Tiger82 from Down Under!
#1
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Hi Guys
Just an Aussie and his wife doing the big mid life crisis thing! Youngest of three finishes school and moves out, had to do something dumb!
So, buy a car over the Internet half way round the other side of the world and plan a trip around the UK and the Republic of Ireland. But no, not just any car, it had to be a Jaguar XKR Convertible, platinum silver that goes like a cut cat. Not sure if you northern hemisphere guys are familiar with that term, but in the land of Oz that implies fast and gets there smartly (although I do believe the term would apply to most animals, given a similar circumstance!).
The trip started about 10 days ago after 21hrs and 35mins of flying via Dubai, from Australia. A friend in the UK (another car enthusiast)had organised to have the car serviced and checked prior to the big trip (Sturgess in Leicester). That's when it was discovered the rear wheel was not the correct size and a wheel alignment couldn't be completed after fitting two new front tyres. It was then Lurker (a forum member, whom I followed a couple of times in his XKR and didn't do much lurking) who came to the rescue. He has been an amazing help, organised everything from shipping to fitting and a wheel alignment, all very much appreciated by a couple of Aussies who had pre booked most of their accommodation and were on a very tight schedule. I am convinced you could put a bunch of car enthusiasts from all over in one room for a week and you would sort out most of the worlds problems (and they accept payment in beer).
The trip so far! Solihull, Duxford, Norwich overnight. Norwich, York 2 nights. York, Edinburgh via the coast 2 nights. To come! Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Awe 2 nights. Loch Awe, Larne via the ferry from Cairnryan, Port Somewhere 1 night(that's not a place, I just can't remember it's name) in the northern part of Ireland. Down to Donegal for 2 nights. Galway 2 nights. Killarney 2 nights. Dublin 4 nights (to catch up with my next door neighbour in Aus who's going to teach me how to drink Guinness). Back via the ferry to Cairnryan then Lake Windermere 2 nights. Haven't booked anything from here but hope to head to Wales ,Bath and Exeter before returning to London for 4 night and back to Aus.
So far we have had fantastic weather,(Not sure why you Britons all rave about Aussie weather ,we've had sun block on for the past 9 days, one of the down falls of owning a convertible) and we have met some amazingly friendly and helpful people along the way.
Regards
tiger82 (Steve)
Just an Aussie and his wife doing the big mid life crisis thing! Youngest of three finishes school and moves out, had to do something dumb!
So, buy a car over the Internet half way round the other side of the world and plan a trip around the UK and the Republic of Ireland. But no, not just any car, it had to be a Jaguar XKR Convertible, platinum silver that goes like a cut cat. Not sure if you northern hemisphere guys are familiar with that term, but in the land of Oz that implies fast and gets there smartly (although I do believe the term would apply to most animals, given a similar circumstance!).
The trip started about 10 days ago after 21hrs and 35mins of flying via Dubai, from Australia. A friend in the UK (another car enthusiast)had organised to have the car serviced and checked prior to the big trip (Sturgess in Leicester). That's when it was discovered the rear wheel was not the correct size and a wheel alignment couldn't be completed after fitting two new front tyres. It was then Lurker (a forum member, whom I followed a couple of times in his XKR and didn't do much lurking) who came to the rescue. He has been an amazing help, organised everything from shipping to fitting and a wheel alignment, all very much appreciated by a couple of Aussies who had pre booked most of their accommodation and were on a very tight schedule. I am convinced you could put a bunch of car enthusiasts from all over in one room for a week and you would sort out most of the worlds problems (and they accept payment in beer).
The trip so far! Solihull, Duxford, Norwich overnight. Norwich, York 2 nights. York, Edinburgh via the coast 2 nights. To come! Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Awe 2 nights. Loch Awe, Larne via the ferry from Cairnryan, Port Somewhere 1 night(that's not a place, I just can't remember it's name) in the northern part of Ireland. Down to Donegal for 2 nights. Galway 2 nights. Killarney 2 nights. Dublin 4 nights (to catch up with my next door neighbour in Aus who's going to teach me how to drink Guinness). Back via the ferry to Cairnryan then Lake Windermere 2 nights. Haven't booked anything from here but hope to head to Wales ,Bath and Exeter before returning to London for 4 night and back to Aus.
So far we have had fantastic weather,(Not sure why you Britons all rave about Aussie weather ,we've had sun block on for the past 9 days, one of the down falls of owning a convertible) and we have met some amazingly friendly and helpful people along the way.
Regards
tiger82 (Steve)
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bairnsdale,Victoria Australia
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Ok Steve...so you were in the army? That's too organised for me! I'm thinking your in the UK summer maybe? Not sure where in Oz you come from but in the lower Sth East corner it is 1 degree this morning,followed by a bright sunny day.
Nice to see this forum extends into a tangible state too. Does the car make it back to Oz with you? Steering wheel being on the right side and all and could convert into luggage.
Extremely jealous of what you are doing and hope it all goes to plan...Enjoy!
Nice to see this forum extends into a tangible state too. Does the car make it back to Oz with you? Steering wheel being on the right side and all and could convert into luggage.
Extremely jealous of what you are doing and hope it all goes to plan...Enjoy!
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Steve (tiger82), I had to do more than just welcome you to this forum, where you'll find friendly members. a lot of good advice, and only a smattering of stories that can top yours. I had to give you your first Thanks for making such a trip, and for sharing it with us. Keep it up!
Happy motoring, and I hope you continue to find fair weather.
Another Steve
Happy motoring, and I hope you continue to find fair weather.
Another Steve
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JimC64 (06-14-2013)
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Hey Steve, great intro full of info and sounds like a full on & interesting trip.
Nice pic of the Jag in front of the hotel too.
Why not start a thread in the off topic section, one dedicated to your trip?
Then you can update it with your trip info, how the Jag performs on the journey and pics of her in ALL the different places........
We have a few threads like that here n there........pretty cool
#14
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AHA, a true Aussie, read the instructions LAST.
I can see fun is going to had here, the only way to do it.
Our "mob" just had a beer or 3 or 4 (Fosters, West End, Home brew, Cascade) for you to toast your buying venture, mainly jealousy, but what the heck, a drink is a drink.
Now the crabs and prawns are ready on the BBQ, so the JD will make an appearance.
Enjoy.
I can see fun is going to had here, the only way to do it.
Our "mob" just had a beer or 3 or 4 (Fosters, West End, Home brew, Cascade) for you to toast your buying venture, mainly jealousy, but what the heck, a drink is a drink.
Now the crabs and prawns are ready on the BBQ, so the JD will make an appearance.
Enjoy.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bairnsdale,Victoria Australia
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HaHa Grant...Our "mob" just had a beer or 3 or 4 (Fosters, West End, Home brew, Cascade) for you to toast your buying venture, mainly jealousy, but what the heck, a drink is a drink.
Any excuse! XXXX would just about complete the know your states by beer! And celebrating tiger82's holiday? Steve should be happy with that,wonder what state he hails from? If all else fails read the instructions is universal oz. Yeah start a thread on your trip Steve with a schedule like that you may have a few seconds here and there.
Well that's made me thirsty..Beer?
Any excuse! XXXX would just about complete the know your states by beer! And celebrating tiger82's holiday? Steve should be happy with that,wonder what state he hails from? If all else fails read the instructions is universal oz. Yeah start a thread on your trip Steve with a schedule like that you may have a few seconds here and there.
Well that's made me thirsty..Beer?
#16