Scottish Lowlands Mystery/Navigation Run - August 24th Saturday

[BigSkyBrad]

Seven sleeps to go!

 

McWestys - this is the last organised run for the year for us, so a perfect time to justify that £10k sitting in your garage collecting dust! Just like the Wigwam Weekend, there's the 3-B's to look forward to - bonkers roads, banter and a (well-deserved) beer in the evening.

 

Non-McWestys - come join us, we're not that far up the island!

[judder]

Sorry guys, 

I just won't have my car on the road this year at all. With working away from home, cars needing work, house needing work - I just can't get the kit on the road. Only just got it weatherproof with all 4 sides of the carport now filled in. 

Hope you all have a great time - maybe next year. 

Cheers,

Stephen. 

[BigSkyBrad]

@judder oh, that's a shame, maybe next year.

 

Central-belters - mind the overnight stay isn't compulsory, come join the day-run, that's the best bit. As has been said above, this is the last actual organised run of the year for us so it would be great to see as many as possible before our cars are tucked away in their snow-shelters.

 

BBC Weather is so far showing a dry day on Saturday, so that's encouraging.

[BigSkyBrad]

Weather is looking good from Friday right through to next Wednesday - roll up, roll up, all the fun of the circus!

[Gary Taylor]

That’s the westy all checked and ready for us heading south tomorrow, down to Broomhall castle then Saturday morning we have our mystery navigation run around the borders, staying in Peebles before heading home Sunday 

It’s still not to late if you want to join in on Saturday, 9am at Happendon services just off the m74, will be a fun day

[Alfascozzesi]

Hope you all have a fantastic day and sorry I couldn’t be there.

 

Remember and look for the Scottish map at the Baroney.

 

See you all soon. 

[BigSkyBrad]

Fun day had by all, great weather and everyone loved the roads. One casualty, Brian got swiped by a car on a single track road, got recovered back to Jedburgh, but is aiming to drive his road car to Peebles for tonight - in true Scottish style (and dedication to the McWesty Clan), he's booked the hotel and he's damn well going to use it!

 

About ready to go down for dinner and drinks, so more detail and pics of the run to follow. 

[Onliest Smeg David]

On 18/08/2019 at 11:52, BigSkyBrad said:

@judder oh, that's a shame, maybe next year.

Yes, wish I could have come up this year.

[Gary Taylor]

Yesterday morning we all met up at Happendon services for our mystery navigation run, where after a chat and  introductions we were briefed on the days run by Brad and Diane. Issued with our navigation notes .
So all loaded up the first car headed off into the unknown at 10.00 prompt, followed by the other “ intrepid explorers” at 2 minute intervals 
The first loop saw westies passing each other in different directions, which played tricks with your mind , but the notes and Trina’s instructions kept us going. We had a couple of mistakes partly due to differences in trip meters, partly due to the driver not listening, but it really is easy to get your mileage reset at a T junction and then adjust the pace note numbers on the fly , we had one small deviation at a fork in the road where we met Jim and Jean coming down and we turned at the farmyard to and returned to take the other fork
We laughed and joked as it was obvious at times we were looping around and the people in villages laughing and waving too as we passed them again in a different direction.
Stopping for our compulsory 30 minute lunch break we heard that Brian had unfortunately had an accident, being hit when almost stationary by an oncoming car! Fortunately Brian is ok and the car will sort.
After lunch and talk of the mornings fun and adventure , we were off again.
Filling up with fuel and enjoying some great border roads we arrived at the finish line in Peebles after 200 miles ( plus mistakes ) of fun filled driving and we even had the sun out to make the day even better.
Then it was off to the hotel where everyone was meeting up for a debrief and dinner, where we were joined by Brian who had had a long wait for recovery and a hire car, but true to spirit instead of heading home he came and joined everyone for the evening 
Summing up a BIG thanks to Brad and Diane for organising this run it’s the first time we’ve done this and definitely won’t be the last 
It’s not a race so was done at your own pace with absolutely no emphasis on time or speed
The roads were absolutely stunning from narrow country lanes to moorland peak roads with grass growing up through the tar, such little traffic they see.
Strangely enough despite being in an area that is a lot higher populated than where were from there was very little traffic 
And normally on a run you have your route planned out but to drive 200 miles whilst being unaware of where you are or where you are going put a whole new fun factor on the day
And thank you to all who came and supported the day , let’s double or treble the numbers next time.

[H.7]

Thanks to Brad and Diane for organising - really enjoyed it up until 11:54 when white van wummin ruined my day. Grateful thanks to Jim and Jean for curtailing their morning to make sure I was OK, and to the many unknown and unnamed people who stopped to speak to me during the next SIX HOURS whilst I waited for the breakdown truck. Thanks to Phill in the cottage next door for keeping me topped up with water throughout the day. Good to catch up eventually at Barony Castle, just made it in before the kitchen closed 😉 I'll look forward to next year once I've got the car fixed and the planned modifications made ... 

[Gary Taylor]

A few more pictures of some of the cars

[BigSkyBrad]

Checkpoint Charlise (Diane) - midpoint on the morning leg, with Colin and Leanna, their carbed Pinto and big grins, having a ball.

 

Checkpoint picnic, complete with tartan rug, waiting for the cars to come through, Brian's demise just a couple of mile back up the road.

[Gary Taylor]

Well that’s us home today we did 225 miles from Peebles, home we took a heap of back roads, mountain roads and some which I doubted if they should be called a road ...
So totting up we’ve covered 655 miles this weekend stayed in 2 castles and had a brilliant time with the Clan on our mystery navigation run 
Roll on the next one 

[Davep1]

Firstly I would like to add our thanks to Brad and Diane for all the preparation and planning for the mystery tour - we thought we had done well completing the 200 mile loop, but they had done it 3 or 4 times before, during planning!

 

If anyone is thinking of doing it next year - dont hesitate, as its a fantastic idea, best shared with a co-pilot, but fine solo. 

Taken at your own speed, the roads, views, and lack of traffic make it very special.

It has even managed to re-kindle my wife's interest in the Westy, and she is now more than happy to do many more events like this now (hoping to both sign up for the Mc Westy wigwam weekend next year as well).  She really enjoyed the whole weekend, and also the social side - the McWesty clan is so welcoming to old and new members (her words!).

 

Gary and Trina travelled the furthest,  but doing long road trips is what Westfield-ing is all about, isnt it?

 

We hope Brian gets the car sorted asap, and hopefully back on the road before we lose the best of the weather.

 

Dave and Jenni.

 

 

 

 

[H.7]

Brief update on the state of my car after I got it delivered to my preferred repairer today:

 

All driver’s side front:

Upper and lower wishbones sheared

Lower arm bracket sheared

Shock absorber sheared

Possible steering rack damage

Side panel bent and broken

Box chassis bent in two places

Wheel scored and possibly bent

Tyre may be compromised accordingly

Cycle wing is shattered

Cycle wing brackets broken

 

Driver’s side mirror cracked

Brake switch damaged

Seat back broken

 

Getting a local (known) specialist to look at the chassis - if he reckons it can be cut and will spring back to where it should be, all good 😊 If not, car will need to be stripped and bare chassis sent back to Westfield ☹️

 

Still fuming, but could have been worse - white van wummin could have wiped out a family of cyclists or folks out walking their dogs 🤬

 

Need to see what insurance broker says tomorrow (still closed due to English Bank Holiday weekend 🙄)

 

I’ll keep you posted ...

 

Cheers,

Brian