Got out for our second ride of 2025. The weather here is a bit like the UK - gales, thunderstorms, hail and even snow on high ground - and this is our summer! So with the sun shining this morning, and the wind below gale force we had a ride up country for lunch and a cruise round some of our favourite country roads.
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About to head down to themx5restorer, thinking Iāll stick to Aroads rather than my usual country lanes route 
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Poor old car hadnāt moved for two weeksā¦ so I took it out of the garage for a very short drive round the block. The tucked it up in the garage again, connected to the trickle charger. Donāt know if the car enjoyed its brief moment of freedom, but I certainly did!
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What, no snow!
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In a shootout between peanut butter brands in the weekend paper; Aldiās came second and was cheap.
Some very demanding road between Helston and Cambourne( nearest Aldi) but only two passing places in eight miles realistically. So, you either frighten yourself or grind your teeth behind slower traffic.
Standout surprise after finally getting past a double decker was being stuck behind an old Land Rover. Possibly one owner for fifty years sort of jobby, never washed and bits of straw trapped in the tailgate sort of thingy.
Okay, four wheel drive, but that thing was tall and no suspension that I could discern but did that thing go around corners. I kept expecting it to suddenly disappear though a hedge when the tyres let go. It was a pleasure to followā¦.
Because of the salty roads and sub zero temperatures Iāve not used Maisie for 2 whole weeks. Im having withdrawal issues ! I did however have a topless run out on Christmas Day . The best Christmas Day ever !
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Had a mixed drive today.
Itās Saturday and sunny so why did I decide it was a good idea to drive on the north coast of cornwall? A mixture of too many cars and bicycles made a lovely drive at sixty MPH a faint memory. ( choose your time right and this a great drive)
Got a little respite on the way home. A ālittle old ladyā was doing 15 in a 20 and 20 in a 30 then 30 in unrestricted. I could feel the frustration of the car behind her so wasnāt going to try to overtake both of them. The guy was driving well and passed
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We have had a lovely day out today. Started with full English breakfast at our local cafe, then a run out to a place called Knott End on Sea via all the quite quiet A and B roadsā¦ lovely 
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Only a small bit of rain just before Preston but managed to keep the hood down. Mrs R only suggested once that we stop to put the roof up 
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Came home via Fleetwood, (we will be visiting there again), Blackpool and Lytham St Annes.
Clocked up 10,000 just past Rufford Old Hall and Met a fellow club member in the Tesco car park at Burscough Bridge 
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Got home after it had turned dark with a chippy tea 
ā¦ Then put the roof up 
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Great day 
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Roads were well soaked so predictable. Fair bit of storm debris but by the time I went out in the afternoon it was either at the side or the middle of the road. Didnāt drop the roof so I didnāt see a drop of rain in two hours despite threatening skies of courseš
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Out in the stormy weather again today. So impressed by how it ignores gusts. Iāve had a Volkswagen camper and a Mercedes A-class that were literally moved across the road by strong gusts. Okay, different beasts but I do wonder how many drivers have been intimidated by their SUVās in this heavy weather?
Went out for a drive and an ice cream at the Estuary. Although the day is not especially hot,
about 24ĀŗC, at this time of the year we have very high UV levels - todays peak UVI was around 11
which to a fair skinned person means a burn time of about 15 minutes.
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First proper after dark drive through some well known bends - no confidence sums it up. The plastic lenses are a bit misty but I think the main problem is the bulbs are old. I hate having the car off the road but, bumper off and headlights buffed and some new bulbs, originally for my TT May get redirected.
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A combination of lens polishing and fresh bulbs will make a big difference
You donāt need to have the bumper off for polishing though, if thatās what you were thinking of? Just mask round and away you goā¦
Youāre right, but I believe the bulbs can be difficult to change? Given the weather currently on offer taking the bumper off and hence the headlamps on the kitchen table looks more inviting than in-situ 
I got some new bulbs for the TT that I hope can be re-directed to my new beau.
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Ah for the bulbs. Yep not the easiest on the NC, but doable.
Faffing around in the cold isnāt exactly preferable though, youāre right! 
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Got a double chip in the windscreen a few days ago after following a BMW X5 through wet and muddy roads ( big agri depot nearby so lots of debris on the road). Itās high up on the passenger side so not an MOT problem but the proās wonāt touch it as the two impacts are too close together. Tried both National Windscreens and auto glass. To be fair both suggested trying an indi as they are both tied to insurance companies so have to follow strict guidelines.
Iāve a kit off eBay so Iāll try that just for interest.
So that was my excuse for a top down two hour jollie around the north coast of cornwall after visiting said companies in or around Redruth!
Shopping !!
But the drive home on the back roads with some interesting bends makes it a good experience 
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Nice top down drive out taking in Wiltshire and Dorset via a nice light lunch stop at Cranborne.