What a wonderful experience!
We almost did not make it because on Friday evening, just 20 miles before the hotel / start point of the tour the next morning, the rotor arm of my TR4 decided it was time to break up. The AA man was so kind to tow us back (I admire the electric folding A frame from/into the back of his van) to the hotel where we knew a great deal of Triumph experts would be waiting - and possible someone would have spares? Of course I did not carry a spare as the TR had been proven a reliable and trustworthy car over the last years (including the 10 Countries Run last year). The rotor arm was just a few years old so why should it fail? We will never know.
What we do know is that the club has members much smarter than me, and one even did bring a complete distributor as a spare for his TR4a (currently running a 123 dizzy). That man of course is TIM HUNT. In Capitals yes as he was our Knight In Shining Armor!
Just exchanging the rotor arm did work but it seemed my distributor cap was different, because a knock could be heard (arm against cap). We (Tim and all the rest of experts) therefor decided it was best/easiest just to swap over the complete distributor. Which we did on Saturday morning, an hour before the tour was started.
The tour itself was fantastic. Wonderful roads that makes you really use the car to the limit (if you like that sort of thing). We will never forget the Tesco van that was in front of us. Must have been a local because he drove through the corners and hills with break neck speed - I had a very hard time just keeping up with him (as did the four other Triumphs behind us). Great fun.
Wonderful also were the views over the landscapes. Truly amazing and beautiful.
The organization of the tour was excellent. A fantastic road book, almost faultless and printed with a big size font so no reading glasses were needed :-) We had a very good B&B (the Bellevue) in Kelso, recommended! It was very good to see everyone together in Kelso and have dinner. Great to speak to so many people.
Rightfully chosen by all for “Man of the Event” (not sure of the exact naming but you get the point) was of course Tim Hunt. Without him we probably would have spent the Saturday trying to find a good rotor arm somewhere, and not be able to go along with the tour.
“Car of the Event” (not sure of the… etc) was the delightful dark green Triumph 2000 Mk1 of Darren. An amazing beautiful original car.
Many many thanks should go to the organisers, Chris, Mike, Mik and Ian who did a very good job.
Many thanks also to all who offered to help us out, much appreciated!
Hope to see you all again next year!
Dion and Sylvia
“the Dutch couple”