Ebized

Welcome to the forum. If you want more than an average of 20mpg in a ZED you either have to live in the sticks, or have a weak right foot. The ZED is for enjoying so if MPG is your issue it may not be your ideal choice - but I hope you decide it is

True, but then you could do a divert via the Lakes, as I did last year - going over a couple of the passes there, including Hardknot, can be quite challenging, especially with the TC off Goes back to the days when I used to do trialing - can't get it out of the blood

Wimp You got one of the greatest GT cars money can buy that you can travel all day in - I just wish this island of ours was longer

Why? I have to put up with the age comments, although I did notice I was not the first to bed each night on the Hoon I blame Amanda, no stamina I tell ya She wanted to make sure she was wide awake incase she ever had to drive and follow you Colin I thought you were going to come back and tell me it was about stamina in another department

Some great pics there Stew/Jayne and some great memories - I'm so glad we stayed on after the Hoon it really was the icing on the cake In fact I'll venture to say that using Ullapool as a base for the Hoon next year from where you can easily get to Applecross and the north coast might be worth considering - the fact its a couple of hours further north of Fort Augustus is no big deal in my book (great roads to get there) and if the drives were spread over 2 days (as we are doing in Wales) we can take in more of the glorious roads and scenery

Why? I have to put up with the age comments, although I did notice I was not the first to bed each night on the Hoon

Thank you for taking the time to share your trip with us - with quality pics and write up. As you (and others) say, the ZED is a great long-distance crusier and fully lives up to its 'GT' tag, and is a true drivers car in the way it responds and feeds back what is going on - I'll be very surprised if you don't keep it for more than 6 months, unless you upgrade to a newer version - something I couldn't resist doing and 4 years on I still can't see anything else, within a reasonable price range, that is likley to offer a better driving experience. As Italy and the Lakes is a favourite holiday destination I ought to follow your example and drive there but as you say the Italians take no prisoners on the roads and right-hand drive around the Lakes is not the best thing to have, but we shall see.

Tremendous pics there Amanda and Chris - me thinks its time to invest in a better camera as you have really captured the atmosphere of the event so well My efforts are at: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=27518 and viewtopic.php?f=34&t=27519

Another great HOON over, but with the weather turning for the better Stew & Jayne and June and I, having booked into Ullapool for a few nights, decided we had to go back to Applecross again on the Monday. Here are some pics of what its like in good weather and from the top looking down to Kinlochewe: The next day the north coast beckoned and wow what an experience that was (we are definitely coming back for more and hopefully it might be part of a revised HOON?) It was a bit blowy as the following pics reveal Those two pics were taken at the Kylesku bridge and one of us 4 by a cyclist who was just very pleased tro get across the bridge in one piece - the wind was that strong and so was his language Stew and Jayne cruising We stopped at a chocolate factory in Durness and oh dear, that was the best chocolate drink I have ever tasted and the truffles were out of this world so we relieved them of a few boxes The scenery and coastal views were just magic along the A838 and down the A836: Towards the end of the day we stopped off at Harrods at the falls of Shin - what an eye-opener that was in the depth of the Scottish Highlands and whatever your thoughts on Mr Alfyed it seems he has won the hearts and minds of the locals in his quest to be Lord of the Manor there. On the Wednesday Stew & Jayne had to make their way home so June & I decided to retrace some of the route we had done with them via the Kylesku bridge - a view looking that way Then continuing along the A838 where it moves inland passing along miles and miles of lochs before reaching Laig where we turned back to Ullapool - fabulous driving roads: On the way we found some white water that was someone's private fishing area but the location was magical: and eventually arriving back in Ullapool Thursday the 10th saw the start of or trip back to Epsom (with an overnighter at Moffat before getting home on the Friday) but have added two more pics before we leave Scotland, both taken just southeast of Fort William Memories: It was mostly wet but we struck lucky with some great weather when it really mattered. Several more stone chips to add to the collection. Two really excellent B & B's in Scotland but the Best Western Hotel at Moffat is rather tired and will not get our custom again. Meeting up with friends old and new and having some great fun, whether behind the wheel, in the pubs, or just casually meeting up. Chesterfield keeeping us entertained and splitting our sides - fancy a ZED owner becoming such a keen train spotter Martinmac and Liz's hospitality and giving up so much to make everyone's Hoon so enjoyable and then having to miss the run as Martin had put his back doing all that work for us - that is dedication. Chris and Amanda for being such great company on the drive up to FA and on the run out to Skye. And not least, Stew and Jayne for their hard work in putting the event together and keeping us oldun's company after the Hoon - we are indebted. And once agin a big thanks to June putting up with my driving, throwing her around the UK countryside again and somehow taking hundreds of pictures in the process so the least I could do was share just a few of them here with you. Until our next visit.....

