Lol - we was motoring

As for the trip - this was something we organised through the alfa155.org forum - our next trip is the weekend of October 21st-22nd starting in Stirling again then out to Skye.

Last trip we had 5 155s plus the 75,166 and Fiat 500 who are 155 owners or have been

So, if I get hold of a 146 in time (my other Alfa 'want') I could join you??

Of course mate

Full details on our FB page see here - https://www.facebook.com/events/374107236255107/

(gr-8!)

ANYWAY.

back to the tour. Does anyone have any questions?

Are we looking at a change of route from West to East..?

Dates?

right,

despite a crushing feeling that this isn't going to happen (at least with anyone other than myself!), I think I have established behind the scenes that we have genuinely about six Coupe's worth of interest, possibly seven.

It has been mooted that September might be the better month for a few people.

Can anyone confirm or deny this, for themselves..?

Hmmm...my daughter is getting married at the beginning of October but that may not necessarily impinge on a September meet.

Only thing is term is well and truly underway by Sept.

I'm up for this, but the Coupé will still be a fair bit away from running order. Would an Alfa GTV be okay to tag along?

Hey Jimbob!

'Course it would- that would be great!

Any preference on dates (/months) yourself..?

I'm on holiday from 11th to 24th September, so that would be the ideal time for myself, but I'm easy. Whatever everyone else decides on is fine with me.

After speaking with Pauline we both would be happier with a weekend in August but if September is more suitable time for more coupes then we are happy to go with September.

As far as the route goes... the earlier proposed route by Simon is good but maybe with one detour to John 'o' Groats.

Are we thinking same as last year starting on Thursday and ending Sunday?

I'm only replying to this if you come clean about the Italian tour you've got lined up Brian

What the one in 2024? Or the one in May?

Ah wait a minute Italian Tour or Italian toy?

I can't do early August.

He meant 'toy'!

This Italian toy

Oh very nice! Signature already applied I see


Edit: oh wait, it's an Abarth

Saw the above - and heard it in the flesh last night

The outcome of a mini-meet held courtesy of DG last night was a probable date for this event and an cunningly-arranged Skype conversation with Dianne and Paul from Sydney


Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th July as a core period, similar to last year


George has kindly offered to scout round for accommodation.


Projected itinerary

Day 1, up East Coast - 1st major rendezvous at House of Bruar coffee stop, drive to Lybster, north of Helmsdale. Option for those that want to take a jaunt to John o' Groats.

Day 2 along North Coast westwards, then south - drive to Unapool area (if o/night accommodation allows) along the north coast via Strathy, Tongue, Durness and Kinlochbervie

Day 3 down West Coast - drive to Invergarry area via Ullapool, Achnasheen and Dornie

Day 4 - return home/extend trip for those that want.



Example mileages and times involved:

Motherwell- Forth Road Bridge.....37M.......0h.50m
FRB- Lybster................................234...........4.40
Lybster- Strathy..............................42...........1.00
Strathy- Durness.............................51...........1.30
Durness- Unapool...........................35...........0.52
Unapool- Achnasheen....................78............1.40
Achnasheen- Dornie.......................35...........0.50
Dornie- Invergarry..........................41...........0.53
Invergarry- Ft. William..................24............0.35
Ft. William- Edinburgh................132............3.15
Ft. William- Motherwell..............129............3.05



Names..

1.Edinburgh
2.dante giacosa +1
3.George +1
4.Paulie3 +1
5.Rosso +1
6.driley +1
7.Bill+Robina
8.jimboy


Question marks over

Countrycruising
MCMike
Skeandubh
jimbob13


We need to commit quickly or accommodation will sell out.


Edit: Sorry Jim, just needed confirmation....I too will need to have mine back!

Of course I'm in

Hopefully I'll have my Coop back by then.....

You can tentatively put me down. Depends on work really. As I'm originally from Caithness, and my other half from Sutherland, I've driven a lot of the roads you plan to use.

Just out of interest the google map route does not show going to Lybster but turning towards Melvich at Helmsdale and traveling up Strathhalladale. I'm sure your aware but a lot of these roads are single track with passing places, where you will meet tourists who drive very slow, and locals who drive very fast (they think they own these roads).

Sounds like a good craic though.

Better make it me +1. I think there might be a fight over the +1 spot though.

Blimey I thought Jim was going to disappear in to the darkness for good after id handed the keys over.

I've passed all the rout details to Bill & Robina. Just have to get them setup on the forum now.

Good, you'll be able to point out all the "off-the-beaten-track" points of interest




Yes it does continue north of Helmsdale towards Lybster but you're right it mistakenly heads inland just short of it


Itinery with slight amendment

Names..

1.Edinburgh
2.dante giacosa +1
3.George +1
4.Paulie3 +1
5.Rosso +1
6.driley +1
7.Bill+Robina
8.jimboy
9.skeandubh +1

Hey Skeandubh,

It would be great to have you & yours on board with local knowledge.

With regard to tentative interest; we are currently attempting to sew up accommodation, which by this point on last year's trip- had been in the bag for a few months already...

If you unable to say positively that we will see you, at this point, it might be more difficult to secure overnight stops as time goes on.

However: Perhaps you might have local connections you could draw upon in order to still attend? And if so- that is great as well!

(At the risk of putting my neck out, I shall say-)
We are probably looking to reconvene on a group meeting the week after next to discuss accommodation and take steps to book it.

Regarding accommodation I can fit in with you guys, but I also have the option to stay with locals I know on the trip up north and across the west, but not so much down the west coast.

Not sure if you plan any touristy type stop-offs but I have put some links below to some nice to see places. Obviously there are lots more so I can add if required.

Smoo Cave

Dunrobin Castle

Inverewe Tropical Gardens

Above are just some options. There are lots more to see.

Cheers, Les

That's terrific- thanks for that info, Les...

I'm hoping to get in the Whaligoe Steps near Lybster too, myself...

Not heard much back regarding accommodation.....
@skeandubh, you might be taking up on your contact use !

If you let me know the areas you were planning to stop overnight then I can look into possible accommodation options. Can't promise anything though as July Is usually fairly busy with tourists.

Can't believe they used to carry fish up those steps from the boats. Imagine that in Scottish bad weather. We've got it easy.