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The day after Malvern, @SteveB21 and I did the London to Brighton kit and sports car run. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day, and our navigators to seemed to enjoy following the tulip map and directing us around the largely rural roads. This was my third time and Steve's first. The route varies year to year, this time it was about 90 miles including a lunch stop at Chiddington Castle. Its a great event in which to mix with like-minded souls in a huge variety of cars completing the Classic Car run (on a slightly different route), the Modern Classic run and the kit/sports car run. Lots of interest and questions from onlookers as well after we parked up on Madeira Drive. Weather was great too. Here's a few photos, starting with very nonchalant Steve relaxing prior to the start at Brooklands (a great place to visit on its own):

Drove Buttercup to work now I have built a suitable parking spot.

I am all packed and done(hence the early excitement), I am on afters tomorrow so it's home at 10pm, bed and up early to meet you all in Edale.

Positively squeaking with excitement in our house. Loving how the trip hat matches my lanyard. Looking forward to seeing the Yorkshire crew there, thank you Robin.

Joining up with Robin and co at Thirsk then heading to Scotch Corner with them. See you all tomorrow 👍 KR Colin

On the last trip we arrived in Berwick wet and will never forget the minister from the church opening up and letting us change, use the toilet etc….. Have a great weekend guys, wish I could be doing it again……

I am planning to drive down from Fife and meet up also. See you there.

Hi, I’m in Berwick would like to have a look over your cars. I’ve only seen one other for the past few years (excluding mine). Could you let me know where you will be parked up please. Also if anyone needs any repairs I’m happy to help. Chris 07976 626123 look forward to seeing you all

Please note that the starting location has been updated to a more suitable location. 12 noon at The Crown, Main Street, Great Casterton PE9 4AP

Will see you there in the sunshine. Pint in the evening sun I hope 🤞

Not exactly what the postie brought today as they arrived 5 mins before leaving for Malvern on the 31st May! Sadly, the car is still not ready to refit any of the suspension!

Thought it was worth a lucky shot, if something was local and in great condition. I gave it until Monday morning before ordering a nice new one at 09:00am from Caged Laser. Easier than messing around with a second-hand one too. My previous Westy had a caged laser roll cage and my current one has the caged laser roll bar, so at least the back will be easy to fit.

Day 8- we decided to continue on in two groups. Rich was still taking it easy hoping his car would make it home, the other Rich joined him for a more direct route. I and the others continued the planned twisty longer route . Which let’s just say was twisty, hard going on the cars and very gravelly! This led to my exhaust bracket coming loose, the alternator brackets snapping and then some strange intermittent clonking noise from the rear wheel. After making a cable tie bodge repair the alternator was sorted. I decided just to continue as we couldn’t find a cause for the clonking noise… We heard on the what’s app group Rich had another fuel pump failure but they managed to source one just before a shop closed! Lucky or what… We met up with them by chance along the route. He was back up and running and so I continued in the slow group just to get to the destination hopefully with no more issues!! We all arrived safely. Booked in to a Formula 1 at Saint Etienne. Checked the cars over, showered and wondered off into town for an all you can eat Steak buffet…

This is actually day 5 route now

Day 5 As some of you eagle eyed members may have noticed there was only 5 cars today. The two with mechanical issues were now running again thanks to some Creative work from the team but only well enough to get from A to B, not blat up and down mountain passes. So they drove a more direct route to the end destination near Andorra and we crossed our fingers we would see them there! Us however had a blinding day! 270 miles Loads of constant mountain twisties, sun and ice cream! We were so pleased to see on the tracker they were still moving throughout the day. As they were ahead they managed to find a place to stay. We arrived and found that they had actually also now made a more substantial repair to the clutch and that car was likely to be ok for the trip duration which was fantastic to hear. We found a nice pizza restaurant in town and enjoyed more beers too!

Day 4- today we covered 250 miles. In the morning we went up Mnt T into the clouds. There was a cycle event on and the roads were busy plus you couldn’t see the car in front most of the time! Upon descending into the valleys the sky cleared and temp returned to a nice 26 deg. We all got covered in sheep poo as we crossed some beautiful single track twistie passes. The pass we were on was closed and the alternative was an unknown diversion, so we decided to ignore a small landslide and squeeze the cars through which was quite amusing afterwards. We had one car lose power. Quickly we identified a blown fuse, which must have been with all the heaters, wipers etc and lights on… then we had a breakdown, which was a quick fuel pump replacement and we were back on the road. Later that afternoon we arrived at our camp site which we were pleased to find had cabins and a pool! just as we pulled into the car park , one of the cars clutch broke. The owner of the site kindly let us borrow his Bob cat to use as a makeshift car lift. So the evening was spent making repairs. At this point it was 50/50 whether the problem was too serious to continue. One of the other cars was still having clutch problems and questioning retiring from the trip and taking a steady direct ride home. We did enjoy beers and a nice meal and good sleep.

Day 3- today was a great day. 270 miles of mountain twisties diving in and out of France and Spain. Early start and arguably better than the Alps passes, fast and mostly smooth empty roads except for the odd bike or local. I say mostly smooth, as one of the group cracked his sump on a pot hole. Luckily with some liquid metal we made a repair and all seems good. My alternator lost a bolt and came loose and one of the others had a loose connection on the fan. Again, all easily fixed at the road side. We ended the day at Gavin Campsite and managed to book two cabins rather than get the tents out! We enjoyed a swim and meal and few beers. looking forward to much of the same again tomorrow

Sorry delay in update I was knackered yesterday! so day 2- we had a long days drive, about 350 miles to get down to the border, a delayed start to get a new battery for one of the cars. Lovely hot weather. Mainly D roads other than the last 150k to make up a bit of time. few little clutch bearing issues on one of the cars. (Which resulted in a photo shoot as a passer by wanted us to come and see his chateau!)Other than that great day. We ended up in another Formula 1 hotel so we could have a good sleep and shower etc. the eve was full of beer and burgers, and T bone steaks

So, early start yesterday. Successful tunnel crossing with no hold ups despite rumours of French strikes etc. The train was packed with Le Mans traffic heading down to the 24hr. Lots of caterhams and Porsches. We stopped off for some early breaky near Boloigne and then took a fairly relaxed ride down using mainly D roads and the odd toll. The weather was slightly damp in patches but nothing to be concerned about, noticeably getting hotter the further south we travelled. Another few fuel and baguette stops settled us in nicely, getting back into the routine of jumping in and out quickly over the coming days! After 348 miles, three fill ups, we arrived at our Formula 1 hotel in Tours, France. The other 4 were by this time were only an hour or two away. They had a good relaxed crossing to Dieppe and then 200 odd miles to catch us up. We all met in a bar round the corner (cracking place) Rich found, for pizzas and a few beers in the sun to discuss the days antics. One hopefully “just flat” battery to replace this morning at a shop round the corner and then we should be good to go for another big day down to the border.

Last minute prep Tomorrow ready for an early start Weds morning. Weathers looking ok on the drive down ☀️🤞🏼 Day 1 plan of action ⬇️

Still not sure I'mm gonna make it to scotch corner sunday. Temperature and battery issues still 🤯🤣 Hopefully I can get sorted tomorrow but not looking likely.

Sorry guys. Id love too but i am still awaiting parts for the car. Bellboy