Well, the Turkey was well and truly stuffed! A bumper entry of 
14 cars turned out on a very wet, miserable grey day for The Stuff the Turkey Treasure Hunt, and a new winner came to the fore. Initially there was a three way tie for first place on 35 points. However at the eleventh hour the Gibbs family completed the last of the three ‘clover leaf’ routes with a grand total of 40 points (out of 45). As no one was forthcoming with “un-solicited gifts of alcohol” the tie for second was then decided on an arbitrary basis using the last clue, which involved spotting the manhole covers at the side of a lay-by. As this was a little obscure there were bonus pints for getting it correct . (I can’t actually remember how I split third and fourth – did drink come into it after all?). Apart from 
the above mentioned clue there was no other that caused major problems – if one person can get it right then it can’t be impossible.
The event was so successful from the pub’s point of view they want me to organise another at Easter – ‘Stuff the Bunney?’ It will be on similar lines to the Christmas event but maybe a little longer as there should hopefully be more daylight. Watch this space for details and a date. (It will probably not actually be Easter weekend.)
On the tour front I am pleased to say bookings are coming in 
at a steady rate, at least comparable with 2011, but if all the enquiries materialise into firm bookings it looks like a much better year. The Highland and Orkneys Tour in particular is proving very popular, already into double figures. So if you are considering booking, do so sooner rather than later. 15 cars will probably be the maximum.
There are still places available on the first tour of the year, Devon and Dorset, but I will need to finalise bookings soon, so again, please don’t hesitate in sending your booking forms in. I cannot book hotel rooms until I have a completed booking form – and deposit. Verbal bookings are 
unfortunately not sufficient.
The weather was so dull for the ‘Stuff the Turkey’, (and I had to stay in the pub all day marking score sheets!!) that I didn’t get chance for any photographs. However we have had a few sunny days recently so I took the opportunity to do some advanced recce for the Lakes Autumn Tour and took the photos below. They show Thirlmere, Ullswater, the road up St John’s in the Vale and the trusty old Golf * in the Duddon Valley.
I hope to complete my final ‘route survey’ for Devon and Dorset, and perhaps a recce of Wales on the way home, towards the end of the month, so more pictures and news then.
* On the car front the news is that the Alpine is 99.5% complete
and has passed an M.O.T. test. It is still in the workshop however as I don’t want to put it on the road in the current weather – and I still need to make garage space. Anyone want a project? 1967 Sunbeam Alpine (not the restored one!!) ‘rolling shell’ with most parts to complete. The shell was welded some years ago and painted in beige ‘primer’. It may need a little attention but has been garaged for the last 4 years and just needs building up…….. No reasonable offer refused but buyer must collect.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY TOURING NEW YEAR
Things are already moving ahead for 2012!
I’m pleased to say that further discussions with MacDonald Hotels has enabled us to base the whole of the Lakes Autumn Tour at Leeming House on Ullswater. It does mean a change of date however to October 11-14th. It also means though, we can open up some new routes through the Lakes and surrounding areas.
After over ten years of organising tours in the Lake District it had become increasingly difficult to come up with new routes while based in the south near Kendal. This new base at Leeming House means we can have four days on different routes in different types of scenery without moving hotel. (One day will be exactly as 2011 as I felt that the day in the Pennines deserved repeating as while the roads were still enjoyable to drive this year, the scenery was almost completely obliterated by fog and low cloud.)
The other days will include some familiar territory but with new roads along the shores of the Solway Firth, the Duddon Valley and the North Pennines. Even if you have been before (and there are many ‘regulars’ who return each year), the scenery is always worth another look especially if viewed from a different angle. I am also working on a very interesting lunch venue for one day – somewhere we have never been before and totally different – watch this space!
Other news; plans for a special long distance event based on MacDonald Hotels have not come to fruition this year but I am still working on variations of the idea for 2013 maybe?
Pre- booking enquiries for 2012 have been very encouraging so far. If they all convert to firm bookings it could be a bumper year. So if you are thinking about booking anything, don’t hesitate and miss out! The challenge is still on for someone to beat the record of five tours in one year……….
However there is one more event in 2011.
