With regard to the visiting of 'hidden gems', am I to understand that we should look forward to you going commando again in a few weeks, Jimboy??

I know we've spoken on the phone, but this takes the communal family feel to another level?!

Jim, another time in the past. You have to grab the moment & all that. Who knows what the future will bring..

In all seriousness it's a matter of grabbing life by the short & curlies when you get the chance...simple....

Good to hear that said

Well done- good for you...

Jim, it's difficult to gauge anybody's real thoughts or opinions on past events just by mere words alone. My experience is the fact I've never met anyone on here unlike others.I have no doubt that when we all meet all will be fine & I certainly feel new friendships will be forged.

I'm a bit of a romantic & without giving too much away, my wife & I have savered the good life, after all life's too short to be caught napping if you know what I mean.

Here, Here Jim.

Spend your money and enjoy yourself while you can is my motto.

Saturday lunch

Ardvasar Hotel

1. Jimboy
2. Edinburgh
3. D.G.x2
4. Barney
5. No Legs
6. drileyx2
7. Rossox2

Such sincerity is rare these days-

Can't wait to meet you, Jimboy...

Moving on- When is a good time to draw up the vehicle swapping rota for this trip?

Aye well, good to see all is well with the team...

Sun is shining up here for a change & was quite hot & I was in a good mood, so I purchased from halfrauds a half price £30 3/8 socket set, lifetime guarantee. From what I saw if anyone is interested, all their sets are half price at the moment. This will serve me well on the trip.......

No long now!

As soon as Simon swaps his yellow one for a proper colour

I see someone's properly out of hibernation

It was Hibernian that did it.

And a fine mess they got into!

Thoughts on lunch location Sunday.....there's a nice roadside place at Balquhidder railway station?

If you’re on the A84 near Balquhidder, you should stop at Mhor 84 for lunch. Amazing food, lovely place, decent car park.

Nice call poprock

Any backers to this?

We won't be in any great rush to get home and will want to visit things in the lochaber area and probably go freestyle for lunch .I can't see us being that far south for lunch but happy to meet up there later for Afternoon/High tea around 4pm.

I like your style Simon, a man after my own heart, keep looking where the next meal/pitstop will be. Obviously I'll be going North towards Inverness. I can't see myself in any great hurry & if things go to plan I may stop at the Loch Inn at Fort Augustus. They do exceptionally good meals there, their fish & chips are legendary along with their steak pie. They recently won awards for their hospitality & good food.

If the sun shines you have the locks on the canal to gaze upon. No far from Fort William if anyone wants to come see. Just a thought.

On the subject of food for thought, what about evening meals...maybe we should consider that if arriving en masse

Now that's an obvious valid point Simon. It certainly would do no harm to contact the hotels on our numbers, especially so if we would all like to dine together. I for one would welcome all of us dinning en mass, our first night & all that..... Erm, you get my drift.

Well Glenfinnan will ask when you check-in if you want dinner and we can decide that ourselves when on the trip If we want to eat there or elsewhere. Plockton I can't remember where we are staying or dinner arrangements? And Poolewe/ Gairloch has plenty eateries options to choose from.

Ok. Was starting to get paranoid about leaving something out.


When is we're going again? And where?



Who are you lot?

I'll get a map of all toilets on the route for you.
All the the Hotels are booked and they have food and beverages in and around all the places we are going and they can speak English.
Simon, I guarantee you will not starve.
I can't remember off the top my head(it's in the thread) the name of Plockton accommodation I organised for everyone - because I booked it in advance last year and strangely have forgotten it.
It's 3 weeks away and there is plenty of time, if you feel the need to have every meal booked weeks in advance - go ahead. I'm thinking about where to book for tonight and on Saturday.

PS. I have some distress flares I can bring.

was it not the Plockton Inn? I think we tried phoning to book an were told they don't take booking til this year. So we booked a guest house down the road.

Now you're talking boy!



Don't worry we won't leave you out of sight of our rear view mirrors

Yes that's it Rosso. Everyone but you is booked in there.
Don't know why they said that to you?

Yeh no idea why they said that but looking on the bright side we think we have found a wee gem

Oh dear,you boys, I've got the "belly and bladder" tour name stuck in my head now. How about just before we head off for the the food fest ( and a bit of driving) one of you with the best memory (Ed??) write a final itinerary of who we are, where we are going and when we get there, which we can then all print off.

I think I can get a couple of distress flares off the boat too if that reassures folks.

Seriously Though, thanks so much for organising it all, it is good to have a plan. Coupe all ready to go as am I.

We are heading back to Inverness and staying there Sunday night before getting the Pentalina Monday lunchtime back to Orkney. ( I wonder where we will eat)

Good idea Dianne. I'm the type of man who will never forget a face, but names will elude me from time to time....

Printout wouldn't be such a bad idea...

Hey Dianne, perhaps we could arrange something for Sunday if you feel like it.

Oooh, how much more visceral than 'coupe calvalcade'



We'll need one each Dianne, but a bag full for Marko as he'll be needing to stop so often



This sounds like a 'tilting' ship

...or a five-sided one