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Apologies these took a while but here are some pictures of Roary ... assuming I've managed to get this Photobucket thing correct

Blackpool Former French Grand Prix track Paul Ricard in the South of France. Former French Grand Prix track Dijon. Oh yeah it went through the tunnel at Monaco as well, but you'll have to take my word for that.

Its the beaches and archaeology that stand out for me: This is the Ness of Brodgar, the big dig they are having there most summers. It's near to the Ring Of Brodgar & Maeshow. orkney12 064 by windymill50, on Flickr If you go onto one of the many islands surrounding Orkney mainland there's stuff thousands of years old that's just laying in the ground. This was a dig I was involved with on Sanday: orkney2014 295 by windymill50, on Flickr And I found a Viking Comb sticking out of a cliff: orkney2011 328 by windymill50, on Flickr Then there's the beaches: orkney12 079 by windymill50, on Flickr orkney2014 254 by windymill50, on Flickr orkney2013 576 by windymill50, on Flickr And the sunsets: orkney2015 183 by windymill50, on Flickr And getting about can be fun too: orkney2014 249 by windymill50, on Flickr orkney2014 248 by windymill50, on Flickr

Ah great I know where that is. You are quite close (5 min drive) to the Sands Hotel where you are staying which I highly recommend for an evening meal. If you are into your seafood it's worth phoning ahead at least a day before to order lobster. They will send the boat out to catch it for you. Here's the very dish i had. orkney2015 061 by windymill50, on Flickr I presume the museum you refer to is on Hoy? Are you travelling across on the ferry from Houton in the Westfields? The museum is a brilliant place to go and see, it's free with a little cafe which is good for a cup of tea and a cake. Make sure you ask about the fuel store inside the mountain. I came across it by accident when I drove up to the viewpoint where you can see the whole of scapa flow from. Amazing to think they had all the fuel for the ships hidden inside the hill. orkney2013 483 by windymill50, on Flickr orkney2013 484 by windymill50, on Flickr orkney2013 485 by windymill50, on Flickr If you plan your day well there may be time to drive to Rackwick then walk to the Old Man Of Hoy. It was first climbed by Chris Bonington in the 60s. orkney2015 102 by windymill50, on Flickr It's a shame you only have 2 days on the island. You can quite easily lose yourself for a couple of weeks up there!

I can't make it by the way, were engagement ring shopping. (She said yes)

For those of clan mcwesty it's on motors this Sunday at 8.30 watch out for Alister's wee car

I did wonder why I bought a westfield and now I know the reason why, that was an amazing run. I think we did around 600/700 miles in total, not saying it was easy with the weather and we had and a couple of problems with the motors, but overall it was something else. If your planning this trip, just a few things you should take into consideration….. Book your accommodation well in advance….and evening meals... Sat Nav helped us out a few times as the signage is not the greatest. Make sure you pack your clothes in waterproof bags…as the water gets in everywhere as we found out…. Weather proof your halfhood - we had 3 days of really heavy rain and high winds... Don't let your better half pack the bags, as we had too much stuff... Day 1 we set off from Alford and went via Inverness and stayed the 1st night just outside a small village called Plockton at a B/B which was a welcome sight. The family made us very welcome and we had our evening meal in the village (we booked in advance). In the morning we faced a heavy shower of rain whilst packing the motors, but the family came out to see us off and their son who plays the bagpipes piped us off to the next leg of our journey. Day 2 we headed to Achiltibuie (Summer Isles) via Applecross for the Scottish lads your right the Applecross road is something else. That night we stayed at the Summer Isles Hotel, they cater for evening meals but you have to book, the beer was chilled. In the morning my brother in law had his first problem, he was tightening his half hood and the dome at the windscreen came away and broke, so we had a problem….I had a bungee cord with carabineer clips, so we put it over the front of the roof and secured it to the mirrors and we were on the road…the rain stopped and the half hoods came off. Day 3 we left Achiltibuie and decided to take some side roads to lochinver, they we amazing and the views were to die for…heading for Tongue to stay at the Ben Loyal Hotel. By the time we got there the weather was not great, high winds and heavy rain. That night we had covers over the motors and the winds were so bad, the covers would not stay on….so I got black bin liners and tied them round the mirrors to secured the covers on. My brother in laws cover landed half way across the car park….great fun trying to catch it… Day 4 and it’s still raining….never mind packed and ready to go to Tain via John o Groats for the next overnight stop…We stopped in passed the Castle of Mey for a look round and yes it was still raining…we had a great run down the A9 and landed at the Mansfield Castle Hotel and yes it’s haunted by Mrs Fowler - the presence of her ghost is often noticed but we never see her thank god…great place to stay, good food and more beer… Day 5 (last day you will be glad to hear) heading home…up in the morning, after a great breakfast and went outside and it’s still raining…by this time everything is soaking wet, but it never bothered us…I did have a few problems with fuses blowing, I’m thinking the water got into the fuse box, which caused problems with side lights and wipers which was really the only things I needed…anyway had spare fuses with me and just kept replacing them… Overall the weather wasn’t good to us, but the roads were great, hotels etc first class. Plenty of beer and the westfields arrived home safely…ok I had a swimming pool inside my one by the time I got home… I will post up a few photos, once I get them downloaded for those that’s never been up this way… So for all you guys south of the border, take a trip round the 500 and you wont regret it…

You could try the Scapa Flow langoustines. Almost the size of Lobsters! orkney2014 316 by windymill50, on Flickr

I hope to see you all on Sun, weather permitting.

I'd Bob along for the meal at monks cross afterwards

Welcome to the club.

from one of the Southern Softies

This place has been recommended in the past, https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/ As has this place, http://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/ Note on the last one, while stainless bolts and fastenings have their place, you have to really know your bolt specs when it comes to strength, for use in safety critical areas, like suspension, steering and braking. So normally I wouldn't recommend stainless for those areas.

I received an Email with photobucket links from Andy at AA composites, I've posted the link to the images which hopefully find themseles below for anyone else thats interested:: http://s486.photobucket.com/user/Westfield64/media/Forum%20Products/ToThis-1.jpg.html http://s486.photobucket.com/user/Westfield64/media/Forum%20Products/RACBootcovers-1.jpg.html