It’s
been a while since my last update! So some old news this time as I took part in
the International AutoEcosse two weeks ago. It was again was a top event I dare
say, with some very fine driving roads. And as it was a shame to come over for
only two days of driving, we had decided to extend our stay in Britain a bit to
do some walking before and after the event.
Day 1:
Setting off for Britain
Day 2: Yorkshire Dales
Before
the event we spent two days in the Yorkshire Dales. Here we got some great
weather, both for driving and walking! To start with the first, some lovely
driving roads across the Yorkshire Dales, including the Buttertubs Pass.
And
from there we headed towards Hawes, where we checked into our hotel for the
night, and enjoyed a lovely late afternoon / early evening walk.
Day 3: Hawes – Bainbridge
Most
of this day was spent on a nice walk. Starting from Hawes we headed to
Burtersett and up onto the moors. Here we joined the Roman Road heading down
towards Bainbridge for lunch.
After lunch we followed the River Bain towards Semer Water and Countersett. From here it was up again towards Burtersett High Pasturel, and down the other side back towards Hawes.
With
the walking done late on the Friday afternoon we headed for the Old Stone
Trough in Kelbrook. Here we had ample time for some socializing on the Friday
night with the Club Triumph teams who rallied there.
Day 4: IAE leg 1 Gretna Green – Alexandria
Tests over and lunch finished we headed north for the next (none timed) test, the Forestburn Hill Climb. Shame that the weather was very windy and chilly, making watching the action not much fun. So after going up the hill once we did what most teams did, head for the finish at the shores of Loch Lomond. On this stretch we managed to get lost several times. So in the end I programmed the satnav and headed straight for our B&B just outside Balloch to sign into our room.
With everything sorted I decided to leave the car on the drive of our accommodation and we walked into town for some action involving cars and cones.
With the action over the teams dispersed over the various pubs and restaurants of Alexandria for some food and a few beers of course!
Day 5: IAE leg 2 Alexandria - Rothesay
The
second day of the event started where the first one had ended, with more cones,
which I didn’t do. I just made sure there were a fair few cars on their way
before setting off to the Rest-And-Be-Thankful hill climb. This to prevent us
from arriving there first. From Alexandria the road book took us toward the
shores of Loch Long and from there to the foot of the Rest-And-Be-Thankful hill
climb. Although I waited a bit before setting of we managed to get there first.
As we were rather early at the Rest-And-Be-Thankful hill climb, we were
slightly hampered by some moving chicanes though!
But some drivers had other problems, looking pretty much like they lost their way a little on the last corner of the course.
Must say the this venue deserves to be restored to its former glory. Actually there are plans to do just that. Hopefully they can raise enough funds to carry out this work!
From the Rest-And-Be-Thankful hill climb we headed slowly but surely further west until we reached the Bute ferry at Colintraive. After crossing the Kyles Of Bute, and and a tour of the island, the finish of the event was on the Esplanade in Rothesay, which we again didn’t reach. At least not with the car. Less than half a mile before the finish, we passed our B&B so we just dropped the car there and walked to Rothesay’s esplanade to find out that most of the action was already over.
So we
did what the other teams had done. Find some food and beer. The rest of the
evening was spent socializing in one of the not too many pubs in Rothesay.
Another lovely event over! And it started to rain …
Day 6: Around Rothesay
Sadly for the winners of the “Spirit of the Event” award it rained quite heavily that night. As a result of which their Citroën flat twin powered Lomax was rather reluctant to fire up next morning. In the end it needed a lot of assistance to get going again. Of course someone had to do the hard work and take the picture 😁
As the weather forecast was rather hopeful (for the West of Scotland that is) we decided to stay on the Isle of Bute for a few more days to do some more walking and sight-seeing:
Day 7: Glencallum Bay & Mount Stuart
This
day we started with a nice circular walk, starting from Kilchattan Bay. But
sadly this time the weather didn’t cooperate. As soon as we got out of the car
it started to rain. And the (occasionally heavy) rain stayed with us for most
of the walk. So I kept the camera stowed away for most of the time.
But by the end of the walk, and the morning, the weather had cleared. Giving us an opportunity to spent a leisurely afternoon in and around Mount Stuart House.
Day 8: Homeward bound
But
all too soon our stay on the Isle of Bute was over, and we found ourselves back
on board the ferry that would take us from Rothesay to mainland Britain and
home.
