IMPORTANT: This weekend

Ok boys and girls, sorry for the lateness of this but I've tried constructing a route that is as interesting (in roads as well as anything else) as possible - whilst having to bear in mind the number of first-timers on this run.

So here it is.

Route length:  86 miles

Approximate time:  3.5 hours to 4.0 hours

Meet location:  Laybay just before Newcastle Airport (from A1)

Route format: Circuit

Proposed meet time: 9.30am

Proposed depature time: 10.00am

Estimated time of arrival BACK at Newcastle Airport:  2.30-3.00pm

Various stops along the way for breath and whatever.

Lunch in Bellingham at around 12 noon-12.30pm.

Various stops en route back on edge of Northumberland National Park.

Here is the map....

I have never personally done all of this route.  However, it follows a scenic line, over many interesting and different roads, and I am told Bellingham has a decent pub for lunch - which is what I'd be proposing to do when we get there.

En-route back we can stop for refreshments again of course - be they brought by ourselves, stopping to buy them, or whatever people fancy in all honesty.

+++ PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE ASAP +++

When replying please state:

No. of people in car

Your first name (makes it easier rather than say...Hi there MuppetMaster, KinkyDoo or whatever your user name is!).

Hi Coasting, Paul here, will be attending, 2 in the car. Do you mean the lay-by on the dual carriage way leadind to the Airport from the A1 ? If so I think I'll turn up about 9.45 so there will be other cars there by then and I don't miss it !

The-Bear wrote:  Do you mean the lay-by on the dual carriage way leadind to the Airport from the A1 ?

That's the one!  You won't miss us and we'll keep an eye out for you.

Rhys wrote: Yep, bit of a treck

Yes it is for some, but we'll stick to what we promised and ensure we move the runs around the locations so everyone gets a fair turn at a set-off point that is close to them.

We'll rotate.  No worries.

Running count :  5 cars, 8 people

This doesn't include Cliff, Mal or Graheme yet, as well as pma1ums all of whom we're pretty much 99% sure will attend.

Note on the weather.  Unfortunatey the forecast isn't holding up too well but it depends on who you believe really.

The BBC reckon it's a full sun day with 15 degrees now the max temp and 10 the minimum.

Whereas WeatherOnline (and they are usually a LOT more accurate than the BBC) have it down as 11 degrees max and 5 minimum with it being cloudy most of the day and rain starting on Monday.  I mention Monday because you often find they bring the long range forecasts forward and the rain sometimes creeps into the day beforehand!

I hope not because a sunny, if not warm, day makes a big difference to the mood and general pleasure of this type of route (country lanes etc).

Route for those heading South afterwards

Those of you that are heading South after the run might want to note we will probably add in a split point at Heddon on the Wall.  This is very close to the A1 and allows for you splitting off to depart South rather than head back North.  

There is also a Shell Garage there (selling Optimax) so it's strategically a good place to have.   We can discuss it on the day, but I'd envisage we will probably stop there to split and save some of you guys a double-back section (unless you want to do it!).

Kielder Water

This is only 10 minutes from Bellingham - and very scenic.

The route timings are probably less than I have shown, so we could well end up there sooner than we expect. Hence, I'll be proposing that either before or after lunch we take the detour to Kielder and we can rattle off some nice shots of all of us/cars gathered together.

Incidentally....The Cheviot Hotel, Bellingham, is where I was thinking of for lunch but you're just as welcome to bring food, pack a picnic, whatever - just let is know what you'd like to do.

If you want to organise for us all to opt out and have a picnic up at Kielder then I'm fine with that - not a bad idea actually, but I'm easy with either.

Hi Chris, It will be me and Sarah in the car.

Mark, Dave are we going to meet in the Aycliffe Maccy D's again?

Coasting!  Tim here.  I will be there, just me in the car (cockneys! everyone hates us!!!, no mates!!)  Looking forward to it!

Running count:  8 cars, 13 people

Looking good folks!

For the record, I'll be on my own yet again as the wife has now used this as an opportunity to go shopping with the kids.....what a shame I'll miss it...hehe.

Waiting to hear from Graheme now, possibly Mick (depends on work commitments at moment, but a slight possibility he'll get there), AndyS and anyone else that wants to go!

floody wrote: Just spoken to PMA he is coming up with Rhys, how about we all meet up at Durham Services for 08.45 to get away by 0900????

Ok 08.45 Durham Services it is then Mark.