TomTom maps, the next instruction showed us keeping right after a mildly humourous 89 miles, rather than last year's roundabout in 126 miles...
And so we went, eating up the miles at a positive rate of knots; hitting Edinburgh and rolling round on the bypass, munching the borders before we realised they were there. First petrol stop was a bit of a shock as the MPG had dived a little, but we were hammering it on the dual carriageways (at or below the speed limit, obviously!).
The run kept going smoothly, and that uppy-downy bit was fun again, more so without the trailer. We rolled on until we were in the Barnard Castle area. TomTom wanted to take us through a ford - which I would have done - but the gates across it, meant to be locked from October to March, were still locked and rather than ring the keyholder, we just took the alternative route. Which had a road closure on it.
So, a half hour detour later to get round the closure and we carried on belting down to Leeds. We reached Scotch Corner without issue, tanked up again then hit the A1 down to Ripon. From here it was a blast through to Harrogate, and then over to and through Leeds.
We made it back to first direct at about 1430, a cracking time and leaving me plenty of leeway to get Tony's stuff unloaded, shake hands and say our congratulations on completing the event, before I headed off to Skegness... but that's another story for another time...
Saturday, 26 June 2010
DAY 7: 25th June 2010
OK, before I begin, there are some edited highlights of last night's post-blog activities which need to be reported...
Firstly, it has been established, as absolute fact, that you are never more than 50 yards from one of Barry's ex's.
Secondly, it's not the World's best idea to ring your girlfriend at ten past eleven, then pass the phone around in a clock fashion, asking random people to speak to her, Barry.
Thirdly, "ooh Barry, please stop, it hurts" is unlikely to make someone stop making you laugh.
So anyway, on with Friday. The quiet morning was shattered by the sound of Chris' tractor driving over a traffic cone in the camp site, but thankfully this was after our little lie-in as we were setting off at 0800 ish. Our first stop, as ever, was Morrisons for our last breakfast. Nothing special or unusual here (thankfully) and after a quick fuel stop we were on our way north on the A9.
Soon, Tony decided that the land we could occasionally see to our right was Northern Europe, and in fact was Canada, because that's easily visible from the East coast of Scotland...
And so we rolled along with the usual overtaking nutters, and Tinker trying to do Nessie's trick of steering towards the Glenmorangie distillery, with Stacy reporting she had a Renault up her bottom.
We decided to carry on up the road without stopping at the posh loos at Golspie, pressing on instead through some light (and not so light) drizzle for the other usual loo stop at Lybster. Jay's Hill at Berriedale was no match for any of the cars (including Chris' tractor (BIG SMILEY)) but one car did have trouble staying on the right side of the road at the roadworks on the top corner...
And so, bimbling along shouting at cows, finding rabbit-sheep and staring at necking horses, we reached Lybster for a much needed loo stop. Leaving the rather cosy loos, we found the students (having sorted out their ignition issues following a vist from Rich's parents) were trying to top up their clutch system. The slave cylinder had decided to leak in a fairly spectacular fashion, but they felt it would be OK if we could all get down to the harbour.
And so, after having pushed the car into position, it was out with my spares and tools, passing over the spare cylinder I'd brought with me (sale or return is rather cool) and letting them get on with it.
Half an hour, a bit of cake, a cup of coffee and a paddle in the sea later, and the cylinder was swapped, but some serious adjustment was needed before the first attempt at the hill could be made. More adjustment was needed after that, once the car had rolled back down the hill...
Eventually we were back on our way to John O'Groats, with some more drizzle and lots of waving at cyclists doing the same trip as we were. It was an easy run in to the roundabout, and almost before we'd got out of Dennis there were people getting their pictures taken - including Bug in the CHSW teddy costume...
A wander around the shops looking for miscellaneous tat, and then some rolling repairs to the horn and headlight flasher connections, and we were ready to head back to the camp site again.
The run back was largely uneventful, which was good, as we were all rather tired. We stopped at Golspie this time, in the posh loos with the gaps at the tops of the walls. There were words of advice for the ladies ("stamp your feet", "shake the lettuce" etc) and after a little confusion to get out of the car park and back on the main road we were back on the way. A slight issue developed coming to the end of the dual carriageway which was resolved quickly - the Golden Girls had lost sight of us as we approached the roundabout, and with their inability to communicate (no CB), Michelle ended up going right round the roundabout to make sure that they could join the convoy again.
Now we were back into Inverness, the convoy split into two, with some going straight back to the camp site and others heading to Morrisons for evening food and for petrol. Early starts mean that filling up isn't that easy, or is an unwelcome distraction from just getting home.
Managing to get the Golden Girls half way to the camp site before they lost us at lights, me and Tony sorted out as much of Dennis as we could so we could leave as quickly as possible. The usual last night of LEJOG antics ensued: Bug back in the bear costume dancing to MC Hammer's Can't Touch This; Tony getting his head in the bear's head at the same time as Bug and ending up with music himself; the discovery for some people that when your hands are cold, putting them under someone else's armpits warms them up very well indeed; the signing of the bear's t-shirt; Terry's recycled speech (BIG SMILEY) and discussions of how the run had gone.
And so after a few more beers (some more than others) and a quick read through the blog, it waS time to settle down ready for tomorrow's early start...
Firstly, it has been established, as absolute fact, that you are never more than 50 yards from one of Barry's ex's.
Secondly, it's not the World's best idea to ring your girlfriend at ten past eleven, then pass the phone around in a clock fashion, asking random people to speak to her, Barry.
Thirdly, "ooh Barry, please stop, it hurts" is unlikely to make someone stop making you laugh.
So anyway, on with Friday. The quiet morning was shattered by the sound of Chris' tractor driving over a traffic cone in the camp site, but thankfully this was after our little lie-in as we were setting off at 0800 ish. Our first stop, as ever, was Morrisons for our last breakfast. Nothing special or unusual here (thankfully) and after a quick fuel stop we were on our way north on the A9.
Soon, Tony decided that the land we could occasionally see to our right was Northern Europe, and in fact was Canada, because that's easily visible from the East coast of Scotland...
And so we rolled along with the usual overtaking nutters, and Tinker trying to do Nessie's trick of steering towards the Glenmorangie distillery, with Stacy reporting she had a Renault up her bottom.
We decided to carry on up the road without stopping at the posh loos at Golspie, pressing on instead through some light (and not so light) drizzle for the other usual loo stop at Lybster. Jay's Hill at Berriedale was no match for any of the cars (including Chris' tractor (BIG SMILEY)) but one car did have trouble staying on the right side of the road at the roadworks on the top corner...
And so, bimbling along shouting at cows, finding rabbit-sheep and staring at necking horses, we reached Lybster for a much needed loo stop. Leaving the rather cosy loos, we found the students (having sorted out their ignition issues following a vist from Rich's parents) were trying to top up their clutch system. The slave cylinder had decided to leak in a fairly spectacular fashion, but they felt it would be OK if we could all get down to the harbour.
And so, after having pushed the car into position, it was out with my spares and tools, passing over the spare cylinder I'd brought with me (sale or return is rather cool) and letting them get on with it.
Half an hour, a bit of cake, a cup of coffee and a paddle in the sea later, and the cylinder was swapped, but some serious adjustment was needed before the first attempt at the hill could be made. More adjustment was needed after that, once the car had rolled back down the hill...
Eventually we were back on our way to John O'Groats, with some more drizzle and lots of waving at cyclists doing the same trip as we were. It was an easy run in to the roundabout, and almost before we'd got out of Dennis there were people getting their pictures taken - including Bug in the CHSW teddy costume...
A wander around the shops looking for miscellaneous tat, and then some rolling repairs to the horn and headlight flasher connections, and we were ready to head back to the camp site again.
The run back was largely uneventful, which was good, as we were all rather tired. We stopped at Golspie this time, in the posh loos with the gaps at the tops of the walls. There were words of advice for the ladies ("stamp your feet", "shake the lettuce" etc) and after a little confusion to get out of the car park and back on the main road we were back on the way. A slight issue developed coming to the end of the dual carriageway which was resolved quickly - the Golden Girls had lost sight of us as we approached the roundabout, and with their inability to communicate (no CB), Michelle ended up going right round the roundabout to make sure that they could join the convoy again.
Now we were back into Inverness, the convoy split into two, with some going straight back to the camp site and others heading to Morrisons for evening food and for petrol. Early starts mean that filling up isn't that easy, or is an unwelcome distraction from just getting home.
Managing to get the Golden Girls half way to the camp site before they lost us at lights, me and Tony sorted out as much of Dennis as we could so we could leave as quickly as possible. The usual last night of LEJOG antics ensued: Bug back in the bear costume dancing to MC Hammer's Can't Touch This; Tony getting his head in the bear's head at the same time as Bug and ending up with music himself; the discovery for some people that when your hands are cold, putting them under someone else's armpits warms them up very well indeed; the signing of the bear's t-shirt; Terry's recycled speech (BIG SMILEY) and discussions of how the run had gone.
And so after a few more beers (some more than others) and a quick read through the blog, it waS time to settle down ready for tomorrow's early start...
Thursday, 24 June 2010
DAY 6: 24th June 2010
Hm. Glad I wasn't driving first this morning. Not hung over, just a little woolly feeling. Up at 0600, tents all away and ready to go at 0700, set off and parked just outside the campsite for 1/2 hour while the Student's second car decided to throw a wobbly.
Eventually, ignition issues were identified and Terry produced a legendary box of tricks which seemed to work enough for us to get on our way. Next stop, quick toilet break then on to Dumbarton for breakfast.
Aside from the usual muppets, and the B719 (the only dual carriageway B-road I know of) having a surface as uneven as bits of Mars, we didn't really have any trouble getting to breakfast, and even getting round Glasgow and to the Erskine Bridge went smoothly. The rest of the day, along Loch Lomond and to Glencoe was basically sitting back and enjoying the scenery, when we could see it. The weather had closed in a bit since we'd left Moffat, and was getting worse the further we ventured into the Highlands. And of course whenever we stopped and car 8 turned their engine off, it had to be tow started. Terry's Multispark seems to have done really well.
So eventually, with Bug temporarily changing teams from Luna-tic to the Students and driving car 7, we got to FOrt William. The only problems were the odd set of roadworks and the weather, both of which cleared up eventually. THedn we hit more traffic.
This time though it was due to a rather nasty accident on the A82, a couple of miles south of Fort Augustus. We were sat for about half an hour waiting for the road to re-open after a coming-together between a small truck and a Freelander, which appeared to have come off worst. The fire crews had done their job though, and we were back on our way.
On the outskirts of Fort Augustus, we missed the chance of a coffee though: lone of the bungalows on the left hand side going North had left a sign out by their gate: LEJOG MINIS COFFEE. Unfortunately though Carol and Michelle didn't realise the sign was there until they were past it, but the rest of us made sure the people waving knew we'd seen it and it was appreciated. Investigations continue as to who they were, if only to say thank you.
And so, past Fort Augustus we carried on along the glen towards the camp site, with plenty to talk about. Running alongside Loch Ness, the sun was trying to come out and when it did, it gave the water an almost sea-like blue. Very nice.
We made the customary stop at Urquhart Castle on the loch, with the customary photo opportunities, the customary dash up the hillside for the men, and the customary swearing from the ladies. A brief stop to stretch legs (and an opportunity for Jo to try falling off a wall (BIG SMILEY)), then soon after we'd made it to Inverness, and into the campsite.
