The Lockdown Job Part 2 - Sunday 20th June 2021

[Track Ali]

Hi folks,

With things heading the way they are, there's potential for us to organise the first NMS run of 2021. :whoohoo:

There are, of course, still factors for us to consider. Whilst we have freedom to travel, many facilities are still operating at reduced capacity. Social distancing measures also remain in place. We will, of course, continue to monitor things and adjust plans accordingly.

Assuming all goes well however, our first post-lockdown run of 2021 will take place on Sunday the 20th of June.

To help us gauge interest, please let us know below if you'd like to attend and whether any passengers will be attending with you. An indication of numbers will let us plan more accurately within the scope of any continuing restrictions.

Start Point: 10am for a 10:30 start at Abington Service Station ML12 6RG.

Lunch Stop: Drumlanrig Castle, DG3 4AQ

End Time & Location: Around 3pm back at Abington Service Station, ML12 6RG

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Run notes: 8860

Total Run Distance: Around 100 miles

From Abington, we'll head north along the Roman Road to Bigger and loop down past Tweedsmuir before a picnic lunch within the picturesque grounds of Drumlanrig Castle (weather permitting). After lunch, we'll enjoy some more of the area's great roads before finishing back at Abington Service station.

A picnic lunch should allows us to make the best of a (hopefully) warm and sunny summer's day whilst also adhering to any social distancing requirements. So that people have plenty to enjoy both their picnic plus some of the short scenic walks around the castle grounds, we'll be stopping at Drumlanrig for at least an hour (maybe longer if folks need/wish). Our route is a little shorter than usual so we should have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves.

For anyone that's interested, Drumlanrig Castle has a booking system for the Gardens & Adventure Playground. Prices can be found by clicking the following link:https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/plan-a-visit/opening-times/book-online-2/

If you wish to make use of the Gardens & Adventure Playground then I'd recommend booking tickets in advance. There's already quite a few of us signed up for the run and the facilities are also open to the general public so available slots may sell out.

There is of course plenty of open space for a picnic and quite a few scenic trails for those who would prefer and these are all open free-of-charge to the public without any need for booking.

(Provisional) MINI Runners:

1. Alasdair, Laura & Arwen (G&AP Booked)
2. William, Megan & Christopher
3. Matt
4. Gemma & Mum
5. John & Lynne
6. Brian & Christina
7. Bushby
8. Euan (G&AP Booked)
9. Scott
10. Ivan
11. Coop1
12. Niall & Family
13. Steven & Carol
14. Rab & Diane
15. Tom
16. Stevie & Kieran & Iain
17. Neil & Helen
18. Sammy
19. Tim & Sue

...

Total participants: 30

[MINI William]

Sounds perfect Ali. Excited already to get out on the first run of the year. Can you add Megan, Christopher and myself please.

[matsarm]

Definitely up for this. Will try and make sure I get the day off but stick me down please Ali [emoji106]

[gemmamcva]

Hi can myself and my mum come along? So looking forward to the next one, serious withdrawals

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[JOHN MILNE]

Add me & Lynne please

[badwolf340]

Can you add Christina and I please

[DigitalLemming]

Stick me down as a definite maybe, will see how much is left on my todo list closer to the time

[badwolf340]

Andrew If you turn everything off now you can turn everything back on when you come back from the run ;)

[ELFMAN]

Ali, put my name down (if only I could remember what it is...) for this one please.

[scottch]

Hi Alasdair,

Can you stick me down, please?

[Ivan1812]

Please add my wee name to list thanks 👍

[Crombers]

Bloody working :frown:

[Coop1]

Up for this one.

[NRM1979]

Hmmm. 100 mile loop you say. I see Chargeplace Scotland has 22kW chargers at Drumlanrig. Will check with Jenny but could join in with both cars and the kids.
Would probably merge in turn at Biggar. Will let you know soon.

Niall

[scook94]

Carol and I may well come along too.

[VRRab&Diane]

Hi Alasdair Can you put me and Diane down for this if theres still spaces. Cheers

[teccles]

Hi Alasdair could you put me down for this as well please

[James469]

Hi Alistair, can you add myself and sharlee for this please

[Stevie-c]

Hi Alasdair, can you add myself and my son Kieran down for our 1st meet.

:thumbs up:

[stoney]

Hi Ali

stick me down for this i will prob leave you at some point as i will need to be home for Christine starting work at 3pm

[Sammychuk]

hi can you put my name down please

[Stevie-c]

Hi Alasdair,

Can you please add Iain in with Kieran and I, my daughters other half... We just need to get him signed up to the site.

