1st Mini Tour of 2019 starts.....................

[FLYING BANANA]

....................................... tomorrow with the Bear taking on the trip, should have been Banana but as she is a tad unwell, so the Bear has steppedin. Yes, I know I can take Redfive, and it would be cheaper, but the Bear needs a good run. And it will be the last time the Bear will travelling North to London.

Only going to be away for a few days. There two reasons for travelling up to London, one is for me to attend a very important appointment at one of our fine hospitals. After this visit everything will be finally transferred to similar hospital down this neck of the woods.
Second reason is to finally wind up the business I have been involved with the last 10 years, I have been what is called a sleeping partner. But the times are a changing and I have decided to call it a day.
But I have to attend in person to sign the last of the papers and collect my cheque.

But tomorrow we will be attending the breakfast meet at Frimley on our way up to my brother in laws in Totteridge North London.
Monday will see us in Central London, but on the tube. Free travel comes in handy. If i’m Back in time then I’ll attend the North London MG Club evening at the Botany Bay cricket club near Enfield.
Tuesday morning is spare but in the afternoon is another appointment which the second part is on Wednesday morning.

The plan is then to travel back home Wednesday afternoon.

So should you see, or in this case hear, us then don’t forget to wave toot or flash those shiny headlights. I have notified the fuel stations on the route which is,
from Saltash on the A38-M5-A30-A303 and onto the M3 as far as junction 4 and turn off to Frimley.
Once we leave then back onto the M3 and around to the Car Park aka M25. We come off at South Mimms and onto the A1 and onto Totteridge.

I’ll keep the diary going as I know we have a few followers.

Starting mileage is 55,800.

[Rev Jules]

Originally Posted by FLYING BANANA

....................................... tomorrow with the Bear taking on the trip, should have been Banana but as she is a tad unwell, so the Bear has steppedin. Yes, I know I can take Redfive, and it would be cheaper, but the Bear needs a good run. And it will be the last time the Bear will travelling North to London.

Only going to be away for a few days. There two reasons for travelling up to London, one is for me to attend a very important appointment at one of our fine hospitals. After this visit everything will be finally transferred to similar hospital down this neck of the woods.
Second reason is to finally wind up the business I have been involved with the last 10 years, I have been what is called a sleeping partner. But the times are a changing and I have decided to call it a day.
But I have to attend in person to sign the last of the papers and collect my cheque.

But tomorrow we will be attending the breakfast meet at Frimley on our way up to my brother in laws in Totteridge North London.
Monday will see us in Central London, but on the tube. Free travel comes in handy. If i’m Back in time then I’ll attend the North London MG Club evening at the Botany Bay cricket club near Enfield.
Tuesday morning is spare but in the afternoon is another appointment which the second part is on Wednesday morning.

The plan is then to travel back home Wednesday afternoon.

So should you see, or in this case hear, us then don’t forget to wave toot or flash those shiny headlights. I have notified the fuel stations on the route which is,
from Saltash on the A38-M5-A30-A303 and onto the M3 as far as junction 4 and turn off to Frimley.
Once we leave then back onto the M3 and around to the Car Park aka M25. We come off at South Mimms and onto the A1 and onto Totteridge.

I’ll keep the diary going as I know we have a few followers.

Starting mileage is 55,800.

What’s the matter with the Yellow one Bob.

Rev

Sorry Bob should get out more INERTIA.

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by Rev Jules

What’s the matter with the Yellow one Bob.

Rev

Sorry Bob should get out more INERTIA.

Tsk! Tsk! I need to spend my heating allowance on fuel for the Bear.

[keithst24]

See you tomorrow Bob....I'll hear you coming

[Cable Tie]

Travel safe bob and remember more smiles is less miles and yes I grin all the time in the bear lol lol

[FLYING BANANA]

.................................. breakfast meet in Frimley. Left at 6am and got to the pub in 2 hours and 55 minutes. Only stopped for those pesky red traffic lights.
The Bear took it all in her stride. Mostly we was able to travel at Warp Factor 3 where applicable. Obviously keeping to the speed limits through the villages and keeping an eye out for the various local photographic societies aka speed cameras.

Best time of the day to get past Stonehenge before 8am, no traffic around till we hit the M3. Till then only 5 cars got past us and pretty sure one of them was unmarked police car.
Turned into the pub car park to find a few of the others already there. For a time we was the only MG there but then Justin turned up with his Silver MG V8 saloon.
Cracking breakfast, and mine was paid for by Keith. Such a gent, many thanks. Plenty of chatter.

Then it was time to get some photo’s and have a look at the cars. Nice to see Cliff’s car shining like a beacon. I had a lengthy chat with Nora, Cliffs other half, we talked about Cornwall mainly. I showed some photo’s, no not those.
Keith showed me some polish that had been handmade, smelt like fresh flowers and came in a box similar to what a Rolex would come in. Nobby pointed out it was for your body and not the cars.
Not sure about the idea of the leg wax though.