So here we are - set up at the last campsite on the run, 2 nights here, with John O'Groats tomorrow. But of course that's after food and a beer or two and some well earned kip. For now, whilst we're waiting for the former and getting started on the latter, we're all sat in Barry's summer house, reminiscing, chatting and generally having fun. Night night!
Eventually, ignition issues were identified and Terry produced a legendary box of tricks which seemed to work enough for us to get on our way. Next stop, quick toilet break then on to Dumbarton for breakfast.
Aside from the usual muppets, and the B719 (the only dual carriageway B-road I know of) having a surface as uneven as bits of Mars, we didn't really have any trouble getting to breakfast, and even getting round Glasgow and to the Erskine Bridge went smoothly. The rest of the day, along Loch Lomond and to Glencoe was basically sitting back and enjoying the scenery, when we could see it. The weather had closed in a bit since we'd left Moffat, and was getting worse the further we ventured into the Highlands. And of course whenever we stopped and car 8 turned their engine off, it had to be tow started. Terry's Multispark seems to have done really well.
So eventually, with Bug temporarily changing teams from Luna-tic to the Students and driving car 7, we got to FOrt William. The only problems were the odd set of roadworks and the weather, both of which cleared up eventually. THedn we hit more traffic.
This time though it was due to a rather nasty accident on the A82, a couple of miles south of Fort Augustus. We were sat for about half an hour waiting for the road to re-open after a coming-together between a small truck and a Freelander, which appeared to have come off worst. The fire crews had done their job though, and we were back on our way.
On the outskirts of Fort Augustus, we missed the chance of a coffee though: lone of the bungalows on the left hand side going North had left a sign out by their gate: LEJOG MINIS COFFEE. Unfortunately though Carol and Michelle didn't realise the sign was there until they were past it, but the rest of us made sure the people waving knew we'd seen it and it was appreciated. Investigations continue as to who they were, if only to say thank you.
And so, past Fort Augustus we carried on along the glen towards the camp site, with plenty to talk about. Running alongside Loch Ness, the sun was trying to come out and when it did, it gave the water an almost sea-like blue. Very nice.
We made the customary stop at Urquhart Castle on the loch, with the customary photo opportunities, the customary dash up the hillside for the men, and the customary swearing from the ladies. A brief stop to stretch legs (and an opportunity for Jo to try falling off a wall (BIG SMILEY)), then soon after we'd made it to Inverness, and into the campsite.
So here we are - set up at the last campsite on the run, 2 nights here, with John O'Groats tomorrow. But of course that's after food and a beer or two and some well earned kip. For now, whilst we're waiting for the former and getting started on the latter, we're all sat in Barry's summer house, reminiscing, chatting and generally having fun. Night night!
DAY 5: 23rd June 2010
The birds didn't bother us so much this morning, as the double glazing in the Travelbodge managed to block them out - plus there weren't that many round the motorway.
We managed to assemble in time in the car park, with Bug's Prozac gland working overtime. No one has yet figured out any other explanation for the high level of cheeriness...
And so, it was time to roll up a short bit of motorway, heading for Kendal and breakfast. The run up there was straightforward, we'd managed to avoid much of the rush hour and then we hit Kendal town centre. Just for us, Kendal Council had decided to close the road which would largely take us straight to our food, and the diversion was taking twice as much traffic as normal.
We got split up at this point, with some of us continuing down the closed road (which was only closed halfway down its length) and ending up in a housing estate, where a passing person was asked for directions. By this time I'd managed to get the Morrisons store in TomTom and we headed for there, with the Golden Girls in tow - but then we found that route wasn't too hot either. Onto Google Maps on the phone, and we ended up going the right way, and caught Lottie on the way, who followed us in to the store.
So, breakfast was ordered, and we were soon munching. Tony and Ian (car 4) nipped off to grab some stuff from the store, whilst someone nipped out of the fire door in the restaurant, setting off the door alarm. Wasn't going to stop me eating my breakfast of course...
Once done, it was back to the cars, where we found that the bits bought by Tony and Ian were to decorate Luna, as it was Bug's birthday. The pink ballons didn't last that long though once we got on the road.
Bug also got a present in the form of an interactive children's book, with pictures of guinea pigs, rabbits and cats. The interactive part was that each animal had some "fur" attached that could be stroked. Yes, I don't know quite why someone bought that, but Bug seemed to like it and there were plenty of innuendos flowing...
And so the journey continued; though it was a bit hazy (and cloudy in places) we could see Shap Fell, which was nice, and apart from getting split up a bit in Penrith there were no issues until we left, when we were buzzed by a Vanker from JC Furnishings of Penrith, who was rather keen on overtaking with oncoming traffic, and cutting up every car he pulled in front of.
Next challenge was, as ever, Carlisle. As if the traffic and lights weren't bad enough we had to get out of the way of a police van too - and the whole run through Carlisle could not have been fun for the GOlden Girls who haven't had a CB for the whole run - but once we got up to Gretna they were once more very appreciative of mine and Tony's attempts to keep them together with the group.
The Gretna stop was not too far, and welcome once we got there. Souveniers were bought, ice cream eaten and Barry got some vegetarian haggis too and before we knew it, we were back on our way to Moffat, another nice but uneventful journey.
Once on the campsite we got set up, and the Students headed off to the Star Hotel to watch the football. At this point, with us having plenty of time before we were eating, some people got together to try to get better reception on some of the CBs. Carol and Michelle's was first, ands bad SWR was diagnosed, fixed by fiddling with the aerial. Apparently, Carol had "pushed it in too far", and when doing the same with Stacy's, she proclaimed that "it's tight behind there, be careful"...
Still with plenty of time before food, Barry offered to take some of us Geocaching (a GPS based activity where objects are hidden and swapped by other geocachers - I'm sure someone has a fuller description). So Barry, me, Tony, Bug and Stacy headed off about 4 miles from the camp site to find a cache called the "Last Post", not far from a memorial to 2 postal workers overcome by snow in 1831... We were rather lucky on the way, as a nutter in a Peugeot decided to cross the white lines on a narrow bridge - a nasty crash was narrowly averted, and the rest of the visit to the geocache was much happier.
We got back and had a little more time to chill out before heading off for our food at the Star Hotel. Although the ordering system was fine again, there was some confusion over who was having haggis as a starter, and as a main course. In amongst the confusion it had been orgnaised that the vegetarian haggis from Gretna would be cooked up and served for Bug's birthday treat, which went down well in more ways than one. And so the innuendos flowed...
After our meals, some of us headed back to the campsite whilst others stayed in the pub, discussing how the run was going so far, who was driving which sections next etc. And after a few more swahlees (as I believe it's spelt) we headed back to the campsite ourselves. We tried our best to not annoy the caravan crowd, but it's not that easy when your tents are identified by a light, and me and Chris were singing "There's a light... over at the Frankenstein place"...
And so, to bed...
We managed to assemble in time in the car park, with Bug's Prozac gland working overtime. No one has yet figured out any other explanation for the high level of cheeriness...
And so, it was time to roll up a short bit of motorway, heading for Kendal and breakfast. The run up there was straightforward, we'd managed to avoid much of the rush hour and then we hit Kendal town centre. Just for us, Kendal Council had decided to close the road which would largely take us straight to our food, and the diversion was taking twice as much traffic as normal.
We got split up at this point, with some of us continuing down the closed road (which was only closed halfway down its length) and ending up in a housing estate, where a passing person was asked for directions. By this time I'd managed to get the Morrisons store in TomTom and we headed for there, with the Golden Girls in tow - but then we found that route wasn't too hot either. Onto Google Maps on the phone, and we ended up going the right way, and caught Lottie on the way, who followed us in to the store.
So, breakfast was ordered, and we were soon munching. Tony and Ian (car 4) nipped off to grab some stuff from the store, whilst someone nipped out of the fire door in the restaurant, setting off the door alarm. Wasn't going to stop me eating my breakfast of course...
Once done, it was back to the cars, where we found that the bits bought by Tony and Ian were to decorate Luna, as it was Bug's birthday. The pink ballons didn't last that long though once we got on the road.
Bug also got a present in the form of an interactive children's book, with pictures of guinea pigs, rabbits and cats. The interactive part was that each animal had some "fur" attached that could be stroked. Yes, I don't know quite why someone bought that, but Bug seemed to like it and there were plenty of innuendos flowing...
And so the journey continued; though it was a bit hazy (and cloudy in places) we could see Shap Fell, which was nice, and apart from getting split up a bit in Penrith there were no issues until we left, when we were buzzed by a Vanker from JC Furnishings of Penrith, who was rather keen on overtaking with oncoming traffic, and cutting up every car he pulled in front of.
Next challenge was, as ever, Carlisle. As if the traffic and lights weren't bad enough we had to get out of the way of a police van too - and the whole run through Carlisle could not have been fun for the GOlden Girls who haven't had a CB for the whole run - but once we got up to Gretna they were once more very appreciative of mine and Tony's attempts to keep them together with the group.
The Gretna stop was not too far, and welcome once we got there. Souveniers were bought, ice cream eaten and Barry got some vegetarian haggis too and before we knew it, we were back on our way to Moffat, another nice but uneventful journey.
Once on the campsite we got set up, and the Students headed off to the Star Hotel to watch the football. At this point, with us having plenty of time before we were eating, some people got together to try to get better reception on some of the CBs. Carol and Michelle's was first, ands bad SWR was diagnosed, fixed by fiddling with the aerial. Apparently, Carol had "pushed it in too far", and when doing the same with Stacy's, she proclaimed that "it's tight behind there, be careful"...
Still with plenty of time before food, Barry offered to take some of us Geocaching (a GPS based activity where objects are hidden and swapped by other geocachers - I'm sure someone has a fuller description). So Barry, me, Tony, Bug and Stacy headed off about 4 miles from the camp site to find a cache called the "Last Post", not far from a memorial to 2 postal workers overcome by snow in 1831... We were rather lucky on the way, as a nutter in a Peugeot decided to cross the white lines on a narrow bridge - a nasty crash was narrowly averted, and the rest of the visit to the geocache was much happier.
We got back and had a little more time to chill out before heading off for our food at the Star Hotel. Although the ordering system was fine again, there was some confusion over who was having haggis as a starter, and as a main course. In amongst the confusion it had been orgnaised that the vegetarian haggis from Gretna would be cooked up and served for Bug's birthday treat, which went down well in more ways than one. And so the innuendos flowed...
After our meals, some of us headed back to the campsite whilst others stayed in the pub, discussing how the run was going so far, who was driving which sections next etc. And after a few more swahlees (as I believe it's spelt) we headed back to the campsite ourselves. We tried our best to not annoy the caravan crowd, but it's not that easy when your tents are identified by a light, and me and Chris were singing "There's a light... over at the Frankenstein place"...
And so, to bed...
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
DAY 4: 22nd June 2010
Bleh! 0555? no way am I getting up yet...
OK, it's 0600, got to shift and pack everything up. After coffee, of course... for some reason (which I can't see being alcohol related as I only had one) I felt a little hung over this morning, but it was probably due to lack of kip thru the night. It was a lot cooler, and as a reuslt the inside of the tent was soaking with condensation. Luckily though it hadn't come thru the inner skin, so I was dry until I stuck my head out and got a run of water down the back of my neck... and as for the birds were at it again. Almost wish we'd had the seagulls after all...
