Trip "doon the watter"?

Hey folks!

I've been dipping back into the forum again recently and fancy meeting up with some coop fans.

I've had mine for 13 years on 1st August when she'll also be 17 and I've been living on the Cowal Peninsular now for nearly 2 years in August too.

I'm a proud coop owner but a local fixing shop recently told me that spending £600 was a waste of time...in whose opinion eh!

Would be great to see a convoy of coops heading up the Rest and Be Thankful and "doon the watter" to Dunoon to re-enforce their status and popularity and a nice anniversay celebration for mine.

It's also a great place for a fish supper!

Anyone interested? Saturday 30th July 2016 (Sunday can be hit n miss for opening hours)

"£600 is a waste of time" Don't let anybody tell you that.

It is only a waste of time if you don't feel it is worth and you can get another for less.

I was told by my car obsessed (Porsche owning) uncle once that getting my '89 Croma repaired, was a 'waste of time & why bother'

to which the blunt answer was- because there isn't another one; anywhere.

ANYWAY

sorry Silver Fox, what are you saying? Is this a one-night chip-shop meetup at the end of July, you say??

It's when they say

"Yeah, not worth doing anything to that" and then proceed to say "But I'll do you a favour and take it off your hands for ..... "

Don't worry I didn't and needless to say that numpty didn't and won't be getting any of my hard earned dosh!

Och my wee suggestion for day out is to give the town a wee turn...it's a great drive down here. It's a place with a few nice wee shops and a few half decent eateries and chippy's.

If preferred folk could come the motorway and across on The Western Ferry...a few hours in Dunoon for Lunch and then head round the road and go off to Inverary for a wee hurl and back home via The Rest.

Those wanting to make a weekend of it could stay over in Dunoon, at The George in Inverary or continue to Oban for the night.

Haven't forgotten this....

Saturdays for me are getting kind of tight though - can't do Sept 24th, Oct 1st or 8th; in Thurso 29th.

Is early November getting a bit late in the year, clocks having gone back etc......any thoughts?

We are still up for this just name the Saturday. How does one of the Saturdays in September sound although this is a lot shorter notice?

Well as it happens I am suddenly free on Oct 1st


Brian how about Saturday 1st? Think Jim might be up for this on that day....

Possible:

Edinburgh
dante giacosa
Paulie3

Yeh Saturday 1st is good for us... so count us in.

"Doon the watter" Saturday 1st October

1. Edinburgh
2. dante giacosa
3. Paulie3
4. Rosso

That is terrific!

How exciting.

These cool-morning early runs are good for the induction charge you know? (Not that I'm running a turbo!) but it's the thought that counts

Doon the watter" Saturday 1st October

1. Edinburgh
2. dante giacosa
3. Paulie3
4. Rosso
5. George

The other night, in preparation, Paulie3 & I had a mini meet, in advance

Just to rehearse how we'd park next to each other when the time comes

His lovely paint job on the Porty, putting my 168-red to shame..!



'Technology' prevents me from successfully uploading a more interesting picture...

It takes a spray job to be as shiney as your 168 Jim.

Do you mean you didn`t hot-wire the Toucan?

Ha!

Thanks John- not sure what that means...

(You are very kind Brian!)

Dammit I can't upload this picture- it's maddening!

Toucan =
(i)a digital platform

(ii)standing platform to support user either upright or prone


??

The orange thing...I don`t have a licence for one but hilarious to drive. Very useful for production.

Ahh, I see now, had to stick my neck out a bit to the right..

Being serious for a moment....

Imagine a tank with an extendable turret, the driving position is the basket on the end of the turret. Or the ground.
Where would Donald Sutherland be?

Pretty close to Orkney?

Wow, more cryptic than me!

I think it is difficult to photograph the obvious colours with the less obvious side by side. In terms of colour I don`t think Porto well suited to our daytime environment but probably could come alive at dusk or in mono.
(NB - never said I didn`t like it!)

Have a great trip, by the way.

Hi All,

Apologies for delay in getting on board with this. I had t wait for meeting with work re my phased return. This went well and going back reduced hours next week.

Sat 1st October is fine for me.

Let me know your thoughts on lunch but need minimum of 12 for best chippy to open for us at lunch time to do carry out.

Not sure what the weather is going to be like so may have to go for an indoor option???

After the shock of spotting one in Gloucestershire how will you cope with a half dozen, including your own?

1. Edinburgh
2. dante giacosa x3
3. Paulie3
4. Rosso x2
5. George x2
6. silver_fox

10 in all so far but Paul might bring another, tbc....

