The road to Newcastleton from Gretna is full of sweeping bends and a chance to test the grip on those tyres. Even the big Bentley's were having fun. A coffee stop at Hawick, where the annual fairground had taken up the car park, was most welcome. We then headed west to Roberton and Tushielaw, deep in the Ettrick Forest, and round St. Mary's Loch to Cappercleuch ready for the climb up toward Talla, by way of Meggat Water. The view of Talla reservoir this time was magnificent. Last year we were going south, and it was wet... This time the sun shone and we were looking north. You need good brakes on the way down as it's steep and plenty of hairpins. All safe to Tweedsmuir and off toward Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Lynn and over the Meldons to Eddleston where we stopped for lunch.

So far so good. Bound to come of the rails soon, and it did. The route took us over the Forth Bridge on the day they decided to shut half of it down for those ever ongoing rusty cables work. The tails backs were horrendous and the sun was blistering hot. Classic cars are not renowned for idling for an hour or so in the sun. The Sprite temperature climbed toward red, but what do you do. Turn it off to let it cool, only to find it won't start because the fuel evaporates, or leave it to boil. Hmmmm tricky one that. We trickled past a crew van with the side door open and the crew (not driver) working their way through a crate of Fosters. What I would have given for a sip of that amber nectar. But we were away again and over the bridge. A blast up the M90 soon got everything back to normal and the road to Rumbling Bridge had some fine views. We passed Gleneagles just about time for afternoon tea. Pity we hadn't time to stop. The road to Comrie round Ben Clach offered yet more great views before joining the main A85 toward Crieff. The route didn't actually go into the town but a quick look at our fuel gauges persuaded us it was a good idea!

We thought we were almost on the home straight. North on the A822 to Amulree and over toward Kenmore through Glen Quaich, one of the prettiest routes in Scotland. However down the side of Loch Tay to Killin, on the south side, is a long and never ending road. Narrow, often single track, potholed in many places, and winding so much it nearly wears out the steering on the car! But what views again. This is what the tourists really love.

Now we were a bit late and a "swift" run down the A85/A84 to Callandar was called for. Didn't go to Achray Forest so cannot comment. Dinner was very good. Heading home to Edinburgh, we encountered the only breakdown of the day. Simon decided to give the Sprite a blast down the M9, but in the dark he failed to notice the water boil up as he sped along at slightly more than the legal limit. Fortunately a lazy landrover driver was slow in dipping his lights which allowed Simon to see steam pouring from the back of the bonnet. He was very lucky; a cool down and top up with no harm done. Dread to think if he'd run it dry!

Looking forward to 2007 event. You should come too....