Sunday
After collecting another tranche of sponsorship (thanks to Ken Ironside and family and my brother Jim’s family) we set out early doors for Wick. It was a beautiful day and we took the scenic route over the Cairngorms with Jim driving and me biting my nails! Seriously it was fine and a good rest for me.
Arrived late afternoon and signed on. Some wonderful machines taking part and everybody was really friendly and cheery and welcoming.
Phoned wife Jeanne to learn that Lindsay Sands had donated £200 and Graham Henson had also made a contribution – thanks to both brilliant! We submitted a total of £2700 and it is still climbing.
Monday
Set out early from Wick to Cape Wrath to the start where everybody was crammed into a tiny car park. Glorious weather and wonderful roads all day. Stopped in Inverness after meeting my other brother Bob and his wife Angela who with their freinds Tom and Evelyn stuffed money into our can. At Dinner in the evening we received a fine of £2 for failing to respond to an instruction correctly – I hadn’t anticipated navigator error so soon!
Tuesday
Set out from Inverness on another brilliant day (Scotland was never like this when I lived here – long live gobal warming!). First section of the day was just fantastic with tight twisty almost off road sections which tested both driver and car and elicited broad grins all round. Posting this blog at Dalwhinnie half way through the day thanks to the Inn Dalwhinnie and Mike a very helpful antipodean who is about to cycle round Europe – I might go with him!
More as soon as i can get connected again.
May 17, 2007 at 5:18 am
Additional Notes:
Also worth mentioning the staff at the Ramada, Inverness whom were generally very helpful – providing carwash bucket water on arrival and help in securing parking spaces in a “tight fit”. Many thanks.
However, the Vauxhall Vectra now seems to be the car chosen by meglomaniac captains of industry (clerks) and markefing directors (salesman). One of the latter breed took great exception to the space occupied by ‘CnC07′ entrants and duuly blocked us in to ours – THE DISABLED BAY – I hope you read this an are shamed by your arrogant disregard of genuinely disabled drivers and fellow hotel residents. Numtie!!
As one of the rally drivers I used to partner on Scottish ’special stage events’ (like the Snowman, Haakle, Autumn Stages etc) used to say. This particular silver Vectra was suffering from a case of thrombosis – a clot behind the wheel!!
Thanks also to the BBC – one of its staff staying in the hotel whilst setting-up new Gaelic broadcasting facilities chatted to me in the bar and very generously made a donation – unprompted of course!
Hope the cyclists raised their funds for children requiring special care. They looked immaculate and fit, despite 10 days on the road from Lands End and 1.5 days away from John o’ Groats. Thanks for the square-wheeled bike lapel badges. Still being worn on my Team Nimlock Porsche safari shirt.
Hope to add some info on the entrants within the next few days. Meantime, many thanks to Dennis and all the officials for assisting Dave and myself in so many ways throughout the Tour’s duration. Th £675 plus £9.48 are on their way…..honest (at this point had to stop as I felt very dizzy – frequent occurrence when Aberdonians are parting with money – the bed feels less lumpy though)!!
Looking forward to Dave’s next installment and the photos (my personal email service is down at the moment the joys of PCs.
Regards to all
Jim
Navigator, Car 30