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MTTUK – Day 29 – Cardiff

Today was Bank Holiday so most people were off  so the roads/towns were pleasantly quite.   Went into Cardiff to spend the day and visits some sites.

Came across a row of car dealers but they were all closed for the holiday.  Fiat 500 Abarth, Diahatsu Coper which is actually smaller then Red and has Recaro sport seats. 

 Then off to Cardiff Castle

Castle Coch

Caerphilly Castle and the bears with Tommy Cooper statue

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 28 – Gogarth 2 Gower Day2

Uncovered Red and gave her another coat of wax before the rain came then headed into town for some pictures.

Then headed into the campsite for the start of Day 2 of the Gogarth to Gower.  We drove over the Black Mountains where several Top Gear episodes were filmed but could not see much as the fog was rather thick and made for some exciting driving.  

At the end we ended up at the Hotel Gower where we had some sandwiches and a Happy Birthday song for Les who owns the Mini 40.  Happy Birthday Les!

If I heard correctly the event raised almost 4k Sterling for the McDonald House.  It was a fanstatic event over some of the most gorgeous roads/countryside one could ask for compounded with a lot of great folks.

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MTTUK – Day 27 – Gogarth 2 Gower

Drove up to Great Orme to meet up with the Snowdon Minis  and participate in the Gogarth to the Gower Charity Run being held over two days starting at the North Wales in Gogarth and heads down through the Snowdon Mountains to Gower tomorrow.

This is perhaps the best organized and coordinated run I’ve ever been on.  They have a recovery van that follows the cars in case of breakdown to assist/resolve any issues and have several regroup points throughout the day to ensure everyone gets back together before continuing on to the next stage.  

They chose some really incredible routes through the most scenic and twisty roads around.  The pictures don’t even come close to do the area justice.

Red on top of the world at Great Orme and the scenery from on top of Great Orme.

Along the various routes

When we stopped for lunch I was able to find a pub with skysports and caught the F1 Qualifying figuring I had plenty of time to return to the car park for 2:15 for the departure but when I got back Red was the only Mini there.  Depature was 1:45 dooh.  Luckily the folks in the Recovery van were nice enough to wait and guided me through a most spirited run onto the next point where I met up with the group. 

Then we made to the Builth Well Showgrounds where the campsite was and a visit to the Rally Car event going on.

 Then back at the hotel I ran into Les with his incredible Mulberry Red Mini 40 who had the same idea I had…After a wash it was time to put the girls to sleep.  Thanks for the use of the wash cloth Les!

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MTTUK – Day 26 – North Wales

 Left Dublin and took the Jonathan Swift Ferry across to Holyhead, Wales.  Quick trip in under 2hrs compared to most of the day with the larger cruise ship.

Once over headed to Beaumaris Castle

Walked around Beaumaris town where the bears found a friend and I got lunch

Then over the Menai Bridge

onto Conwy where I stayed the night and visited Conwy Castle and Conwy suspension bridge. 

All the Day’s Pictures

MTTUK – Day 25 – Dublin

Left Trim

 A visit to Fry Model Museum and Castle 

then into Dublin with a walk around town and a visit to Guinness.

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MTTUK – Day 24 – Meath, IRE

Day started rather blustery so just enjoyed some extra sleep and a long breakfast before taking the coastal route down to Trim, Ire.

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Happy 50th Birthday MINI

Today marks the official day that The MINI brand turns 50.   It was 50 years ago today that the British Motor Corporation unveiled the Mini.

MTTUK – Day 23 – Slieve Donard

headed south following the eastern coast of Strangford Lough down to Portaferry and caught the ferry over to Strangford down to Newcastle at the base of the Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.  The hotel/spa is the nicest one during my current trip so far.  overlooking the Irish sea and Slieve Donard Mountains.

Portaferry – Red’s second ferry ride this one a quick one

On the other side on Strangford

Onto Castle Ward

Then home for the night at the base of Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and home to Historic Slieve Donard Hotel/Spa overlooking the Irish Sea and Mountain.

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MTTUK – Day 22 – Giant’s Causeway

I  picked up the coastal highway at Carnlough and followed it along the coast through BallyCastle, Ballintoy, Causeway Head and Portrush. Pictures just don’t do this area justice.

Enroute to Carnlough

 Carrick-A-Rede and Larrybane – Carrick-a-rede means a rock in the road.  the road is the sea route for the Atlantic salmon on their journey past Carrick Island.  Fishermen have strung a rope bridge 30m above the sear to all them to access the best places to catch the migration.  Larrybane means ancient white site and is the name of the limestone headland.

Giant’s Causeway - about 40k interlocking basalt columns caused by ancient volcanic eruptions.  Really is an impressive site and really fun climbing them.

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MTTUK – Day 21 – Belfast

Got up at the crack of dawn to head down to Troon to catch the ferry over to Northern Ireland.   

The crossing had it moments as the ’sea was angry’ today.  Lots of gusts and choppy waters made for an interesting two hour journey and Red’s first ferry ride.  At least she was in good company with Blue Mini and the bears in the back.

Once on shore headed out to Carrickfergus Castle, where  by chance they were having a BMW event in the parking lot.

 Then into Belfast cental to vist Belfast Cathedral, Belfast Castle and the catch of the day.

then to end the day, Red gets a bubble bath to wash all the day’s grime prior to going to sleep.

 All the Day’s Pictures