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Josh the giraffe arriving in the Westie for a guest appearance for the Joshua Tree Charity at the Hayhurst Arms in Cheshire this afternoon. Anyone else's car been used for a "float"??!!

Final regs are now emailed out Great Westfield entry and lots of room for spectators etc from Friday until Sunday. Beer and BBQ on Saturday night in the paddock

A good pair of shoes that are both good for all the hours of driving and comfy for walking in as well. Saves space. It's not a fashion parade. If doing B&B fill yourself up on brekkie, it will last you till dinner and saves a small fortune. Dont be shy about wee stops or embarrassed about where you take them! Take a thermos flask, every where we have stopped is more than happy to make one and you've got your brew for the day. Pack half the clothes you think you need. Even getting a soaking can be fun, don't let your head drop. Smile and wave at all the people who love our cars. Take a charity box, so many people want to take pics of them. That's fine but a little donation here please Sir/Madame. Stick together when it goes wrong, well proven on last outing in Scotland, All for one and one for all and all that stuff. Keep your doors and hoods of as long as possible, the views are so much better. Put water proof jackets and trousers on first thing if rains expected that day. You don't have to stop and muck around, just drive through it. Rainex your windscreen inside and out! Emergency fuel filler cap. Most of all enjoy the Westy way of viewing such beautiful parts of our world.

A few things I've found useful: A Camelbak Unbottle. Attached behind the seat, it stays out of the way, yet keeps water readily accessible while driving. Note: I have MOG seats, which do free up more space than the standard, padded seats. Travel Space Saver Bags. Pack your clothes in these (keeping 1 or 2 set aside for dirty laundry) and you can fit a lot more clothes in limited space. I also keep a very lightweight duffel in the boot and transfer all the bags into that before heading into the hotel. A locking car cover in a stuff sack. Keeps late night guests out of the car, and with the stuff sack, it's surprisingly small, fitting in front of the seat under your knees. A small car duster. Makes it easy to wipe the dust and dirt off the car each night. If you remove the handle, it takes up very little space. Pack creatively and think like a backpacker. The cars are small, but there are a lot of normally unused places where you can stow small items; behind the seats, under the scuttle, under the bonnet (tool roll goes here for me). Also, backpacker's stuff sacks, dry bags, and other items designed to maximize storage space or protect electronics from the weather make life easier. Zip ties, duct tape, and self vulcanizing rubber tape. You can perform a temporary fix on a lot of broken items between these three. -John

@Wolfdog I agree indeed he was. My reply as Dave pointed out was written, well the intention was for it to be a light hearted leg pull to say that the strip down had commenced and @tazmainia had missed it - honest , this isn't Piston Heads (if you ever frequent it's dark and sinister corners)! We all want @Quinten Uijldert - Northants AO to get his car sorted as quickly and most economically as possible, in a way he has become all that the club represents, and we all love him dearly!

I was trying to photograph the show cars at the carnival and these big, hairy legs kept getting in the way While we went to look round the car show, other member's went off to eat cake, without me, I don't know if I will ever recover, I missed the cake moment. They even admitted to it and told me all about how nice it was, I have to query their eligibility for future club membership We were busy having a Ginetta moment. And this car is, a, um, a nice car. A bag of chips (no cake) later and it was carnival time. Now this is where all you men get to dress up as women. It turns out that you seem to all have done it, which is ok, but you all seem to enjoy it so much, I am worried. There were more serious moments too, with brass bands and bagpipes, adding to the carnival atmosphere, and the Carnival Queen. More hairy legs. with a hairy face and tattoos even. Club Tropicana The Swinging 60's It's been great to catch up with Gail and Ali, after their trips to Scotland and Wales, screens for queens and all that. Dave and Ian, with their tales of Le Mans and last but not at all least the great company of Martyn and Sue. I got my cake in the end, we dived into Costa before heading off home, so that was better. Next weekend it's The Big Blyton weekend, see you there!!!!!!

