Leaderboard

So after a mammoth (self induced) period upgrading my front end to wide track, protech, westy uprights, willwood brakes etc I managed to make it to the start line for my summer trip round Wales - Bill 7 H's Welsh 500. For clarity, I am Billy (long story, beer required...) and H is my mate on his trusty BMW 1200 RT. H has done many a bike tour of Wales but generally in the pack and not planning or leading, I've done none! So quite rightly, I left that bit to him. Having got the car finally together on Bank Holiday monday night I set off to see Dave Gallop, Track Developments, North Of Castle Coombe - he worked his old school magic and the car came back handling a dream. Rear wheel alignment and height setting Bump steer adjustment - including machining down the camber adjusting nut and making a castor adjusting shim to go under the steering rack. I then struggled to bleed my new brakes but with help from the forum and local members I got this done Thursday morning and finished the final bits - cycle wings etc on Thursday evening approx 2200! We set off at lunch time on Friday, meeting at the M48 Service just before the Severn bridge... Via Chepstow, and heading to Raglan to pass over the Brecon Beacons heading West....or we were until my left Cycle Wing stay undid itself and picked a fight with the tyre! H drove and found a garage that was kind enough to provide some bolts, washers and spring washers which allowed us to get to Abergavenny to raid the Motor Factors for more appropriate bolts and threadlock. (voices of I told you those bolts might be too long echo from Tim Thall...). Checked the RHS too and they were starting to undo too! Onwards again! Glorious roads over the Beacons with little traffic we shook down and worked out riding/driving styles and comms too. In the end my cheapo phone mount kept popping off the windscreen (@Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO I need to follow your lead and bolt it to the dash!) so H lead most of the way which lead to him nimbly overtaking at every opportunity and me painfully waiting for a suitable spot to stretch the Westy's legs. All was well with only a few showers but as we headed down into Cardigan we hit a lovely forested section with great bends going downhill but both H and I realised that the roads were still wet and a tadge slippy! But we made it safely to Flambards Hotel, Cardigan where we parked the motors round the back nicely out of sight and after a quick change had an awesome Rib Eye steak dinner and few sleeping juices. Saturday morning we refuelled before we did the same with the motors and then off for a monster drive up the West Wales coast dipping in and out for some of the best bits to end up in Snowdonia. Easy drive up to Aberystwyth for a coffee stop on the sea front having just missed the Rally of Wales WRC! However, what we didn't miss was one of H's detours for a more interesting single track scenic diversion - beautiful to look at for him up high on motorbike, but I only saw the hedges and the long grass in the middle of the track - Oh yes and the chuffing big tractor that won the face off. Battle scarred and muddy we cracked on! Some of the valley roads and inland forays were truly spectacular and we just kept going until we arrived for a late lunch at Bala - memories of old from my youth in my 1275 Mini GT were strong! By now we were running a little late so we applied some haste and made up some ground by cutting the corner North from Capel Curig to Bangor finishing some nice roads in the process and then onto the Great Orme for an Ice Cream. On arrival at the top we both baulked at the £4.50 minimum car park so took some snaps and headed back down, taking the lower Orme roads that circumnavigates the rock (one way traffic too 😉) and gives stunning views out over to a foggy Anglesey... From here it was a easy run down through Conwy, including the Tunnels, no excessive throttle blipping was conducted M'lord... We arrived at Furnace Farm, Bodnant for our accommodation which was top notch and we certainly enjoyed the local Welsh Lamb cutlets and beer too! Next morning, Sunday, was another beautiful day and we had a hearty breakfast in the Farm Shop Cafe before I borrowed a hose to wash the car, making H sit in to keep it ticking over, or was that to ensure he got his fair share of mud too! After kitting up we set off back into the heart of Snowdonia for the return leg to Bristol. This was again a blessed route with little car traffic and plenty of bikers who, having a bike escort, treated me nicely! Back through Bala and then out onto the moors and those lovely flowing roads. We were there early enough to miss the hordes that we saw heading there later and had some nice drives with other enthusiasts including some mega fast sports bikes, touring bikes and a blinking fast Westy that caught us up! Apart form one caravan, dispatched quickly and a single 'driving miss daisy' couple we had glorious weather and empty roads again! This was truly epic for me and really let me stretch the legs of the car and test the braking, steering and suspension mods to the full - all good happy to report! Stopping for a late lunch at Crossgate Biker Cafe it was clear that the Westy was a rose between thorns (in my view) and did indeed attract some nice comments and intrigue, especially when they found out I was paired with H on an ex-Police RT! We did a final top up of fuel and set off for Abergavenny and the final stretch down the Wye valley. By the time we got to Tintern Abbey it was baking hot and so an Ice Cream stop was in order! What a magnificent building this must have been in its day. Then it was the final stretch down the Wye Valley with its thankfully shaded sweeping bends and out over the M48 Severn Bridge again to land back in England. H peeled off to head South on the M5 and I pootled home to Bristol. Gave the car a quick check on return and no new issues. Stats for the weekend were: 560 Miles 68 L of Fuel 37 mpg overall Smiles a million Next year either Devon & Cornwall or NC500....

