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Set off from Crawley in good spirits at 05.45 am (that is, as good spirits as is possible at that time of the morning). It's raining, it's dark and never mind, only 2,500 miles to go...
Two cars started, KGL 22W (pretend Lotus) carrying us, Sam and Tim, and SPG 117X (Hamster) carrying Susan and Tony.
First leg around the M25 to Dartford Tunnel and noticed brake light failure on SPG - hopefully this is not the shape of things to come, reliability wise...
Arrived at Birchanger Services on the M11 and met up with Peter Skinner in RKK 314W and Wendy Hazelden and daughter Sophie in KAH 941V (Womble 2). Fixed SPG (dodgy bulb that was OK the day before when checked).
Left Services at about 07.30 and drove up the M11 and past Cambridge onto the A14. Joined the A1 and then turned left for Bunny and Bob et al at Halfway Garage, Nottingham. Sponsorship money was collected and thanks to Angie (Bob's other half) for refreshements, lots of lovely cake. After a few photos for the local paper, we left at 11.30 bidding farewell to Wendy and Sophie (thanks for coming) for the long trek North to Edinburgh.
From Bunny we made our way towards Nottingham and then the M1. From there it was drive, drive, drive to the M18 then A1M stopping at Washington Services for a quick comfort break and fuel. From then on it was A1 all the way. Past Newcastle and along the Northumberland coast into Scotland at Berwick. A few more miles along the coast, and on the approaches to Edinburgh we took a right turn and entered the village of Wallyford and arrived at Belmont Suzuki at 17.30 where we were joined by member Steve McKee in LEL 769W and Felix Jarvis in a Polo? Photos and refreshments were taken and donations were made when the collecting tin was taken around.
From Edinburgh we made our way across Country to Bothwell, East Kilbride where we all stopped the night with Steve and Sandra. Where they found the room it's hard to say, but TARDIS comes to mind. Many thanks, it was great to get a good nights sleep before continuing.
Left East Kilbride at about 07.30 and headed North once again. The three original cars, KGL 22W, SPG 117X, RKK 314W and of course, Steve and Sandra in their delicious yellow sc LEL 769W.
Stirling was passed, and then Perth and then another comfort break at JG's Diner Eastbound on the A90. From there it was on to Dundee where we turned left and headed North once more for Aberdeen. At least we have now left the rain behind in England or so we thought!
Arrived at Aberdeen and took the Braemar road for a couple of miles to Cults and visited Suzuki dealer, Village Garage. After an hour of photographs, refreshments, charity donations and fuel we were on our way once again. We rejoined the A90 and then the A96 towards Inverness where we joined the A9 on the long trek north to John O'Groats. We crossed the Moray Firth to the Black Isle then the Cromarty Firth onto the coast road. Views along the Cromarty Firth included the biggest collection of de-commissioned oil rigs I have ever seen.
The coastline along this route reminded us of a time spent on the North Antrim coast in Northern Ireland. It was all so beautiful and well worth the trip just for these spectacular views.
At Latheron we joined the A99 towards Wick, where the roads became very close to the cliff edge and extremely narrow. Tim says that if he earnt a pound for every time he heard Sam say the words "slow down" he could have brought a Lotus Carlton! Here was something you don't see every day in Surrey, gates across the road to close them in the event of deep snow drifts, and along the side of the road were several tall luminous posts (snow road markers) and if the snow falls that deep, then Heaven help us.
Cars going really well, but struggling on really steep hills, which considering the loads we were carrying, not really surprising. Finally arrived at John O'Groats at about 18.00, took some photos, purchased a few souvenirs and sent some postcards before deciding "What is all the fuss about, this place is in the middle of nowhere". It does have a certain something though with the views across the water to the Orkneys. The people here were very friendly and genuinely seemed pleased to see us.
Back in our trusty cars, we travelled west towards Thurso where a campsite was booked for the night. After fighting to put up tents in the near dark, a pleasant evening was spent in the town eating fish and chips in the town centre park. We finally collapsed into our beds at 10.00 p.m. very very tired.
Woke up bright and early, only to find that Tony had awoken even earlier with bad stomach pains. It later transpired to be a Kidney stone but more of that a bit later. Rain was falling in abundance, but we were expecting it to brighten up later.
