Getting the Zed filthy yet again. . .

[paulgs1000]

Another promising day saw Steph and I heading out into Northumberland - always amazes me how quiet our back roads can be.

A68 to Elsdon on to Rothbury (this being a section which we were hoping to lead the Borders run on but there had been a land-slide on the day of that run so we ended up heading to Rothbury on the very road we were trying to avoid! - Sods law). Loop to Pauperhaugh through to Netherwitton, Longwitton, Wallington Hall, Cambo, Scots Gap, home.

You can see the state of some of the roads but just makes for more hazards and concentration - another great run out - some wonderful sections.







:driving:

 

[jaRED]

Looks great - good to take the opportunity of a reasonably good day before the storms hit again

 

[paulgs1000]

Yep. . .rain forecast tomorrow :thumbsdown:

Love your ///M can opener! :lol:

:driving:

 

[jaRED]

It was a present at the National when we became a two coupe family

 

[andysat]

Great pics! Does Steph mind you jumping out to take pics?

 

[olsonn]

Nice to see a fully badged Z just bought a full set for mine which I will fit once I have had it fully detailed

 

[Swiftly]

Looks like you managed to take advantage of a gap in the weather Paul

You are certainly in the right location for beautiful countryside and some great roads :driving:

 

[paulgs1000]

Nice to see a fully badged Z just bought a full set for mine which I will fit once I have had it fully detailed

That's interesting - I'm considering losing mine - particularly the large Z4 moniker on the back. Before removing I may use some Plasti dip to darken them down - may even do the wheels - all due to the Stratus Grey colour which I'm finding a bit confusing - perhaps when I see it in the sunshine. . . decisions decisions. :?



Steph doesn't mind me stopping to take photos - she knows I'll be posting on the Forum - very lucky to have a wife that loves being out in the Zed. Missed many fabulous views whilst concentrating on the driving - then suddenly remember - need to take some photos - and the best views have gone. . .I'm no Tom Scott!



You're right Swiftly, we are extremely lucky living in the North East - we live right on the northern edge near the airport and the whole of Northumberland is on our doorstep - beautiful varied scenery and fairly quiet roads. Mind you - anyone else seeing some killer pot holes these days?! Glad I'm not still on the motorbike - some of them would be lethal.

:driving:

 

[Dale_B]

I know that route very well 8) we have some fantastic roads up here like you say, I do agree with the potholes they seem to be everywhere.

When they 'attempt' to fill them it tends to make them worse most of the time.

 

[paulgs1000]

Beautiful looking coupe Dale - coincidentally we saw a white coupe just before or after I took some of these photos - it couldn't have been . . .?

:driving:

 

[Dale_B]

Beautiful looking coupe Dale - coincidentally we saw a white coupe just before or after I took some of these photos - it couldn't have been . . .?

:driving:

Thanks Paul, no it wasn't me, I wasn't out that way on Saturday, if so I would have given you a wave.

 

[PeterZed]

Yes nice part of the country, I like the road up to Carter Bar , :driving: that's the route I use when on my way to Scotland, agree about the potholes ,hit a humungus one on the way to Helmsley , North Yorkshire last Sunday didn't see it 'cos of the low bright sun , thought I had buggered my wheel up had to stop and check.

 

[paulgs1000]

Very nice weather today in the NE so out in the Zed again and it was one of the days when all was well with the world. . .a clear run and drier surfaces together with getting used to the character and capabilities of the 3.0 litre led to a really enjoyable run through some more of our favourite roads. Seems using the higher octane fuel and perhaps getting over the initial excitement of the performance has brought better mpg results - 24mpg today and the sun was out for most of it!





Decided to give the wheels a good clean when we got back - cannot praise Auto Glym Custom Wheel Cleaner enough. Despite leaving the wheels for weeks covered in brake dust (new pads and discs fitted) and road crud this stuff worked brilliantly and with the aid of a plastic washing up brush brought everything off leaving the wheels looking as they did when refurbed - great stuff!

:driving:

 

[Dale_B]

8) I was looking out of the window at work today wishing I could have been doing the same.

24mpg :driving:

 

[paulgs1000]

That's the beauty of early retirement and a wife with Mondays off. . .

That your average mpg?

 

[Dale_B]

Computer is sitting at 30mpg, but then again it hasn't been reset since August. I have yet to calculate it accurately by filling to emptying the tank etc...

I not complaining though, fully worth it

 

[paulgs1000]

Would be very pleased to be sitting at 30mpg. But the Zed is our fun car (we have an Octavia diesel which is a superb car; 140bhp 60mpg, for daily duties and longer runs) so I suppose we can expect the low mpg.

:driving:

 

[indizee]

Good to get out in the Zed. My Saab Sportwagon is in the workshop whilst i fit new suspension parts. So while its been in there in bits for the past week Ive had to drive the Zed everywhere, what a shame. Saturday was a fun day with loads of hood down action in the Cambridgeshire sunshine. (then a blast on the Ducati for good measure) I feel the better weather on its way already 8)

 

[paulgs1000]

Yep - you could be right indezee - the sun's out again here in the North East and the roads are beckoning. . .

My wife comes from the Fens in between Cambridge Ely and Newmarket - I like that part of the world but some of the roads are busy!

My mate still has his Ducati 916 - not sure he'll ever sell it despite the belt changes every two years - even though he rarely uses it now.

Our bikes have gone now (Suzuki GS1000s, Triumph Daytona 1200, Honda 800i Triumph TR6 classic) - replaced by the Zed but still keeping something in the garage - Puch Maxi in bright orange - very 70s!

:driving:

 

[tomscott]

Looking good paul!!