We'd need to allow 3 hours anyway from here, do you have any tips on ferries or will we just roll up?

Crikey 3 hours? Really?!

Including ferry - 2'35" actually quoted on google

Right, okay

Yes, that's what I understood

Hi everyone, another one of those nights when I can't sleep, so on the forum. Sorry we can't make this, have several things arranged over next couple of months. (Paul's big birthday) have a great time. Look forward to seeing photos [ on the Facebook page, so much easier]

Definitely so you all for the 2017 tour.

Oh, that's a shame Dianne, that the insomnia is catching up with you...

Need to try for some evening walks or something before bed. What time is going dark there, now..? It's 20:00 here.

Will you be on the Mainland next weekend at all? I'm going to be in Kirkwall weekend after next...

If you guys are coming the motorway its M 8 via Greenock to Western Ferries @ Gourock. They run every half hour taking about 36 cars per trip. £17.50 for a 2 trip ticket (car + driver) if bought before you get on ferry (Pauls Food and Wine: PA19 1RB) as double the price on board. Passengers are also extra.

The most scenic route is obviously the road route via A82/A83 via The Rest and Be Thankful and down through A815 along side of Loch Fyne and Loch Eck.

There are a few nice spots to drive out to but will wait to see what the weather's like nearer time.

Thanks for that, Dee!

We've got a pre-meet technical sort out planned for today as it happens, at this end...

What's the feeling for the route? shall we take the scenic road or trip over the watter?

If we take the scenic route it's a much earlier start - we could take the ferry back even if a one-way ticket is about the same price as a two-way

(tight-fisted git speaking )

Hi All,

Hoping you guys are still up for your trip next weekend "doon the watter".

If you'd rather not have an early start and come by ferry there is an event on at 530pm which you may like to hang about for so a later arrival may suit.

Kelpies Dunoon

Let me know your thoughts.

1. Edinburgh
2. dante giacosa x3
3. Paulie3
4. Rosso x2
5. George x2
6. silver_fox
7. Jimmy and Rita

12 in all so far



Dee, we're having a pow-wow on Tuesday evening to tie up some details so I'll post up then.

But yes, we're all in!

Hi All

Was a bit worried about the weather on Saturday for eating fish and chips Al Fresco but it looks like it might be quite a nice day. Need to confirm with my chippy guy tomorrow if we are dining from him and an approx time as he usually doesn't open til 5pm.

Hope some firm plans have come out of the Pow Wow tonight!

Cheers!

Brian if 4 of us are heading west to hook up with you guys and we came M 8, M73, M74 is there somewhere (a junction for example) we could meet you at?

We've looked this evening and 2A seems a possibility.....how would that work for you?

We're working on leaving Ed by 11.15 at the latest and aiming for lunch in Dunoon 1.15

Btw dante giacosa is down to 2 from 3.....so 11 in total

Latest numbers..

1. Edinburgh
2. dante giacosa x2
3. Paulie3
4. Rosso x2
5. George x2
6. silver_fox
7. Jimmy and Rita

11 in all so far

Ok, meeting point with Rosso is at Dakota Hotel, Eurocentral on the M 8. Time roughly 11.45 (tbc)

Edit:

This is now a definite, aiming to be on the road from here by 11.15, pick up George then Paul and arrive at Eurocentral Dakota Hotel by around 11.45 .....ETA Gourock Paul's Food and Wine Store to buy cut-price Return Ferry tickets about 1245 or so.

Is 11 too few for the chippie Dee?

I think I'm going to be in a car of three after all, as it happens...

Oh brilliant

So it's back to twelve Dee !

Yep...sounds good...he's off for a few days but will firm up tomorrow.

My intention is to meet you guys off the ferry this side and take a wee detour locally with a stop to peruse the menu and put our order in before heading into town to grab a parking spot on the water front. I'll get you guys parked and collect lunch about 2ish. Not much in the way of seating for 12 right enough so if you guys fancy popping a wee chair in the boot that would be handy as it looks like it's to be dry with sunny spells for al fresco dining!

After lunch we can drive South and have a wee meander over the rocks at the lighthouse (no access) with views over the Clyde towards Rothesay and then back through town.

The Kelpies should be well installed by the time we get back and if you want to you can park up and go for a wee walk round the shops before heading off to the ferry again.

Looking forward to seeing you all...I just hope my Coupe's ready...currently in for MOT...bit of a scary list needing done...but my mechanic guy can usually work his magic!

