Willy's big European adventure

Split or Bust · 11th July 2019, 22:02

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.

http://www.theoddballrally.co.uk/banger-bust-up

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!

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....

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 · 15th July 2019, 11:55

At last got Tapatalk working 😀

All going well, just crossed in to Croatia, Willy's having a blast.

Managed to negotiate the Stelvio Pass and it's 48 hairpin bends yesterday despite a minor coolant loss scare...so far the only real worry of the trip but not Willy's fault cos we hadn't tightened the rad cap quite right. Always carry a monk with you to bless your Willy😀

More updates in a while

Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

Split or Bust · 16th July 2019, 09:24

Great news Willy made it to Split yesterday, just in time for rush hour!

This car continues to amaze me, well done Willy!

Now heading north to Munich, 500 miles away a stroll on the park for Willy.

Go Willy go...

Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

trikey · 16th July 2019, 13:00

Well done, I bet it’s nice and comfy too on those long treks.

Split or Bust · 16th July 2019, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Well done, I bet it’s nice and comfy too on those long treks.

Very comfortable, a real motorway cruiser knocking off the miles nicely.

Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

11th July 2019, 22:02	#1
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	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. http://www.theoddballrally.co.uk/banger-bust-up 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

12th July 2019, 08:30	#3
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,387 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	I wish you all the best for the Rally. Something I would have liked to have done in my younger days. Onwards and upwards. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

13th July 2019, 16:01	#6
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,387 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	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. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

16th July 2019, 13:00	#9
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,764 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Well done, I bet it’s nice and comfy too on those long treks. __________________ Lest we forget..

12th July 2019, 08:15	#2
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Good luck with the trip Gordon - am sure you will be fine - Copperleaf cars are far more reliable than any other colour!

12th July 2019, 09:43	#4
bsafly Just going about! Rover 75 CDTi Connie SE Tourer starlight silver and serpents. MG ZT-T 190+ in Raven Black. Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Great Leighs Posts: 468 Thanks: 626 Thanked 167 Times in 110 Posts	Good luck with the rally, hope it all goes well for you and you get a chance to take in all sights etc

12th July 2019, 21:54	#5
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	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.... 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

15th July 2019, 11:55	#7
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	At last got Tapatalk working 😀 All going well, just crossed in to Croatia, Willy's having a blast. Managed to negotiate the Stelvio Pass and it's 48 hairpin bends yesterday despite a minor coolant loss scare...so far the only real worry of the trip but not Willy's fault cos we hadn't tightened the rad cap quite right. Always carry a monk with you to bless your Willy😀 More updates in a while Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk

16th July 2019, 09:24	#8
Split or Bust Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Slough Posts: 84 Thanks: 18 Thanked 56 Times in 21 Posts	Great news Willy made it to Split yesterday, just in time for rush hour! This car continues to amaze me, well done Willy! Now heading north to Munich, 500 miles away a stroll on the park for Willy. Go Willy go... Sent from my Redmi Note 5 using Tapatalk