Thursday
16 June
Fully
road worthy TR4A left Glasgow for Abington and the meet with 4 other
TR6s, one of which had only met up with it's owner for the first time
in 3 weeks at 0crack:00 on Thursday morning! On to Newcastle to meet
with the 6th
and final TR8 then heading for the last UK fill up of fuel at North
Shields just short of Port of Tyne. Lovely weather sitting in the
queue to drive on to the ferry but the TR4A failed to restart when
called forward for the security check! Oh well, it was all downhill
to the loading ramp and it got bump started OK. Blow out buffet, all
you could eat and more which sent us to our beds stuffed and replete.
Friday
17 June
TR4A
started when called to roll off the ferry so that was a relief. Next
challenge, finding our way through IJmuiden to the north bound A22
and thence to quiet country roads. Satnav really didn't help so it
was back to good old reading of the map and thank you Insight Travel
Maps for such clear mapping. A gentle run through little Dutch towns
and villages, seeing old and new, thatched roofs and arable farming
to Egmond aan Zee. The instant all the cars stopped, bonnets were
up, screwdrivers were out and through the group's combined
technological knowledge all the niggles were sorted. Well, most of
them. One TR4A in particular was still backfiring and coughing when
we got started again.
A lunch
at the beach was enjoyed and then a leisurely run on the small coast
road planned to take us to our hotel in Den Helder. Well, the 60
k/hr speed limit, pavé
road surface, slow traffic and cyclists did not fit well with the
backfiring TR4A so a quick return to the 'main road' was planned.
Only to find that junction was closed and a U-turn needed. The back
road did in fact improve after that and an interesting run alongside
dikes and harvested bulb fields took us most of the way to Den
Helder. Miraculously we found our way directly to the hotel where we
were welcomed with a much appreciated drink.
Not
much time before we set out to explore the town, have a drink and
something to eat. An easy stroll into town, which seemed very quiet
for a Friday evening, took us to the Navy Museum which we realised
was huge and needing more than a quick visit. We definitely needed a
drink after that and found a welcoming bar that also offered a good
menu including a wide range of Dutch genevre and other local liqueurs
which of course had to be sampled. Back at the hotel, the on-site
bowling alley just couldn't be resisted!
Saturday
18 June
After a
stormy night, the day dawned damp and windy but all were revived by
breakfast. Most of us went our separate ways, some to view the
Maritime Museum, Napoleonic castles and fortifications around Den
Helder and some via Inter City double decker train to Amsterdam.
A mix
of weather conditions met everyone; some arrived in Amsterdam to a
downpour; some arrived later to sunny spells; and others ….. well,
mixed is the best one can say. Once again this town was quiet -
judging by the bikes at the station and the crowds in Amsterdam,
everyone had gone there, too! A night cap in the hotel to catch up
with everyone's adventures ...
Sunday
19 June
Too
much rain, too many car faults to do our full run planned for today.
Never mind, that's what happens in Northern Europe with classic cars!
Went for a walk and found a garden centre with lovely bits and
pieces for the house as well as greenery.
Came
back to find weather improved, cars improved and everyone eager to
see the Afsluitdijk with the decision about crossing it to be taken
on arrival. Off we went and parked just beside the lock between the
IJsselmeer and the North Sea to find it open with a tall ship sailing
though! What luck! Decision taken ... we were going to drive to the
point where you could turn round and come back. What a piece of
engineering it is! Pictures and words don't do it justice at all.
Afterwards we found the smartest motorway services in the world for
lunch … see the décor in the bar!
Back to
the hotel for the biggest steaks in the world and our ten pin bowling
competition! Results below!
Monday
20 June
Dawned
a bit dull with a promise of sun. Check the cars, check out the
hotel, check in to the Royal Dutch Navy Museum (at the Den Helder
Naval Base). Some visited the diesel-electric sub HNLMS TONIJK,
others the life boat museum, some enjoyed the sun and one (me) was
amazed to find the forward guns from the HNLMS TROMP sitting on the
parade ground. In my life in the RNR, I was seconded to NATO
exercises that involved the TROMP and that meant sending signals
saying TROMP this and TROMP that. Wow!
After
lunch a hunt for 98 octane fuel took us to Alkmaar and various back
roads, but it was found in Uitgeest before we headed to IJmuiden and
the ferry. On board, and sitting in the sun on the top, top deck
before another 'all you can eat' buffet!
Awards
time and Duncan won the overall prize for demonstrating his mis-spent
youth at bowling alleys and maintaining a steady 50mph under all
circumstances! Walter won for ignoring red lights on the road and in
Amsterdam. John and Joy won a small pair of clogs to match the large
ones they found in a market in Amsterdam. Bill for the only
accident because his car door got creased by winds and Steve for
eating all his giant steak!!
We will
draw a veil over his Robert Carlyle 'Full Monty' impersonations that
occurred much later in the night club!
Tuesday
21 June
The UK!
Rain! Rain! Rain! What else is new! But all home safely!