We set out on Tuesday 1 September and 10 days later were back home with an extra 2500 miles on the clock which included some glorious roads and enjoyed great company. The ZED ran faultlessly as ever and gave June & I a really memorable time - so much so we are already planning another Scottish trip for next May or June. Having dug ourselves out the inevitable M25 traffic jam (just 10 miles from Epsom ) on the 1st, we travelled up the M6 to Moffat for an overnight stop at the Best Western Hotel, having met Chris and Amanda at the Charnock Richard services on route. Ricky and Karen had arrived before us and Chris and Tracy arrived later in the evening - all of us battling through the rain at one time or another. The Wednesday morning we set off for Fort Augustus but having heard about the road through The Trossachs via Brig o'Turk, I couldn't miss that and thoroughly enjoyed the hairpins, the 4 cars arriving outside this amazing converted villa. Not sure I was flavour of the month after that little bit of rallying The rest of the drive along the A84/A82 via Fort William is a spectacular drive although the one time we got stopped by roadworks it decided to pee down just after I took this pic We had missed a visit to Skye on last years Hoon so had planned to do that on the Thursday with Chris and Amanda for company. Although much of the journey there and back was wet there was a weather window in the afternoon that allowed us to see some of the island and an interesting look round a sheepskin place - fortunately got out of there with the excuse we had no room for rugs but that didn't stop leather gloves being bought Friday was Harry Potter day so with other keen train spotters we made it to the station at Fort William in the nick of time left and the ZEDS for quite a fun day, albeit I think a little traumatic for Stew when he could see the trian getting up steam but did not know where the station entrance was Anyway, for the train enthusiasts on the way to Mallaig: and on the return trip, including some spectacular scenery: Saturday was shopping and car washing day (in the rain ) but then all those that had arrived at FA met at the chalet park for a rather wet BBQ, or should I say a Martinmac special from the oven and hob keeping us fed and watered. Felt sorry for Stew who raced off to Inverness to get another Gazebo only to find it sieved rain more than it kept it out Sunday morning we assembled in the local car park for the start of the 350 mile run: Drove out towards Skye on the A87 (that is a great road) to Eilean Donan castle for the first stop but some little Hitler there thought coaches should be parking where we parked the ZEDs so we didn't hang around The next section took us towards Applecross, via a little tunnel (hmmmmmm like the Nismo exhaust just fitted ) The following pics taken on that drive: Arrived at the Inn and squeezed in some parking After a truly excellent lunch (the Applecros Haggis with Drambuie cream is to die for) we set off on the next leg to Ullapool - some pics on the way and the weather really turned for the better - even sunglasses came out Having stopped for tea in Ullapool and a necessary fill-up we then headed out around the A835 and back along the A832, down the infamous road to Kinlochewe where we urned around and came back up - you have seen the drive by video well here is tail-end charlie bringing up the rear and straightening the bends in true Lomoto style Arrived back at the Eilean Donan castle well into the evening And for me one of the best bits was the drive in the dark back along the A87 - that road is simply awesome for night driving

Oh, this train spotting can be so tiring

Don't worry about Andrew - he won't take crap from anyone

..........and just overtaken by a Fiesta I'd go for the 2nd pic - that's nice you sods, wheres the pics of you on track I'll have you know i overtook the fiesta (he span out ) but i got round ok, the volvo was a loon tho. no mention of the 205 - or did he just go past in a blur only kidding - as you say, you put those of us to shame who have not ventured on track - well not yet in the ZED in my case but the warranty is fast running out

..........and just overtaken by a Fiesta I'd go for the 2nd pic - that's nice

Anyone wanting to be certain of accommodation at Moreton Park Lodge needs to book now - the reserved rooms I secured but not taken, will go back on general release in the next few days so if you need a bed for a night or two or three - send me a pm for the booking reference

+1 the silver version works a treat to clean off all the crap and being a pad means there is absolutely no scratching. But I did use some NXT as well to really bring out the shine

Great vid Andrew - I have one to post up bringing up the rear of that group - thread of our Scottish jaunt and the Hoon soon

I have one now and boy, does it sound good - getting one s/h means I also save on the handbag compensation front - result all round So one off your list now Martin, - as you missed my new trumpet on the Hoon you will just have to get out to hear it in Wales on the 10/11 Oct

result - if only we could now wind back time to see your car on the Hoon, but the stand-in stood the pace well - just shows what a simple mod or two can do to a van - aided by some good driving, of course

Welcome to the forum This thread might help you: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7389&hilit=my07 and the FAQ section will give you info about the previous MY03 and MY06 models

Best bit was finding the collaspible bucket in Fort Augustus £3 cheaper than Chesterfield paid for the same item from the internet - and he bought two Will come in handy at Wales on 10/11 having found it works and does not live up to its name when full of water

Brilliant - and thanks Stan for coming all the way to support us only for us then to lose you after the start As we found, keeping tabs on our respective whereabouts was not easy with the limited mobile coverage in them there Highlands but good to hear you enjoyed your trip out to Skye and hope your visit to Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and the other very good reason for leaving the Zed at home this year, helped to make up for not doing the full Hoon

Flat piece of wood under the scissor jack to spread the load Might also have to do the same under the trolly jack if the tarmac is really soft, with some wedges under if on an angle - but try to avoid a slope if that is what is causing the jack to lean over

Anyone who needs the accommodation details over the next 2 weeks, please pm martinmac. Thanks Colin