MX5 - Around Britain

231 miles today, and an early finish to boot! What a day, and once again Gary's weather predicting alarm clock was absolutely spot on! Oh dear, more sunburn!

After the euphoria of the England win, and another semi late night celebrating, we met in the car park of the River of Life Church to leave. Disturbingly, there was a decrepit Volvo that seemed to have grown out of a tree overnight, and Eileen even felt so concerned that she checked the boot for bodies!! There were 12 cars in the car park, but the 12th unfortunately had to leave, and it was with much regret, and a small tear, that Jules left to return to Wakefield.

Fred Godson, David Miller, his better half Lesley, Anthony and Sue Galvin, and Bob Moore were in addition to the usual suspects, and so the convoy departed.

At the start there were two convoys - the one that started immediately, and the one that had to stop to refuel!! The roads out of Dumfries and through the Rhin of Galloway to Stranraer were very twisty but wide and fast, and for possibly the first time we were scheduled on time. On the way to the Isle of Whithorn, the convoy was attacked again by the wildlife - this time a couple of pheasants...honestly, its becoming ridiculous - we're running out of different wildlife forms to be attacked by! (This doesn't include the unidentified animal that again had commited Hari - Kari before the grill-less Bart got there!! see pic)

Just outside the peculiarly named village of Wigton, the convoy picked up another addition in the form of Malcolm Gray-Stephens, in his superb yellow roadster....equipped with turbocharger and custom made exhaust that makes it sound like a tornado!! FANTASTIC!! It was easy to tell when we did some drive-by's for photos...but the best had to be the photo of Sue and Anthony, and as you can see, Sue was obviously having problems trying to get him back to Rampton after his day out!

We stopped at Whithorn Bay for toilets and photos, and several raffle tickets were sold to 'enthusiastic' locals and visitors alike. And within minutes, Liz not only had identified each and every house for sale in the village, but had researched their histories and and even put an offer in on a property!! Fast mover or what!

On the way to Stranraer, we travelled along a road that was flanked by huge rhododendron bushes covered in deep purple flowers....Eileen and Liz were in raptures, but the lack of interest was obvious in Ian's voice when he had to relay the message from Eileen to the back of the convoy! And the conversation went as folIows:

In Stranraer, Sue and Anthony Galvin left us...not bad considering that they were initially leaving at the Isle of Whithorn. Its becoming noticeable that everyone who drives with us never wants to leave!! Mad fools!!

One advantage of the roads we were driving today was the amount of driving shots that could be taken en route. And with Mark and Ian both taking digital photos now, there are two sets for us to choose the best from.....and can you believe that 160 were taken today!! And discounting sky shots, thumb shots and shots of the footwell, haven't we done well to reduce them only to 10!!

We stopped at a local pub just outside Stranraer, and after ordering lunch a vintage Mercedes cabriolet from the 1930's drove off the ferry and past our vantage point in the beer garden / car park. With that, Terry remarked..."The last time I saw a car like that Hitler was driving it!!" ....and we thought Terry was only 21!

After lunch we continued our merry way to Largs, through country lanes, A roads and villages...but nothing we have experienced so far prepared us for the sight of a flock of sheep being herded up and along a village road chased by a farmer and his sheep dog! Fred shouted at Gary " Have you got one picked out yet then?" Gary began to get excited, but with the choice available, he ran out of time to snatch the five he wanted before they were safely herded into a field. Close call for the sheep!

At Largs, we got to our hotel - a very friendly place, and most of the team then went to the local RNLI station for a photoshoot with the local press...Cindy Crawford has got nothing on this lot!

Ian and John M went to their separate B&Bs...and just when John thought he'd got a lovely twin room all to himself, Chris Cook arrived after a fruitless search for a room of his own and has blagged half of it. (Can you remember the shopkeeper in Mr Ben.... "And as if by magic the shopkeeper appeared!!")...so has Ian been dumped? Apparently John's already setting ground rules - John has custody of the remote control, John has choice of beds etc. etc. etc.!! Hitler has nothing on this guy - but we think that John's a bit apprehensive because Chris went back to the hotel about an hour ago and John is still here drinking with us in our hotel!!

After getting settled we all walked down to the town centre, and dinner ranged from fish & chips to kebabs eaten on the seafront!! Not classy, but very nice!! And for dessert, a superb ice cream from Nardini's! But can you believe that just when we were about to sit on the terrace sipping beer and watching the world go by, we were told that no-one in Largs was allowed to drink on the streets!! Bizarre!! Apparently its a local bye law....but needless to say, coffee on the terrace didn't have the same appeal!

Reputation proceeds 'Bart', just which country are we in again please by the way....

Day 9 - Sunday 18th June

Dumfries to Largs

226 Miles - Actual 231 Miles

Special Notes

The Route

Daily Log