awesome day out -

went for a wee jaunt up to Aviemore Ski Resort. Was a monthly meet through the OC and the weather during the planning of it was a concern. However on the day the weather was just perfect. Ok it was maybe 10degC air temp but the sky was clear, almost no clouds all day and it was soo clear. Blue sky. Just perfect.

Started the day off by jet washing the car as it was manky and had some serious bird doo on it. Then went to get Shell's finest only to discover the garage had run out of the stuff! I mean that's like McDonalds running out of chips! It just aint right. So after a wee detour the car was fully loaded with V-Power and the run began.

A few wee blats on the road from Dunbarton to Tarbet when the road allowed and yes the chargecooler was working but more on that later. The road from Tarbet to Aberdour has turned into a ploughed field. Crap doesn't even come close to it. Anyway, past that and the climb to Crainlarich and I started stretching the legs on the car for the first time since last September I suppose. Yup the old girl could still run darn fast. Woo hoo.

Outside Crainlarich and met up with another club member and we got the t-bars off. Shades already on and off we went. Blasted through Tyndrum and on towards the climb up to Rannoch Moor. Awesome section of road and the roads were dry and grippy and fun was had indeed. I must get the dump valve plumbed back into the airbox as it's quite noisy but not to me as with the t-bars off you don't anything. The car behind however gets the full effect right in their face. As we climbed up towards Glen Coe the views were breathtaking and the sky was blue. Perfect open topped motoring. Some stunning views and look how clear the sky is





Once into Fort William it's just a wee hop to Spean Bridge and then the turn off for Newtonmore and some of the most fantastic roads in Britain. We hurled along that road having a blast, until er my brakes cried enough and started giving me a very long pedal. No matter it was just a stunning road and it's times like this I wish I carried a passenger so they could take some pics. Anyway, into Newtonmore then onwards to Aviemore and up to the Cairngorm carpark for the vehicular ride to the peaks. This was the view as we pulled into the carpark. Awesome or what!


The view that greeted us. Ah bliss


So after taking in the view and having a chat about the drive up, the smell of cooked brakes from my car and the odour of overworked tyres we got hungry and headed for the cafe. A wee photo shoot from the cafe looking down from the peaks, highest cafe in Britain don't you know...


just bliss


Before leaving we had to have a photo shoot of the event and so we acquired with permission a corner of one of the carparks and did this with it.



Alas after this and some chat the leaving began and with a fair drive ahead the car was pointed south. The drive back in the beginning was at a slower pace that the one up but that's because myself and fellow member were looking at our fuel gauges thinking it's gonna be tight. Really really tight. We had to get back to Fort William some 50 miles away where we ( ok I ) could fill up with Super Unleaded so it was touch and go for the last 15 miles. My fuel light was coming on softly but the other car was solid yellow for the last 30miles!! Lesson learned. Fill up in Fort William on the way up AND back lol.

It was late and while I was in no rush to get home the other dude had things planned for that night so he headed home on his own while I dawdled home. I had to stop at the Bridge of Orchy viewpoint and get some shots of the car. After that I sat there on the grass for awhile just taking in the view, drinking my Irn Bru and thinking, what an awesome day with great roads, great weather and great company. God damn what a place I live in and I have the perfect car for it (that I can afford anyway ;-) ).