June saw me take on my most ambitious trip so far. Le Mans 2008. I took the ferry from Hull and enjoyed the overnight crossing. Zeebrugge (Thursday morning) and the weather was awful! The hood went on whilst waiting to disembark. What a trip though. Steady away and very wet at first, but it brightened up after a few hours, enough for the hood to be off and to get some miles under my belt. Anywhere I stopped, there were Ferraris and Porches etc. galore. They never got a second glance though. Folks descended on the Hood like wasps around a jam pot!



Camped at Le Mans and the car had a well earned rest for the weekend, apart from a little trip to a British Classic Car Show. Loads of British cars on display of all descriptions. The French sure love our cars it seems - we felt like Royalty. Very much enjoyed the racing and had a thoroughly good time. Thanks to all for their friendship and hospitality. A good trip back on the Monday though, was blighted by roadworks and general hold-ups. Despite allowing plenty of time, I ended up missing my Ferry. I had to catch the Channel Tunnel instead which meant I was in for a load more miles - about 550 miles in one day! Finally got home just before midnight - Pretty tired but very happy.

Newark Show. One of the best shows of the year. A bit damp on the Saturday, but dry and sunny on the Sunday although very windy. Great Hog Roast kindly provided by the club on Saturday night.

Smallways in July and a run from there out to Whitby on the Saturday.
Poured down! As usual, good company though, so never mind eh?

Tan Hill in August. The highest Pub in England. Had a run around the Yorkshire Dales in pretty good weather. Took in Hardraw Force, The Cheese Factory at Hawes and then Aysgarth Falls. Oh and much splashing about! Great company on the Saturday evening. Managed to camp under a bit of a rock for a bit more shelter, but still pretty bleak even in the summer!

Coast To Coast. In the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright. Well, wheel-tracks in our case. Arrived on the Friday evening ready for an earlyish start from St Bees on the west coast. We hung around for a few more to turn up on the Saturday morning and boost the numbers, before we set off. A variety of roads, at bit of getting lost, a bit of getting separated and a thoroughly good time had by all. By the time we got to Richmond, a splinter group (including me) decided to push on to Robin Hoods Bay - Mission accomplished! Then, back to Pickering for some well earned R & R before heading back home on Sunday morning. Special thanks to Adrian & Linda for organising this event.

So that's about it then! I've had some very good trips this summer, despite the weather! Absolutely no issues with the car (apart from a wheel wobble when braking. Warped discs?) and now just over 10,000 miles on the clock. Very satisfying. The camaraderie has been excellent and I'm happy to be a Hoody. Thoughts starting to turn now to what's in store for the next bout of 'Winter Tinkeritis'. I haven't got a great list like this time last year, so let's see eh?