The car park was filling up with the lunchtime trade so that was our excuse to leave. Left at Noon and headed back towards the M3 with the other V8 following. Slow moving on the M3 with a car broken down in the left hand lane but everyone avoided that. Both V8’s were able to keep together and slice through the traffic.
The M25 was running ok, no variable speed limits anywhere. Justin turned off onto the M40 and we carried on to Michaels. Finally pulling up on the drive at 13.35.

The Bear had travelled a total of 232 miles and we still have over a quarter of a tank left. And she never missed a beat. We did see 4 MG3’s and 1 MG ZR.

Thanks for reading.

[FLYING BANANA]

..........................................at about Noon. Route home will be A12-M11-M25-M4-M5 and onto the A38 for the home run.
So should you see, or hear, a grubby Silver MG ZTT V8 don’t forget to toot, wave or flash those lights.
Happy to be heading home, really missing the house.

Thanks for reading. Will finish the report once home and post a few photo’s up.

[FLYING BANANA]

............................................ today.
I said in previous post the I was meeting my solicitor today, it’s my age, not the solicitor but a friend for a breakfast meet. But in the quaint village of Barkingside.

I loaded up the Bear and said my goodbyes to Michael. Heard on the wireless thingy that the M11 was shut both ways between junction 6 and 8, on both sides as well. Also there was car trouble on the M25 at Potters Bar. But as this was at 9am, and I wasn’t leaving till about Noon so the road should be clear.

I was tempted to drive past the old flat but changed my mind and went to the Wetherspoon the long way round. Met up with my friend and we ordered breakfast and tea. Nice long chat about the area and old friends. I told my friend my good news, and she told me her bad news that her son had been found dead in his car. I felt so gutted and sad for her. Such a shame as he was only 42. He could no longer cope after his wife had walked out and taken the children.
That put a damper on the meal.

We parted with the promise to keep in touch. Hopefully she will keep his spirit alive within her. I have invited her down to Saltash. But who knows.
And with that I set off home. The M11 was still shut North and South bound but traffic was being diverted off onto the M25 at Loughton. Only problem was the traffic was backed up to Woodford on the M11. Too late to divert off, too many had the same idea, so I just stayed where I was. The traffic was everso slow.

But once onto the Car Park the pace picked up and now it was raining. First hold up was the huge crash on the other side of the road between Potters Bar and South Mimms. Needless to say the jam on our side was caused by the rubberneckers. Got past that and then hit another jam as the turn off for the A1 was solid. Traffic that could not go North on the M11 had diverted to go up the A1. But soon past and I let the Bear off of her leash.

The rest of the M25 was clean n green right round to the M4. Warp Factor 3 all the way. Dropped down onto the M4 and we only slowed to Harrisop50 trough the roadworks. The rain was steady and so was the Bear. Growling her way along, safest place to be was the outside lane. Lots of others were hogging the middle lane without lights on.
We made good time to the M5 and now on the home run. Bladder stop at Sedgemoor Services was needed.

Once I had splashed my boots we was off again. Bear was looking very grubby. But she picked up her paws and we was off. And from there to Exeter she certainly on form. Got the thumbs up from a driver in Audi R8 after we left him in our dust, ok so he caught up but was slow to pass. Toot! Toot! And thumbs up. No need to race him as I know what the Bear is capable of.
Onto the A38 and we was able to keep at steady pace, just a shade over (coff!), at Warp Factor 3. Might have been able to reach Warp Factor Actros but for the rush hour traffic.

We soon were turning into our Lane, only then did it sink in that the fuel light had not come on. Normally comes on at about Marsh Mills but a bonus well till we parked up, then it came on.
All in all The Bear done really well for fuel.
Finished mileage is 56,358. Total mileage was 558. I’ll check the oil and water tomorrow. And fill up to check the mpg.

I’ll post up a few pictures over the next few days. Many thanks for reading and the pm’s.
Uncertain about the next trip but will let you all know.

[slovcan]

It is a terrible thing about your friend's son. Mental illness and, especially depression, is real, tragic and diabolical. A person can't just "snap out of it" or "get over it" or "chin up" and the general population just can't, or won't, understand that. When will the world stop stigmatizing the sick? This stigma stops so many from getting help.

Sad,
Glenn

[FLYING BANANA]

...................................... covered a total of 558 miles. Used no oil or water.
Average mpg was 21. But we managed to empty the screen wash bottle.
She handled the traffic jams well, but was certainly in her element on the open road.
Bonus was the heavy rain last night as it’s washed all the dirt off.

Will post a few pictures up in awhile of our trip.