We got everything packed up, chucking the tents and chairs in the back of the support vehicle - this year it's Lottie's pick up - and got underway, heading as quickly as we could for Bridgwater and breakfast. There was another change to the run order, with car 9 coming between us in car 5 and Barry in car 6, so we could make sure they'd know where they were going. So the run order was now:
1, 2 and an Arfur, 10, 3, 4, 5, 9, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 and Lottie bringing up the rear as 15.
The big events of the first part of the day (Lynton/Lynmouth and Porlock Hill) arrived soon enough, with Carol and Michelle heading the wrong way in Lynton, and Team Undercover Teddy Bear having to pull over half way down Porlock Hill due to boiling brake fluid. They managed to catch up though once we got a little further, due to a silly old lady in a Micra doing her best to stay under 30. even in national speed limit areas...
Morrisons at Bridgwater was the breakfast stop, and we were here for an hour or so to tank up the cars as well as ourselves. We found out at this point that Jo has never slept in a tent before, so Moffat and Inverness should be interesting...
We headed north, through West Huntspill, intrigued by the number of sign posts to the "Secret World", and then it was on to a short run of the M5 north and on to a loo break at Chepstow services.
Over the old Severn crossing (£5.50 for cars) we caught some local CB users who were happy for us to stay on channel while we went through, and then on to the border roads - not the best place to be trying to write blog posts, as the car bounces all over the place 8-)
And so we meandered up the borders, getting a little lost in Herefortd, and as someone said, "getting a bit mixed up at the back".
Next stop, a loo and coffee break at Secret Hills in Craven Arms swhich is where Rich got Willy last year (!).
At this point, because Stacy and Barry were wandering around in the wilderness, Chris kidnapped Bug. For quite some time they were driving along, with Chris not all that keen on the choice of the music in Bug's head, but finding his new passenger entertaining whenever cow related things went by, particularly the "moo poo for sale". Of course the other half of Team Luna-tic wanted to be reunited, but it wouldn't happen for a few miles more.
And before we knew it, we'd got through large chunks of Cheshire, and after a trek up the motorway with the Golden Girls in tow, we arrived at the services. Apparently on arrival, Bug had asked how long we'd be staying as she could do with the loo. Seeing as this is the overnight stop...
Settling in to the room and a beer later, we're currently sat outside enjoying the weather, ready for leaving at 0700 tomorrow morning. At least it's a shorter, more relaxed day tomorrow, and we should be in Moffat for 3.
OK, it's 0600, got to shift and pack everything up. After coffee, of course... for some reason (which I can't see being alcohol related as I only had one) I felt a little hung over this morning, but it was probably due to lack of kip thru the night. It was a lot cooler, and as a reuslt the inside of the tent was soaking with condensation. Luckily though it hadn't come thru the inner skin, so I was dry until I stuck my head out and got a run of water down the back of my neck... and as for the
We got everything packed up, chucking the tents and chairs in the back of the support vehicle - this year it's Lottie's pick up - and got underway, heading as quickly as we could for Bridgwater and breakfast. There was another change to the run order, with car 9 coming between us in car 5 and Barry in car 6, so we could make sure they'd know where they were going. So the run order was now:
1, 2 and an Arfur, 10, 3, 4, 5, 9, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 and Lottie bringing up the rear as 15.
The big events of the first part of the day (Lynton/Lynmouth and Porlock Hill) arrived soon enough, with Carol and Michelle heading the wrong way in Lynton, and Team Undercover Teddy Bear having to pull over half way down Porlock Hill due to boiling brake fluid. They managed to catch up though once we got a little further, due to a silly old lady in a Micra doing her best to stay under 30. even in national speed limit areas...
Morrisons at Bridgwater was the breakfast stop, and we were here for an hour or so to tank up the cars as well as ourselves. We found out at this point that Jo has never slept in a tent before, so Moffat and Inverness should be interesting...
We headed north, through West Huntspill, intrigued by the number of sign posts to the "Secret World", and then it was on to a short run of the M5 north and on to a loo break at Chepstow services.
Over the old Severn crossing (£5.50 for cars) we caught some local CB users who were happy for us to stay on channel while we went through, and then on to the border roads - not the best place to be trying to write blog posts, as the car bounces all over the place 8-)
And so we meandered up the borders, getting a little lost in Herefortd, and as someone said, "getting a bit mixed up at the back".
Next stop, a loo and coffee break at Secret Hills in Craven Arms swhich is where Rich got Willy last year (!).
At this point, because Stacy and Barry were wandering around in the wilderness, Chris kidnapped Bug. For quite some time they were driving along, with Chris not all that keen on the choice of the music in Bug's head, but finding his new passenger entertaining whenever cow related things went by, particularly the "moo poo for sale". Of course the other half of Team Luna-tic wanted to be reunited, but it wouldn't happen for a few miles more.
And before we knew it, we'd got through large chunks of Cheshire, and after a trek up the motorway with the Golden Girls in tow, we arrived at the services. Apparently on arrival, Bug had asked how long we'd be staying as she could do with the loo. Seeing as this is the overnight stop...
Settling in to the room and a beer later, we're currently sat outside enjoying the weather, ready for leaving at 0700 tomorrow morning. At least it's a shorter, more relaxed day tomorrow, and we should be in Moffat for 3.
Day 3: 21st June 2010
The longest day started early. Very early. why is British wildlife so darn loud?
We headed off to Morrisons as normal, breakfasting quickly then headed off to the Children's Hospice South West again. THis was more of a flying visit than on Sunday, and we all squeezed round the fountain for a few photos.
Unfortunately the lack of a rear view mirror in Dennis was a major factor in the spare wheel nudging the driver's side wing of Barry's car, Charlie. A slight dint, but no paint broken - and at least it was Tony driving, not me (BIG SMILEY)!
Off we went from there, on our way to Lands End. The students were having issues with tyres rubbing in the corners, but a slightly less spirited driving style helped there.
We reached Camelford without too many hold ups, and had our loo stop there - where
coincidentally, there is *no* mobile signal. Sam and Dave in car 10 had some roblems keeping up on some of the hills (something I know quite well!) so we arranged to move car 10 up to car 3's position, with Jo becoming car 2 and an Arthur (groan)
The rest of the run down to Lands End was uneventful, and we rolled into the car park after the usual "confuse the attendant" moment at the gates. "Yes, we're booked in to park by the sign post" "Oh, ee know nuthin bout thaaat"... Finally though we got in, lined up and ready for pictures and after a "genuine" cornish pasty, we made our way back.
Chris was back with us after escorting the cb-less car 9 - a few wrong turns round Redruth had split us up. We found out on the way back that although Chris likes a nibble on an oddly tasting sausage, he's never had a faggot, and prefers to say 'acelet rather than hazlet (that's one for the Lincolnshire folk reading this (BIG SMILEY)).
We headed to Morrisons once we got back to Bideford, tanked up and then travelled in convoy to the Thatched Inn for food. Just as we turned off to head for Abbotsham though, a bee saw fit to slam into the driver's side a-post seam, and find its way into my lap. Not knowing whether it was dead or stunned, I ended up spending the rest of the short journey from there propped up in my seat, lest i had a stinging bottom...
We got parked up - no mean feat when there's no parking left, and you're pushing yourself out of the car seat - and I was relieved to find the bee was no more, and had actually left half of itself stuck to my t-shirt...
Once in the Thatched Inn I managed to get the first 2 days blog posts up on to the net, and soon the food appeared. We were housed in the gala tent, with each order tied to the car which had ordered it, which turned out to be a very efficient way to order and to pay later on.
There were many topics of conversation, including one confusing moment where Rich was describing a film he'd seen where a man who was hung up by the Vietnamese - which some of us thought was a euphemism for a part of his anatomy... more confusion arose when we looked at the sweet menu, which offered, amongst other things, a "caramelised apple granny". I wasn't sure about ordering it, half expecting some kind of sugar caged old woman being served on a platter with an apple in her mouth - well, you never know...
Once we'd all finished, it was everyone for themselves to get back to the campsite for an early night. And as luck would have it, 2 1/2 hours later, was still trying to sort out Dennis' indicators which decided not to indicate on the way back from the pub. A throng of mini owners buzzed round the car, swapping tales of similar issues, volunteering suggestions, unfortunately to no avail.
No, it wadn't the flasher unit behind the dash; no, not the hazard light switch; no, not the fusebox wiring and no, not the switches on the column. Points go to you if you guessed what I should have guessed in the first place - a baked relay. And oh yes, compared to the much cooler evening temperatures, it was baking.
Eventually, all the tools were packed back away, and after a swift Foster's to celebrate fixing it all, it was time for bed, only to get up in 6 hours time...
We headed off to Morrisons as normal, breakfasting quickly then headed off to the Children's Hospice South West again. THis was more of a flying visit than on Sunday, and we all squeezed round the fountain for a few photos.
Unfortunately the lack of a rear view mirror in Dennis was a major factor in the spare wheel nudging the driver's side wing of Barry's car, Charlie. A slight dint, but no paint broken - and at least it was Tony driving, not me (BIG SMILEY)!
Off we went from there, on our way to Lands End. The students were having issues with tyres rubbing in the corners, but a slightly less spirited driving style helped there.
We reached Camelford without too many hold ups, and had our loo stop there - where
coincidentally, there is *no* mobile signal. Sam and Dave in car 10 had some roblems keeping up on some of the hills (something I know quite well!) so we arranged to move car 10 up to car 3's position, with Jo becoming car 2 and an Arthur (groan)
The rest of the run down to Lands End was uneventful, and we rolled into the car park after the usual "confuse the attendant" moment at the gates. "Yes, we're booked in to park by the sign post" "Oh, ee know nuthin bout thaaat"... Finally though we got in, lined up and ready for pictures and after a "genuine" cornish pasty, we made our way back.
Chris was back with us after escorting the cb-less car 9 - a few wrong turns round Redruth had split us up. We found out on the way back that although Chris likes a nibble on an oddly tasting sausage, he's never had a faggot, and prefers to say 'acelet rather than hazlet (that's one for the Lincolnshire folk reading this (BIG SMILEY)).
We headed to Morrisons once we got back to Bideford, tanked up and then travelled in convoy to the Thatched Inn for food. Just as we turned off to head for Abbotsham though, a bee saw fit to slam into the driver's side a-post seam, and find its way into my lap. Not knowing whether it was dead or stunned, I ended up spending the rest of the short journey from there propped up in my seat, lest i had a stinging bottom...
We got parked up - no mean feat when there's no parking left, and you're pushing yourself out of the car seat - and I was relieved to find the bee was no more, and had actually left half of itself stuck to my t-shirt...
Once in the Thatched Inn I managed to get the first 2 days blog posts up on to the net, and soon the food appeared. We were housed in the gala tent, with each order tied to the car which had ordered it, which turned out to be a very efficient way to order and to pay later on.
There were many topics of conversation, including one confusing moment where Rich was describing a film he'd seen where a man who was hung up by the Vietnamese - which some of us thought was a euphemism for a part of his anatomy... more confusion arose when we looked at the sweet menu, which offered, amongst other things, a "caramelised apple granny". I wasn't sure about ordering it, half expecting some kind of sugar caged old woman being served on a platter with an apple in her mouth - well, you never know...
