Titivating my Mercedes 124

[r129sl]

A great car to do it in, the Maserati, lucky you. And you've had some decent weather for getting the top down. It's been warm enough for us to get in the loch two days on the trot. We are staying in Torridon. We'll be knocking about Shieldaig and possibly Applecross today if you want to bore wives by swapping car notes. I'd recommend Nanny's at Shieldaig and Jo's shop in Torridon for coffee and cake. This is the view from Jo's. But then there is no shortage of good views round here. I'd also recommend the costal route from Applecross to Shieldaig as far better than the famous pass.




By inadvertence we'll be doing NC500 this weekend. We're taking the long way to Aberdeen (where we pick up the Lerwick ferry on Sunday evening), driving all round "the top" and staying in Caithness (Forss House, if you want to avoid my children) on Saturday night.

Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 21st August 08:27

[r129sl]

[harrykul]

Nice work.

What a car.

Slightly o/t, but has your car ever had a stuttering idle when warm? And if so what was the cause?

[r129sl]

No, it has always idled pretty soundly. These cars do have an electronic idle control, I believe.

Mine stinks of diesel when stationary, I suspect one of the fuel return lines is leaking. The mpg is unchanged and there is no diesel under the car or any sign of any other leak. I can't be arsed to fix it tonight.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Impressively snazzy, albeit anally retentive to an extraordinary level.

But I need explanation of the 8.5; I know it's temp, but nothing in your photos is ever accidental. Ever. What's the significance, you tease?

[r129sl]

That's just bonny Scotland for you. I took the picture at about 7.45pm coming along Glen Torridon. The rain was lashing down. It was almost dark. It's bloody freezing again. The Scotland we know and love.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Sounds st!

28 degrees here, although I drive the luxus-Lexus back to UK tomorrow for some leave so will probably have to turn the cooling seats off.

I really fancy that Northern route in the SLC, although perhaps ought to get the heating system looked at first!

[agent006]

r129sl said:

the long way to Aberdeen

You seem the kind of chap who'd know the right way to get to Aberdeen, but just in case, the PH approved route from Inverness is:

Grantown > Tomintoul > Ballater, then B976 South Deeside Road.

[r129sl]

The long way to Aberdeen is Torridon – Kinlochewe – Achnasheen – Garve – Ullapool – Kylesku – Durness – Tongue – Thurso – Inverness – Grantown &c...

Here's some fair weather today, in Shieldaig and then Inverness:






After the rain, it's really quite beautiful:




And here's a video of the run east along Glen Torridon:

https://vimeo.com/286417953

[Lowtimer]

Blimey, J, I know you like to get your foot down but your average speed on that video is approximately 480 mph

[Lowtimer]

They let you pass.
They let you past.
They don't let you passed.

[The Nur]

You can only let yourself get passed.

[r129sl]

Some pictures from the busy harbour of Uyeasound on Unst.

[tobinen]

That looks wonderful. Good pictures

[Lowtimer]

So how much time are you spending clearing the car on this holiday?

[r129sl]

Here we are at Burrafirth, a marvellous spot. We had good swimming on the deserted beach you can see in the distance. Up on the hill, the RAF have re-activated the radar head, building a new radome and support building since we were here last year and, I thought, ruling out a trespassing trip up there.

[dbdb]

What a superb car this is. You take a good photo - the harbor shots look like something from a feature in Car magazine from the early '90s.

[Lowtimer]

Yes, that's exactly the aesthetic. Well spotted.

[Zonergem]

Seen on the side of a London bus - is it Baister The Movie? Can't wait to discover the backstory.

[W00DY]

Car looks fantastic and the scenery makes me want to take a road trip to the very North!