Thanks Stevie

[ELFMAN]

Ali you’re probably on top of this, so apologies if I’m treading on your toes! Drumlanrig Castle is running a booking system for the gardens etc, so I don’t know if this will be a consideration for our picnic plans. I’ve enjoyed the gardens on many occasions but I haven’t been for a good few months for the obvious reasons. Just thought I’d mention the latest info. Here’s the link:
https://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk/plan-a-visit/opening-times/book-online-2/

[mininuts]

Can you put me and the Mrs on the list please...........Paul and Julie.
Be our first proper run in our new MINI
Are we ok to bring the dog?

[ELFMAN]

I’ve booked a ticket for the gardens so it’s harder for them not to let me in. Just in case they remember me from previous visits...

[stuBB]

Hi - please put my name down for run next month....
Cheers, Stu

[scook94]

Hey Mr Tortolano, I know you're lurking out there. Get your name down, and come along... You know you want to!

[ELFMAN]

8848I took the MG out for a run on Sunday and ended up at Drumlanrig! The roads weren’t too busy at all and although the main car park at the castle had quite a few folks it wasn’t as busy as I’d expected. Mennock Pass after Wanlockhead was busy with campers as usual, but overall I had a very pleasant drive. I even overtook an early Porsche Boxster who was holding me up! No, really...

Apologies for my Portrait/Landscape photo foul up!

[MiniInd]

Hi, could you add us to the list too please? Tim & Sue, Thanks :thumbs up:

[BushbyBobolink]

Hi,

Could I tag along with my partner Kevin. It’ll be our first run out with you guys �� Christine

[matsarm]

I’ve ended up with my vaccine appointment late morning on the 20th so won’t be able to make the first half of the run. All going well I’ll hopefully make the second half after lunch [emoji1696] (depends how long it takes them to pick me up off the floor after the needle goes in [emoji23]).

[MINI William]

I’ve ended up with my vaccine appointment late morning on the 20th so won’t be able to make the first half of the run. All going well I’ll hopefully make the second half after lunch [emoji1696] (depends how long it takes them to pick me up off the floor after the needle goes in [emoji23]).

You’ll be used to a wee prick won’t you?

[BushbyBobolink]

Could you add me to the list please? Thanks ��

[badwolf340]

I will bring spare walkie talkies on Sunday so if anyone wants one give me a shout :thumbs up:

[James469]

Hey guys, sadly myself n sharlee won't be able to make this now. Hope to see you all at the next one

[Neil - TXJ]

Still time to put me and Helen down. You will have to excuse state of car, won’t have time to wash [emoji3]

[stoney]

Hi guys I'm going to have to.pull out not fixed my car yet and have been working all day and to work tomorow as well I'm afraid

Have a safe run you all.

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[mininuts]

Sorry for the short notice but, unfortunately myself and the Mrs won’t be with you tomorrow folks.
Our wee dog had quite a large operation last week and she’s still weak and very sore.
We thought it would be unfair on her to be in the car for so long.

This would have been our first run in our new F56 S so, a little disappointed ☹️

Hope you all have a great day.

[MINI William]

Looking forward to this. See everyone tomorrow

[DigitalLemming]

I’m not going to make this run sadly, hope everyone has a great time

[ELFMAN]

Many Thanks for organising today’s run Ali. Nice to see folks I haven’t seen for AGES and some I hadn’t seen before. Enjoyed the great roads and scenery. Also discovering the picnic area, coffee place and toilets (despite having been to Drumlanrig lots of times) was an unexpected bonus! Stay Safe everybody, TTFN.

[NRM1979]

Yes, thank you Ali.
Having not managed to join in for a few years this was just the ticket. Great roads and a great lunch stop.

Thanks,

Niall (and Co)

[scook94]

Carol and I had (another) great day. Terrific route, and it's always magical seeing the Minis stretching in front and behind! Looking forward to the next one, and maybe making it to MMM.
Thanks again to Ali for the first class organisation and chaperoning en-route. :thumbs up:

[VRRab&Diane]

Thank you Ali.
Great run out today. Fantastic first part of the run , super roads and so much fun being in the convoy. Diane literally had white knuckles.
Castle beautiful but unfortunately I got mixed up and lost you all for the second part of the run as I was waiting at the top, where we first parked up, thinking we were leaving from the same point. Completed the run alone though. We had a ball but will pay better attention next time so nit to get split up.