I organise the Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club, “Stuff the Turkey” treasure hunt between Christmas and the New Year. It will be on December 27th this year as that is in lieu of Boxing Day, and will be based at my ‘local’ the Station Inn at Oxenholme. The format is a 30+ mile touring treasure hunt on picturesque roads in a ‘clover-leaf’ pattern, with a series of cryptic clues. i.e competitors do 3 ten mile loops returning to the pub to hand in their answer sheets between each loop. This does mean that I have the arduous task of staying in the pub all day to collect and mark said sheets. Traditionally the event has been on my birthday, the 29th, so I can accept gifts of alcohol with a clear conscience without it influencing my marking in any way!? (Early birthday gifts will be treated in a similar manner this year.)
It is a light hearted event with awards for overall points scores and ‘best classic car’ and ‘best topless crew’. (Anyone who drives an open top car with the hood down all day.)
Limited accommodation may be available at the Station or otherwise the Crooklands Hotel is just 5 miles down the road. If you are interested give me a ring or e-mail the usual address.
MIKE
2012 brochures will be mailed out to everyone on our database before Christmas.
Well, that’s it! The last tour of 2011, the Lakes and Dales/
Autumn in Eden finished the season successfully if a little wet. A full entry had to brave probably the worst weather I’ve ever experienced on a tour. Friday was the exception with glorious sunshine and incredible visibility all day. The Three peaks in particular stood out extremely clearly as crews made their way across the Lancashire/Yorkshire border on the way to Kirkby Lonsdale. The rest of the weekend wasn’t so good. Steady rain is bearable if you can still see the views, but when the cloud comes down it rather defeats the whole object. The only consolation was that Sunday’s route, while particularly affected by the mist and cloud in the North Pennines, did include a lot of good roads which are a treat to drive in any conditions. The social atmosphere at the sumptuous Leeming House Hotel on Ullswater made up for these disappointments and everyone seemed full of enthusiasm for next year.
It was unfortunate that the couple who equalled the record of five tours in one year had to leave early due to a last day breakdown. Can anyone break the record in 2012?
Bouyed by this enthusiasm I have some exciting plans for 2012. A recent meeting with MacDonald Hotels was extremely encouraging and it looks as this association may grow considerably in the future. This will at least ensure that everyone knows that most of the hotels used will be to the same high standard. Of course there will still be some places where we have to use other hotels, but we will endeavour to maintain the standard wherever we are. For example, the Isle of Man Tour is likely to return to the excellent Mount Murray Hotel and we will probably re-visit the comfortable and friendly Coul House near Inverness on the Scottish trip.
Immediately after my last tour I made the annual ‘pilgrimage’ 
to the Isle of Mull for something of a ‘busman’s holiday’. This wasn’t a relaxing tour though. I was marshalling on the extremely competitive Mull Rally where state of the art rally cars average almost impossible speeds around the tortuous island roads. I did find time for a little relaxation and ‘communed with nature’ on the shores of secluded Loch Buie. On the way home I inevitably did a little recce for next year – sampling a new 4 star hotel near the Forth Bridge, (well someone has got to do it!).
Next week I am actually planning to compete in a rally, the first for nearly two years. It is the first time I have managed to fit anything in when the car has been ready and I can find a navigator!!
I have not updated my ‘blog’ recently because I have 
been very busy with the Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club’s “Devils Own Rally” After 6 months work it was disappointing to get a very small entry, but probably a sign of the times. In the end the event went off very well and was blessed with a good day of sunshine. The following week I was off to Northumberland, again with a ‘select’ group. Once again we were lucky with the weather with just a couple of heavy showers on the Sunday, luckily when most people were undercover at Paxton House for lunch.
The quiet roads of the Scottish Borders were again 
a treat to drive although when we ventured briefly onto the A1 and the coastal roads through Bamburgh and to Holy Island, it was a little different. Everyone must have been waiting for the tide to clear the causeway because when we arrived at the car park on Lindisfarne at the allotted time, it was already half full.
The new base in Wooler proved ideal for the 
circular routes around the Cheviot Hills and out to the coast, even if the setting wasn’t quite as spectacular as our normal base under the shadow of the impressive Bamburgh Castle. However we did get a taste of the seaside with coffee at Seahouses overlooking the pretty harbour and the not too distant Farne Islands.
Another successful and enjoyable trip with a very sociable group including some new faces as well as many ‘regulars’.
I now actually have a quiet spell! Six weeks 
relative relaxation before the final tour of the season, the combined, Lakes and Dales, and Autumn in Eden. I am delighted to say this tour is already filling up and I have had to book extra rooms at Leeming House on Ullswater for the weekend. I think there are still some rooms available so if you have been thinking about this tour please contact me as soon as possible.