Fingers crossed or I'll be in a borrowed Kia...aaargh!

Good stuff Dee, crikey you're a hardy lot doon there

You have PM

Chippy sorted

Check that!

"Brown sauce, please..."

Lol

sorry guys going to have to drop out of this one I'm afraid. Hopefully we can arrange another meet before the Xmas Carlisle meet.

Ah, really bad luck Brian, hope your coop will soon arise again

We'll catch up with you both before too long ...


Otherwise we're all checking out ok so far from this end, DG was up all night polishing, Paulie has his new no. plate lights and is still not leaking any oil

So 4 of us in convoy from here aiming for Paul's Food and Wine around 1245, picking up Jimmy and Rita then "All Aboard" awaiting our reception committee

Oh, that's a blow Brian...

I was looking forward to seeing you and yours...

Hope everything's alright. See you soon in some capacity then...

Sorry to hear that Rosso...it looks like a nice afternoon doon here tomorrow too!

Kelpies are already here and in place and sun is apparently going to make an appearance although will still be a bit fresh!!!

See yous the morra!

Here is ferry details

Western Ferries
McInroy's Point
Cloch Road
Gourock
PA19 1BA

This is 2nd ferry terminal on other side of Gourock. There are ferries every 15 mins at lunch time so 1300...1315 or1330.

Let me know which one you catch and I'll get you at other side. Hopefully they'll put you in same line so you can go off together. Might be worth asking as you board cos this side might be chocca to park and wait.

Dee

On the case

'Cabin crew: doors to manual...'

Folding chairs...I'll bring a couple

Forecast does indeed look no' bad

See ra boats goan doon the watt-er
A' the baggie minnies scatt-er

(to the tune of Torna Sorrento)

Safe journey guys...see you soon

Event

Lovely to see the Coops lined up, good photo Jim...

What a fab day! Lovely to meet everyone and so nice to chat and enjoy the sunshine. And a very civilised chippy lunch too!

On the way across from Gourock; all together on the boat



'Like a millpond...'



A most welcome, 'welcoming committee'!





Team line-up, whilst silver-fox takes the lunch order...



Before a short, but very scenic drive, to our own specially laid-on private pier carpark for lunch. Collected for us by silver-fox herself..!





Thereafter, another very scenic drive, somewhat slower due to the increased weight of the occupants on board, to a very lovely spot further down the peninsula...



Time for a quick pebble-skimming competition, whilst the seals called us from just offshore...



On street parking...



Then a trip back to the ferry to await our turn. "Goodbye silver-fox: thanks for everything!"



Back on the boat...



And a specially laid on Coupé-rainbow, to match the cars as we sail away...!



What an amazing day out! I feel like I was abroad on holiday... Thanks for making all arrangements Ed & Silver-fox. And for impeccable tour guiding and itinerary planning, Silver-fox.

Great selection there DG.

Lunch on the pier, rock-pool exploring, seal-watching and coupe-parading complemented great company.

Many thanks Dee for the super-efficiency of the grand tour and organising the crafty bits of nitty-gritty

More great photo's & looks like a lovely day out & to cap it all the sun shown, braw.

Fab pics...dante g

Dunoon certainly shone for you guys. I couldn't have wished for anything better.

I hope it inspires a few others doon the watter...maybe join us again next year?

Could you organise a pudding as well next time s_f ?

Pokey hats (99's) all round next time!

Looks like it was a great day out

Sorry we had to drop out at the last minute but Sunday was certainly a more productive as we have gained a new member.

"Well hello, there!"

What have we here??!! 'His & hers' Coupés?

I see a recurring theme in significant exhaust notes developing, if those twin pipes are a permanent fixture!!

Spill the beans, Rosso..!!

Oh that day may come but not for a while yet.

This is a friends new coupe that we collected just yesterday... It was certainly a very enjoyable drive for me on the way home

as mines is still in the garage I tell you i'm certainly missing that exhaust note.

Oh!

I thought a signature-avatar revision was coming on then!

I wish I had friends like yours!

Wow! Is this on loan or a permanent acquisition?

No just collecting with its new owner.

Not a hardship, I'm sure...

(Other than handing over the keys!)

Someone local to you, Brian...?

Yes very much local so we can have a mini meet everyday.

Sorry this has gone off topic completely but I don't think it will take much persuasion to get our new member to the next meet.

Good man!

Dunoon Dunoon


There, back on topic

Is it someone we know?

(oops)

That looks a stunning Coop Brian....

Did you buy this Plus from Jennifer?

