The sun shone for the second running of this amazing tour, our route taking us to new  places to visit. Organisers Jim and Norma Watson had designed an interesting route across the Kingdom of Fife and the Ochil Hills that took us over little known roads visiting some of the hidden jewels of Fife and Kinross.

Breakfast at Le Jardin

Jim Watson Drivers Briefing

The crews gathered at Calders Garden Centre, next to the Kinross motorway services, handy for topping off fuel tanks.  The Le Jardin Restaurant at the garden centre provided hearty breakfasts from full English / Scottish to the good old bacon roll.

Clerk of Course Jim Watson provided the Drivers Briefing offering crews the latest information on roadworks and other important updates to be aware of.

Departure
Flagging off the crews his year was Jim Watson, Chris and Mary Paton in their 2000 Mercedes SLK once again led the way, having hastily dropped the top.  Bill McLay and Alan Mackie changed from last years Jaguar XK150 to the '63 Sunbeam Alpine which has ben well restored and good examples are getting pretty rare these days.

Paton SLK	Mclay Sunbeam Alpine
Crombie Subaru WRX	Fleming MG Midget

A change of steed for Ken Crombie and Murray Mitchell, normally seen in Ken's MK2 Lotus Cortina. Time travel found him in a 2014 Subaru WRX STi. This ex Subaru press car had all the bells and whistles, including a gigantic 'picnic table' sized tail spoiler. Tony and Ruairidh Fleming arrive din the '70 MG Midget, showing signs of wing repairs. I found out later some scaffolding in Tony's garage accidentally fell on it. Currently restoring a Frogeye Sprite, Tony is on the lookout for a 1275 A Series engine to upgrade the original A35 948cc unit. Have one? Drop me an email and I'll put you in touch.

Stewart E-Type	Sheridan / Dunn MGB
Main Mercedes 320SL	Bax Smart Roadster

Colin and Anne Stewart brought their '67 Jaguar E Type, with an unusual feature, self closing driver and passenger doors,where the door pulls itself into the closed locked position. The Jaguar led off a trio of 'claret' coloured cars in our entry. Right behind the E-Type were Stuart Sheridan and Alasdair Dunn in the claret red  '74 MGB Roadster.

Roddie and Sylvia Main drove up in another Mercedes, this time a '95 320SL, seen on many club tours. Kevin Bax has been fighting sheared bolts on his Jensen Healey, so reverted to his wife Anne's Smart Roadster. Like the ubiquitous Mazda MX5 almost bullet proof, being of Mercedes engineering.  

Audi and their TT is a great favourite, Charlie Young  in his 2016 bright Red Coupé, with Eddie Hawke on the roadbook. Brian McGarrie in his blue TT Coupé, with a fresh new rear bumper after a heavy watersplash on the Red Hackle ripped the last one clean off! Navigator Emma Paterson promised to keep him out of trouble.     

.Young / Hawke Audi TT	McGarrie / Paterson Audi TT
Petrie / Jones Bond Equipe	Niven / Wilson MG TF

Was  good to see George Petrie and Janet Jones in the 1969 Bond Equipe again. A recent shakedown saw the car cut out, right on a roundabout. (Ed old cars always breakdown in the most awkward spots!) George thought fuel starvation and tried the usual things, but nothing wrong there. Ignition but not spark plugs, HT leads or dizzie cap. Turned out to be the low tension lead inside the dizzie feeding the points had broken. All sorted and sounded good as it departed from the start. Following The Equipe was

Tom Niven in his 2005  MG TF with top down, with Karen Wilson reading the roadbook. The 2004 Toyota MR2, also top down, with the Cobb team in charge, Stuart and Mervyn, took off after the Niven MG.   Bull and Val Pollock had intended to bring the TR3 but fate dealt a last minute blow and crew brought the trusty bulletproof Mazda MX5, looking ready for the tour, again top down.

Cobb Toyota MR2	Pollock Mazda MX5
Bruce / Miller Lotus Elan SE	May Jaguar F-Type

Colin Bruce enjoys his magnificent yellow 1991 Lotus Elan SE, with William Miller in the navigator seat. The Jaguar F Type is becoming a collectors car now that no more are being made. End of an era with Jaguar no longer having a 2 seater sports car. New members Graeme and Lesley Mays beautiful example was a 'present to self' purchase which they enjoy at every opportunity. top down as well, taking in the good weather.

Lindley / Blacker Mazda MX5	Smith / Rodger Mercedes 450 SLS
Millar / Telford Suzuki Celerio SZ3	Jamieson Mazda MX5

Another MX5, this time  a 2017 model with Ian Lindley and John Blacker. Ian sporting his Tilley hat to keep the sun off his head.  Adrian Smith and Charles Rodger in the 1977 Mercedes 450SLC  sounded good having had a complete oil change. The car and crew had just returned from a 5000 mile round trip to an Italian event, so I'm sure the car appreciated a sump full of fresh oil. Jock Millar and Linda Telford brought the 2018 Suzuki Celerio SZ3 as Jock's Midget is undergoing some TLC. Back to MX5's, this time new members Colin and Joanne Jamieson in their 'claret' model. Reuben and Hope Phillips brought the BMW day car,and Tom and Marianne Dromgoole sported their 2001 MGF, a regular sight on our events.
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The Route