Apology

Friday
I apologise to all my readers for the lack of a posting for a week now. This has been due to the fact that I have not been able to access internet and my own machine has lost a necessary lead. I will be returning home this weekend and will file a full catch up on Monday – all being well!
In the meantime I am pleased to let you know that we finished Ok and better than that, that we also received a trophy – more details in the next blog!!

Through the Black North into Eire

Thursday 3rd May
Beautiful weather has now become the norm and we set off into lovely countryside which took us to the rugged coastline of Co. Antrim and on to the Giant’s Causeway – a magnificent sight. The navigation was fairly demanding and at the end of the day we lost ourselves in the countrtyside for an hour and a half whilst we quarrelled and tried to unravel the mysteries of the road book! All credit to Jim, we eventually emerged on the correct road and arrived at our hotel tired but happy – well tired anyway. I missed out on dinner and went straight to bed grabbing over twelve hours much needed and, I would like to think, well deserved kip. Jim received the good news at dinner that we had incurred no penalty points – excellent! He was so pleased that he remained in the bar till the wee sma hours amusing the other competitors, or so he thought, with his company. The good news – one of our lady competitors raised e50 by dipslaying her bosoms and donated the money to our Macmillan can (cans for cans I guess!) the bad news is that Jim was a little slow to get started on the new day.

Friday 4th May
Another splendid sunny day to get us going through Donegal and down to Co Mayo traversing both the Dartry and Ox Mountains and running alongside variouis loughs including Lough Corrib. The afternoon involved a rally techniwque called “regularity” for which we were not ideally equipped and at which we did not appear to excel – all very interesting however and a grand way to keep our speed down,so we could see the scenery. At one point, we had an epic short thrash with an entrant in a Porsche 2.7 Carrera and I could have played that game all day. We stopped for an afternoon halt at a very attractive old castle “Ashford Castle” which is now a luxury hotel and for the last section of the day I swopped navigators. Jim moving across to a Citroen 2CV and me taking on board Annabelle who fancied a change of pace from her driver Sarah, which, judging by her rather quiet demeanour was perhaps a little faster than she is used to! They are having a great rally but a bit slower than everybody else- though they do attract lots of attention particluarly from little kids who love their “noddy car”. Their bravery in campaigning this car is not to be underestimated. We pitched up at the Park Hotel Kiltimagh Co Mayo for tonight and crowned the evening with a charity auction. Both Jim and myself were led astray by the occasion and have made purchases. Both secrets, which will sadly not be revealed here.
Thanks to the fantastic staff here for letting me have machine access – which has been great. Tomorrow we are off to Galway and Killarney. The word is that the weather will not be as good – this will be a pity for the many open top cars which have not raised thier hoods since we left Wick nearly a week ago. I hope to upload more photos tomorrow subject to good web access.

Down Scotland and over to Ulster

End of Tuesday
The day just got better after my last blog. Firstly a group of cyclists doing the John o Groats Lands End thing gave us a donation before we left Dalwhinnie. Our stop took us about an hour and a half by which time we were in danger of going over time so it was a great opportunity to give it some stick on some really good Perthshire roads as we hammered South.
As we got close to Arrochar we were lucky not to be nabbed by a speed cop with a radar gun (One of our group in an Aston Martin was sadly not so lucky)
Then on to the famous “Rest and be Thankful” hillclimb course for a single run.
I was delighted to manage 4th place overall being beaten by a Porsche 2.7 Carrera, an MGC and a 3.5 Rover engined MGB GT – all in the hands of serious competitors who don’t have terminal cancer! A wonderful experience to be treasured.
On to Gourock for the night’s stop.
Wednesday
Off in the fog to attack some great roads in Ayrshire with lots of testing navigation which Jim handled very professionally. As the morning went on the sun came out and gave us some fantastic views over the hills.
We finished this section in good time and meandered down to Portpatrick for a lunch beside the harbour – very pretty!
We then assembled at the ferry terminal with all the other cars for the crossing and had an official photograph taken before we left. I took the opportunity to don my green Macmillan wig and to hassle all the cars on the quay for donations – they were mainly Irish and very generous.
We then had a brief drive to our hotel in Antrim, The Comfort Hotel, where the staff were extremely helpful, friendly and welcoming – best yet by a mile which is how I am able to to this blog – Thanks to the girls behind reception – you are stars!
Some missed points I should catch up on
Thanks to my nephew Bruce and girlfriend Ailsa for their donations as we passed through Invergordon.
Thanks to Chris at GCR – this car is going really well and is keeping up with the best of the pack – it is a joy to drive.
Sory about lack of photos i will try to get some more internet access to load them asap.
Enjoying this event so much – the atmosphere is wonderful and the organisation is excellent!

The Start at Cape WrathThe lighthouse at Stoer pointHungry Cars at Gourock waiting to be fed!

Away at Last!

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.

A very busy week!