Here are a few things that I have learnt whilst on my travels. Its surprising how we all do different things but I have always learnt something different from other people. Please feel free to add to the list. A half hood, half doors and clear wind deflectors will get you through any amount of rain. Half doors are brilliant for touring. You can see so much as the surround on a full door is usually at eye level. Rok straps are brilliant for securing luggage. Buy the ones without the hook on them and then your car doesn't get scratched. Take plenty of microfibre cloths You can always wash them in a hotel sink but they will clean your car and dry up any water / rain. Autobrite Direct, Berry Blast is great for cleaning your car on a morning before you head out for the day. I keep a small bottle behind my drivers seat. A buff is brilliant protecting your face from the cold and in heavy rain. It also stops your neck getting sore if you have a coat with a zip that goes under your chin and irritates your neck. Not everything is about going at a million miles an hour. Relax, enjoy the views and make time to stop. It can be boring for a passenger who just gets to sit. Try to avoid “boring” routes. Plan that it will rain and prepare accordingly. If it rains, find a way to have fun and turn it into an adventure. This is what memories are made of and there is no need to let the weather spoil anything. Take two pairs of driving glasses. Sun glasses for during the day and a clear pair for on a night. You will wear less clothes that you think. You can wear the same pair of trousers for ten days and not stink. A lot of hotels will wash your clothes for you. Its usually about £5.00 per load. You can get everything washed half way round your trip if required. Take an umbrella. It is handy as a quick fix in a short shower. Remember to take sun block and a hat for your head. It is surprising how burnt you can get in a Westfield when driving every day. Make sure you have breakdown insurance that will get you and your car home. A GoPro battery eliminator is brilliant. You can keep your camera turned on permanently and not have to worry about batteries. I have a wireless remote clipped to the dash that operates the camera. Take tools, fuses and a throttle cable. An insulated food bag makes a great armrest if placed between the seats behind the hand brake. It can make a big difference if driving all day as your arm is supported. Plus you can keep all your odds and sods in it. Take a camera and a pocket size pair of binoculars. A she-wee is brilliant for a woman. Dont get to worried about petrol garages. There are more than you think. It can be expensive if stopping for coffee breaks every hour, especially if you are in a group. Budget or plan accordingly. A map book is great to take as well as a SatNav. If you get lost you can see more detail and area in the map book than you can on the SatNav. Keep all your clothes in dry bags. Lomo bags are really good and not expensive. Avon “Skin so Soft” is a brilliant midge repellant. Be aware that if you are in a group, some cars may be lower than yours so be wary of rougher roads. Take a credit card. Keep a small bag of change for parking etc. Don't take jeans or clothes that take too long to dry out or are really bulky. Clothes from somewhere like Mountain Warehouse are really good as they fold small, dry quick and are light and warm.

Which one is which?

We had a fab day and thankyou for organising another great day Julie

Looks like a brill day, wish I could have joined you instead of visiting a friend in hospital. See you at Blyton

Stu, I've got a pair of pins and grommets you can have for free. I don't use them any more. I'm doing the track day on Friday so will be there first thing. Edit to add: My grommets fit and work okay but aren't the original Westfield ones (the pins are). I seem to remember the original grommets had a larger OD to help them stay in place. Mine are 20mm OD, 12mm ID. If Dave's are a bigger OD it may be an idea to use his grommets. I'll bring mine anyway.

I'm coming. Meet Yorkshire mob at Hellifield 11.15. Got that. Dave meet at Gisburn cattle market 10.30am or call me in the morning.

'Er, Julie, can Dave park here, only I have OCD and we have to be in a red, white and blue formation' I am not mentioning any names... Nosey The Late Arrivals finally came, after the photo's had been taken, a good excuse for another photo eh. The Westfield Speed Series Fan Club. We soon visited the paddocks. I don't know who this is, but there was a much prettier face in it than the other cars Matt Watch out for these, cheeky monkeys Dave getting ready for action Dave in action At the lunch break we left Curborough and travelled through the Peak District to Bakewell. The roads were eerily empty and I indulged in putting my baby Zetec in front of these mammothly powerful Honda boys. It's fun, I will never leave one standing, but it's so much fun trying. Exit the caravan and off we go again. Dave's car filled my rear view mirror all the way. Nice and slow through the village, make sure everyone gets a wave and a smile. That landed us in Bakewell, straight into the Westfield's Only Reserved Parking Area There is more to come, but you may have to prepare yourself. The next photo carries a health warning.

