and we're off !

[Tzantushka]

Great image.
All you need is an dude dressed in 80's fashions and that picture looks like it has come out of a sales brochure.

[tha881]

It's always great to see a snap of the car when you're on your travels. Glad to see you took the scenic route instead of opting for the tunnel! I looked it up on google maps and it looks amazing

Screenshot_20200803-190652_Maps.jpg

[Hinny]

Awesome stuff that mate, actually jealous. Switzerland has got to be up there as one of the most beautiful and yet, still very well connected places I've ever been. Keep it up

[Brianmoooore]

Pics. and mention of the Gotthard Pass stirred up some distant memories in the far recesses of my brain, so I dragged up Google maps and Wikipedia to do some checks. Google maps confirmed that it must have been the pass I'd gone through, since I'd gone from Switzerland to Monza (Milan) via Como, but I didn't recall the road being quite the quality and width of the road in the pics, but I did remember seeing lots of construction going on near the road every now and then along the route.
Checking with Wikipedia, I see that the pass in the pics. was only opened in '77, and since I was there in '73 ( JP Lotus first and second, in front of the Tifosi - lucky to get out of the place alive), I must have driven the 1830 Tremola pass, and all the roadworks I saw along the way must have been the construction of the current pass.

[paultv]

Hey Brian,

When i drove back from Lugano I took the old A2 which passes through many small villages, as you travel you catch site of the newer A2 autostrada and are offered many points to enter it.

I stayed on the old road which admittedly took a long time but was really pretty and very quiet.

As you ascend the serpentine route into the mountains above the tunnel entrance the road is super twisty and many sections are still cobbled !!

Its only when you get to the top that you find the covered new sections, and the work is still ongoing.

Paul

[paultv]

20200823_140305.jpg

Oh no!

Heading for London for 4 days!

Lets see if I'm Corona Free!

Paul

[Satan]

Where in Londinium will you be?

[paultv]

Now in sunny Southwark...by the shard...must try for a suitable photo!

Paul

[minesapint]

Hi Paul, love hearing about your long runs on the continent, wondered what mileage you had on the car, so checked on dvla mot history. @ Apl 19 122144 mls.
Yet in Aug 09 it had 157360 mls
Presume it had an engine replacement then? Was this in your ownership?

[paultv]

I lnow its odd, I bought the car in 2013 from a bloke in Lincolnshire ...it was a heap of cobbled bits...had been re sprayed at some point...and showed signs of crash damage...also mot history starts in the early 2000's so maybe it was an import ??

More likely the clock pod was switched...so I think the original 160k should be added to the 50k ive done...the bottom end is sounding ready for a rebuild...thrust bearings are worn for sure although compression is still very good.

This winter its coming out for a look see.

I just have one more BIG run in two weeks time...but I'm not gonna jinx it !!

Paul

[kieran325]

I’m hoping to be back over to Baden Baden in 2 weeks, not sure whether to take the M3 or the M5 but I need to cross France to avoid the quarantine without stopping off and I don’t want to ring the neck of the M3.

[Satan]

I’m hoping to be back over to Baden Baden in 2 weeks, not sure whether to take the M3 or the M5 but I need to cross France to avoid the quarantine without stopping off and I don’t want to ring the neck of the M3.

Sail to Holland,

Reminds me I really should do a trip to Hamburg.

[paultv]

France Holland and Belgium are all no go when travelling to the UK... I went through all three, went off the motorway in the country for a slash in a field..like most other UK bound drivers.

Border geezers asked where I'd come from, told them and they were fine...you've got to do your covid "visa" no more than 48 hours before you re enter the UK...its a long and detailed on line form they say you can't travel without...they didnt ask to see mine.

Paul

[Brianmoooore]

France Holland and Belgium are all no go when travelling to the UK... I went through all three, went off the motorway in the country for a slash in a field

Given the smell that pervades most French motorway loos, this is what I normally do anyway.

[paultv]

[Brianmoooore]

I'm a country lad - I normally do the same at home.

[paultv]

Lived in France for a few years....I'm familiar with the "odeur des pissoirs"

Paul

[kieran325]

I’m hoping to be back over to Baden Baden in 2 weeks, not sure whether to take the M3 or the M5 but I need to cross France to avoid the quarantine without stopping off and I don’t want to ring the neck of the M3.

Sail to Holland,

Reminds me I really should do a trip to Hamburg.

That’s my normal route is the overnight ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge with a gentle drive to Baden Baden with no time restraints.

In the past I’ve been catching the Eurotunnel but it’s a 4hr plus drive from Manchester and I normally tip toe to Bruges for night on the chemic before the drive the day after.

On this occasion with quarantine looming I’m best to use the M5 as I can tip toe through France and be in Baden Baden late afternoon relaxing in the Spa. Just in case the quarantine becomes an issue in Germany then I can load up and give it beans to get back to the Eurotunnel and make it back to the UK, in normal circumstances the E30 M3 would be first choice but I don’t fancy ripping the M3 to make time up on a long jaunt.

[coopman]

Sounds like a good lifestyle.

[paultv]

Here we go!!

20200827_083021.jpg

Sporting the cheapo Depo's for UK travel!

Paul

[martauto]

I`ve got these on mine !!!!!!!

Pretty good to be honest,

Mart.

[paultv]

It's true Mart, I fit them for UK travel and MOT - and used them for a year when I re built my Bosch set - good as new - still shiny no leaks - can't grumble for the cost.

Paul

[Satan]

Here we go!!


20200827_083021.jpg

Sporting the cheapo Depo's for UK travel!

Paul

I see you fitted a new aerial..........

[Brianmoooore]

It's true Mart, I fit them for UK travel and MOT

You don't use the LH/RH adjustment feature of the OEM lights?
I cut down the ridiculously long peg that the beam unit has to swing over at first, so that I didn't have to unscrew the securing screws so far, and later made up a set with springs holding the beam unit in place, that could be swapped over in seconds.

[paultv]

I usually use the LH/RH onthe Bosch set but I have to clean them up and re spray the rings so I took 'em out for a while - also I still want to test the LED H1's from the Bettecarlighting chaps -

Also, good idea Brian, it is a pain having to withdraw the screws completely to switch them around... must have a look at a mod as you describe.

Very cool "Victorian" style aerial ... it took me a while to line this up for the shot !!

Problem is all I can get is old Music Hall on medium wave....


Paul

[paultv]

Well I'm off again tomorrow ...early start...here's the old gal outside the shop after a fresh oil change and a good once over under the hood as well as a full drive train check up.

This is a long one...I'll post some shots on the way and see who can rightly guess where I am.

PSX_20200830_154353.jpg

Paul

[paultv]

So where am I today???

20200901_113132.jpg

Paul:-)

[ah]

At the side of the road,somewhere in Italy.

[kieran325]

Lake Garda ?

[kieran325]

Paul, slightly off topic but can I ask a question about a trip next week.

I’m heading over to Baden Baden for 3 nights and I was going to leave Calais and transit through France direct to BB. Which way would you go via Aachen, Luxembourg or direct through France ?

[tha881]

What's the prize Paul

My guess is somewhere around Lago Maggiore?

[davidt]

Lake Como Italy.

[Satan]

Speaking to the cop that pulled you over?

[minesapint]

Lugano

[paultv]

Yes indeed, Lugano water front it is!!

next location coming shortly...

Paul