Well this week didn’t turn out quite as expected! Sorry if you have been visiting the blog looking for an update.
Monday
Spent the first half of the day arranging with Chris at GCR to remedy several faults on the car – front discs, sun roof, windscreen washers,throttle cable etc. He was very helpful and responsive despite the fact he is up to his eyes at present. Car booked in Wednesday to fix the faults.
In the afternoon I went pilates to start getting my body up to the standard of the car! Theresa who puts me through my paces offered to give me some sponsorship – brilliant and just in time to get her name on the car.
Tuesday
Still trying to get my body up to speed! Went to the doctor’s surgery to get my 3 monthly hormone injection, which keeps me alive and mobile and guess what? The nurse offered to sponsor me – thanks Julie!
Wednesday
Dropped the Porker off with GCR first thing and then went on to Birmingham where I needed to get my annual x-ray scan. I like the use of annual as it implies that I will go every year – all this, when I am already supposed to be gone a year ago!
On way back called in to Coalville to collect the team clothing we will be wearing during the trip – how tasteful it all looks and how sensible we will feel wearing it! Can’t wait to see brother Jim’s reaction!
Then on to GCR to pick up the car – the auto electrician was still deep in the car sucking his teeth. He couldn’t isolate the sunroof problem in the available time so I am now hoping for cold misreable weather so I don’t miss it! The new front brakes and windscreen washers were done and Chris had found a spare throttle cable so all that was good. He gave me a sponsorship cheque for £200 which took my breath away as I wasn’t expecting it. What a lovely fellow.
In the evening I sat in with J for Jazz at Foxton as dep for my mate Stu Battle who is away in Dublin. John Timms who leads the band appealed to to the audience to give towards the event and he and John Irwin, the guitarist, then offered to donate and double their share of the take – I came out with nearly £100 – wonderful generosity from all concerned – thank you!
Thursday
Wife Jeanne had business planned in Liverpool today and tomorrow so we spent the morning loading up the car and set off at lunchtime. the car ran well and we arrived at The Adelphi Hotel in time to check in behind Lenny Henry. Although I had met him 20 years ago he didn’t seem to remember me – strange?
Friday
Jeanne finished about lunchtime and we made for the Scottish border arriving at our overnight stop at 6.30. A splendid dinner, including haggis, and off to bed early.
Saturday
Up early, beautiful day and up to Aberdeen. Arrived about lunchtime put Jeanne on plane home and went over to my brother’s house.
Spent the afternoon trying to sort out the means to put software on my computer which would allow me to upload pictures to this blog. I have now spent nearly £60 (no, wasted this amount) and it still won’t respond.At times like this I wish I had been bullied at school so I could understand computers. Knowing about rugby, girls and smoking is no use in this situation!
We will be up with the lark tomorrow as we have about 7-8 hours of driving to get us to Wick where we have an event briefing at 4.30. Then we will be off on Monday – yippee! Don’t know how easy keeping the blog up to date will be but I will do my best, so keep tuning in.
This is the car at GCR – a photo thanks to my niece Fiona .

Cape to cape

Sunday 22nd April

An excellent day out on the PCGB Cotswold rally with Martin Capenhurst navigating. A well organised event, great roads and good weather made it a joy to be out! the car behaved most of the time but the brakes are grabbing at front so it’s back to GCR tomorrow to see if they can be sorted. The club shop worked it’s usual magic and dragged us in to make suddenly necessary purchases of things we have lived without up until now – hmmm.

Visit the Nimlok site here
Visit the Macmillan site here

Cape to cape

Friday 20th April
Not a great day today. The car spent the day at GCR while Chris tried to get to the heart of the noise but sadly after several hours spent looking he couldn’t find the source of the problem. He put new discs on the rear and I collected the car in the evening. I will run with it on Sunday on the Cotswold Rally in the hope that we either have no further problems or it gets so bad we can find it before we leave for Scotland! on the way home, I called in at sponsors K Tee tyres at South Wigston to get them to repair a puncture on one of my rims – Mr Black the boss said they would do it for no charge – another nice person!
I also prepared a press release to go out to the media on Monday in the hope that it attracts more sponsors from the general public – I’m still keen to break the £2k barrier. Theresa Bell my pilates instructor at Bodyworks Leicester put me through my paces and then pledged £20 – what a star!
I will spend tomorrow doing various odd jobs on the car in readiness for Sunday’s rally.

“Cape to Cape” with Team nimlok Porsche

THURSDAY 19th APRIL
Well, the build-up is well underway but it is not without its setbacks!
The car which was serviced yesterday has decided to be difficult today and the transmission is delivering some very worrying noises. Back to GCR in Leicester where Chris will keep it until the fault is identified and fixed.
Before it went to Leicester it had a run out to our key sponsors, Nimlok, at Wellingborough where the very helpful Stu and the graphics team did an excellent and cheery job of applying the sponsorship decals. It certainly makes the car look different!
Then it was round to the front of the Nimlok building for a photo call with Steve and Mel from Nimlok and the mad Martin Capenhurst who is doing the PCGB Porsche Rally with me on Sunday – only now it looks as though we will be travelling in the 993, which will be great fun – thanks a lot Vince – a life saver! Thanks also to Tim Perutz – MD at Nimlok for all his help and support in recent weeks.
Still waiting to hear from lots of potential sponsors, who will now be too late to participate which is a shame all round – so far we have about £1900 so thanks to everyone who has contributed so willingly.
Thanks also to all at Caged Fish in Market Harboro for setting up this blog – a real help as it lets everyone involved, chart our progress throiugh regular bulletins. Don’t yet know just how regular but we’ll see how things go.