Highlander 2008

[Patrick]

We are staying here http://www.westbournehouse.co.uk/bb_main.htm

We found it on the last time the Highlander started in Stirling. It is a great old house with a couple of world travellers that have now settled in Stirling and are great hosts. It is 2 or 3 miles from the Birds and Bees where David has suggested we all meet for dinner on the Friday.

I confess I did not check the room rate on booking...

[David Clelland]

I've just sent an e-mail to all that is going. So, if you haven't heard from me please get in touch.

DC

[TimM]

Some of the South East contingent are doing a little detour into the Lake District on the way up staying at the Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge on Thursday with a little excursion up and down the Hardnott and Wrynose passes on friday before heading up to Stirling and the Royal Hotel.

http://www.swanhotel.com/

http://www.royal-stirling.co.uk/

Don't know if anyone else is passing that way ?

[stoneybroke]

Tim
What time are you likely to be going up Hardnott as I am passing through the LD on my way to Scotland and could be tempted by a diversion.

Dave Stonehouse

[TimM]

Havn't really decided yet Dave - but we'll probably leaving the Swan about 10am I would guess. Have to take the concensus on that !

[mgtfnut]

Don't panic Capt Mainwaring:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tay ... 357106.stm

Just hope things pan out right, 'cos we're doing a coastal tour before the event.

Jerry & Diane

[stoneybroke]

Thanks Tim
Much too early for me.

I will see you probably at the Birds and Bees

Dave

[Green Squirrel]

Any news on the fuel situation??

[David Clelland]

Most garages are limiting you to £15 or £20, but over the last few days I've filled up my ZR, F and the wife's Merc without any trouble. I was forced to use V Power diesel this morning after watch a van fill up with normal stuff. When he replaced the nozzle it had a plastic cover over it saying the pump was out of order. When I questioned him he told me that he worked for Shell. There obviously wasn't anything wrong with the pump and it had plenty of fuel in it's tank but the garage owner wanted everyone to buy the more expensive stuff. My daughters haven't had any trouble either and they have filled up on road to work a couple of times this week. However, it's amazing how prices have been creeping up over the last few days. I suspect that everyone is running about with full tanks expecting the worse, but I'm reliably informed that there is millions of gallons of fuel sitting in Grangemouth and there really isn't a problem. I suspect that MGTFNut is correct and it's the media telling everyone not to panic that's causing all of the panic. Listening to both sides involved in the dispute I think they're try to score points off each other by painting a worse picture than actually exists.

I'll report back with an update next week.

[Green Squirrel]

Thanks David - please monitor the situation and keep us informed as a motoring holiday without fuel will be a wee bit pointless And the news we get here is almost non-existent.

[TimM]

Still plenty of fuel according to the BBC as long as people don't panic buy.

Strike from 0600 sunday to 0600 Tuesday at Grangemouth so that will be over by the time we get there next weekend - so fingers crossed we'll be OK !.

[Green Squirrel]

Still plenty of fuel according to the BBC as long as people don't panic buy.

Strike from 0600 sunday to 0600 Tuesday at Grangemouth so that will be over by the time we get there next weekend - so fingers crossed we'll be OK !.

And then another three weeks to get the plant up and running PLUS BP is now shutting down the pipe line!!

I just hope the optimists are correct as there isn't much room in the *F* for spare jerry cans of fuel

[TimM]

Always remain optimistic Ted !! That nice Mr Brown says there won't be a problem and I always believe him of course.

[David Clelland]

Ted,

You're right, up until now they have always said that it would take up to 4 weeks to get everything running again. However, on tonight's news the reporter said that full production for fuel would probably be achieved by the end of next week. It's the old story - who do you believe

[David Clelland]

Been keeping an eye on the petrol situation over the last couple of days and I'm glad to say that things (apart from price) seem to be back to normal. When I ran past my local station this morning there was no £15 price limit or queues.

[Green Squirrel]

Great

[TimM]

Looking good fuel wise then - weather seems a bit dubious but hope to get topless at some stage !

Setting off first thing in the morning so we'll see some of you in the Lake District Thursday evening and the rest at the Birds and Bees on Friday

[DavidT6DCM]

SWMGFers Jerry and Diane's who left on Monday to have a week touring Scotland before meeting for Highlander just rang and they have reached John o'Groats
The northernmost point of Britain's four corners, they have had no probs getting petrol at all yet, yesterday they just avoided a bad smash up in front of them on motorway and managed to weave their way through and carry on,it was raining rain and hailstones badly which made driving very bad for a while but they got through it, they have been into Balmoral this morning and few other places of interest,Diane is busy taking photo's of which i'm sure we will see some of on there return, and now they're just off to look for lunch before there next 100 mile drive to finish off there run today, they say it's bitter cold up there with snow on the hills and not had the roof down yet ha ha, he will ring again with update prob when actually meet up with the CSMGF Highlander group this Friday,
Dave

[TimM]

Snow and ice and rain and hailstones....and petrol as well .... sounds good to me ! Looking forward to braving the elements - it'll be like Brooklands all over again.

[Green Squirrel]

Setting off about 9 am tomorrow - overnight in Richmond, Yorks then the Westbourne House a few miles from Stirling!!

See you all Friday Night at the 'Birds & Bees' - or something like that