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End of day 6 Today we set off early again. In and out of Italy and Switzerland all day. It was great to have the two Richards back with us. We did the Umbriel pass which was quite busy going up and then stopped at the top of Stelvio to take it all in. Then went down Stelvio. It was pretty clear going down and I enjoyed all 48 hair pins. We also covered loads of other mountain passes. The weather was sooo hot again. We had a few coffee stops and lunch down by a river. I used my brolley for shade not rain! Overall we covered about 300 miles today and ended up at our destination which was the Dolomites. We are staying at a lovely campsite and just been out for beers and dinner. There is another early start planned for tomorrow. 4.45am alarm call to ensure clear roads all around the Dolomites. (Which Iam told are going to be the best mountain passes of the tour, so I can’t wait!)

My first sprint and introduction to the speed series on Sunday, what a fantastic day, thanks for everyone who organised the weekend and made it go smoothly. Great to meet some new faces and thanks for all the advice given to me on the day, such a great group of people. Way off the pace but I had a brilliant time and got the car back in one piece, so its a win win. Ive got the sprint series bug now, see you at the next one chaps

End of day 5 yesterday we did a fantastic 300 miles from Switzerland through to Italy. Some fantastic passes. The temperature was 39 down in the valleys but comfortable at altitude. We sheltered down by the river under a tree for a spot of lunch and then arrived at Lake Como for the evening. (Treating ourselves to a proper bed for the night and more beer and pizza!)it was great to see the two Richards had fixed the alternator issue and managed to hot foot it from Mount Blonc over to us whilst still taking in some of the fantastic passes we did yesterday and today. They looked knackered when they arrived! Few pics of yesterday below.

Hopefully we will catch you up today once we track down an Alternator and Battery. Got so miles to do today. Figures crossed

End of day 4 What an amazing day of driving.very early start, on the road by 6am. Italy and into Switzerland and the roads were quiet at that time in the morning so we’ll worth getting up for. 270 miles of mostly mountain passes. Including - Furka, Grimsel, Sustan, Nufenen, St. Bernard and about a dozen other passes too. The Furka being my favourite of the day. The weathers still hot 🥵 but fantastic and not complaining! We have pitched up at a lovely little campsite in Anderman. Great facilities for cars and camping. hopefully the car with the charging issues will catch up with us tomorrow when the garages open (typical Sunday today). Just the five of us today.

Its the monthly british motor museum gaydon gathering tomorrow. I'm going along after work (live 2 miles away) I've been to a few if these over the past couple of years and there is always a large amount of interesting vehicles to look at... its free but you need a ticket, the weather looks good anyone else fancy it? https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-july

Thanks @Andy Malone - Editor, perhaps I will drop them a line with your link and see if they can do something later in the year. I’m not in any particular hurry so let’s see what happens.

I turned up to see what its like at Gaydon, been ages since I was there before. Spotted two Caterhams..one a 620s!!! Did anyone turn up in a Westie? Still waiting for my car but I did my bit for Seat 😀

Also, I know you said it felt like a closed door, but I did see this on their site... https://www.softbitsshop.co.uk/alterations-505-p.asp The suggestion is bespoke work/customisation over the quieter winter period.

Just my 2p worth, but wouldn't one of the larger softbits covers work pretty well anyway? It might be a bit baggy and/or need some extra adjustment/tether points to keep it down, but being a narrow will at least mean it won't be too small. I have a Walker St Clair (the same as @Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO) for my narrow, but as far as I know they were always a 'one size fits all' job. Caveat, might be worth seeing if someone has one you or someone else can try before splashing the cash.

Not the sunniest of evenings, but looking OK for tonight!

Good turn out of Westys and the odd Cat, great weather for them at the mo.👍

Yes Richard, new owner, new member (loooong time Westy owner from pre-lit on)

In my garage tonight Richard: Some kind of major modding thread may follow. lots more carbon, three way dampers and a full cage strike me as first projects. It’s also way off on geo at the moment, I’ll sort that with the dampers. Then traction control needs setting up (just for if it rains / I lend it out) I’m happy bareback Maybe a Quaiffe or Sadev sequential and proper diff will finish it off. see how I like my 5th and “our” xx’th Westy 😬

Many of you will know by now that Rob Hunter will be taking over as Derby and Notts AO. I will assist for a while until we have sorted whys and wherefors of the new era. Rob came to the meeting on Thursday and it was probably the best one we have had for a long time, loads of Westfields on the car park and lots of new members, lots of Westfield chat and banter. I would like to thank all of you that have help and assisted me over the last 20+ years. I am sure the area will go from strength to strength. best regards Garry Bunn

Even better, one with 'Andy Cap' In his car-

Always welcome to have a try 😀

I'm sure @AndrewBClarke will run you round to convince you of the V8 comfortable lifestyle he leads! 😉

No idea yet. I'm really smitten with the Aston, so I may try to find a later one with the 4.7 engine ('cos more capacity is always a good thing, right?). A Fiat Panda 4x4 is beckoning for the winter months, as the Aston on Michelin PS4S isn't really an ideal winter car.... I might try a Westie with some creature comforts, as one of the downsides with my current car is that it's a bit compromised (bit too loud, quite buffeting, a bit frantic to drive, zero creature comforts - great when you'e in the mood, but a bit much at times. A SEight with a screen, roof, heater and soft seats is probably as far removed from mine as it's possible to get - it would be interesting to drive one just to experience it

Cooling system re-plumbed again! This time with a Dunnell Water Rail. I had re-plumbed it with silicone hoses a few months ago using the OEM thermostat housing but a pothole managed to break that... Installation looks neat and seems to work. Waiting for MOT appointment later this week before I can do a proper road test. Had to do a few bracketry mods to support the coil pack and fuel filter. Probably needs a bracket made up to support the bypass pipe. I've a few videos of the fitting stages that I'll try to put together over the next week or so.

End of Day 3 great day today. 260 odd miles and some fantastic first passes down through Anneccy to Mont Blonc where we are tonight camping. few little issues today with one of the cars which is currently being resolved. the beer and pizza sat in front of the mountain made up for it! ☀️ early start tomorrow (all being well with the alternator/battery issue) **update** now down to 5 cars for tomorrow while the others try to get an alternator issue repaired on a Sunday somewhere but fingers crossed they will catch us up by Monday latest 🤞🏼🤞🏼

245 miles today we left at 8 this morning and just home at 5.30 Met up with Scott and his loon at corgarf then on to a coffee, bacon roll and raspberry tart at Glenshee , onto Pitlochry and out Tummel bridge to Rannoch station tearoom and met up with Graeme and Bruce . DISASTER the cook was ill and there wasn’t any cake 🥲 Anyway a wee blether and lunch then it was over to Trinafour and up over the moor, hopped onto the A9 to Dalwhinnie , then onto the cafe at Laggan Bridge for coffee and cake 😃 before heading back up speyside home.