My brother has asked me to join him on a UK leg, (from the Scottish Borders), of this Grand Tour which would see me ending up at Goodwood House in West Sussex in August in the little Fiat. It's tempting....

https://www.goodwood.com/sports/mot...g-tours/driving-tours-register-your-interest/

Do you have to be a GRRC member to take part? Maybe a good reason to join.

Duffys Dad said:

Do you have to be a GRRC member to take part? Maybe a good reason to join.

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I don't think you do but my brother is a member and it seems that entitles him to take others along. I think this tour is very informal, as these things go, and there's probably no support,. But there is a garden party at the end.

Peter;
If you do the tour and it looks as if you are going to be close to Chester, please let me know---I will try and get out to meet you.

Hi Tom, I don't know the route yet but I'll post it when I do. All I know so far is that it heads through the Peak District. A6 and A49 would be logical. I'm parking Murf at a secret location dahn sarf and heading back up the east of the country a few weeks later.

Good to see that you have already started to study the phrase book me old china. There are a few of us lurking down here should you need any back up

Toshi 975 said:

There are a few of us lurking down here should you need any back up

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Backups at the ready please....we're about to take off. I've got my suvvern phrase book ready innit? and Murf's had his annual bath ready for his Grand Tour.. It's shocking when I get close-up (I even had my specs on to clean him) and see just how many stone-chips, rust-bubbles, paint cracks and straightforward areas of rust he now has. The next few days aren't going to help that.

FER_3837 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

FER_3834 by Peter Thompson, on Flickr

I finally have the routes and mileages and this is going to be a bit of a challenge even for me. The route is quite meandering (very appropriate for Murf) and takes in a huge stretch of the Scottish Borders and mainly the central part of England and finishes at a private event at Goodwood House.. Including my travel to the starting-point I'm reckoning on doing just over 1,000 miles.
I suspect that most of the other cars will be somewhat bigger and more expensive than mine and I am a little bit nervous to be doing what we do naturally but under such scrutiny for a change.
The event seems to be planned in quite a dynamic way so I'm not expecting to be able to make special diversions nor to hang around when not scheduled to, but I'll try to update as we go along.
:wave: Wave if you see me.

When do you leave bruv? Tomorrow?

Is it a convoy or do you just set off on the route and hope you bump into like minded people on the way?

Is the cows and kisses going with you?

Vitesse said:

When do you leave bruv? Tomorrow?

Is it a convoy or do you just set off on the route and hope you bump into like minded people on the way?

Is the cows and kisses going with you?

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We're off tomorrow. It's all a bit vague. Each morning it seems everyone sets off around the same time and there will be groups of friends driving together like I will be with my brother and his vintage Lagonda and David with one of those 1940's MG's (not sure of the suffix). It's not a competition just an excuse to wallow in cars which is why me old Pearly Queen chose not to come with me. However, she will be flying above me (in a plane) and should be there at the finish from where we will eventually be heading to The Eden Project. However, that final leg may well be accomplished in a hire car.

I will also be returning north in a plane, which opened out the opportunity for me to enjoy a reverse journey to collect Murf in about a month's time.

I love restoring cars but this driving them mullarkey really is the business.

All the best Peter---don't forget, I am just outside Chester if you require any assistance (or meeting up). If you are in my area and need help,my workshop is at your disposal. Travel carefully.

the hobbler said:

All the best Peter---don't forget, I am just outside Chester if you require any assistance (or meeting up). If you are in my area and need help,my workshop is at your disposal. Travel carefully.

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Thakd for that Tom. I'll keep you posted.

Crossed the new bridge at Edinburgh and made it to Peebles. 200 miles down. [emoji3]

fiat500 said:

Crossed the new bridge at Edinburgh and made it to Peebles. 200 miles down. [emoji3]

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200 miles that’s a bit lightweight for you isn’t it. Couldn’t the others keep up?

Good luck.. We'll be following your progress and are based in the Birmingham area if you need support.

Vitesse said:

200 miles that’s a bit lightweight for you isn’t it. Couldn’t the others keep up?

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That was just to get to the start. Only a few cars on this Norther section but they're keeping up. Just spotted a Spitfire in a garden.

Would I be correct in thinking that it was the 'BL' version and not the 'Supermarine' version?

I should have mentioned that it was a replica. We're not sure of details but it's number is PT462. We're now 240 miles further along but only as far as Hexham. At least we're in England now. [emoji3]

Over the last four days we've done over 800 miles from Scotland via a very twisting route. We've made it to Oxford with no problems other than a puncture. The last leg is tomorrow to Goodwood via Swindon?! Here's our little convoy. My brother's Lagonda is 4.5 litres and the Fiat 500 has wiped the floor with it. [emoji3]

Will this work...one of the Fiat's triumphant turns of speed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmXos-fHptn/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1vbdvrmxcf5y7

Am guessing you didnt need the hire car then ? Spotted on a35 a fiat 500 looking much like murphio just inside devon border. Hope it was you anyway as i gave you a quick flash (lights and a thumbs up in blue renault trafic. Maybe someone is wondering who the hell is flashing them if it wasnt you !!