Members Reports
THE SCOTTISH BORDER SQUADRON 2007
The Scottish Border Event. Border Reivers Run. June 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th 2007
Ten cars arrived on the Friday, a mixture of Tin tops and Trikes. I arrived in my Tin top, due to Qualifying as a Sky Diver i.e., I took a dive off my garage roof, and was somewhat bruised. The majority of us were staying at the Galloway Arms Hotel Crocketford which was soon full, the rest of us, in nearby accommodation. The choice of the Galloway Arms proved to be First Class. The accommodation and food was superb.
Saturday morning.
A joint run was arranged by the Classic Wheels Club Dumfries & Galloway, who lead the way from Crocketford, at 10.30 approx, onto the A712 towards Corsock, then onwards, past the Henry Moore Sculpture, to the Topiary at the T junction. Next, we passed a Loch on our right, past the King & Queen sculpture on our left, also the Glenkiln Cross was visible on the hilltop.
Onwards, past the John the Baptist statue towards Corsock & Dunscore, we then turned off to Monoive. Past the War Memorial at Tynron, then on through Penpont, Keirmill & Auldengirth to rejoin the A76, returning towards Dumfries, until we arrived at our destination, Ellisland Farm.
John Kettlewell and Doreen had arranged for a Barbecue for the Classic Wheels Club and the JZR Club. This was very much appreciated and enjoyed and our thanks also go to the Cassic Wheels Club for an excellent run, enjoyed by all our members.
In the afternoon a desire was expressed to pay a visit to Leadhills & Wanlockhead Mining Museum.
So we set off, up the A76 towards Sanquar, a good road with nice twisty bends that suited the JZRs, enjoyed by all, until we came to the turn off to Leadhills. Up the valley, and into the hills, through beautiful scenery until we arrived at Wan lock head Museum & Tearooms.
Coffee stop & toilets and a browse round until it was time to make our return journey. Main road until we turned off down the country lanes through Newbridge & Shawhead to arrive back at Crocketford in nice time for a Shower and a rest, prior to an excellent evening meal, provided by the Galloway Arms Hotel.
During the evening Doreen and John Kettlewell were presented with a Bouquet of flowers in appreciation of the Barbecue and the hard work which went into it.
Sunday morning.
We left Crocketford for a drive through the countryside along the Coastal Route, our main destination being Park Farm Dumfries, where it was arranged that we were part of the Transport, Truck & Bus Show.
On arrival we were shown to our places and all lined up on display.
We then wandered round the Show, looking at all the different vehicles on display, including an old Helicopter, which had been used in various campaigns, until it was time to return to Crocketford for a rest & brush up ready for our usual evening meal at the Galloway Arms Hotel.
Monday was intended as a rest day, but a run was decided on to the Stranraer area, the main destination being Portpatrick on the Coast.
I was unable to go, but having previously been there, I knew it would be a nice coastal route, close to the sea in places, past the Smokehouses at Gatehouse of Fleet, and past the old Airstrip on the outskirts of Portpatrick. The return journey was by Newton Stewart, up Queensway until reaching Clatteringshaw Loch, where a visit was made to Visitors Centre. Suitably refreshed, carried onto Balmaclellan, Corsock and then back to Crocketford for our usual evening meal at the Galloway Arms Hotel.
Tuesday. We left Crocketford at approx, 10.15, travelling up the A75 to Castle Douglas, then turned right up to Loch Ken calling at the Loch Ken Hotel for a coffee stop, and to allow one of our party, who was feeling unwell to recover. A speciality of the Hotel was Crayfish, caught in their own traps in the Loch at the rear of the Hotel. Suitably refreshed & recovered, we on to New Galloway, then turned left, down to Clatteringshaw Loch until we came to our turning off onto the Forest Drive, known as the Raiders Road, a 10 mile forest road, following a riverside, cattle rustlers rout. Picnic places, forest walks, wildlife, scenery and artworks, then rejoined normal roads down to Laurieston, then turned off onto the moor-land roads until we dropped down into Gatehouse of Fleet for our lunch stop. Suitably fed and watered and having visited the Gift Shop and watched the different-Kilts being manufactured, we continued our journey down to Borque, somewhat slowed down due to loose chippings and tar spraying in progress. Next stop was Brighouse Bay picnic stop for photographs and toilets. Kirkcudbright was our next port of call. Spaces being found in the Car park, we watched them Crab fishing in the harbour, and had a walk round the shops. It was then decided to cut short our intended route, due to it getting a little late on in the day, and to allow some of us to be back in time to load-up onto trailers etc, and to get ready for our evening meal at the Galloway Arms. Wednesday morning it was time to say our good-byes after another great long weekend. Our thanks go again to John & Doreen Kettlewell and also the Classic Wheels Club Dumfries & Galloway. Brian P.
SPEEDY'S RUN
Hi Fellow Pilots.
It was a bright sunny start for Tony 'Speedy' Hollinshead's run when 6 JZRs met at the Windy Ridge Cafe
Those participating were Jim Bates and navigator Edgar Lowe, Tony 'Zipper' and Joy Simpson, Alan and Enid Sheldon,Mike Moore and of course the leader Speedy.
There were many places of interest starting with Blackbrook Farm (Birdworld), Ipstones Edge (high point), Froghall (lots of narrow boats at the wharf).
The roads navigated were generally twisty and narrow and because of recent flooding some had mud and gravel in the centre - not good for rear wheel traction.
On we went to Cheddleton station where steam trains run and up Park Lane, a very narrow road with few passing places but little used - luckily no oncoming traffic, to Denford Aquaduct where a short photo stop was made in the Holly Bush Pub car park. Winkle Minn, even Speedy was worried the road might peter out, but what a view from this point on the moors. A rest break was taken at Blaze Farm where we were all treated to the delicious home made ice cream by Speedy - not a common occurrence we are lead to believe!
Then we were off to the Roaches by gated roads where Enid impressed the pilots with her gate opening technique.
Lunch was taken at the Winking Man Pub on top of the moors where a table was reserved for the group and a good feed and pint were enjoyed.
When we went out to the cars to resume the run it was noticed that considerable numbers of ominous black clouds were gathering. Some bikers arrived warning us of the torrential rain around.
We set off for the Manifold Valley, another famous beauty spot, but before we reached Wetton Mill the rain started. Hurriedly we tonneaued up in the car park and dashed into the cafe for a cup of tea, joining sodden hikers sheltering from the rain, and waited...and waited for the storm to abate.
The clouds seemed to be stuck in the valley and the rain poured down. The run then broke up and dispersal was by the shortest direction for home.
Thanks to Speedy, who showed us all his local countryside, for a thoroughly enjoyable and well organised run. Mike Moore