Breakfast over, we broke camp and set off (fuel at Thurso was the most expensive so far, but we needed it). South on the A9 to rejoin the coast road at Latheron.
Tony was made comfortable and we pressed on to Golspie, a small town down the coast for toilets and to put Tony in with Peter, who had a little more room and comfort, and we managed to recline the seat for him.
We arrived at Inverness at about 10.00 a.m. and made for Seafield Garage. It was here that member Sandy Snell from Muir of Ord turned up to meet us in his daughters yellow Whizzkid VAY 344X and give us his support. We were made more than welcome by this new Suzuki dealer. After posing for photo's for the local press we were pleasantly surprised to receive a cheque for £50.00 made out to Whizz-Kidz for which we are more than grateful. So a very pleasant hour was spent hare before setting off again. Peter had found directions to a diner and Tony was feeling a bit better.
After eating we set off through Inverness and made for the top end of the Caledonian Canal before joining the road to along Loch Ness. We had gone a couple of miles along the A82 when we pulled off the road to find Tony being violently sick. The pains were back with a vengeance. After discussing amongst ourselves the best course of action it was decided to head directly south and back to Sandra and Steve's at East Kilbride to the A9 rather than the Loch Ness and Glen Coe route (we have already decided to return one day to see the views). Tony set off ahead with Steve driving, and we all followed on behind at a more leisurely pace, enjoying the views in the Cairngorms.
We arrived back at Sandra and Steve's around 3.30 p.m. Tony went with Susan Sandra and Steve in their other Jap Classic (Datsun 100A) to the local health centre. The Stone was diagnosed and Tony was dosed up with pain killers, anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories. Tony decided that if the pills worked he would continue the run, and a night in a bed at Sandra and Steve's would probably help.
While Tony was being seen to, we had a look at Peter's car, which was beginning to stall when idling. This was quickly traced to no more than a loose carburettor fixing nut, easily tightened.
Before the day was over though, we had one more stop to make. Parks Garage at East Kilbride. The local press was again in attendance, and a huge spread of food was laid on. Here we were also introduced to a local man who is entered in the November New York Marathon, also in aid of Whizz-Kidz. A cheque from Parks was presented to the runner (all kilted up with Susan trying to sneak a peek), and we pretty much settled into the party mood.
The day ended on a high note, and Tony even felt a lot better.
Fully rested, we bid Sandra and Steve farewell. They completed two runs successfully, but work commitments mean they have to drop out now and see off the three cars that started it all on Monday morning.
Not so exciting today, well to begin with anyway. A dull day weather wise, and we headed South down the M74 across the border back into England and onwards down the M6. We made good progress, through the Lake District, past Lancaster and Preston, over the Manchester Ship Canal and eventually left the M6 at Crewe (junction 18) and made for the Suzuki dealer Grensons at Bradfield Green at about 12.00. It was here that Susan Stubbs and friend, in silver CMB 211X joined us. We stayed and chatted for about an hour, met the local press and posed for more photos and once again passed around the collection box.
Before leaving, we filled up with fuel, and again set off South.
After about 15 minutes we were all pulled over by Susan and Tony complaining of a strong smell of fuel. Surely SPG hadn't let us down. Of course it hadn't, it was more pilot error, as Tony had, in all his haste, forgotten to replace the fuel cap and left it on the pump back at the garage. It was decided that the rest of the group would continue while Susan and Tony returned for the cap. We continued, back on the M6, and as we were joining the M5 Susan and Tony caught sight of us in the distance. I don't know what speed they were doing to catch up, I'm just glad that no motorway police saw them.
A comfort break was taken at Strensham services on the M5 before joining the M50 towards Wales.
Towards the end of the M50 we were forced to make a stop. Susan Stubbs suffered a front offside puncture. I'm sure that must have been one of the quickest wheel changes in history, even rivalling the Ferrari F1 team.
We set off again, with Tony and Susan leading, only to make a wrong turn on joining the A40, the wrong way. We had to turn round, but it was a nightmare finding a gap in the traffic, so Tony leapt from his car and put his hands up and stopped everything. A bit of a nutty thing to do on a major trunk road, but it worked.
