C.C.C.E. 22nd June - 29th June 2013.

[mat_fenwick]

if someone wants to take over the planning until I've got myself sorted with a new job, then that's fine with me.

I’m not sure it requires masses of planning – so long as we all know where to meet and places to stop each night we can sort out the exact route as we go along – that’s what tends to happen anyway! If it helps I’ll have a look for places to camp along the proposed route, and see how feasible it looks.

But yeah, the most important thing is finding yourself a new job so best of luck with that. And the offer of help with speaker wiring and a few at our place still stands

[mds141]

Thanks Mat I appreciate that. Spoken to a few haulage firms, but post Christmas is a quiet time of the yr. I'm holding out for my dream job, working for John Lewis/Waitrose. They're setting up a new RDC in Leyland this summer. Proper working conditions and terms of employment, final salary pension, staff discounts etc... Knowing my luck I'll end up hauling manure!!
I'll let you know about popping down to install the ICE and having a few and some

[MULLEY]

Final salary pension scheme, that is v-rare, i'd get in there as quickly as possible I used to be in one & at one stage it was non-contributory, how i wish it was the same now And this is with the same employer for the last 20+ years, booooh!!

[mds141]

I've got 11 yrs NHS pension stashed away. 10 grand lump sum and 3 grand a yr. Only another 17 yrs until I can draw on it!!
The John Lewis partnership is quite unique. Every employee is an actual partner in the company, there are no shareholders, so yearly profits are returned to the employees/partners each year as a % bonus of their wages. Also you receive staff discounts, subsidised holidays at Centre Parcs, the list goes on. I imagine applications will be massively over subscribed, but I have as much a chance as everyone else.

[MULLEY]

All the best & go for it

[Vanny]

I was thinking of approx 100/150 miles a day

So that's about an hour and a half in a valver, and 3 in a diesel +/- massive clouds of black from the fenwick furnace . .

[mat_fenwick]

Given that this is a Scottish A road you'll be lucky!

[mds141]

At least the highland cattle are using the correct 'passing place'

[Dollywobbler]

Scottish miles are like Welsh miles. Far longer than you expect.

[Vanny]

Scottish miles are like Welsh miles. Far longer than you expect.

This forum needs a 'quote of the month' thread!

[saintjamesy89]

I've just read this whole thread semi-properly, what was the conclusion for sleeping arrangements? I read a few mentions of wild camping, which is wonderful (mainly because it's free...) but we'd have to have showering/cleaning facilities every other day or so. Also, a BX horde in a campsite, with bbq's and beer sounds rather fun!

And have we decided on the 22nd or 24th as the meeting day at Gretna (or other place)? Need to get this booked!

[mat_fenwick]

I don't think any definite conclusion had been reached about camping, but I think it would be sensible to plan stops around camp sites, and if we see a suitable wild camping spot on the way, just go for it. That assumes we don't have to book sites in advance. It might be difficult to find a good spot for all of us, but perhaps some people would prefer a camp site anyway?

[mds141]

I was planning the 1st overnight stop at Hoddom Castle caravan/campsite which is near Ecclefechan, just off the M74 jcn 19. I have also looked at a very nice campsite at Applecross, which has 'pods' for those who would like to try "glamping"!

[citsncycles]

I'm not sure if it's the same site, but the Cumbrian section of the V-CC used to use a camp site at Ecclefechan as a base for their century ride, otherwise known as the 'Ecclefechan long ride'. You could actually see the motorway from it!

As for the rest of the trip, it may be worth contacting various sites along the route to see if they want us to book, although as it's in school time it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

On the Classic Challenge last year, we had people using camp sites, hotels and occasionally wild camping, and for the most part it seemed to work well, with people gathering at the camp site most nights for a chat, drink and meal.

24th start works for me because on the 21st to 23rd I'll be at York Race course for the CTC rally, but if you decide to start earlier I'll join up with you wherever you are on either Sunday night or Monday morning. I suspect a lot of people will want a day to get to the start point anyway!

[saintjamesy89]

Looks like i'll have to give this one a miss, which i'm quite pissed off about. Two people in the lab have booked this very week off, meaning no-one else can have holiday this week. Typical, the only week I cannot book holiday, is when this trip is happening!