2007 LEO (Lands End to Orkney) Run

[Judge]

To enable me to start planning next years LEO, I would like some thoughts on the following.

1. Maximum number of days for trip (excluding trip to Lands End, and return from Orkney - this years was over a period of four days)
2. Maximum mileage (this years was approximately 2.300 miles)
3. Types of sites to be visited en-route, or in Orkney.

........and any other suggestions.

[ndevans]

We spent 3 days driving to Orkney, setting off from LE at about 10.30am on the Thurs and arriving on the island at about 8pm on the Sat.

Rather than stopping off somewhere en-route, I would prefer to allow time for a slower journey using mostly A roads.

It would be nice to get to Orkney on the Friday and have the Saturday to explore, and perhaps have a get-together in the evening.

I would suggest leaving LE on the Tuesday. I'd also suggest getting further north into Scotland, I think we could perhaps have made Aviemore, maybe even Inverness on the Friday. This might mean we could make an earlier ferry-we were after all about 3 hrs early this year. Not that I minded visiting John O'Groats though.

I'd also suggest as far as possible starting each day at say 9am & aiming to finish at say 6pm (yes I know I was guilty of a late start at Perth and Knutsford!)

[Judge]

Thanks for your ideas Neil, I will make a note.

As a trial run, this years LEO was organised so as to minimise both time taken, and cost. However any future runs will be based on a consensus of those taking part.

[ndevans]

No criticism intended. I think as a trial run, this years worked perfectly. It's usually best to keep things simple when doing something like this for the first time, especially with newcomers to long distance runs like me involved.
Like a lot of things, it's always easier to see a better way of doing it once you've done it.

[wibble_puppy]

i'd agree with all Neil's thoughts - except that I can't physically drive from 9 till 6 each day, given my ME. perhaps I could potter along after you at a slower pace? I could manage about 6 hours a day?

[alex_holden]

i'd agree with all Neil's thoughts - except that I can't physically drive from 9 till 6 each day, given my ME. perhaps I could potter along after you at a slower pace? I could manage about 6 hours a day?

Could you maybe find a codriver and take turns at the wheel like they do on the JOGLE?

[wibble_puppy]

Could you maybe find a codriver and take turns at the wheel like they do on the JOGLE?

'Tis a grand idea, but no - it's the actual journey time which makes me ill(er), rather than hours at the wheel.

Maybe we could make a wibblewagon trailer thingy with a huuuuuuuge feather bed in it and you could all take turns towing me in my palanquin

[Judge]

No criticism intended.

I think that possibly my reply didn't come across as intended I am happy to hear any suggestions that will make this run appeal to more people.

[Judge]

Here we go

2008 LEO Run (Hopefully tying in with the Million Mile Challenge for Marie Curie)

Bill
Roger Rust (See Website Rally October 6th & 7th )

[RogerRust]

LOL - that was quick!

[Orkney]

I'll catch you at Inverness - any excuse to get off the godforsaken rock for a night (not to mention overload the trav on a tesco spree)

[Orkney]

Just a bit of out of the box thinking yeah I know some will tell you I’m out of my tree but box is different
Opinion best judged (no pun intended Bill ) that some would like to do the run quicker than others due to work/time constraints – whilst others would like do a more leisurely/scenic run.
There are probably quite a few people who would like to tag on for maybe part of the journey – ie not do the run or proclaim to but perhaps have a day out or night away and catch up on the social jovialities of an evening.
If you’ve got 2 factions which will by nature be doing different routes then sure to be covering geographically the proverbial doorsteps of a lot of owners.
Where possible those that can should try and get at least a couple of days in Orkney – a break from the driving – enjoy the tropical weather – but mostly do the rounds of the sights. Pretty much a full day is gone with the show so doesn’t leave much time for anything else.
Might be an idea to work backwards from the final destination goal and say the slower and faster groups meet the night before to do the last leg as a whole – Aviemore is a great place – lovely campsites – hotels & B&B’s galore and a very leisurely 3-4 hours on up to the ferry.
With nearly a year to get organised will have proper camping facilities here for all that want to, so that’s an open invitation to all (so long as 200 hippies don’t arrive and it turns into some sort of MogStock )

[Judge]

Some more good ideas. Thanks Kevin.

Having previously had a holiday in Aviemore, I would be quite happy to include it, might even take another ride on the funicular

[alex_holden]

Aviemore is a great place – lovely campsites – hotels & B&B’s galore

There's a Youth Hostel too... Would the idea be to catch the 13:45 ferry and do some sightseeing on Orkney in the afternoon?

Mogstock sounds cool.

[Judge]

Sorry, I thought you said Mudstock

So can I count you in as a definite Alex

[alex_holden]

So can I count you in as a definite Alex

No, possible but not definite yet.

[Orkney]

Mogstock sounds cool

Youve got the beard just need to grow the pony tail & par of blue sunglasses

Never got to go up the venicular last time i was there - had a coffee and watched it go up and down- was a bit pressed for time to get the ferry.
Think i'll go down the day before and camp at aviemore for the night and also take in the reindeer place too (belongs to my posties brother) as never had time to see that either. unk food bender @ inverness on the way back job sorted

[Orkney]

BTW rather than edit last post - my keyboard is knackered hence the typo's fleabay here i come

[Judge]

Mogstock sounds cool

Youve got the beard just need to grow the pony tail & par of blue sunglasses

Been there, done that

....and also take in the reindeer place too (belongs to my posties brother)....

Stayed at a B&B next to it once

[Orkney]

Been there, done that

yeah but you couldnt do it again without a syrup