The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums

The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/index.php)
-   The 75 and ZT Owners Club General Forum (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9)
-   -   Willy's big European adventure (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=297384)

Split or Bust 11th July 2019 22:02

Willy's big European adventure
 
Hi folks, apologies somewhat later starting this thread than originally intended, but better late than never so here goes….

Been a manic last few days, Willy’s the proud owner of new ABS sensors and he’s been stickered up for the trip.

Willy’s made it to Calais for the start of his big European adventure. Uneventful drive down so far, did 113 miles and fuel top up came to 13 quid so happy with that. Willy behaved himself and settled down nicely at 70 on the motorways, though we did hit a few slow bits. Dropped in to Ashford to meet the trip organisers and some of the other teams and their cars then the short drive to Dover and the 19:50 ferry to Calais.

Staying in Calais tonight then an early start in the morning with what we originally thought was going to be a 500 odd mile drive to Lucerne, Switzerland…that’s possibly changed a bit as there are a few Top Gear style challenges on the way to add to the fun.

One of these for tomorrow is to get a photo of us with Willy on the start line at Reims-Gueux….good old racing Willy, good job we got the racing number door stickers

Currently looking at Google maps to see how many countries we can go through on the way to Lucerne....so much for the direct route but points mean prizes.

Will aim to post daily updates and some “live” ones once I’ve figured out how to log in to the Tapatalk app on the phone.

We made a slight change to Willy’s name for the JustGiving page, hopefully easier to remember Just Giving WillHe when Googling…

Charity fund raising bit…

I hope this doesn’t break any forum rules, so on the assumption that it doesn't here goes:

Gordon and Keith want the world to be a happier place so we are taking our WillHe, a lovely but rather old red Rover 75, on a road trip to Split in Croatia in July.

The charity we have chosen to support is Action for Happiness

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/

The cause is something which is becoming an increasing issue in today’s high pressure, push, rush society; that’s issues surrounding mental health. But it’s far more than that old chestnut…

You see we believe that taking some time out occasionally to do something different provides untold benefits; and so does the charity we are collecting for. The charity focuses on HAPPINESS in all its merriment and forms.

The trip has been organised by the guys at The Odd Ball Rally and there are some 20 teams taking part.
Hopefully WillHe will not let the side down and we will make the 1,300 mile journey from Berkshire to Croatia visiting Lucerne, Bormio and Venice on the way….and then there’s the drive home…

All in we reckon WillHe has to survive some 3,000 odd miles….that’s some challenge for an 18 year old Rover driven by 2 rather mad and slightly lardy, middle aged friends who really should know better… it is for a very good cause.


For anyone who would like to make a donation here is the link

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisi...n-keith-willhe



I'll load some photos tomorrow, hotel wifi's too slow

Please watch this space for updates, thanks

Gordon

Mike Noc 12th July 2019 08:15

Good luck with the trip Gordon - am sure you will be fine - Copperleaf cars are far more reliable than any other colour! :D

bl52krz 12th July 2019 08:30

I wish you all the best for the Rally. Something I would have liked to have done in my younger days. Onwards and upwards.

bsafly 12th July 2019 09:43

:}Good luck with the rally, hope it all goes well for you and you get a chance to take in all sights etc

Split or Bust 12th July 2019 21:54

HELP.....what's the deal for using Tapatalk? Asking for forum login & password but when I enter the correct details Tapatalk says it's wrong....:mad:

Guess I'm missing a trick.

Just typed everything in via the browser, supped a beer & planned tomorrow only for the forum not to save what I'd written...

Been a long 700 mile day & 5 countries....time for bed will update tomorrow

Good news Willy's doing a great job & having fun....

More tomorrow, need sleep

bl52krz 13th July 2019 16:01

Well done to Willy and yourself. 700 miles is a long way in one day. Just keep thinking of that end result. All the best for the next leg of your adventure.

Split or Bust 13th July 2019 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by bl52krz (Post 2747468)
Well done to Willy and yourself. 700 miles is a long way in one day. Just keep thinking of that end result. All the best for the next leg of your adventure.


Thanks, having a great time but long day driving. Google currently uploading my photos from the moby to Google a/c, seems has to be on wifi to upload.... so delay further as at mercy of another hotel wifi.

Top day today visiting Furka Pass for a James Bond photo then on to a drive south for a 3 lakes challenge.

Hoping to do Stevlios Pass tomorrow then a drive to Venice.

More to follow once Google gets it's act together and I've sorted Tapatalk login

Tourist 13th July 2019 22:05

I'm really jealous that you're doing this trip! Sounds like you had a good drive today.

I did the Staples2Naples banger rally a few times, starting in 2008 in a knackered 4-Litre Daimler XJ40 and it sounds like you're doing the same route so far, in the same chunks.

The second time we did it, we picked up a pair of young Dutch girls who were doing a hitchhiking competition out of Calais, to get to Luxembourg as fast as possible... We were planning to get to our first day checkpoint in Sarnen, Switzerland by just booting it down through France, but seeing as these two lovely ladies wanted to get to Luxembourg ASAP, we changed plans and took the 5 countries route. It was a heck of a drive (as I'm sure you'll now agree!!) but so much fun. We got them there some three hours ahead of their competitors and in the lap of luxury.

My favourite bit was the passes in the Alps - The Grimsel and the Furka - just epic roads to drive. Second favourite was driving in Italy - the assertive driving style takes a bit of getting used to but it was a huge blast to hustle a big luxury car through such a beautiful country.

If you get bored, you can read about our exploits here:

http://teamxj3.blogspot.com/2006/09/...coquelles.html

Jolly good luck with the trip and please do keep us posted!

Tourist 14th July 2019 06:48

Just one other thing - beware of the Swiss Police.

Switzerland is a beautiful country and the Swiss people by and large are lovely, but their Police force has a reputation for being officious and punitive.

Don't break the speed limit in Switzerland!

Mike Noc 14th July 2019 09:17

And if you do break the speed limit when driving in Switzerland don't do it by too much, and especially in built up areas as, when I worked there, you could be fined a serious percentage of your annual income and also end up spending a minimum of a year in Gefangnis as the locals call it (in the German speaking cantons anyhow). :getmecoat:


They also have speed cameras in the tunnels. ;)


All times are GMT. The time now is 22:22.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © 2006-2023, The Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club Ltd