mikew Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Tim Bancroft asked Anne to produce a few words on her view of the RBRR, so here they are:-ROUND BRITAIN 2012 A LADIES VIEW I was not too sure what to expect when I agreed to be a co-driver for Mike.He had at last finished the Triumph Estate and it was all ready to go.I was a little nervous about driving his car (being so rare and so recently finished).I am also a rubbish navigator and do not like driving at night, but despite all this he said yes that was fine and that he wanted me go with him.Before we arrived at the Plough Mike made a very strange request. I was to go to Sainsbury’ and purchase 12 bottles of Lambrini. He explained why and I then decided that some tartan ribbon round them would just finish them off nicely!We arrived at the Plough; the car was going very well.I was chatting to various crews and what really struck me was what a lovely bunch they all are. I felt very welcome even though I did not know a lot of them.Off we went (Mike was driving as it was dark!)Got to Carter Bar, where we handed over our bottle of Lambrini complete with tartan bow. I was a little worried why Mc Jim was wearing yellow marigold gloves (any ideas anyone) but he seemed delighted to receive a bottle of Lambrini! He and Mike had a banter ending with Jim saying that he had keyed the car! We motored on to Edinburgh Airport where Bill Murray had come specially to see Mike’s car, he had travelled a long way and it was very late too! I thought then how nice that someone was prepared to make such an effort. This is occurred at quite a few of the checkpoints. Mike had told do not chat, get the book signed and go – but he ended up chatting – which was the right thing to so as people had made the effort to see him!The car was going very well except the fan belt was slipping (sounded dreadful!) but we carried on regardless with Mike saying ‘it’s a new belt and ‘I tightened it before we left’ many times!We made it up to John O Groats, where there was the most beautiful rainbow. We had breakfast, cleaned teeth and reapplied lipstick (that’s me not Mike!).Got to Conan Bridge early so we decided to both get a bit of sleep. I was straight off but Mike said that I kept him awake snoring. Well, he has snored always and the nights that I have been kept awake I have lost count. I do not believe that I snore, and I was telling another driver this when he helpfully told me about an app that you can get for your phone. It is called sleep talk and you can set it and it will record any sound that you make. He gleefully let me listen to his recording of his wife snoring – who says that she does not snore either. I am going to try this tonight. I will let you know at the end of the blog the results!We were motoring on well, got to Gordano services where the local Triumph Club had turned out and was clapping everyone as they arrived – I thought again what effort and how lovely. It really spurred you on. We filled up with fuel and left. Mike was very tired, so I was driving even though it was dark. I was feeling quite proud of myself, however not for long. The fan belt snapped. Mike said go on to side lights. I said do not be so silly, I cannot see that well on headlights, let alone side lights on an unlit motorway at night! He was saying put your foot down, go faster, get off the motorway. I was not happy!!! (Nor was he actually!)Anyway got off the motorway (using headlights) did go onto high beam once – told off straightaway!I told him yes I do know that you cannot push start an automatic, and yes I did realise that the battery would not charge without the fan belt. (Not been married to him for 33 years not to know that).Things were a little fraught but to his credit he did not shout or swear at me. Told to get off the road and bump up a curb and stop the car half on grass with the pathway under the middle of the car. Honestly! Could not see why this mattered, then saw that he wanted the tarmac to lie on under the car.I thought that I would be super helpful and clean the windscreen – wrong- when I got in the car whilst Mike was underneath (I hasten to add that it was not jacked up) the number plate dug in him and the exhaust burnt his hand. Still no shouting or swearing, but I felt really dreadful Well, all fixed and we were off again. I was still driving! But this time I could I have side, dipped or main beam on – fantastic! Got to Lands End ok had breakfast and applied lipstick again!Got to Bude and met up with Chris Allen. He was taking photos and I pretended to pose, he said that would it be topless I said no too cold! He then topped up his oil. Met him at next checkpoint when he told me about how he wondered why the car in front was smoking, then smoke came in his car he then discovered that he had forgotten to put his oil cap back on. Told it was my fault because I distracted him at Bude. He had his bonnet up at the next stop so I helpfully told him to put it down before he left. He did find that quite funny!Got to the TR Register check point – got the book signed and the visited the ladies and applied lipstick again. I could not believe it – there was queue for the GENTS! The ladies non – in and out! That was a first for me!If anyone had asked me would I do it again at 2.30 am Saturday morning I would have said no, but now I think that I might. Not too sure if Mike could though with me – due to my lacking skill of night driving.I must mention all the Marshalls at the check points, they were all so cheerful and lovely, the drinks and cakes and biscuits were very much appreciated.The spirit of the event was wonderful. I cannot explain the feeling of joy when we arrived back at the Plough. Mike has worried the whole way that we would not make it – I KNEW that we would.It was quite an emotional moment.I am very proud of what he has done to the car. The hours of work, the cold days in the garage, the sourcing of the parts, the endless jobs to be done it, is such an achievement.I am very proud of him and feel very privileged to have shared the RBRR with him in his special car.10 countries next perhaps? Yes, but in daylight please!Anne WeaverP.S. The sleep talk app did work and sadly it had proved that I do snore.I have told Mike that I purr not snore compared to him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanChatterton Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 That's fantastic, you can feel the pride for Mike and his achievement just flooding from that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 hehe ;D - respect to you Anne, and well done to you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2500 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Mike -- I think it was Phil (the brookster) that made the epic journey to Edinburgh Airport!Annette and I watched the cars at Stirling for a while. Got a couple of glimpses of the estate when you went to fuel up and came back to collect Anne before setting off again. Brilliant that you made it round.I wasn't at my sociable best on Saturday -- was totally choked up with the cold and by that time had a splitting headache so wasn't in the mood for saying much. Still enjoyed seeing all the cars though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Have to say both my co driver and I found Anne to be lovely!When we were talking to you both outside the plough her enthusiasm was just infectious.So glad you both enjoyed it as much as the rest of us,and she's right they really are a great bunch of people that do the run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonO Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks Anne - I'll be using that to prove to my other half that she should do the RBRR too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jackson (2) Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 That's a great story Anne, especially the but about purring not snoring. I'll tell my wife that one! I was marshalling at Sixpenny Handley and was really looking forward to seeing the car and saying hello. Thanks to you and Mike for risking such a treasured car on the RBRR.Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6boy Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Great thread- it was a delight to see Mike's car and Anne added greatly to the fun factor of the run- not just another chap droning on about old cars like the rest of us! She was still exuberant and cheerful on the monday morning at The Travelodge too! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishbull Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Nice write up Anne....................and well done for taking the time to write your views and especially for being stuck in a car for 48hrs with your other half is a credit to anyone..................I would not even contemplate asking my wife ( just not her cup of tea ) and nor do I think it would be as enjoyable as it was.......................(no argueing eh Dave?)....... :DMike do you mean Bill Young????????.....................as he turned up to spur us on and was in his lovely custom mini van. and as taken some pictures of the cars at the airport but by looking at how blurred they are , you would have thought he had been on the RBRR...........Only kidding Bill.................as always nice to have seen you.... ;) and that goes for ALL those that turned up at check points to show their encouragement......................many thanks as it does help although feel bad when you haven't the time to exchange small talk as you would wish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 This is a great write up for my purposes! My wife and I are planning on doing the RBRR in 2014! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire2500 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 LEE_GODFREY wrote:Mike do you mean Bill Young????????That'll be it. Far too many Bills, or folk with names that rhyme with Bill... ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpeg.b15b81ef10abeea1c3039ae03c4a9f3a.jpeg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.