So on we drove, A40 to A449 to M4 and finally Cardiff and the James and Jenkins garage. We arrived during a downpour in more ways than one. Susan Stubbs' car had now decided to burst a hose, and a front to rear one at that. Not the disaster it could have been as we were carrying a full emergency kit, with lots of pieces of hose and connectors. A temporary repair was made on the forecourt just before the light finally went (Glad you got home OK Susan). Photos were taken and we must thank James and Jenkins staff for the use of their forecourt and the sponsorship money we collected.
We left James and Jenkins at about 7.00 p.m. and headed for Chepstow where a campsite was booked for the night. Susan Stubbs and friend left us here for the comfort of a hotel before returning home tomorrow. On arrival at the campsite we were met by Helen Keen in black TKL 27X. She welcomed us in her usual warm manner, full of enthusiasm for the next two days. Peter's and our tent were erected while Susan and Tony headed into town to find a B&B for the night to give Tony's kidney a further night of rest.
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James and Jenkins Cardiff |
We all got together next morning at the campsite, Susan and Tony having been donated £20.00 from the landlady of the B&B. It rained all night, but stopped just in time to break camp. Everything is wet now, so we travel on in steaming saunas. We join the M48 for the M4, back into England and over the old Severn Bridge. We join the M5 once again, heading south and join the A30 at Exeter. We took a comfort break on the M5 services near Exeter and did not stop again until we arrived at Kessells Suzuki at Summercourt near Newquay.
Photos again were taken and refreshments provided. We passed around the collection box and after about 45 minutes we were on our way again.
Next stop Lands End.
We rejoined the A30 and on route to Penzance we received a phone call from Club Member John Taylor and his wife Caroline. They would like meet up with us at Lands End. Within half an hour we were sitting in the car park of a very commercialised and misty Lands End. We were allowed free admission due to John chatting up the car park attendants and telling them this was being done for charity. However, each of us decided to put the car park fee that we would have paid straight into the collection box. John was without his Suzuki, which is undergoing major restoration. It was great to see him there. A quick look in all the shops to buy souvenirs and a group photo under the Lands End signpost, and we were on our way once again, leaving John and Caroline to enjoy the rest of their holiday.
We rejoined a rainy and damp A30 and by the time we got to Bodmin the sun was shining. From here we took the A38 to Liskeard and finally Saltash where a stop was made at Sandford Suzuki.
After taking a few photos we headed to our next overnight stop at a campsite just outside Saltash where we all stop for the night, Susan and Tony included, who was now feeling much better.
At least it has now stopped raining, camping gear still soaking wet though, but nothing we can do about that until we get home later today.
Left at about 07.45 crossing the Saltash Suspension Bridge into Plymouth and onto the A38 to Exeter. We had a quick fill up with fuel and coffee at Exeter services on the M5 and then joined the A30 to Honiton. A sign on this road says "Welcome to Britains Newest and Nosiest Road" and I have to admit, the surface noise made it sound just like all four wheel bearings had failed at once!
At Honiton we joined the A35, carried on past Dorchester and turned onto to A 31 at Bere Regis. From here it was go go go to the M27 and then at junction 2 we turned for Totton and Newmans Suzuki. Here we were met by David, son of Susan and Tony and the original designer of the Club's Website and Katie and Mark Dobson, Cappuccino Club (S.C.O.R.E.) members in their red Cappuccino.
An hour was spent here and we have been promised a donation (cheque) from Newmans, hopefully soon.
We left for the final run home, but decided to make just one more stop to see our good friend Alex Clouter and Cappuccino Club organiser who had originally intended to complete the run with us, but who had to drop out due to a severely broken leg. We finally caught up with Alex for half an hour on the front at Goring by Sea near Worthing.
We left Alex and joined the A24 Northbound. We joined the A264 near Horsham and then the A23 to Crawley and Suzuki GB Headquarters and the end of the run. Just time for a few quick photos and then home and a well earned rest.
 Suzuki GB Headquarters - Crawley |
Facts and figures Overall Mileage: 2480 Fuel Consumption: 53 mpg average Oil Consumed: About 1 litre over all the cars Frayed Nerves: Several Money Raised: £1325 |
6 January 2003