I've worked in logistics and ecommerce over 30 years and had some interesting times with all the major parcel carriers (through choice I have never worked for one though!). As the old adage says "you get what you pay for" with a lot of them. Hermes/Evri are positioned at the cheaper end of the market.... The larger hubs are amazing places, handling millions of parcels each week for the major ecommerce players. Interestingly, all of the carriers are managing 90-95% on time delivery performance for next day and 97-98% for a standard 3-5 day service. They do focus on the larger businesses as they are the cornerstone of their operation and give scale and geographical reach. As a consequence, the focus on the smaller business/individual is lacking in a lot of cases. Being "in the know", there are certain carriers, regions and product types I'd be very careful about if I was sending a parcel myself. Even as a buyer, for expensive items I will tend to check the carrier used before making a purchase (some businesses will give you options). I would also say, try not to send a parcel around Black Friday, Cyber Monday or the week or two prior to Christmas... it is total carnage for the parcel industry at those times of the year 😂

It’s the reason I don’t use intermediary companies such as parcels to go or bookings.com as it adds an extra layer of complication when things unfortunately go wrong. I’d alway pay the little extra and book direct with the company I’m using.

Ha ha bizarely it cost more to cook yourself but did allow me to get it done in my own way... This was a test run for next year when I hope to take the Bristol and Bath members out for a similar weekend of fun...I'll try not to leave the upgrades to the last minute!

Same here. I ordered a garden rake from Amazon and Herpes, er, I mean Hermes lost it. Ordered it a second time and they “lost” it again. I’m guessing they were pilfered. Evri opened a new very small distribution facility about a 1/4 mile away from me - no signage at all, but I recognised the delivery drivers. My neighbour was expecting a parcel from them that never showed up, so I gave her a lift to the facility and we walked straight in through the loading door, unchallenged. The manager was shocked that we knew who they were. After a few cold and dark words, her parcel was found swiftly. Bunch of incompetents. 🤬

Just filled the last place. Only reserve places available now!

Westfield SEWidebody Vauxhall 2.0 16v C20XE 1998 build year with 14k miles. Set up now as a track focused road car, this has spent the majority of its time being used on track days. A very focussed nicely screwed together build with the benefit of that glorious Vauxhall 16v Redtop, which has been modified to now produce 205bhp. • Jenvey Throttle Bodies • Ported and polished head with upgraded cams • SBD Dry Sump system with remote tank • SBD Cam tensioner upgrade • MBE 967 ECU • SBD 4-2-1 stainless steel exhaust • Oil Cooler • Coolex 70mm core radiator – (brand new) • New hydraulic lifters in ‘23 • Brise motorsport alternator • 205bhp with rolling road print out • Type 9 gearbox with long 1st gear • Quaife LSD • Short shift gear linkage recently renewed • Playskool cage fitted 2019 • Complete new FW bodywork including V8 bonnet in 2013 • New Gold Revolution Minilites 7j front 8j rear wheels fitted with R888 tyres • GAZ dampers all round, fronts recently serviced with print outs • Lifeline fully plumbed fire suppression system with twin outlets • Immobiliser with push button start • Quick release Momo steering wheel • Tillet B5 carbon seats with Tillet mounting kits (brand new) • ’23 TRS 4-point harness on drivers side, standard Westfield on passenger side • Carbon dash panel • Acewell Digi dash • Carbon kick strips • LED headlights Correctly period registered with ‘Westfield’ on the logbook. ’79/V allows it to be tax exempt which is an added bonus! Suffered a bump in 2013 resulting in being classed a Cat D. This was bodywork only damage where the owner at the time opted to replace the whole body resulting in the fresh FW look. Those in the know will appreciate this is a non-issue. Two folders full of invoices, MOT certificates, literature and history etc. Car drives as you’d imagine, lightening quick and beautifully responsive. I purchased with the intention of a bit of mild hillclimb and sprint competition, driving to and from events, however, work and family commitments mean that this is no longer feasible. The new owner will have a competition ready car they can happily drive to events. Salisbury £11,495 (07814 359423)

Out with the Surrey group last night, taking advantage of the sunshine! I think we got more attention than the convertible Rolls in the background...

When I say northern, that's anything north of Gloucester just so the Midlands crews don't have a pop at me 😳😳😁🤣👍

@Flying Carrot Steve honestly, neither did I! If it hadn't been for you, Tim and Mark coming round with tools, spares and advice and going above and beyond then It wouldn't have happened at all - not to mention all the great advice from the other folks local and on the forum!

Did the steak cost more if cooked? 😉 What a great trip and well written up too. Shame you were a solo Westie and more didn't join you.

Me too

I'll be there.

Evri messed me about with an undelivered golf club I sold, they lost it in march. You can't speak to a human. Only a chief executive complaint got the ball rolling and finally received my pay out last month

Maybe some of these companies should be called ~Robin Hood delivery Service ????????

On my bedroom window recently. It happens a lot but they are stunned at worst, and completely unfazed at best! Only a couple of smaller birds have met their makers; one or two finch sized ones and ironically a woodpecker! Oh, and the window cleaner came yesterday!

Making the most of the lovely weather I took the Westfield to the vets in Matlock to pick up Broadline for our cat. Any excuse for a birthday blat.

Busy day here as well! Car back from Siltech Saturday afternoon, and @Howard put the engine back in today, with some help from @*Emma*. A few tweaks to be made, but should be up and running before the next event (If we make it off the reserve list…)!