Once we'd all finished, it was everyone for themselves to get back to the campsite for an early night. And as luck would have it, 2 1/2 hours later, was still trying to sort out Dennis' indicators which decided not to indicate on the way back from the pub. A throng of mini owners buzzed round the car, swapping tales of similar issues, volunteering suggestions, unfortunately to no avail.
No, it wadn't the flasher unit behind the dash; no, not the hazard light switch; no, not the fusebox wiring and no, not the switches on the column. Points go to you if you guessed what I should have guessed in the first place - a baked relay. And oh yes, compared to the much cooler evening temperatures, it was baking.
Eventually, all the tools were packed back away, and after a swift Foster's to celebrate fixing it all, it was time for bed, only to get up in 6 hours time...
Monday, 21 June 2010
Day 2: 20th June 2010
If only all drizzle was lemon...
Sunday morning arrived eventually with the sound of birdsong - although we'd escaped the Gulls of Westward Ho! we had attracted the attention of plenty of other birdy type things. Early. Again. Oh well, the rest of the night's sleep had been good, if a little slanted due to the choice of pitches, but it could have been worse. At least the weather had been good to us.
Off we went to Sainsbury's for breakfast and to meet up with others who hadn't camped, and some of us tanked up art thew slightly expensive supermarket petrol station, then it was off to the hospice to start cleaning the cars and vans.
Whilst there, attention for some of us turned to sorting out Luna's dodgy electrics, which had led to Team Luna-tic not getting back under their own steam from Alison and Ian's barbeque. A dodgy fusebox was identified first, then some dodgy connections and then finally, after a couple of sessions with The Mighty Crimpers, everything was working again. Yay!
Lunchbreak was next, where many things were snaffled, and Penny brought out a rather gorgeous lemon drizzle cake, leading me to suggest it would be good if all drizzle was lemon, as it would help to wash cars without any effort. Chris mentioned that it might be a little sticky (as the bishop said to the actress), and I clarified that it could still rain, but it would have to be purple - if it wasn't, it would probably make doves cry. Particularly if it was a red corvette being cleaned, with a raspberry beret...
Our Prince marathon was interrupted by some lesbian cows, and cries of "Moo!" from Bug...
Once we got going again, the vans were washed and polished, and so we headed back to the camp site, via Asda to pick up a bucket, some salt and some ice - as our beer stocks had got a little warm thru the day. We managed to get a big enough bucket, but unfortunately we were beaten to the ice by other shoppers. Fortunately a cheeky word with the fishmonger saw us getting 3 bags of fresh ice - so thanks to him, we could get some chillier beer - Yay!
And so we settled down to a bevvy or two, discussing the meaning of the word "flange". Soon, Stacy was in stitches as the innuendos were flying (there was something about pelvic floor muscles which made her run away smirking, which was nice (BIG SMILEY))
Out came the barbeques, Penny and Ian's going up a treat and our "3 for a fiver" Asda ones not really doing all that well. After rather a long time, in which one half was cooking from the barbeque and the other half being cooked quicker by the sun, we had our sausage buns and peppered steaks - yum!
As the sun started to go down it was getting more chilly than the beer bucket, and some people applied extra layers - by the way, what's pink and has one eye? Yes, it's Stacy in a hoody (BIG SMILEY)
With what was left of the barbeques that had by now gone out, we combined all three and got them going again. Yea, and there was much wafting and warmth and we sat up a little longer as Hendrix was playing out of Dennis' boot, and discussed other LEJOGgers bottoms.
Eventually though, it was timned to retire, ready for our first Morrisons breakfasts and the run to Lands End...
Sunday morning arrived eventually with the sound of birdsong - although we'd escaped the Gulls of Westward Ho! we had attracted the attention of plenty of other birdy type things. Early. Again. Oh well, the rest of the night's sleep had been good, if a little slanted due to the choice of pitches, but it could have been worse. At least the weather had been good to us.
Off we went to Sainsbury's for breakfast and to meet up with others who hadn't camped, and some of us tanked up art thew slightly expensive supermarket petrol station, then it was off to the hospice to start cleaning the cars and vans.
Whilst there, attention for some of us turned to sorting out Luna's dodgy electrics, which had led to Team Luna-tic not getting back under their own steam from Alison and Ian's barbeque. A dodgy fusebox was identified first, then some dodgy connections and then finally, after a couple of sessions with The Mighty Crimpers, everything was working again. Yay!
Lunchbreak was next, where many things were snaffled, and Penny brought out a rather gorgeous lemon drizzle cake, leading me to suggest it would be good if all drizzle was lemon, as it would help to wash cars without any effort. Chris mentioned that it might be a little sticky (as the bishop said to the actress), and I clarified that it could still rain, but it would have to be purple - if it wasn't, it would probably make doves cry. Particularly if it was a red corvette being cleaned, with a raspberry beret...
Our Prince marathon was interrupted by some lesbian cows, and cries of "Moo!" from Bug...
Once we got going again, the vans were washed and polished, and so we headed back to the camp site, via Asda to pick up a bucket, some salt and some ice - as our beer stocks had got a little warm thru the day. We managed to get a big enough bucket, but unfortunately we were beaten to the ice by other shoppers. Fortunately a cheeky word with the fishmonger saw us getting 3 bags of fresh ice - so thanks to him, we could get some chillier beer - Yay!
And so we settled down to a bevvy or two, discussing the meaning of the word "flange". Soon, Stacy was in stitches as the innuendos were flying (there was something about pelvic floor muscles which made her run away smirking, which was nice (BIG SMILEY))
Out came the barbeques, Penny and Ian's going up a treat and our "3 for a fiver" Asda ones not really doing all that well. After rather a long time, in which one half was cooking from the barbeque and the other half being cooked quicker by the sun, we had our sausage buns and peppered steaks - yum!
As the sun started to go down it was getting more chilly than the beer bucket, and some people applied extra layers - by the way, what's pink and has one eye? Yes, it's Stacy in a hoody (BIG SMILEY)
With what was left of the barbeques that had by now gone out, we combined all three and got them going again. Yea, and there was much wafting and warmth and we sat up a little longer as Hendrix was playing out of Dennis' boot, and discussed other LEJOGgers bottoms.
Eventually though, it was timned to retire, ready for our first Morrisons breakfasts and the run to Lands End...
Day 1: 19th June 2010
An early start at work saw me and Tony with everything packed into Dennis and we left the back door at about 0702, once again waved off by a throng of, er, none.
Straight on the A61, wondering whether the waypoints that TOny had set would work OK. We had a few curious changes of route on the way, thanks to things like TomTom's most up to date maps not knowing about the 2 year old changes to the centre of Wakefield.
This time, we chose to follow the A38 through Birmingham rather than trying to skirt round, and so this year is the first that we've not used a single M-road. Going this way, Dennis almost went home again as we drove through Longbridge. Not much there now but it actually seemed a lot easier and quicker.
We saw the Doors on the way too. Not the real ones, nor even a tribute band, but loads of them stuck against a wall. They'd tried to get into the music business themselves, but found it wasn't the opening they were looking for (groan)...
The run down to Bristol went well, and we met up with Team Luna (Stacy and Sarah - AKA Bug) earlier than expected. A quick loo break reminded us of the old adage: "Always check round the corner for urinals before taking up 2 cubicles"... After a wander around Bristol thanks to a road closure, we ended up crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 50p in the bucket later - and the little bloke in his jacket running out to press a button - and we were on to the other side.
A nice steady run down to Bideford after that, traffic was fairly good and we were at Asda to pick up some more supplies by 1615. Full of stuff, we headed off to the camp site, where some of our fellow LEJOGgers were already pitched. Chris had made it in his tractor (BIG SMILEY) after following our many instructions, and we pitched the tents, chilled out for a little and headed off to Alison and Ian's for the barbeque.
Once there, we found the beer bucket a little lacking (I think some BYO was expected) so me and Chris shot off back to Sainsburys to grab some more for us, and by the time we were back the food was nearly ready.
And so, the evening progressed; we got to hear that since Jock was fixed, Carol's not had trouble with trapped wind (BIG SMILEY), and every third sentence for a while was ripe for (and followed by) "as the bishop said to the actress" or vice versa. Good stuff.
And then, after a small forehead/lintel interface moment (which is still a little sore) we got to hear about the annual inspections that Chris does, once a year... We got to hear how wood and steel frames for buildings differ, and established that rabbits last better in shipping containers but marshmallows don't, unless they're in Chard. All brought about by the jet engine which was lit again this year, although burning through 4 days of Penny's wood may have been excessive...
And so, as the evening drew to a close, we heard that Bug likes to party by herself, with the music in her head audible all over the camp site (BIG SMILEY). It was time to retire for the evening, and so following a hike to the loo block (and a scary meeting with Chris in his dressing gown on the way back) I settled down for the night.
Straight on the A61, wondering whether the waypoints that TOny had set would work OK. We had a few curious changes of route on the way, thanks to things like TomTom's most up to date maps not knowing about the 2 year old changes to the centre of Wakefield.
This time, we chose to follow the A38 through Birmingham rather than trying to skirt round, and so this year is the first that we've not used a single M-road. Going this way, Dennis almost went home again as we drove through Longbridge. Not much there now but it actually seemed a lot easier and quicker.
We saw the Doors on the way too. Not the real ones, nor even a tribute band, but loads of them stuck against a wall. They'd tried to get into the music business themselves, but found it wasn't the opening they were looking for (groan)...
The run down to Bristol went well, and we met up with Team Luna (Stacy and Sarah - AKA Bug) earlier than expected. A quick loo break reminded us of the old adage: "Always check round the corner for urinals before taking up 2 cubicles"... After a wander around Bristol thanks to a road closure, we ended up crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 50p in the bucket later - and the little bloke in his jacket running out to press a button - and we were on to the other side.
A nice steady run down to Bideford after that, traffic was fairly good and we were at Asda to pick up some more supplies by 1615. Full of stuff, we headed off to the camp site, where some of our fellow LEJOGgers were already pitched. Chris had made it in his tractor (BIG SMILEY) after following our many instructions, and we pitched the tents, chilled out for a little and headed off to Alison and Ian's for the barbeque.
Once there, we found the beer bucket a little lacking (I think some BYO was expected) so me and Chris shot off back to Sainsburys to grab some more for us, and by the time we were back the food was nearly ready.
And so, the evening progressed; we got to hear that since Jock was fixed, Carol's not had trouble with trapped wind (BIG SMILEY), and every third sentence for a while was ripe for (and followed by) "as the bishop said to the actress" or vice versa. Good stuff.
And then, after a small forehead/lintel interface moment (which is still a little sore) we got to hear about the annual inspections that Chris does, once a year... We got to hear how wood and steel frames for buildings differ, and established that rabbits last better in shipping containers but marshmallows don't, unless they're in Chard. All brought about by the jet engine which was lit again this year, although burning through 4 days of Penny's wood may have been excessive...
And so, as the evening drew to a close, we heard that Bug likes to party by herself, with the music in her head audible all over the camp site (BIG SMILEY). It was time to retire for the evening, and so following a hike to the loo block (and a scary meeting with Chris in his dressing gown on the way back) I settled down for the night.