I didn't take many pics but is one. I did however film some of the passes and will post up some in due course. Kenton

If driving in very hot sunny conditions, take lots of water and keep covered on the seat next to you in easy reach. If necessary keep pouring bigger screw ladder bottles into smaller bottles that can be opened with one hand. You can do this at the fuel stops. With temperatures in the the thirties last week, and high over head sun through much of the day, we found we were easily getting through around four liters of water each, in the car, at times! Oh and keep wet wipes and suntan cream just as handy. Again, on the extreme days, I was finding on my forearms and face, the lotion seemed to be "burning off" in forty minutes or so and needed toping off.

This is a brilliant road on the West Coast of Scotland. You just keep climbing up and up and up. Brilliant views throughout on this single track road. There are a number of hairpin bends just before the summit and these are great fun. Plenty of parking at the top and don't forget a pair of pocket binoculars. Just be aware that it can be sunny at the bottom but not at the top so its best to have something warm and waterproof with you....just in case. Here is a little video that shows sections of the road but it doesn't show the fantastic views . Sorry about the music. It may not be everyones "cup of tea."

For Le Mans virgins like the three of us, @greenstreak - it was a bucket list trip for him, to celebrate his ahem, fiftieth, this year @IanK and myself, we went, after much research by Andy, with Speed Chills, and what an excellent choice it was. Fairs, fair, it's certainly not the cheapest way of doing Le Mans, but especially for those new to it and traveling in silly little sports cars, they take all the pain and trouble out of it. Thoroughly recommended. You basically pick your route, in terms of ports, travel days, then add any options, like grandstand seats etc and that's it. A pack arrives with all the appropriate tickets etc. The campsites themselves, they have several, are fenced off within the main camping areas. We were at Bleu Sud, the smaller of the two main sites, but only a short walk to the main entrance. The site itself was kept neat and tidy, fenced and gated off, with our own security. We had our own toilet and shower blocks, along with a marquee, with a projector showing the Eurosport feed of the Race, a bar, along with tables etc. Breakfast and evening meals were provided. Food was, in all honesty good on some nights, ok, (a bit school dinnery) on others. Beer was plentiful and cold, when you felt like a change from the warm beer in your tents! The staff were all very friendly and helpful though. I knew we'd found somewhere decent, when the first thing they did on spotting three hot, dusty Westfields queuing up at the gate, was to hand us chilled bottled water! And yes, we flew the flag at Camp Krusty!

Perfect timing as 4 cars met at the Fox and Grapes this morning, we left a bit earlier than planned and made our way to Hellifield where 3 more were waiting, Frank made it 8 and off we went without Michael! I had a "home alone" moment, when I realised we were supposed to be 9 cars 5 minutes down the road, but it was too late to go back and hoped he would find us later, he didn't. We gotto the museum right on schedule, my tyre planning was impeccable, and went straight in for something to eat. We parked in the grounds with some Harleys instead of the car park with the boring cars. There was also a group of TR's parked round the back. After a tour of the museum, we set off for Windermere following a small, sometimes very small single track road which took us to the ferry across Windermere. On the other side? Smeg took over the lead and took us towards Kendal and a fuel stop, then it was back on the A65 and all taking our own ways home. I didn't realise until I got home, but we lost Johno on the way with a fuel pipe problem, luckily good samariton Terry stopped to help.

