Tuesday

Another early start, this time with the tents down and packed in the van and the trailer hitched up.

Wagons roll and we're off to Bridgwater for breakfast, via Lynton and Lynmouth and their associated hills, and of course Porlock Hill, the one I really wasn't looking forward to.

In reality, Countisbury Hill should have been the one to worry about; with it being so long, I couldn't get the run-up I needed with the Minibum attached, so ended up swapping between 2nd and 3rd gear all the way up - which pretty much ruined the run up the hill for the last 3 cars and the van.

Porlock Hill itself wasn't too bad after all, no worse than last year even with the Minibum on, apart from copious amounts of brake smoke billowing from the front wheels trying to get down the hill, lack of swift brake response at the bottom and lots of pudding stirring going from 1st to 2nd and back again on the way up.

Just after Minehead, Bary's Popemobile blew the bypass hose; we all went past as brown and white smoke billowed forth. John stopped with him to organise repairs, and we all headed off for breakfast at Bridgwater.

It was pointed out that Charlie (redhotmini), who was still having suspension height issues, would be better off trying to reduce the mass of his car by perhaps not having 2 breakfasts...

Some time later, John turned up to say that the bypass hose had gone, and Chris (napolean) happened to have one in his boot - even though his engine doesn't use one. Now that's preparation.

So, we had a bit of time to hang about and relax whilst John went back and got Gary running again.

Eventually we set off again and headed for the old Severn Bridge, where we were met by stu71mini who accompanied us across. Of course, Michelle and Carol (Party-ring and OB) didn't have any change ready, so went to the cash only toll booth lane. Yes, you read that right...

Finally we were over the bridge, and stu71mini then took piccies as we all went round the roundabout at the end. We were off through Monmouthshire.

The valleys are a fantastic sight, densely wooded with houses dotted about along the roadside; steep drops in places and in others we couldn't tell. Unfortunately the GPS tracking had to store 90 minutes of points, as my phone couldn't get a signal.

Hereford next, where we were guided round the newly designated Hereford Party-Ring Road, a less-than-scenic route made up of a combination of Terry's route plan and a (possibly) lying TomTom device. How much of the detour was down to the operators of said device is not for me to say. Mostly because I'd get slapped for it ;-)

Once we were heading out of Hereford, we ended up regrouping after some issues with a couple of cars - nothing too bad - and some issues with the route (see above).

The rest of the run up the country was fine, stopping at Craven Arms as usual to regroup and have a nibble. John (Gracies_Dad) took the opportunity to raise his rear suspension, blaming some wheel rubbing on an evergrowing daughter...

Eventually, we got to the latter stages of the A49, trying to get up to the motorway and on to the services. A tractor with a low loader was having none of this, of course, and even with a 40 car tailback didn't bother pulling over until someone rang the number on the back of the digger he was carrying, and "persuaded" him to let us all past.

Finally, on to the motorway, and with but 25 miles to the day's destination (and the nearest loo stop en route) we didn't slouch in getting there. All parking up outside the lodge, we got booked in and organised food and drinks. And now, everyone's sat downstairs socialising, or in their rooms relaxing before the run to Moffat tomorrow. And I'm sat in my room trying my best to update you all in the most fun and enjoyable way I can - with yet another blog post 8-)