The proposed plans for 2012 seem to have been met with general approval so I shall be ‘firming them up’ in the next month or so. Next year’s calendar should be available in October, but as I make my annual pilgrimage to the Island of Mull immediately after the Autumn Tour, new brochures probably won’t be available until November. Watch this space!
The new PENNINE WAY and SCOTTISH BORDERS TOUR
was blessed with remarkably good weather for most of the week and the Borders scenery in particular was shown off to its best. THE CARDRONA HOTEL, the base for most of the event proved very popular and is likely to become a regular stopping off point on our Scottish Tours. The Borders provides not only a mix of varying un-spoilt scenery with lochs, hills and castles, but also almost traffic free roads making a perfect venue for touring. This tour will certainly be repeated next year.
Next up is The Wolds Tour which is proving to be an un-expected success. Bookings are already in double figures for this other new event. I have just completed the route survey and whilst the scenery was never going to compete with Scotland, there are some very picturesque surprises and some excellent driving roads.
The Northumberland Tour is also filling up but there 
are still some places left. If you missed the Borders Tour, some of the roads are similar in Northumberland and there is the added attraction of the coastal routes. Again, they are pretty much traffic free.
After the Wolds I am going to be very busy with the DEVILS OWN CLASSIC RALLY. If you have ever fancied trying a little mild competition in your classic, why not have a think about ‘THE LITTLE DEVILS TESTS’.
This is held in a scenic part of Cumbria and is run very much like a tour except that every now and then you stop off to do a little ‘driving test’ 
in a car park, farm yard or on a private road. Surfaces vary and a sump shield is recommended for ‘peace of mind’, but it depends how seriously you take the competition! No special licence or insurance is needed for this part of the event. (A national B Road rally licence is needed for the night navigation section.)
The new combined Lakes and Dales and Autumn in Eden Tour is filling up steadily so if you are interested please book soon as we may need to book more hotel rooms, particularly at the LEEMING HOUSE on Ullswater.
It is early days yet but I have been formulating some plans for 2012. If there is something you missed this year there may be another chance or if you are looking for something new I think we may have the answer to that as well.
JUST IDEAS AT THE MOMENT
April DEVON AND DORSET
May SCOTLAND A new route based on MacDonald Hotels
June NORH WALES based at Chester
July ISLE OF MAN
August HIGH ROADS/DEVILS OWN Competitive
September LAKES AND DALES Similar to 2011
October SCOTTISH BORDERS Based at Cardrona Hotel
Scotland and Ferrari Tour
I haven’t had much time for a news update recently having
spent the last three weeks almost entirely in Scotland. The usual Scottish Tours were followed 36 hours later by a ‘bespoke’ tour of Scotland for the Ferrari Owners Club of Belgium. Unfortunately this group wanted a specific route and programme of events so I couldn’t just re-use the previous weeks route. One perk though was that I got to be chauffered around Scotland in a friends Ferrari 355. It’s a hard life etc.!
Three intrepid crews completed the ‘Ultimate Scottish Tour’ lasting a full 12 days, including a Bentley Continental! Another four crews joined us for the last six days. It as the first time in ten years that no-one did only
the early part of the route including the Isle of Mull. Perhaps my regulars have done it so many times before.
The weather was “Scottish” for most of the first trip, i.e. thunder showers one minute, bright blue skies the next. The Belgians weren’t quite so lucky with heavy rain almost everyday. The only consolation was that the Pass
of the Cattle was relatively clear whereas the previous week it had been completely shrouded in fog. Most of the Ferrari group were new to Scotland so despite the weather went home in awe of the best scenery Scotland could offer.
Other news is that most tours have a reasonable amount of bookings despite a slow start. The exception is the GWR Tour which I am afraid will have to be cancelled due to lack of support. In contrast The Wolds Tour has ‘taken off’ almost un-expectedly – perhaps because it is a new tour in a little known area. I have only a couple of areas left to explore in this country so when they are done I may retire – again!
Our first ever tour of The Isle of Man proved a great 
success. Even those worried about a rough crossing were quite happy as the whole event including both ferry crossings was blessed with glorious weather. On Monday the 14 crews had a morning in the Trough of Bowland which gave them plenty of views of Morecambe Bay which they were to cross in the afternoon.