Friday, 18 June 2010
11 hours
... give or take, and Dennis, Tony and myself will be on our way down to Devon.
We're taking most of last year's route down the A61 and A38, hoping to be in Bristol for about 1300 where we'll be meeting up with another team, and cruising to the camp site from there.
With any luck we'll have a couple of hours or so to get the tents set up, then it's off for another barbeque 8-)
More, as ever, to come...
We're taking most of last year's route down the A61 and A38, hoping to be in Bristol for about 1300 where we'll be meeting up with another team, and cruising to the camp site from there.
With any luck we'll have a couple of hours or so to get the tents set up, then it's off for another barbeque 8-)
More, as ever, to come...
Thursday, 10 June 2010
A week and a day from tomorrow...
... will see me and Tony heading off on Dennis' 4th Leeds - Lands End - John O'Groats - Leeds run, and we're almost, nearly, sort of, just about, mostly ready.
First order of business was a bit of leak-proofing after last weekend's heavy rain coming back from Skegness, which saw the stereo temporarily go into "full of water mode", turning the volume down to nothing, then jumping between CDs 5 and 6 on the autochanger, which can't have done it any good... at least after spending 4 days in the airing cupboard, the stereo doesn't seem any the worse for it...
One fillet strip from MiniSpares North later, and the windscreen seal is now pushed out to where it should be, with a thick layer of silicone sealant all round. Should keep our feet dry now...
But of course, as happens with these things, there was more. Having ordered a new fan sensor from MiniSpares South (as they hadn't sent any stock to the northern branch for a while) I fell foul of Royal Fail, who tried to deliver it on Saturday, and only managed to get it back to the delivery office for collection on Wednesday morning.
So, armed with parts and stuff, I decided to change the thermostat as a preventative measure whilst the coolant was drained to do the fan sensor. Which was when the top radiator hose split. Another trip to MiniSpares North this lunchtime saw me once again with parts in hand, and I'm glad to say that the coolant is all back in where it should be, with a new fan sensor and thermostat.
I have now also taken out the back seats, which is really going to help with fitting everything in the car. Much more room height wise.
So as ever the preparations continue, although all that's left to do on Dennis is top up the oil and hoy all the kit in.
As for our other preparations, the badges have sold really well. The second batch have been going down as well as the first lot, and now we have more of the pink/purple ones, sales have once again picked up a little. Still plenty left if you want some 8-)
First order of business was a bit of leak-proofing after last weekend's heavy rain coming back from Skegness, which saw the stereo temporarily go into "full of water mode", turning the volume down to nothing, then jumping between CDs 5 and 6 on the autochanger, which can't have done it any good... at least after spending 4 days in the airing cupboard, the stereo doesn't seem any the worse for it...
One fillet strip from MiniSpares North later, and the windscreen seal is now pushed out to where it should be, with a thick layer of silicone sealant all round. Should keep our feet dry now...
But of course, as happens with these things, there was more. Having ordered a new fan sensor from MiniSpares South (as they hadn't sent any stock to the northern branch for a while) I fell foul of Royal Fail, who tried to deliver it on Saturday, and only managed to get it back to the delivery office for collection on Wednesday morning.
So, armed with parts and stuff, I decided to change the thermostat as a preventative measure whilst the coolant was drained to do the fan sensor. Which was when the top radiator hose split. Another trip to MiniSpares North this lunchtime saw me once again with parts in hand, and I'm glad to say that the coolant is all back in where it should be, with a new fan sensor and thermostat.
I have now also taken out the back seats, which is really going to help with fitting everything in the car. Much more room height wise.
So as ever the preparations continue, although all that's left to do on Dennis is top up the oil and hoy all the kit in.
As for our other preparations, the badges have sold really well. The second batch have been going down as well as the first lot, and now we have more of the pink/purple ones, sales have once again picked up a little. Still plenty left if you want some 8-)
Sunday, 23 May 2010
MiniSpares stickers are on!
good weather has seen the list of jobs rapidly diminish.
It's not totally diminished of course, but all the big stuff is done
so there's only little bits left to do.
Roll on June!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Badges?
You all need these (not steenking) badges!
Apologies to the Blazing Saddles fans, but since I started doing the designs for these, I can't get that scene out of my head 8-)
Anyway, I came up with 3 designs, and we got a batch of 100 made. They've been selling like hot cakes, except for the facts that they're not hot, they're not cakes and (thankfully) no-one's been trying to eat them...
Only one single solitary pound sterling per badge, or the full set of 3 for £3 8-)
Apologies to the Blazing Saddles fans, but since I started doing the designs for these, I can't get that scene out of my head 8-)
Anyway, I came up with 3 designs, and we got a batch of 100 made. They've been selling like hot cakes, except for the facts that they're not hot, they're not cakes and (thankfully) no-one's been trying to eat them...
- The first is the the "wordy" one. These haven't proved as popular as the others, but there's still time...
- The second is the light cartoony one, very popular (in fact there's only one left until the next batch arrive).
- The third is the extremely popular cartoony one with a kaleidoscopic purple background. We only got 20 of these and people seemed to go mad for them. None of these left now, until the next batch...
Only one single solitary pound sterling per badge, or the full set of 3 for £3 8-)
Sunday, 16 May 2010
5 weeks...
... until we go - well, just short of 5 weeks now.
The "list of things that really should be done before we go" is decreasing, which is good, but it doesn't look like the new engine bits are going to be on in time. Ho hum. At least there won't be the extra weight of the Minibum this year.
As they promise a slightly better return on donations, we now have a Virgin Money Giving page which handily manages the split between our chosen charities, though unlike Just Giving there's not a handy widget to show how we're doing.
As for how we're doing, sponsorship's a little slow this year though that could partly be down to lots of other things going on at the moment with lots of other people after cash. Hopefully it'll turn round a bit closer to the off. Fingers crossed.
On the plus side, thanks go to Steve at badgesaplenty.com for sorting us out in super quick time with our first batch of merchandise. I'll try to put up a pic or two in the next few days but from tomorrow they'll be available to buy at work.
The "list of things that really should be done before we go" is decreasing, which is good, but it doesn't look like the new engine bits are going to be on in time. Ho hum. At least there won't be the extra weight of the Minibum this year.
As they promise a slightly better return on donations, we now have a Virgin Money Giving page which handily manages the split between our chosen charities, though unlike Just Giving there's not a handy widget to show how we're doing.
As for how we're doing, sponsorship's a little slow this year though that could partly be down to lots of other things going on at the moment with lots of other people after cash. Hopefully it'll turn round a bit closer to the off. Fingers crossed.
On the plus side, thanks go to Steve at badgesaplenty.com for sorting us out in super quick time with our first batch of merchandise. I'll try to put up a pic or two in the next few days but from tomorrow they'll be available to buy at work.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
7 weeks left...
... before we go and so far things are looking good...
I've pretty much finished the website (even though we'd officially
launched it) with some subtle tweaks this morning including an
addition to the "who" said so you can post of see what we look like.
The new chilled cup holders in Dennis appear to be working well,
taking bottles, cans and/or a mix of both.
Still no word on the engine fettling bits from MiniSpares but there's
still plenty of time to get them fitted...
And lastly, we're looking at some options for subtle merchandising too
- more to follow...
Monday, 19 April 2010
For those of you still following...
... this 'ere blog, may I take the opportunity to apologise for being a little remiss in not updating it with little bits of pre-LEJOG trivia as I have in the past.
With 60 days to go, I have now finished the website for this year's run.
Dennis is door-plaqued and in fine fettle for the run - with a little more fettling to come if one of our supporters, MiniSpares North can get the parts ready ;-)
We'll not be taking the Minibum this year, electing instead to pack more carefully - and remove the back seats...
Our sponsorship charge begins at work tomorrow, amidst many other charity requests going on at the moment - must get the Just Giving (or possibly Virgin Money Giving) pages sorted out.
Er, and that's about it. Two months... just two more months...
With 60 days to go, I have now finished the website for this year's run.
Dennis is door-plaqued and in fine fettle for the run - with a little more fettling to come if one of our supporters, MiniSpares North can get the parts ready ;-)
We'll not be taking the Minibum this year, electing instead to pack more carefully - and remove the back seats...
Our sponsorship charge begins at work tomorrow, amidst many other charity requests going on at the moment - must get the Just Giving (or possibly Virgin Money Giving) pages sorted out.
Er, and that's about it. Two months... just two more months...
Sunday, 21 February 2010
2010 - year of the 4th LEJOG
Dennis is MOT'd and freshly dashboarded... door plaques are on their way... lejog2010.dummett.net is being built and myself and Tony are doing it all over again.
More news in the coming days/weeks/months - only 117 days to go!
More news in the coming days/weeks/months - only 117 days to go!
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Update: Friday *and* Saturday
As I write this I'm a bit tired, having still not recovered, so please forgive its tardiness and any spelung mistaxes...
Friday
The last part of our journey started, as usual, with the morning. This was a slightly later morning than previously; the run today was not the longest, and was probably one of the most straightforward so we got to have a lie in for 15minutes or so.
While I'd been writing the Wednesday/Thursday blog post, Julie and Gerry had been hard at work blowing up (and occasionally popping) balloons to decorate Jane's tent, as it was her birthday on Friday. They seemed to go down well when Jane got up, but there was more to come.
First stop was Morrisons for breakfast. Whilst we were eating (and after I'd managed to get a refund after being charged for two breakfasts) the shop's tannoy announced that it was Jane's birthday. Naturally we all had to burst into a rendition of "Happy Birthday" which, although possibly a bit embarrassing, also seemed to go down well.
Fuelled for the day, we set off for John O'Groats accompanied on the Charlie Browns by a trio of sweary Scotsmen. Their accents were so strong that the only recogniseable words all began with f, but that didn't help as they were every second word.
We lost them fairly soon though, so we could carry on listening to Carol's excellent route guiding and, following a flypast from several Tornados, a good description of what Carol and Michelle's plans were for the following week. Before we knew it we were past Dun[Batman and]Robin Castle, motoring up the coast.
We found some more cheaply surfaced roads on the way up, similar to our experiences along the loch roads but thankfully the tar had set and there were much fewer loose chippings to contend with. The recent improvements to much of the A9 were still going on in places and where the roads had been replaced the surfaces were much better. Unfortunately, we found we'd lost some of the best parts of the route. Some of the steep hills and switchbacks we'd encountered on previous runs have now gone, and the original road blocked off. A great disappointment to all of us who had done them before, and something missed for the newbies. Oh well.
Of course, the run up to John O'Groats also involves an incline in a hamlet called Berriedale. This incline is known to 2008 LEJOGgers as "Jay's Hill" and as the only BINI driver, Chris had been a little nervous. However, once we got to the top of the hill, Chris came on the Charlie Brown and informed us that he had actually got up the hill without issue, except for choking on Nessie's smoke. Not bad for a German tractor 8-)
Our run continued up the coast, at times with the nutty drivers we've come to expect on this road. One old gent decided to try getting past the whole convoy, and I'm still not sure whether, when passing us as car 2, waved or shook his fist. If it was frustration, he found plenty more as Michelle left him on one of the larger hills, even with Mini Jock in tow. He eventually turned off, so we could carry on in relative peace.