Only because I recently did the exact same thing

Fancy leaving the Curborough Sprint for the Crazy Bakewell Carnival? Hope you had a great time at both? Thanks for the pics Hiope to see you at Blyton! Glutey

It's ok John I've got one of those nav thingimijigs

It would be good to see him at the Whipping Stocks on Thu

I hope so or someone could end up with my steak and I could end up with spam fritters

I have one from www.easygazebos.co.uk and I would recommend it. I have put it up on my own many times.

Is it cook your own food?

Yes, nice run. Even got a friendly wave from a couple of Caterhams.

Yes, I think @John Williams - WSCC Competition Secretary is bringing large ones.

Cracking run out today, 9 Westfields and the sun shone all day. Jeff

oh no.... Matt nav can't make it! We're are doooooomed! I can see the headlines, westies lost on a small blat!

CHEEEEEEEEEEESE grommet.

It's a regular car cover that has reinforced grommets at the bottom sides. Thread a vinyl covered steel cable through one grommet, under the car, then through the other grommet and affix a small padlock at the end to complete the loop. It helps prevent the cover from flying off in high winds or some moron from lifting it out of the way to access the interior, or simply steal it (yes, I've had the latter happen on another car). Go here, scroll down below the car thumbnails and you'll see a small photo of a grommet with the cable strung through. -John

If you need a few grommets I can bring some with me to Blyton stu.

No idea. But my run in technique is far from gentle!

Yep, having lost a couple in short order, I got a bag full!

...and the smilies show Yanto gently pulling his leg! We're a freindly club here, even the Mickey taking is mild, trust me!

Glad you are happy with it

Tiny bit of rain in the air when I set off, but soon passed, and a tiny, tiny bit in the air when I got back an hour ago. In the mean time, got my usual burnt red forehead while watching the parade at Bakewell! Another fantastic day out, if a bit different And great to catch up with everyone again.

OK calm down boys! the forum members can offer help and advice based on their own experience, but it is always up to the individual if they choose to take that advice. We can not definitively say yes or no in such a way as to guarantee an outcome in my opinion. Edit to add: While there are a few definitive answers to questions we can't be expected to give answers that will guarantee an outcome in all circumstances. In this case, pros and cons were requested and that is what we got. All good info as far as I can tell.

It's sunny here

Your right about the music - doesn't do it for me BUT Everything else about this fantastic psrt of Bonnie Scottie Land does. Photos and videos never do it justice. I am well looking forward to a third trip there. IT's just a stunning area.

Ditto this, keeping the sun off the seats when you hop out of the car for a few minutes is vital, as well as the normal rain issues.

Always keep an umbrella in the car, in case of sitting in traffic, you can protect from the sun quickly and fold quickly.

Thanks. I'm making my first major tour this summer, down to Lake Como and back. I'll be sharing this list with my friends, and I'll let you know what comments come back (for sure there will be some from the ladies!).

What a brilliant idea Dave. So looking forward to following this section of the forum.

One further favour, if I may! I will start hunting through existing sections and moving relevant threads in here, but it will take a while, and I'm bound to miss a few. If anyone see's a thread that ought to be in here, can you just add a post to it please, with words to that effect. Or tag it Touring Section, and I can keep an eye out for those. Thanks. Oh and just to clarify, when it comes to notices of upcoming trips, this section is intended to give all the regular members somewhere to post up advance notice/invites etc. The Local Area section is still the place to post for AO's regarding upcoming Area Events. Though everyone is welcome to post about their adventures in here after the trips! (Or even during

Hi Geoffrey Thanks for that, but Mike Rowlands (a great guy and deserves a Spirit of the Club Award!) has given me a pair of Canary Yellow wings which are a perfect match and are now proudly presented on my car (bolted on, of course!). He saw the pictures of my broken cycle wing on your Scotland Tour thread and pm'd me about them. Again, many thanks for keeping me in mind. Cheers, David

Newton Automotive are or were the Westfiled supplied cap, They actually have a man you can talk to on the phone, so worth a call.

Jubilee clips, selfamagamatinh coolant hose tape, Fuses, cable ties, duct tape, mechanics gloves and a credit card.