Once on the island we were extremely well looked after at the Mount Murray Hotel and everyone enjoyed the first day’s run around the TT Course, increasing their respect for the fearless riders who tackle this epic circuit 
every year. The afternoon provided more genteel travel on the electric tram to the top of Snaefell Mountain. Although it was sunny and warm the ‘six kingdoms’ couldn’t be seen from the top as beyond the shores of the island it was quite hazy. The more energetic also climbed to the top of the Laxey Wheel to complete an enjoyable and relaxing day.
The second day involved a little more driving as it took in most of the stages of the Manx International Rally which while providing a moderate challenge in some places, also provided some spectacular views many ordinary tourists would never find. There were also stops at Peel and Ramsey as well as the amazing ‘Jurby Junk’ emporium. If ever there was a place that couldn’t be prosecuted under 
the Trade Description Act it was this place. Next door we also visited the rather eclectic collection of the Jurby Transport Museum which was largely made up of all shapes and sizes of bus, but also some rare treats such as an early steam car, a steam lorry and a replica Allegro Police car! They obviously don’t have high speed chases on the island!
After a short coastal run the tour ended on the 4th day with a visit to the extensive craft centre at Tyndwall. Some people were so impressed with the tour they expressed the wish to do it all again next year – so watch this space.
As well as the success of the tour I am pleased to report that the RS got round without missing a beat!
I have now got a very busy month with effectively three tours in Scotland ‘back to back’. My planned ride in a Porsche for the first tour has fallen through but the Ferrari looks good for the last one. Check here for photos in about a month’s time!
A small, but very sociable group got the season’s tours 
underway last month on the East of England Tour. Numbers were swelled a little on the Sunday when several cars from the Leicester Triumph Owners Club made it a club outing. The weather was kind to us and Saturday’s run around Rutland Water and across the Fens was particularly pleasant. Sunday’s route took in some of the fascinating ancient villages of Norfolk before a stop for lunch at Sandringham. Many people stayed here so long they missed the final stop of the day at Grime’s Graves.
At least two couples were new to CCT(MK) but I’m sure by the atmosphere around the dinner table on Sunday evening we will be seeing them again. In fact one couple are already committed to two more tours – what more can I say!
After the south east I went to the opposite ends of the country to finalise the route notes for the Scottish Tours. The weather was absolutely superb and the Scottish Highlands were looking at their spectacular best. It was a real pleasure to be doing the job there --- well someone has to do it! A selection of photographs taken on each trip are below.
I’m writing this amidst preparations for the Bay Watch/Isle of Man Tour. The weather forecast looks good for a calm crossing on Monday, which will be a relief to some. Sunday’s Bay Watch Tour has been adopted as Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club’s ‘Drive It Day’ event so the numbers are doubled already – and no doubt there will be some ‘last minute hopefuls’ turning up on the day.
On returning from the Isle of Man it is barely two weeks to the first of the Scottish Tours. I will be spending most of May in Scotland which will be no hardship if the weather is half as good as last week. There is barely a day between the CCT Scottish Highlands Tour and the bespoke Ferrari Club of Belgium Scottish Tour. Therefore if anyone needs to contact me you had better try the mobile (07795 204533).
Most other events in the calendar are slowly filling up, but I would ask if anyone is just thinking about booking, please do it as soon as possible. Hotels are now requiring signed contracts well in advance and often payment ‘up front’, so I now need to know numbers well before the closing date for events.
On the car front, the Alpine still isn’t complete and the RS rather disgraced itself on the East of England Tour. It did get us home though and has since had a major service so hopefully it will get round the Isle of Man OK. Mind you it is not far from the ferry to home……
report that everything is going according to plan. The Mount Murray Hotel lived up to expectations and I think we should be very comfortable there. Bring your swimming costumes and golf clubs (if you have room) as the leisure centre and golf course are included in our package.
ferry to Liverpool will have time to complete the above coastal route plus a little detour into the mountains before taking lunch at the biggest craft centre on the island, near the historic Tynwald Hill. It is only a short run back to Douglas for the ferry. Those taking the Heysham ferry have until 7pm to do the same, plus have a stroll around Douglas and take another short coastal run, or even take a steam train ride.
just for the day. We now have bookings on every event in the calendar but there is plenty of room for more! Some of our regulars have already made multiple bookings so it would seem we are going to see some increasingly familiar faces throughout the year. The Western Isle Hotel on the Isle of Mull is already getting booked up, so anyone interested in the Classic Mull Tour or Ultimate Scittish Tour, please book A.S.A.P.
for the week, the poor old Golf wouldn’t really look the part.