We arrived in Wick soon after, with plenty of people pointing and looking as we drove through, then on to our usual toilet stop at Lybster - welcomed by everyone. Chris and Tony went ahead down to the harbour, and with Tony in place for more hilly convoy pictures, we all descended.
After parking up for photos we took the opportunity for a cup of coffee/slice of cake at the Waterpoint cafe on the harbour, and Steve the Pirate - amongst others - took the opportunity to take to his natural habitat for a paddle.
Well rested, we left for the last bit of our northbound run and hit John O'Groats soon after. The usual photos at the roundabout and of course for some at the signpost, souvenir buying and so on, then we were back on our way to Inverness.
On the way back, we heard a French gentleman on the Charlie Browns. My french isn't great, but I did manage to respond by asking for a cherry ice cream. Something garbled followed from him (perhaps something impolite about English Charlie Brown users), and then he went quiet.
We stopped off just after Keiss, at Keiss beach, on Chris' recommendation. Unfortunately though it may have been an out of date brochure, as it whiffed a bit and wasn't quite the golden miles we'd expected. There were rumours it might also have been radioactive, but I didn't notice anyone glowing on Friday night, so it must have been OK.
A nice leisurely run brought us to our new toilet stop at Golspie at some of the best public toilets I've ever seen. Think that'll be a regular stop from now on.
And so we returned to Inverness, many of us stocking up on nibbles from Morrisons, of course. Half a chicken and a bit of sausage later - and of course some of Jane's birthday cake - the heavens decided to open for a short but heavy shower which largely brought the party to a close until it stopped. By this time people had begun to disperse to tents, getting ready for their drives home in the morning. Some of us said our goodbyes, knowing that they would be leaving before others, and all of us had thankful words for Terry.
A beer or two later and it was time to try getting some sleep, a long day - and a long week - mostly over.
Saturday
Well, it may be that the seagulls from Westward Ho! had followed us to Inverness. I was woken at about 0500 as some people were packing up to leave and as the seagulls were begging me to have at them with artillery. Grr.
I managed to get a wave off to Lotty and the Queen, though I missed Neil and Andrea. Terry was taking his tent down at this point but, feeling absolutely shattered, I dropped off again.
I woke up again at 0630 to find that only Barry, Carol and Michelle and of course myself and Tony were left. We broke camp fairly quickly, waiting a little for Barry who had decided to head back with us. We'd tanked up at Morrisons so we could get straight off and head down the A9.
It was a very good idea to convoy down with Barry. Setting TomTom to take us down the A9 and finding the next instruction was in 127 miles made us realise how long a drive it is when there's only two very tired people in the car, and how cool an invention the Charlie Brown was.
We made fairly good time considering our limited speed, the rather wet weather and the nutty drivers, managed to get over the Forth Road Bridge and round Edinburgh and at this point we went our separate ways. Barry decided it would be more sensible for him to take the motorways back, whilst me and Tony carried on down the A68.
With the drizzle continuing (and a lack of a passenger side wiper arm due to worn splines) we kept on going on the A68, including a slightly hairy but ultimately enjoyable moment over a blind summit when it felt like we were taking off. Switching to what's left of the Great North Road, we made it back to Leeds and to the front door at work at 1745, earlier than expected.
After unloading the trailer of Tony's gear, it was time to head home for a jolly good kip. This year has to have been the best LEJOG I've been on, yet I think mainly due to the heat it was also by far the most tiring. But that doesn't mean I won't be back for another.
And Tony? Well, after a week of driving Dennis, his reaction to his own car was little different to Paul's the years before: "It's HUGE! and I can't hear the engine!"
Friday
The last part of our journey started, as usual, with the morning. This was a slightly later morning than previously; the run today was not the longest, and was probably one of the most straightforward so we got to have a lie in for 15minutes or so.
While I'd been writing the Wednesday/Thursday blog post, Julie and Gerry had been hard at work blowing up (and occasionally popping) balloons to decorate Jane's tent, as it was her birthday on Friday. They seemed to go down well when Jane got up, but there was more to come.
First stop was Morrisons for breakfast. Whilst we were eating (and after I'd managed to get a refund after being charged for two breakfasts) the shop's tannoy announced that it was Jane's birthday. Naturally we all had to burst into a rendition of "Happy Birthday" which, although possibly a bit embarrassing, also seemed to go down well.
Fuelled for the day, we set off for John O'Groats accompanied on the Charlie Browns by a trio of sweary Scotsmen. Their accents were so strong that the only recogniseable words all began with f, but that didn't help as they were every second word.
We lost them fairly soon though, so we could carry on listening to Carol's excellent route guiding and, following a flypast from several Tornados, a good description of what Carol and Michelle's plans were for the following week. Before we knew it we were past Dun[Batman and]Robin Castle, motoring up the coast.
We found some more cheaply surfaced roads on the way up, similar to our experiences along the loch roads but thankfully the tar had set and there were much fewer loose chippings to contend with. The recent improvements to much of the A9 were still going on in places and where the roads had been replaced the surfaces were much better. Unfortunately, we found we'd lost some of the best parts of the route. Some of the steep hills and switchbacks we'd encountered on previous runs have now gone, and the original road blocked off. A great disappointment to all of us who had done them before, and something missed for the newbies. Oh well.
Of course, the run up to John O'Groats also involves an incline in a hamlet called Berriedale. This incline is known to 2008 LEJOGgers as "Jay's Hill" and as the only BINI driver, Chris had been a little nervous. However, once we got to the top of the hill, Chris came on the Charlie Brown and informed us that he had actually got up the hill without issue, except for choking on Nessie's smoke. Not bad for a German tractor 8-)
Our run continued up the coast, at times with the nutty drivers we've come to expect on this road. One old gent decided to try getting past the whole convoy, and I'm still not sure whether, when passing us as car 2, waved or shook his fist. If it was frustration, he found plenty more as Michelle left him on one of the larger hills, even with Mini Jock in tow. He eventually turned off, so we could carry on in relative peace.
We arrived in Wick soon after, with plenty of people pointing and looking as we drove through, then on to our usual toilet stop at Lybster - welcomed by everyone. Chris and Tony went ahead down to the harbour, and with Tony in place for more hilly convoy pictures, we all descended.
After parking up for photos we took the opportunity for a cup of coffee/slice of cake at the Waterpoint cafe on the harbour, and Steve the Pirate - amongst others - took the opportunity to take to his natural habitat for a paddle.
Well rested, we left for the last bit of our northbound run and hit John O'Groats soon after. The usual photos at the roundabout and of course for some at the signpost, souvenir buying and so on, then we were back on our way to Inverness.
On the way back, we heard a French gentleman on the Charlie Browns. My french isn't great, but I did manage to respond by asking for a cherry ice cream. Something garbled followed from him (perhaps something impolite about English Charlie Brown users), and then he went quiet.
We stopped off just after Keiss, at Keiss beach, on Chris' recommendation. Unfortunately though it may have been an out of date brochure, as it whiffed a bit and wasn't quite the golden miles we'd expected. There were rumours it might also have been radioactive, but I didn't notice anyone glowing on Friday night, so it must have been OK.
A nice leisurely run brought us to our new toilet stop at Golspie at some of the best public toilets I've ever seen. Think that'll be a regular stop from now on.
And so we returned to Inverness, many of us stocking up on nibbles from Morrisons, of course. Half a chicken and a bit of sausage later - and of course some of Jane's birthday cake - the heavens decided to open for a short but heavy shower which largely brought the party to a close until it stopped. By this time people had begun to disperse to tents, getting ready for their drives home in the morning. Some of us said our goodbyes, knowing that they would be leaving before others, and all of us had thankful words for Terry.
A beer or two later and it was time to try getting some sleep, a long day - and a long week - mostly over.
Saturday
Well, it may be that the seagulls from Westward Ho! had followed us to Inverness. I was woken at about 0500 as some people were packing up to leave and as the seagulls were begging me to have at them with artillery. Grr.
I managed to get a wave off to Lotty and the Queen, though I missed Neil and Andrea. Terry was taking his tent down at this point but, feeling absolutely shattered, I dropped off again.
I woke up again at 0630 to find that only Barry, Carol and Michelle and of course myself and Tony were left. We broke camp fairly quickly, waiting a little for Barry who had decided to head back with us. We'd tanked up at Morrisons so we could get straight off and head down the A9.
It was a very good idea to convoy down with Barry. Setting TomTom to take us down the A9 and finding the next instruction was in 127 miles made us realise how long a drive it is when there's only two very tired people in the car, and how cool an invention the Charlie Brown was.
We made fairly good time considering our limited speed, the rather wet weather and the nutty drivers, managed to get over the Forth Road Bridge and round Edinburgh and at this point we went our separate ways. Barry decided it would be more sensible for him to take the motorways back, whilst me and Tony carried on down the A68.
With the drizzle continuing (and a lack of a passenger side wiper arm due to worn splines) we kept on going on the A68, including a slightly hairy but ultimately enjoyable moment over a blind summit when it felt like we were taking off. Switching to what's left of the Great North Road, we made it back to Leeds and to the front door at work at 1745, earlier than expected.
After unloading the trailer of Tony's gear, it was time to head home for a jolly good kip. This year has to have been the best LEJOG I've been on, yet I think mainly due to the heat it was also by far the most tiring. But that doesn't mean I won't be back for another.
And Tony? Well, after a week of driving Dennis, his reaction to his own car was little different to Paul's the years before: "It's HUGE! and I can't hear the engine!"
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Update: Wednesday *and* Thursday
Yes, once again this is a double post for two days worth.
Wednesday
The morning found us all packed and ready to leave Charnock Richard services, for a short trip up the M6 and on to the A6 heading for breakfast at Kendal. Morrisons were a bit more efficient than yesterday, getting our breakfasts ready in time this time.
By the time we'd got to Morrisons it was obvious that the combination of my gutter mount and Lotty's aerial was not enough for me to be heard or for others to hear us. At the retail park where Morrisons is situated, myself and Tony tried Halfords for Charlie Brown gear. Fail. Nothing at all we could use to fix or replace it.
A tiny amount of the conversation involved the disappearance of Mr T (the plastic "in your pocket" type with 6 well known sayings) from outside the hotel. No leads on this one, though it does sound similar to Teef and Moo last year and occasionally he could be heard on the Charlie Browns.
So we left Kendal after tanking up and headed north, strangely enough. I was trying to make sure I stayed close enough to Carol and Michelle as the lead cars to make sure I heard instructions.
And yes, we actually saw Shap Fell this year - and it was definitely worth it. Having seen only rain - or fog - or mist - or drizzle - the last two times I've been up there, it was a welcome change to be able to see the road, let alone the view.
We had the usual 5-way split in Carlisle due to the traffic lights, but Carnforth this year was much better as we pretty much stayed together and before we knew it, our passports had been checked and we were officially visitors to Scottishland.
Our next stop was the usual lunchbreak at Gretna Green. One of the first jobs after scoffing a ridiculously overpriced sandwich and a curiously reasonable ice cream, was to put Lotty's aerial back together. To make sure we could hear and be heard, I decided there was nothing else to do but use the magmount.
I grabbed some speciality beers and we headed off to Moffat, which handily on this shortest of our days was only a short distance away.
We arrived at Moffat camp site by 1500 and it was pretty much as it has been for the past couple of years: the average age of the LEJOGgers was less than a 3rd of the apparent average age of the other campers/caravanners, and they stuck us at the side under the midge filled trees.
