Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 The Manchester boys have done 3 trips north of the border in recent years each lasting a week.. Quote
benedwards64 Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 If you're in the area, Ullapool is a lovely place to stop by. Good fish and chips IIRC, and the roads there are lovely too. I think when I was up there we approached it from the north.... 1 Quote
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted June 4, 2015 Author Posted June 4, 2015 Evening team. Last night we watched the most beautiful pink sunset over Glencoe and the sun seems to set so late up here. This morning we travelled to Skye and have had a fabulous day. We set off with the roof on and then took it off and we have had it off all day. . We headed on the route from Glencoe that takes you across the bridge. Think it is the A87. We stopped of at the Commando memorial and it is such a moving place. A massive statue of three commandos overlooking a huge valley with Ben Nevis in front and a number of other mountains. The faces on the statues and the way they are stood... Well everything... Is just perfect and it is a fitting tribute. I had a crying moment as next to the statue is a memorial garden and an area wher they scatter the ashes of fallen commandos. What I did not expect was to see family photos of the fallen Commandos and with the words on the cards you sort of bonded with the fallen. People had even put bottles of whisky and cans of lager etc on the memorials and I was extremely humbled. The car parking is very clean and safe for a Westfield. We met here and chatted to a couple in a Lomax who were driving from Lands End to John O Groates. We left here and continued on our way and we came to this massive, massive valley with snow topped mountains and lochs to the side but the mountains and rocks were extremely rugged. We felt so tiny and the air was really cold and it was utterly amazing and went on for miles. We then came to another set of mountains with the road at the bottom and OMG. If you have seen the start of Jurassic park where the helicopter flies towards the island, well it was just like that and was effing unbelievable with smooth Tarmac and hardly any cars. There is a good petrol garage their as well and we had used around half a tank coming from Glencoe. We continued and came to the end and then it was like driving through Norway. We dropped down and there was a huge loch to the left with little fishing boats and with the mountains and the snow it was identical to a Norwegian fijord. We are now on Skye and the roads are not as smooth but the scenery is stunning. We arrived at our lodgings and there wS a note on the door saying, just go in, help yourself to anything and text or ring us... The owners. I have left out the names but when the owners arrived they said they don't lock anything up as there is no crime in the area. We have driven to Portree and the petrol garage will not accept a debit or credit card unless it's over £15.00 so make sure you have some cash. We had fish and chips on the harbour jetty and it was tasty enough but expensive for what you got and I would find somewhere else next time. Tomorrow we are going to go to an extinct volcano and then head to Durness with a stop over at Ullapool. Lessons learnt from today. Always have cash available. There is no need to worry about the frequency of petrol stations. Everyone loves a Westfield. Leave the half hood fastened to the back of the car if you have luggage attached over the straps and just unroll the hood backwards from the windscreen and tuck it behind the seats then you can attach the hood in an instant without taking off all the luggage. JK composite seats are extremely comfy. A fat bloke trying to climb in and out with a half hood attached needs a removable steering wheel. Thank you everyone also for all the advice and really kind comments. It is really appreciated. 4 Quote
Marcus Barlow - Show and Events Co-ordinator Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 A fat bloke trying to climb in and out with a half hood attached needs a removable steering wheel. HaHa! upgrade time when you get back then or the Gym 1 Quote
Higgy Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 Unfortunately didn't spot you today. I did call into the car park at Eilean Donan castle (about 2pm) in case you had stopped there for a photo opportunity or refreshment. I live a short distance down the road you used to get into the car park at the commando memorial. It would have been good to meet you there but unfortunately I had to be at Applecross for 10am. I was thinking of you when I went through Glen Garry at 8am this morning, it was so still and the reflections in the loch were perfect. I was thinking, you are going to love this! For your trip to Durness you might like to consider taking the route from Kyle via Strathcarron (where you turn right) to Achnasheen to Gairloch and up to Ullapool from there. (There is a petrol station in Gairloch). There is an alternative, Kyle via Strathcarron (where you turn left) and go to Kinlochewe via Torridon, then to Gairloch. You can add in the Applecross loop if you want. Of these two options the 1st takes in the best driving roads, utterly superb in fact! The roads of the second option are much slower but the scenery more dramatic. I'd take the 1st option and save the second for your next visit when hopefully the weather will be kinder. Unfortunately looking very wet for the first part of tomorrow. Have a blast! John. 1 Quote
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted June 4, 2015 Author Posted June 4, 2015 Hi John. So sorry we did not get to meet. We did stop at the castle today though. It would have been lovely to have had a meet up. I will try to follow your route tomorrow and will let you know how we get on. Thanks for the advice and for spending the time to try to meet us. Quote
S2T Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 I did the inaugural NorthCoast500 rally/trip in the Westfield. Yes it rained but for the worst of it a stop under a golf umbrella was sufficient. In fact we did the NC500 anti clockwise which maybe the wrong way around. Anyway a local Caterham mate and I are planning to do the NC500 in a day on or about midsummers day. Buttercup where are you heading after Durness? I assume you have been made aware of Cocoa Mountain there and the Smoo Caves are certainly worth a visit 1 Quote
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted June 4, 2015 Author Posted June 4, 2015 Hello S2T. I have been in Smoo Cave before and the reason to go to Durness is because I love Loch Eriboll. Spent a few hours last year searching for the hood stones and eventually found them . I am hoping to get Buttercup to Moine House for some pictures but Carol won't go in the house as she does not like the pictures on the walls. We are travelling to Durness tomorrow. Day after going to John o Groats and back to Durness in same day. Spending the night in Durness and they travelling via Inverness to Aberfeldy for two days. Not heard about Cocoa mountain. What is that. Quote
S2T Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 They are chocolate related specialists, they do a good mug of hot chocolate http://www.cocoamountain.co.uk/ The best directions are if you are at the only petrol pump in the village look west, the main road curves to the south and there is another road going west - go down that one for about 500 yards. Cocoa Mountain is there with a number of assorted arty vendors. Quote
S2T Posted June 4, 2015 Posted June 4, 2015 Loch Eriboll http://www.surf2turf.com/NorthCoast500/images/page13.html 1 Quote
petzzii Posted June 5, 2015 Posted June 5, 2015 Hi Buttercup, Love this thread, I will be there in July with my family, straight from Luxembourg, but sadly not in my Westfield, we're hired a Camper. I can't wait to see your pictures...... Cheers 1 Quote
Old Tyke Posted June 5, 2015 Posted June 5, 2015 Great thread this one. Am heading there in September, week in Onich twixt Glencoe and F William, and a week in Aultbea nr Gareloch. Can't take the Westfield, the other half won't fit in! Hopefully will go in the MX5. Trust I can get the top down in the September weather! 1 Quote
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