2007 LEO (Lands End to Orkney) Run

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:52 pm

Well, I did a tiny 1MB version too but it's much poorer quality: http://www.alexholden.net/misc/TauntonServicesSmall.mov

I deliberately haven't put this one on YouTube as I suspect it's not of interest outside the context of this thread.

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:59 pm

Aha - dunno why it took so long here, only about 5 mB

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:43 am

Just found this - real touch of class

Post by **ndevans** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:00 am

Like that one Kevin. A real working Minor. Have you got one of me coming off the boat? Cheers neil

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:10 am

Think so Neil - will have a look when works done - know i missed Alex (as i thought everyone was off) but got the rest.
That pickup want to live in orkney - just hope the guy Ray has given first refusal if he ever sells doesnt want it

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:14 am

I've put all my photos up here.

I think the one I'm now using as my signature may be my favourite. It has that "The Road Goes Ever On" feel to it.

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:16 am

Tis a great pic that one Alex - especially with the snow poles !

Post by **ndevans** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:19 am

Alex where was that one taken?

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:31 am

It was somewhere in the Scottish Highlands on the A82. I don't know where exactly, but I think I'd already gone through Glen Nevis. It was part of the rather lengthy scenic route I took from John O'Groats to Newton Stewart on Monday. I'd like to go back there sometime for a closer look - I drove through so fast that I didn't get to see it very well. That picture is from the only stop I made in the region, and I only stopped for about three minutes (until a modern car pulled in behind Fenchurch and spoiled the picture I was about to take with more of the hills in the background).

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:56 am

Did you mean Glen Coe? its not possible to drive all the way though Glen Nevis as the Mamore range of mountains are at its head. You'd have to drive up a waterfall! Very worth a visit though.

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:57 am

Its some beautiful area, once a year i try to go on a shopping trip to inverness - fill the car with cheap stuff you cant get here, binge on takeaway junk food etc

Spend the night at Aviemore and do some exploring round those parts. Its the only place ive been that would tempt me to move away from here.
Its a bit adventurous in the winter, those poles are there for good reason and its a fool who doesnt travel prepared for an unexpected night in the car !

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:03 am

chickenjohn wrote:Did you mean Glen Coe? its not possible to drive all the way though Glen Nevis as the Mamore range of mountains are at its head. You'd have to drive up a waterfall! Very worth a visit though.

I don't know. I drove through a small town and saw some signs that mentioned Glen Nevis so assumed that was what the town was called!

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:08 am

Brilliant pics in your album Alex !

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:10 am

That would most likely have been Fort William.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:43 pm

Its a bit adventurous in the winter, those poles are there for good reason and its a fool who doesnt travel prepared for an unexpected night in the car !

- Having only just made it through there (got on to that stretch not long before they closed the road) I can second that!
There is a reason that the poles are 5 foot high - so you can still just see the top poking through the snow on a bad day...

Post by **Judge** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:21 pm

Ahhhhhhhh, finally got back about 1.30 pm today, and so can I appologise now to those that have left me both telephone messages and PM's, and have not yet received a response. Rest assured I will reply as soon as I get my breath back

(Before leaving Orkney, four of us had this commemorative badge stitched to sweatshirts or fleeces)

Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to those that came on this 'trial' run, and also to those that made our start at Lands End and finish in Orkney so welcoming.

As I said above this was very much a trial as to how people would respond to a long trip taken over a few days, as opposed to the seemingly more normal 'blat'.

My initial plan was to include visits to places of interest both the outward and return journeys. but soon realised that for most people there were time restictions, and of course not everyone is interested in the same thing.

However having spoken to everyone during the trip, it would seem that all would like to take part in a second LEO Run, and I would therefore like suggestions on what additions/changes etc they would like to make it even more enjoyable. Perhaps, as I suggested, some would like to stop off at Beamish Museum, or Lindisfarne. Whatever you would like please let me know.

(Four of the starters at Lands End)

(Picture taken during our Westness Walk)

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:35 pm

welcome home bill

the run sounds brilliant and when the Beast is back on the road I'd love to join in

Post by **Judge** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:42 pm

You would be very welcome Juliet.

PS I will be sending you a PM re: Uffington asap.

Post by **Judge** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:54 pm

alex_holden wrote:I deliberately haven't put this one on YouTube as I suspect it's not of interest outside the context of this thread.

Oh I don't know Alex, if the normal 'End to End' runs warrant posting on You Tube, this definitely does if combined with the full story

Post by **alex_holden** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:41 pm

Judge wrote:
alex_holden wrote:I deliberately haven't put this one on YouTube as I suspect it's not of interest outside the context of this thread.
Oh I don't know Alex, if the normal 'End to End' runs warrant posting on You Tube, this definitely does if combined with the full story

I'm afraid that video is the only one I took - not really enough to turn into a promotional advert thingy.

"Come on the second LEO run and you too can experience the thrill of breaking down at Taunton Services!"

I'm up to day 4 of my full report. It's going to be a long one.

Have you seen my post about the AIR? I've just dug my guidebooks out of storage and wiped the dust off...