2025 - 2000 (approx) Mile British Road Trip inc NC500

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12th June 2025. Left Hampshire in E915CJM Cavalier 1.6 LX plus 1999 Nissan QX 3.0 driven by my son-in-law . Was due to take old Range Rover Classic as second car but transmission failed so the old QX was wheeled out. Ended up at Windermere. About 280 miles completed. Cavalier happy in the fast lane of the M6.

13th June 2025 headed for East Kilbride in Scotland where my son-in-law had some business. 460 miles completed.

14th June 2025 headed to Edinburgh where we stayed for 4 days. Met for a few beers with "Kaino" (Jason)  who owned my car for 10 years up to 2015. Now that I've owned it for 10 years, we had much to discuss and compare. Also met with Mark in the Edinburgh area who kindly brought along his nice blue 2.0. A drop link had broken on the QX and the few days in Edinburgh allowed us time to source and fit a new part. Ladies arrived by train on 16th June and 17th spent sightseeing in Edinburgh.

18th June 2025 headed up to Inverness for the starting point of the NC500. A fast trip apart from roadworks at the top end. 

19th June 2025 drove around Lochness and then headed to Dornoch for the night. Lovely place and the sun shone brightly.

20th June 2025. Completed first 872 miles to Thurso via John O' Groats. 

21st June 2025. Slow going on the North coast due to multiple stops at amazing beaches. 928 miles clocked up in total. Chilly wind when South is basking in heatwave. MK2 performing well. Camping at Kyle of Tongue tonight. Lots of mossies.

23rd June 2025. Diabolical weather at Durness for last 24 hours. Soaked-through old tents going in bin later this morning as we head south for 3 hours. Only 30 miles yesterday around what would have been spectacular scenery.  Spectacular drive this morning to  near Lochinver. 1032 miles clocked up in Cavalier so far. Will post some more videos soon. NC 500 glamping pods tonight followed by search for super unleaded first thing in the morning.

24th June 2025. Headed for Gairloch today. Dry run after much overnight rain. Nice hotel overlooking the bay.

25th June 2025. Headed towards Applecross today, stopping to view some deer at a reserve. The notorious Applecross Pass lived up to it's reputation. Climbed up through the switchbacks in 2nd gear (3rd too high) in the mist and murk. We got caught in a jam at a passing place on a steep section. Downhill driver didn't leave enough room. QX (being wide) only managed to squeeze through with a couple of mm to spare and both near side wheels precariously over the edge. Cavalier was a bit easier. Camper vans are banned on this stretch but it doesn't stop the odd one from trying and causing chaos.

26th June 2025. Spectacular views of Skye from the Coast Road north of Applecross. Re-traced our step for about 50 miles along the NC500 in the opposite direction until picking up the road to Inverness. Headed for Kenmore in Perthshire - our base for the next 36 hours. Cavalier hasn't mis-behaved so far. The QX also running well apart from the failed drop link previously mentioned - we did manage to replace it on the grass without removing a wheel. NC500 successfully completed.

27th June 2025. Using Kenmore as a base, sightseeing around the Perth area. 1523 miles clocked up. Cavalier has used an Espresso cup sized amount of oil in that time. Quiet evening - getting ready for the 400+ mile run back to Hampshire tomorrow and, hopefully, some warm weather. The much 🐏 maligned GM Varajet II carb performing well. Seems to thrive on the dense, cool Scottish air.

28th June 2025. The 474 mile trip home was completed by 18.30 (06.10 start). Cavalier cruising at the legal limit wherever possible. Only incident was a 'sticky starter solenoid/motor' at Keele Services. It worked again after cooling down but I shall replace the starter motor assembly this week. Total Mileage for whole trip: 2005.

Final thoughts: 

1) pre-booking accommodation 3 months in advance is essential. We did it at 2 months leaving us camping for 2 nights - unfortunately the same nights with 60mph winds and unrelenting rain. We enjoyed staying in a couple of hostels - better than expected and interesting to chat to other travelers.

2) ensure you top up with E5 petrol whenever you see it - we did and we didn't have to use E10.

3) prep your brakes, tyres and suspension, if nothing else. 

4) make sure you have a couple of meals you can heat up on a camping stove even if you aren't camping. Food can be remarkably difficult to come by at some of the popular overnight stops - some pubs weren't serving food or shut most of the day (staff shortages) despite hundreds of potential customers. We keep a few 'Slim Fast's in the car - not dieting but good emergency food in a bottle.

5) expect to get cold and wet at some point, regardless of time of year.

6) Have confidence in your MK2 tackling a long journey. Mine has a high mileage (154K), only a 1600 and with original carb. I have to say 'what an excellent car E915CJM' has proved to be on this trip. I would happily drive it around the world. It's earned it's annual oil change and will spend the next 2 days sitting in 30°+ temperatures at home with it's doors, windows sunroof open and sill covers removed so that every nook and cranny can dry out....and then coat them and the underside  liberally with ACF-50.

For those interested in the Nissan QX - I bought this in Aberdeenshire June 2024 for less than £1000 and drove it back 600 miles overnight. Like the Cav, it is one of my all time favourite cars. Known as the 4th Generation Maxima , designated model number A32 (1995-1999), it sold close to a million worldwide but only a few in the UK due to badge snobbery and bland looks) It's engine found it's way into the 350z/370z with increased capacity. Most UK sales were of the 2.0V6 which is a fine cruiser. Mine is the 1999  3.0V6 and it shifts. Never failed an MOT in its life. One of these featured in Fast and Furious (Vince's Car). There is a big tuning cult following in the far east. Check out YouTube - HubNut's review of one in New Zealand and Scotty Kilmer's '99 Maxima review titled "This Nissan is better than a Toyota".  Tempted? Don't buy the earlier version A31 (Maxima) or the later A33 version from 2000-2002 (Maxima QX). Sorry to drop this into the blog.......but in case you were wondering why we took it on the trip.......now you know. 2 rare, affordable, excellent cars, from the last century, very different in very many ways, both great fun.

END OF BLOG.