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So after getting ing back from Paris at around 2am Monday morning due to train delays, it was a short sleep before a dash to the tunnel, checked in and coffee , delayed 2 hours due to the volume of traffic. At Folkestone we sorted cars out , had lunch and said goodbye to Sammy who was headed to Carlisle as we headed to spend a few days with family in Basingstoke, so a few days off for Tommy lol, before we head up to visit @Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) and home Saturday so about another 600ish miles on our travels to go

It's finally on its way to Paris, take it easy Gregory 😥

Day 6 Without going into detail, a family gathering was attended today, to finally put my late uncle to rest in the plot of ground he requested next to his wife. Words were said and a few tears but we have now drawn a line under that chapter. After that , we went to a lovely little eatery, called the Red Fox in Thornton Hough ( which having seen it again, I had been to about 20 years ago for a Christmas do). Much food was consumed, here is my main meal, and very nice it was too... After that we went back to a family members house who lives on Parkgate front, with stunning views of coastal North Wales. THe weather was dreadful to be fair and it legged it down about 15 mins after taking this pic. Tomorrow some more old friends to catch up on. More soon.

Breakfast after a run in the Forest of Dean...

Abarth OT2000 - a Fiat 850 Sport (a pretty wee car in it's own right) with a 2000cc twincam stuffed in it. 0-60 in 5.3 sec, back in the late '60s!

So a day behind , lol. Yesterday we left Coo and headed to Dinant Citadal and on to Lille. The morning stint saw as to for fuel and supplies at the local patisserie in Trois Pont , on we pressed and I got into trouble from Sammy as the roads through the Ardennes were unbelievably smooth and twisty, after having a great time I pulled over and waited. Together again we carried on at a more gentile rate until a motorbike taunted me and off we went enjoying more of the same as he turned off we waved and I pulled over eventually greeted by a shake of the head from Sammy and Trina. arriving at the Citadel we had our alfresco snack of fresh Croissants , choc au pain and cakes lol we explored the citadel, cathedral and hired a boat to cruise the river for an hour or so ( did my best captain pugwash impression lol ) then lunch on the riverside beckoned. Then it was onto Lille where I Han an appointment at Autotechnic for some brake pads , later changed in the hotel car park. Today we took the train into Paris did the main attractions tour and the Eiffel Tower, now on the train headed to Lille ( delayed 1 hr , c’est la vie ) Tomorrow it’s all go again as we head for Hampshire and Sammy to Carlisle.

Well done England for smashing another top team out of the park, can't wait for Sundays final.

Somewhat insanely, I drove the car into work from my parent’s house this morning. Wokingham to near Dartford up the M3 and around the M25. Left at 6am to avoid the traffic and it was fine, good fun on the occasional roundabouts and twisty bits. I don’t have side screens or even wind deflectors so it gets a bit blowy at 70mph, the ears are ringing nicely now. I certainly feel alive and awake this morning though. It put a smile on my face, plus a few other passing drivers who seemed to like the car. Hopefully traffic home this afternoon won’t be too bad. The car seems to run quite hot so I don’t want any overheating problems. It sat around 90 degrees, edging up to 95 at times even with the fan on. The gauge may well be inaccurate so I need to check that out with an IR gauge when I get the chance, perhaps it’s not an issue. But it’s only about 20 degrees out there currently, so I doubt it would cope with 30 plus. Need to see what improvements I can make. First experience of driving with the Lonsdale trainers today too. Positive result, they made life easier and I can even manage a vaguely successful/smooth attempt at heel and toe downshifts, but I would need some new words to describe the unusual parts of my right foot needed to achieve this 🤪. My brake pedal is much too low to make it an easy process, another item on the list of improvements!

I had a lovely Monte……and to my constant regret, sold it to pay for double glazing…can you believe it The only saving grace is that it’s still going strong - it outlasted the windows. Not a 280 but did have a 2.8i for a good few years. It was a local 1 owner car with low miles and in perfect condition. Total hoot to drive.

You’ll be sorry 😀😀😀 hopefully catch up one Sunday morning pal 👍🏼👍🏼

Straight in there no messing 😍

You’ll be sorry 😀😀

Nearly thought about buying a Jenson Interceptor when I was 18. Luckily my dad talked me out of it.

Three weekends away. The route books have been printed, and in wild optimism I'm made up plenty for on the day - anymore cars to join the fray? As previously mentioned, unless someone comes up with some other runs, this is looking to be the only McWesty run for the rest of the year - so, come along and justify your car's existence. Just south of the border (Cumbria, Northumberland etc) isn't that far away to be up for the 9am gathering at Cairn Lodge Services - a long day for sure, but some good roads and fun will make it worthwhile.

Members only I’d suggest, with info and pics. Then put a post up in the for sale section with lots of detail and lots of photos.

Class!

Lancia Delta Integrale. Any version, don't care! I had a 1600 twin cam turbo version many years ago which went very well. Always said I would have an Integrale one day but the prices just kept rising to the silly level they are now at. I have a very long list of cars I wish I'd owned, but the Lancia is at the top. I also always fancied a Saab 900 turbo Aero, but never quite got there...

@corsechris That would be the OT1600 Mostro.

The correct number of mx5s to own is n+1.

Hi Ben if you do come up north give me a bell either on here or by pm and we can hopefully arrange to meet up id echo the sentiments of Chris the west / north side going clockwise is the best, however there are some interesting points to explore with your good lady amongst these are gardens and castle of mey, Dunrobin castle, if you don’t mind a walk then add Fyrish monument . heading down to Edinburgh can be done with the minimal motorway by taking the Glenshee road and again coming north it’s possible to take the scenic route via aberfoyle the dukes pass then head for tyndrum , glencoe, a wee detour along Glen Etive (Skyfall fame ) then fort William and Inverness . like I said give me a shout once we’re home / your ready and we can discuss if you want cheers Gary

Lets not forget Troy at Northampton Motorsport either. He knows his way round an ECU or two...

I'm booked on the Sunday

Sad to see the rocket ship go....