Hi yep its was a good friend of mine that bought it from Jennifer.

Well, I must say it's very exciting to think such a beast is in this neck of the woods

It's purchase was undoubtedly influenced by the sure knowledge that the best meets are in this part of the country...

I`d love to come and join Simon in the corner there...

What was he up to again?

'Chippie Wars" Argyll/Cornwall style

"the best" in town

A little movie footage ....

This apparently unprecedented event brought out onlookers and photographers to an extent not witnessed previously - wonder if there'd been some "tip-off"

6 Coupes in Sunny Dunoon

Couple more foaties

Very nice Simon.
Whose is the porto?

Paulie3's - he's just had a respray with all dents sorted, also wheels changed from dodgy white back to standard

Lovely location and weather - if that were around here it would be heaving with tourists.

...and I thought you were doing a little composition on a Korg Monotron!

If you need help mounting your bees, as opposed to just ramming them in a handy air vent...I could give them the escapee treatment?

Buddy has 9 rigging points, legs, replacement mouths, an animotor which was supposed to makes his wings oscillate but makes his eyes bounce instead.

Oh and a 3 volt bus.
Shouts "Honig. Ich Liebe Dich" in his sleep, crashes into flowers. etc

Damn even more disappointed we missed. Looks like the weather was great too

It's alright, Brian-

I'm disappointed enough that you couldn't make it

You don't have to be!

Any sign of repair work on the horizon..?

Sorry DG, missed this message. Hope you had a good visit and hopefully catch up next time with you and Kim. We are going backwards and forwards like a yo yo at mo. All return trips, Just back from Inverness, next to Exeter, then Aberdeen, then Norwich, then Southampton and after Christmas, New Zealand and Australia, phew!!!'

None of the trips with the coupe sadly,

Hey Dianne-

That's fine- nice to hear you are keeping busy!

I am next up at the end of November...

They usually live, as you might expect, on the B pillar, but one must have got disturbed by a flailing mitt and hasn't found it's way back home yet A temporary home was in the cool of the air vent.....

Your suggestion of injecting life into them sounds quite Shelley-esque

I just showed my daughter that, and she asked if they were real and then said-

'Weird...'

She's got good taste

No real signs of it yet Jim and new job starts tomorrow so may take my mind off it for a day perhaps.

Is that the one through this way Brian?

Oh no its luckily local, just the opposite side of the mate from us

Of the 'mate'! Ha! That happens to other people as well as me!

I was wondering who the mate might be,

But now, I understand it's our mutual 'four-laned friend'....

Oh that m 8 is no mate of mine just now. It's causing havoc but now the coupe is back I don't mind so much 😀

Brilliant news Brian, manifold sorted?

oh yes and new turbo

Gosh - that's exciting!

Well done...

Hey Guys!

Hope everyone well. Have been reading up on your North tour and wish I was able to attend but unfortunately I have to work.

This is a wee shout out if any of you fancy another trip "doon the watter" with your Coupes.

A friend of Cowal Vintage Transport Club saw all of us last year and was pretty impressed with the sight of six Coupes going through the town.

Every year on the last weekend in August Dunoon hosts

Cowal Highland Gathering

and the car club turns out with loads of vintage cars, tractors etc. on the Friday (25th August this year) and they park up at various points around the town for folk to have a wee gander.

Classic Car Display

Our Coupes have been cordially invited to come along as modern day classics and take up a spot on the day.

If anyone fancies it let me know. It's generally a great weekend of entertainment Friday to Sunday. Would love to see some of you over.

Cheers!

Hi Dee, glad to hear you're thriving

Thanks for the heads-up on these events, very tempting!

Hey Dee- great to hear from you!

what an exciting opportunity!

we shall have to bash heads at this end...

( )

Another trip this way very tempting, however the Classic Car Display I see is on a Friday which is likely to prevent my attendance - and possibly others.....

However a Saturday/Sunday meet has a good chance

Yes...the Friday not ideal for those that still have to work. It actually used to be the Thursday back in the day due to the number of pipe bands that were involved. The event has scaled down quite a bit since the Grade 1 pipers stopped coming.

It's a great event though but unfortunately I'll not get to enjoy it too much as I'm working Saturday from 4pm and Sunday from 2pm.

Plenty of time to get that toil built up and in for the Friday!!!

Hiya!

Just a wee reminder that this event is coming up at the end of August.

Let me know if anyone fancies coming down and I'll make sure they save us a wee spot.

Thanks for that, Dee-

thinking-caps on, at this end...