Bucket List : Bit of fun this weekend... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Ianp66 profile image
22 Replies

Bit of fun this weekend, thought I'd share the fit of giggles we've spread with you. It's now 4 months on after the Cryo Ablation and a month after the nightmare holiday with cardioversion thrown in! And I'm feeling healthy, no sign of any problems, and in the middle of doing a condensed version of the NC500 Scottish driving route, which Jeremy Clarkson a hero of mine did for the Grand Tour TV programme last year. He named it the P. E. N. I. S 287 (Google it its no wind up, P iloting E xtremely N icely I n S cotland ), we've had the cars stickered up with said label , and spent the last 650 miles on some fanatastic routes, and unreal driving roads with sublime scenery, while having a laugh with nearly everyone who we have chatted to on the way when they see the cars and read the lettering . A little tired with the 7-8 hour driving days but been fine so far now in hotel no3 waking to a Loch View ,and touch wood (no pun intended), ready for breakfast near Fort William, and another day driving in this spectacular scenery, today heading back South now on route home.

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Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66
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BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Sounds idilic . What cars? I did a similar tour about 30 years ago in my Alfa GTV6. Over night rail from Olympia to Edinburgh, up to Braemar, across to Inverness, Orde of Muir, Ullapool, Gairloch, down to Applecross then Fort Augustus,, Skye (up to Dunvegan) and back before dropping down via Fort William,Mallaig and back and down into the Lakes. Hardly saw another car some days. Took us five days of hard driving. Be great to do it again in my 220i but Sam would prefer we took her Fiesta ST3 and I'm not allowed to drive that.

Heart stopping moment on the back road to Applecross when we hit a pot hole and the engine stopped. Not seen a car or house for hours. Lights all came on on dash. Switch off and back on and all restarted. Happened twice more on that trip till we fitted a new ignition switch which was faulty.

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply toBobD

Very similar route Bob, cars are my m5 f10 tuned to 750hp and 1000nm, my two lads 330d 350hp and 335d 405hp, we started at Inverness, to Ullapool, Gairloch, did the same backroad to Applecross, like you say, a few moments on there when oncoming camper vans who can't drive came at you,were just below Fort William this morning, we didnt go over as far as skye, back to work in morning so time limited. Sat over Loch Linnhe at the Holly Tree Hotel having breakfast, before setting off home, been an amazing trip and another 261mile to home, thoroughly blown away by the whole experience, and the cars never missed a beat thankfully.

Ian.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply toIanp66

We did chip my 220i for a couple of weeks but astronomic insurance premium and my warranty made us return it to standard. No2 son just bought a 535D Touring as a tender for our Skyline drift car.

in reply toBobD

I chipped my SAAB 9-5 Aero estate, mentally fast, would pull the caravan up to 60 in silly time, but 14 mpg put me off so back to standard it went

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply to

The M5 is reporting 9mpg at the moment mate haha, but worth every minute 👌

in reply toIanp66

I loved it, but unfortunately didn't have the pockets deep enough to use it.

I just scare myself spinning my MG F now :D

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

The 220i was silly quick and in fact returned +2mpg on the motorway (42) but went from 70 to lost licence rather too quickly. Also was too switch like unless you drove in eco all the time. It was qucker than Mikey's girlfriend's Skyline GTS though. Facebook BOB D--- Motorsport.

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply toBobD

35d are a monster Bob make a great tender , the 35d in our convoy was keeping up with the m5 most times until the taps were fully open , monster torque delivery, diesel style, superb motor to tune . We've got go pro video on all the cars once we get it edited il post you a link if you fancy a look at it, be some good footage hopefully.

in reply toIanp66

I'm probably going to end up remapping the Tiguan, it struggles a bit with some of those North Devon hills towing the tin tent.

Babyr1996 profile image
Babyr1996 in reply toBobD

I know that route al too well bob!! Applecross especially hairy!! I was on the ‘cattle road’ up a very steep incline and a bend and road only just wide enough for my car and all I could see in the front windscreen was the bonnet of the car! My friend wind her window down to navigate me as it was pretty close to the edge and my it was a biggggggg drop if I miss judged it!! But the thrill of actually doing it was something else !! I wouldn’t even contemplate it in my Toyota Yaris I have now

Two kindred petrol heads .......enjoy the experience!

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply to

Thanks flapjack. Loving it 👌

wilsond profile image
wilsond

Fab trip! Love the places you have been to and so glad you are on a better place now healthwise x

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply towilsond

Thank you, its been surreal, like a dream come true, and hopefully on the mend at last x

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toIanp66

Great stuff xx

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66

No mobile ones at all, but a couple of fixed etc well marked John, hopefully.

Babyr1996 profile image
Babyr1996

Wow amazing I’ve done that drive and it’s no mean feat!! Well done you! I’ve just come back from a round trip of 2,193 miles driving up to Ullapool ferry to Stornoway Isle of Lewis and driving the whole of the Hebridean way including 4 ferries of course! Absolutely loved it!! Scotland my 2nd home it always feels like I’ve arrived home when I go up!!

Stay well and safe for the rest of your journey

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply toBabyr1996

Back home now, tired but happy, wow! 2k+ miles, now that's a long trip impressive to say the least.

RoyM profile image
RoyM

Another petrol head here too. My toy is a Merc SLK 55 fitted with a V8 and rather quick being like a skate with an engine fitted. We have family on Harris and love the drive from our home near the lakes to Harris. Although, not so happy getting the car wet...which is a regular occurrence in Scotland lol. Cheers Roy

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66

Hi Roy, it's like the grand tour, so glad we've got so many into their cars, love the SLK55, the V8 twin turbo in my m5 doesn't have quite the soundtrack the mercs have but still stimulating none the less.

Ian.

RoyM profile image
RoyM

Hi Ian Like music to us petrol heads lol We could call the tour The AF tour lol. I did a tour a couple of years ago called the AF tour but that was "Across France" Glad you are continuing to feel well after your Ablation.

Cheers Ian

Ianp66 profile image
Ianp66 in reply toRoyM

I've been doing the AF tour too a couple of years Roy, made me chuckle this morning, we should have a get together with Bob and crew at some point, compare motors, without the bodily misfires.

Ian.

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