But the wee beasties were out in force - after several days of warmth and clear skies, they were all out and hungry as soon as we arrived.
So, tents up, keep moving so they don't work out you're there and edible, and take a walk round the town trying to find some Lego. Unfortunately Moffat's "summer opening hours" hadn't kicked in yet, so half day closing on Wednesdays is still the norm. The only toy shop also didn't see real Lego.
Somewhat dejected, I walked back to the camp with Tony and Team Jellybean (aka the students with Steve the Pirate, "Yaaar!") for a quick beer before heading for the Star Inn. This, as previous readers will remember, is the narrowest hotel in the UK, and is the usual haunt for us to eat in Moffat. One rather nice meal and a dessert later (and the sight of Baz and the Queen sharing a dessert) we spent some more time in the lower floor getting to know each other a bit better.
Heading back to the tents, the midges were in attack mode. Several made their way into my tent, though leaving my little LED light on kept them attracted enough to let me sleep.
Thursday
Morning, as has typically been the case, came earlier than anticipated so I thought the best thing was to get up and pack away with more than enough time left. Then I saw the massed forces of the Revolutionary Midge Army around the tent door. Nothing for it than to charge out and get the tent folded up quick in an effort to not be bitten too badly. This year they seem to have developed a taste for me, though I've not reacted to them.
The A-series (and diesel) dawn chorus coughed into life at 0700 on the dot (camp rules and all that) and we were off on our way to breakfast at Dumbarton. Tony and John went ahead to try getting some photos as we were descending to cross the motorway but the long grass defeated the best of efforts.
Better news was Strathaven - we didn't get lost and we all stuck together (apart from the early morning idiots on the roads). This meant we were actually ahead of time, so we managed to hit the rush hour for every place we went through. We had some bad splits in the convoy but eventually we arrived at Morrisons.
The cafe was much more efficient today, although the service wasn't fantastic and the ordering system was different to every other Morrisons we'd been in. After fuelling both ourselves and our cars we headed off again over the Erskine Bridge and on to Loch Lomond.
Our usual stopping point on the Loch was busy with those darned tourists, so we pressed on. Loch Lomond went by quickly and before we knew it we were enjoying fantastic views of Glencoe and the surrounding area - although a few impatient drivers started to spoli things for us.
Fort William was next, with the usual interest in the Minis from the tourists, this year even more so because of the way they're decorated. A slightly less overpriced sandwich later, with a top up of Neil's clutch fluid, we set off along the lochs to Inverness.
John and Tony went ahead again to the Commando memorial, ready to take photos of the convoy as we came up the hill - though we were again split into two groups. A stop at the memorial found Michelle had yanked too hard on her handbrake once too often, with the result that it was no longer braking by hand. A quick fix by John and we were ready to go again.
Steadily cruising along Loch Ness, we encountered roadworks - surface dressing which was appalling. Driving over the recently laid chippings, our tyres were completely coated with tar, and now have chips all over the place - even around the boot of the minibum. We were not happy.
We stopped as usual at Uquhart Castle for photos - including a young American tourist asking my permission for him to take pictures of my car, then with chips flying we ran down into Inverness.
Tents were set up quickly, with other campers very interested in the cars and what we were doing. A few of us nipped to Morrisons, then food from our regular takeaway was ordered and eaten. Best thing to do with it, of course.
Chris suggested that Inverness at night is light enough that you don't need a torch to go to the loo - though a steady aim is also required to avoid the other tents. Other suggestions included the streetlights, though this was "misunderstood" to mean that Chris was actually a volunteer fireman who didn't need a tender behind.
And apparently, Neil had a hand in Barry's pocket, fiddling with something which made a mess in his hand. All quite innocent, apparently.
And so the night drew to a close. Couple more bottles to be drunk before we all retire, lie in in the morning and hit John O'Groats tomorrow. Nite all!
Wednesday
The morning found us all packed and ready to leave Charnock Richard services, for a short trip up the M6 and on to the A6 heading for breakfast at Kendal. Morrisons were a bit more efficient than yesterday, getting our breakfasts ready in time this time.
By the time we'd got to Morrisons it was obvious that the combination of my gutter mount and Lotty's aerial was not enough for me to be heard or for others to hear us. At the retail park where Morrisons is situated, myself and Tony tried Halfords for Charlie Brown gear. Fail. Nothing at all we could use to fix or replace it.
A tiny amount of the conversation involved the disappearance of Mr T (the plastic "in your pocket" type with 6 well known sayings) from outside the hotel. No leads on this one, though it does sound similar to Teef and Moo last year and occasionally he could be heard on the Charlie Browns.
So we left Kendal after tanking up and headed north, strangely enough. I was trying to make sure I stayed close enough to Carol and Michelle as the lead cars to make sure I heard instructions.
And yes, we actually saw Shap Fell this year - and it was definitely worth it. Having seen only rain - or fog - or mist - or drizzle - the last two times I've been up there, it was a welcome change to be able to see the road, let alone the view.
We had the usual 5-way split in Carlisle due to the traffic lights, but Carnforth this year was much better as we pretty much stayed together and before we knew it, our passports had been checked and we were officially visitors to Scottishland.
Our next stop was the usual lunchbreak at Gretna Green. One of the first jobs after scoffing a ridiculously overpriced sandwich and a curiously reasonable ice cream, was to put Lotty's aerial back together. To make sure we could hear and be heard, I decided there was nothing else to do but use the magmount.
I grabbed some speciality beers and we headed off to Moffat, which handily on this shortest of our days was only a short distance away.
We arrived at Moffat camp site by 1500 and it was pretty much as it has been for the past couple of years: the average age of the LEJOGgers was less than a 3rd of the apparent average age of the other campers/caravanners, and they stuck us at the side under the midge filled trees.
But the wee beasties were out in force - after several days of warmth and clear skies, they were all out and hungry as soon as we arrived.
So, tents up, keep moving so they don't work out you're there and edible, and take a walk round the town trying to find some Lego. Unfortunately Moffat's "summer opening hours" hadn't kicked in yet, so half day closing on Wednesdays is still the norm. The only toy shop also didn't see real Lego.
Somewhat dejected, I walked back to the camp with Tony and Team Jellybean (aka the students with Steve the Pirate, "Yaaar!") for a quick beer before heading for the Star Inn. This, as previous readers will remember, is the narrowest hotel in the UK, and is the usual haunt for us to eat in Moffat. One rather nice meal and a dessert later (and the sight of Baz and the Queen sharing a dessert) we spent some more time in the lower floor getting to know each other a bit better.
Heading back to the tents, the midges were in attack mode. Several made their way into my tent, though leaving my little LED light on kept them attracted enough to let me sleep.
Thursday
Morning, as has typically been the case, came earlier than anticipated so I thought the best thing was to get up and pack away with more than enough time left. Then I saw the massed forces of the Revolutionary Midge Army around the tent door. Nothing for it than to charge out and get the tent folded up quick in an effort to not be bitten too badly. This year they seem to have developed a taste for me, though I've not reacted to them.
The A-series (and diesel) dawn chorus coughed into life at 0700 on the dot (camp rules and all that) and we were off on our way to breakfast at Dumbarton. Tony and John went ahead to try getting some photos as we were descending to cross the motorway but the long grass defeated the best of efforts.
Better news was Strathaven - we didn't get lost and we all stuck together (apart from the early morning idiots on the roads). This meant we were actually ahead of time, so we managed to hit the rush hour for every place we went through. We had some bad splits in the convoy but eventually we arrived at Morrisons.
The cafe was much more efficient today, although the service wasn't fantastic and the ordering system was different to every other Morrisons we'd been in. After fuelling both ourselves and our cars we headed off again over the Erskine Bridge and on to Loch Lomond.
Our usual stopping point on the Loch was busy with those darned tourists, so we pressed on. Loch Lomond went by quickly and before we knew it we were enjoying fantastic views of Glencoe and the surrounding area - although a few impatient drivers started to spoli things for us.
Fort William was next, with the usual interest in the Minis from the tourists, this year even more so because of the way they're decorated. A slightly less overpriced sandwich later, with a top up of Neil's clutch fluid, we set off along the lochs to Inverness.
John and Tony went ahead again to the Commando memorial, ready to take photos of the convoy as we came up the hill - though we were again split into two groups. A stop at the memorial found Michelle had yanked too hard on her handbrake once too often, with the result that it was no longer braking by hand. A quick fix by John and we were ready to go again.
Steadily cruising along Loch Ness, we encountered roadworks - surface dressing which was appalling. Driving over the recently laid chippings, our tyres were completely coated with tar, and now have chips all over the place - even around the boot of the minibum. We were not happy.
We stopped as usual at Uquhart Castle for photos - including a young American tourist asking my permission for him to take pictures of my car, then with chips flying we ran down into Inverness.
Tents were set up quickly, with other campers very interested in the cars and what we were doing. A few of us nipped to Morrisons, then food from our regular takeaway was ordered and eaten. Best thing to do with it, of course.
Chris suggested that Inverness at night is light enough that you don't need a torch to go to the loo - though a steady aim is also required to avoid the other tents. Other suggestions included the streetlights, though this was "misunderstood" to mean that Chris was actually a volunteer fireman who didn't need a tender behind.
And apparently, Neil had a hand in Barry's pocket, fiddling with something which made a mess in his hand. All quite innocent, apparently.
And so the night drew to a close. Couple more bottles to be drunk before we all retire, lie in in the morning and hit John O'Groats tomorrow. Nite all!
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Update: Monday *and* Tuesday
OK, so now we're in Charnock Richard, it's about time to do a proper blog post. This one will be for Monday and Tuesday, but first as bit that got missed from Sunday.
It appears that the bloke who does the LEJOG stickers for the windows had fat fingers when making them - this year we mostly all have stickers saying "LEGOG 2009". So, any ideas for what this actually means?
Anyway, up early on Monday as usual, woken by a combination of baking heat in the tent, and manic seagulls outside. Threats of shotguns and other surface to air weapons failed to shut them up so the decision was taken to get up and get ready for Lands End.
Off to Dartington Crystal for breakfast as usual, typical fare which set us up for the day and after official photos we were off down through Devon and Cornwall - unsurprisingly the usual way to get to Lands End.
A fairly quiet run down left us at the entrance, with the jobsworth bod on the gate sending us into the car park whilst John went to find someone who knew what they were doing. Eventually we got to our usual parking spot by the cliff, with plenty of tourists wondering what all these strange people dressed in Hippy costumes were doing there.
Many photos were taken, and a few of us managed to get our cars (and in some cases, trailers) in front of the signpost for "official" photos with the professional photographer who at one point was asking Tony for hints...
After pasties, loo breaks, hunts for forms for the End to End club and a bit of a chill out in the sun we set off again - although through a breakdown in communication we didn't get photos at the start line, despite the best efforts of one third of Team Jellybean.
Big delays getting back were caused by an accident involving a cyclist - though thankfully not involving any of the LEJOGgers. An enjoyable but long and otherwise uneventful drive found us back in Devon, with some filling up or shopping at Morrisons and some heading straight for the campsite, tired and ready for food and more chilling out.
Baz came up with a solution to the seagulls - peanut butter and alka seltzer. 10 points for guessing how that works.
