NORTHERN RUN/DRIVE-OUT - SUN 1st OCT

[Normb666]

Aw, shame...was hoping you'd have the car sorted in time. Ah well, next year? But thanks for letting me know, appreciated.

[Normb666]

Less than a week to go to the Big Gig (OK, maybe not that big...), and coming along so far from the SEC we've got a grand total of.... none! But there are 9 cars from Team Misanthrope (the "other gang"), so it's still going ahead. As I said before, this is the last run I'll be organizing for this year, with the next one being early May - so if you sort-of fancied it but were dithering over whether to come or not, and you miss out, you've got 7 months to wait...
Route is about 90 miles, going the "back way" from Kirkby Lonsdale to Kendal, and then (always a popular stretch) up the A6 to Penrith. Then it's east on the A66 to Keswick and a stop for eats/drinks, followed by the Whinlatter Pass to Cockermouth before we loop back to Keswick via Bothel (that's right, no "R" - it's a run out, no horizontal exercises!) on the A595. Finally, it's the A591 all the way through the Lake District passing Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water, etc. to Ambleside and then finishing at Bowness.

Has that whetted anyone's appetite? Anyone fancy being taken up the A6 (ooer, Matron)? Last chance....

[john]

I'm still tempted Norm because Frederic is not collecting his car this weekend. I missed getting it running just before my holidays but it could possibly be back in action by Sunday. Mind you I struggled all day today getting the wiper wiring correct! I'm seriously hoping I can fire it up tomorrow.

[Normb666]

Ey Up John, - I realise this could be The Shakedown Run You've Been Waiting For, but you can come in any old car if you just fancy a day out I'll keep my bits crossed you get it sorted in time though, so if I see you, great, and if not, c'est la vie... do you know where we're meeting? Easy enough to find, just off the A65 at Kirkby Lonsdale, park just opposite the biker meeting place (don't park in the bike park though - bikes only at weekends and the wardens are keen). I'll be at the burger/tea van next to the bridge (I didn't get this shape without effort, y'know) - if you're not there for 10:30 I'll assume you're not coming.

[john]

OK Norm. Yes I know it. it used to be a stopping point en route to Durham.
Pre M6!!!!

[Normb666]

Great, hope to see you there - I've got hard copies of the route but it gets a bit awkward on yer tod both reading and driving, so you'll be alright just following if that suits you better.

[Griff]

Norm, when you do the 'Cockermouth before we loop back to Keswick via Bothel' can I suggest that you pop into:-

https://www.lakesdistillery.com/

afternoon tea in the Bistro is 1st class

[Normb666]

Griff, ta fro the info on the distillery, but I'd already booked the stopoff at the Filling Station in Keswick. Might consider the L.D. if I get round that way again (although it looks a bit posh for people like us, haha!)

Anyway, 'twas a good run, with 7 cars turning up - 2 x Boxsters, 1 x 911 Carrera, 1 x Focus RS (new one), 1 x Focus ST, 1 x Audi S1 and a BMW 1-series that came down from Glasgow. None of you lot though, shame on ya! :-P
It was a bit wet and stormy, with visibility on the heights of the A6 before Shap down to 10 yards in the clouds. Didn't cause any probs though, as we soon dropped out and ran up to the A66 at Penrith. Then it was down the A66 to Keswick and a cuppa/burger for an hour, followed by the run up and over th Whinlatter Pass and into Cockermouth. Looped around via the A595 and the A591, but because of roadworks at Keswick we re-routed vis the A66 and the road through St John's in the Vale before picking up the A591 again at Thirlspot and a run down to Bowness, headign out vis the Lyth Valley, where we finished up at the Damson Dene for a couple of drinks before heading for home. Great time had by all, apart from the poor guy in the 1-series who got a 2" puncture on the A66...no spare and too big for the supplied repair kit, so BMW assist to the rescue with train tickets back to Glasgow while the motor got carted off to Carlisle.

So that's it for 2017, and the next do will be early May next year - plenty of time to think up excuses galore...