After grub at the Sunshine Cafe, a bit more "cheesecake" and attempts to load up as much as we could before the early start the next day it was bedtime - hoping for uninterrupted sleep - ready for the long drive up to Charnock Richard.
The morning came a little too early. Cloud had stopped the sun heating the tents up, but the rude awakening was actually Tony setting off the alarm on Dennis trying to pack. At least it wasn't the seagulls.
Throwing the rest of the kit in the car, packing away the tents and heading away from the campsite, we went to Morrisons for breakfast - as usual. Myself and Tony got the rough end of the service from the staff, getting our food after some who ordered after had finished theirs. At least no-one went for the two breakfast option...
And so, after tanking up again, we were off over Exmoor (where we got to see some of the equine wildlife on the road) and the fun that was Lynton and Lynmouth. The downward stretches weren't too bad, having plenty of braking performance at the bottom, but Countisbury Hill proved difficult as I mistimed a change from 1st to 2nd and ended up holding the rest of the convoy back. Sorry!
Porlock Hill was a bit rough, using first for a good chunk of it. At least the rebuilt gearbox could take it this year, although the brakes were in a poor state at the bottom of the hill.
The run up and out of Devon went well, and £5.40 later we were soon over the old Severn Bridge and spending a bit of time in Wales. Apart from the odd set of lights splitting us up we were as a convoy for much of the way. No breakdowns, no-one getting lost, no emergency cleanups to do... bliss...
Running up the borders and into Herefordshire the weather was mostly with us - cloud was welcome at times but even with the cover it was getting hot and muggy. A few idiots on the road - as usual - but they passed without incident. Some of the hills proved troublesome with slow trucks in the way but without much stirring of the gearstick we managed to cope.
Into Shropshire, the only trouble so far was the tip of my Charlie Brown aerial disappearing somewhere between Bristol and Craven Arms, where we stopped for the loo, some grub and a leg stretch. Forging on through into Cheshire, luckily without a low loader this year, and we eventually got to the motorway.
Rumours were about that some of the services on the motorway might sell CB equipment, so just off the M56 and before the M6 proper, I announced (over the fairly useless Charlie Brown) that I was going to the first services on the M6, and would meet everyone at Charnock Richard.
Unfortunately my message didn't get through, so I ended up leading a confused bunch of LEJOGgers off the motorway, round a couple of roundabouts and into the services. Handily for some of my temporary followers, the loo stop helped with the 20 miles of traffic on the M6 before we got to Charnock Richard...
After unpacking the essentials and booking in to our room with unfinished paintwork and complimentary mouldy windowframe, I had chance to borrow Lottie's magmount aerial, which was luckily the same make and model as mine. Lastly, after fixing my horn and headlamp flashers with another quick tweak (this time of the power feed to the fusebox), we all broke up for food. One Burger King later and I'm sat putting this together with a Guinness and a story or two about Neil's ablutionary habits whilst the fog rolls in like the film. Bliss.
Early start tomorrow - the "short" run up to Moffat. Rumour has it that the weather's going to be good, so we might get to see the view over Shap Fell. We shall see.
It appears that the bloke who does the LEJOG stickers for the windows had fat fingers when making them - this year we mostly all have stickers saying "LEGOG 2009". So, any ideas for what this actually means?
Anyway, up early on Monday as usual, woken by a combination of baking heat in the tent, and manic seagulls outside. Threats of shotguns and other surface to air weapons failed to shut them up so the decision was taken to get up and get ready for Lands End.
Off to Dartington Crystal for breakfast as usual, typical fare which set us up for the day and after official photos we were off down through Devon and Cornwall - unsurprisingly the usual way to get to Lands End.
A fairly quiet run down left us at the entrance, with the jobsworth bod on the gate sending us into the car park whilst John went to find someone who knew what they were doing. Eventually we got to our usual parking spot by the cliff, with plenty of tourists wondering what all these strange people dressed in Hippy costumes were doing there.
Many photos were taken, and a few of us managed to get our cars (and in some cases, trailers) in front of the signpost for "official" photos with the professional photographer who at one point was asking Tony for hints...
After pasties, loo breaks, hunts for forms for the End to End club and a bit of a chill out in the sun we set off again - although through a breakdown in communication we didn't get photos at the start line, despite the best efforts of one third of Team Jellybean.
Big delays getting back were caused by an accident involving a cyclist - though thankfully not involving any of the LEJOGgers. An enjoyable but long and otherwise uneventful drive found us back in Devon, with some filling up or shopping at Morrisons and some heading straight for the campsite, tired and ready for food and more chilling out.
Baz came up with a solution to the seagulls - peanut butter and alka seltzer. 10 points for guessing how that works.
After grub at the Sunshine Cafe, a bit more "cheesecake" and attempts to load up as much as we could before the early start the next day it was bedtime - hoping for uninterrupted sleep - ready for the long drive up to Charnock Richard.
The morning came a little too early. Cloud had stopped the sun heating the tents up, but the rude awakening was actually Tony setting off the alarm on Dennis trying to pack. At least it wasn't the seagulls.
Throwing the rest of the kit in the car, packing away the tents and heading away from the campsite, we went to Morrisons for breakfast - as usual. Myself and Tony got the rough end of the service from the staff, getting our food after some who ordered after had finished theirs. At least no-one went for the two breakfast option...
And so, after tanking up again, we were off over Exmoor (where we got to see some of the equine wildlife on the road) and the fun that was Lynton and Lynmouth. The downward stretches weren't too bad, having plenty of braking performance at the bottom, but Countisbury Hill proved difficult as I mistimed a change from 1st to 2nd and ended up holding the rest of the convoy back. Sorry!
Porlock Hill was a bit rough, using first for a good chunk of it. At least the rebuilt gearbox could take it this year, although the brakes were in a poor state at the bottom of the hill.
The run up and out of Devon went well, and £5.40 later we were soon over the old Severn Bridge and spending a bit of time in Wales. Apart from the odd set of lights splitting us up we were as a convoy for much of the way. No breakdowns, no-one getting lost, no emergency cleanups to do... bliss...
Running up the borders and into Herefordshire the weather was mostly with us - cloud was welcome at times but even with the cover it was getting hot and muggy. A few idiots on the road - as usual - but they passed without incident. Some of the hills proved troublesome with slow trucks in the way but without much stirring of the gearstick we managed to cope.
Into Shropshire, the only trouble so far was the tip of my Charlie Brown aerial disappearing somewhere between Bristol and Craven Arms, where we stopped for the loo, some grub and a leg stretch. Forging on through into Cheshire, luckily without a low loader this year, and we eventually got to the motorway.
Rumours were about that some of the services on the motorway might sell CB equipment, so just off the M56 and before the M6 proper, I announced (over the fairly useless Charlie Brown) that I was going to the first services on the M6, and would meet everyone at Charnock Richard.
Unfortunately my message didn't get through, so I ended up leading a confused bunch of LEJOGgers off the motorway, round a couple of roundabouts and into the services. Handily for some of my temporary followers, the loo stop helped with the 20 miles of traffic on the M6 before we got to Charnock Richard...
After unpacking the essentials and booking in to our room with unfinished paintwork and complimentary mouldy windowframe, I had chance to borrow Lottie's magmount aerial, which was luckily the same make and model as mine. Lastly, after fixing my horn and headlamp flashers with another quick tweak (this time of the power feed to the fusebox), we all broke up for food. One Burger King later and I'm sat putting this together with a Guinness and a story or two about Neil's ablutionary habits whilst the fog rolls in like the film. Bliss.
Early start tomorrow - the "short" run up to Moffat. Rumour has it that the weather's going to be good, so we might get to see the view over Shap Fell. We shall see.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Update: Monday
As you may have guessed, Monday's update is a bit late. In fact due to one thing and several others it will probably end up being lumped together with tomorrow's update from the relative comfort of a motorway hotel...
In the meantime, amuse yourselves with the following question, which is not mistyped: what is LEGOG?
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Update: Saturday/Sunday
After a great response to our fancy dress at work on Friday, we were ready to leave before 0700 on Saturday morning.
Progress was good for the most part, the slowest part being the 18 miles of the M42 and our new route through Bristol City centre (best described by saying it in a Sean Connery accent).
After a few funny looks, particularly when stopping at a Bus cafe and a Burger King, we were well on our way and aside from a low point through tiredness at about 1500 we managed to get to the camp site at Westward Ho! At almost exactly 1700.
Our fancy dress and Dennis' new look also seemed to go down well with our fellow LEJOGers, quite a few of which had already arrived and set up.
We decided on a spot to pitch, got set up and after a bit of a meet and greet we were ready to head off to the barbeque hosted by previous LEJOGers Alison and Ian.
A thoroughly good evening ensued, and after all the food was gone and all the available wood was burnt in the chimnea we said our goodbyes and headed back to the campsite.
As luck would have it, Braddick's was still open so some of us nipped in for a "swift pint" - of course such a thing doesn't exist and with there being a buffet on, we stayed for a bit longer...
This morning I wished I hadn't had quite so much of the cheesecake - Braddick's facilities were sorely tested, though some of us have theories that my gut rot may have been caused by the amounts of Tribute consumed. I couldn't possibly comment...
So off to the Children's Hospice for some of us to wash the mini buses and for others to have their own cars fettled: Baz with his anti-handbrake exhaust and Team Jellybean with their borrowed Charlie Brown radio. there was nothing to do but whip out my tools and lend a hand...
Once the quick tour and the excellent cream tea were polished off, and some of us had tanked up our minis we headed back to the campsite for
Terry's pre-run briefing. The usual things were covered, a few route updates (for those of us who'd been allowed routes again) and it was time for tea at the Sunshine cafe.
Following fish and chips (and Michelle's anti pea rhetoric) we settled down outside Terry's tent for a chat and a beer or two.
Once the conversation had gone through running down the locals in the Galapagos with horses and Terry talking of toilet-based budgie disposal, we all drifted back to our tents. Some kip is needed before we tackle the drive to Lands End tomorrow 8-)
Quick update
A fuller post is to come later, but basically we got down here after
10 hours, set up, went to a bbq, had a few beers, slept, got up and
washed some mini buses...
10 hours, set up, went to a bbq, had a few beers, slept, got up and
washed some mini buses...
--
Sent from my mobile device
Friday, 19 June 2009
Ready..?
Dennis and the minibum were all packed earlier this evening, apart from mine and Tony's clothes.
It's now less than 30 hours before we leave, the excitement's building...
Weird thing is, I seem to have more room in Dennis and the minibum than I did last year, but the same stuff's gone in. Must just be getting used to packing it all 8-)
It's now less than 30 hours before we leave, the excitement's building...
Weird thing is, I seem to have more room in Dennis and the minibum than I did last year, but the same stuff's gone in. Must just be getting used to packing it all 8-)
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
More latest antics...
Ah, don't we just love Minis...
5 days to go and after sorting out the tools and spares we're taking, I decided it would be best to do a bit of a light service.
An inspection of the front brakes led me to think that they would probably have not got us safely to the bottom of Porlock Hill, even if we'd got down to the start...
So after another quick visit to Mini Spares North, Dennis is now sporting a new set of discs and pads and I'm bedding them in ready for Saturday.
Looks like the only things left are a wash and polish, finishing the flares and packing, although experience has taught me that there's always something else...
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