[JOHN MILNE]

Great run today
thanks to Ali & laura for organising was great to be out and about again

[Track Ali]

Thank you Ali.
Great run out today. Fantastic first part of the run , super roads and so much fun being in the convoy. Diane literally had white knuckles.
Castle beautiful but unfortunately I got mixed up and lost you all for the second part of the run as I was waiting at the top, where we first parked up, thinking we were leaving from the same point. Completed the run alone though. We had a ball but will pay better attention next time so nit to get split up.

Ah - sorry to hear that Rab. I did think we might have been one short but with some folk heading off after the lunch stop it was an honest mistake.

I'll be sure to double check next time :thumbs up:

[badwolf340]

Carol and I had (another) great day. Terrific route, and it's always magical seeing the Minis stretching in front and behind! Looking forward to the next one, and maybe making it to MMM.
Thanks again to Ali for the first class organisation and chaperoning en-route. :thumbs up:
Would be great to have you along

[badwolf340]

Big thanks to Ali for today,had a blast and great to see so many MINI’s in front and behind in the mirror,should have got some pictures :ragin:

[VRRab&Diane]

Ah - sorry to hear that Rab. I did think we might have been one short but with some folk heading off after the lunch stop it was an honest mistake.

I'll be sure to double check next time :thumbs up:

Not at all mate, it was my fault completely for being so dosey. Thanks again for a great day out on brilliant roads :D

[scottch]

Cracking day out, tank of fuel guzzled, multiple midgies massacred and lots of roads I'd never been on before (which were fun) :thumbs up: :thumbs up:

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[scook94]

Would be great to have you along

Just realised I got the MMM dates mixed up with Highland Tour dates. However, it doesn't rule out either as yet, although things are a bit up in the air so will have to wait and see how they land.

[Coop1]

Great day out. Some great roads and nice lunch location. Nice pace (!) too on the post lunch leg. Almost kept up with the GP. Glad to be back in a Mini again after my wee dalliance with BMW.

[MINI William]

Thanks to Ali and Laura for organising another great run. Fantastic roads, some new ones as well which is always nice. Great company and fantastic cars. Great to see so many new and familiar faces (I tried to get round everyone, apologies if I missed you) on the first run of the year, hopefully we can get more than 2 run in this year as I think I can speak for us all that they have been missed, it’s always great seeing a line of MINI going along and all the passerby’s reactions as we go along. See you at MMM and hopefully those that are considering it’ll I’ll see you there as well.

Some pictures of the day

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51258823912_8803537eec_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6ySw5)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6ySw5) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259552561_20c0d2a0c5_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB7Z)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB7Z) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259751123_f35b6f541c_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9t)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9t) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259751133_8d32ce1e9d_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9D)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9D) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260295309_6b16f4e376_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpUZ)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpUZ) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260295334_df437b086f_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVq)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVq) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260594805_8a3101a2ec_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWWH)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWWH) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51258823937_158ab09390_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6ySwv)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6ySwv) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259552586_fad9088468_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB8q)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB8q) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259552591_805ca9f5aa_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB8v)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6CB8v) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259751148_71cdeea7d2_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9U)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9U) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51259751153_14d5db1870_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9Z)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6DC9Z) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260295344_6f4716a446_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVA)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVA) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260295354_55019cfb40_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVL)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVL) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260295359_63312f741e_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVR)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6GpVR) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260594820_18530b687a_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWWY)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWWY) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260594835_21ce82aa55_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWXe)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWXe) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51260594840_44152948bf_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWXj)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2m6HWXj) by NewMINI Scotland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/154439763@N04/), on Flickr

[Stevie-c]

Not at all mate, it was my fault completely for being so dosey. Thanks again for a great day out on brilliant roads :D

Sorry if it was yourself that followed us, we had to leave sharp prior to start of the 2nd run. Apologies if it was :ragin:

[gemmamcva]

My mum and I had a great day! Thanks to Ali and Laura for the fab rote and roads and everyone for the warm welcome as usual. Can't wait till the next time we get out with you all

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[gemmamcva]

Great photos too!!


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[Stevie-c]

Many thanks to Ali for organising today’s run and everyone for making us so welcome on our 1st run. Some great sweeping roads, so enjoyable and so well organised. Sadly we had to nip away just before everyone started the 2nd run. Now to tackle cleaning the car :argh: :carwash:

Thanks again :thumbs up:

[ELFMAN]

Forgot to mention my wee car finally cracked 24,000 miles today! (24,028 to be precise). Ridiculously low miles for its age (it’s a long story…), but not too bad when many of those miles have been clocked up on NMS and solo runs on roads similar to today’s. It’s always an extra buzz to do it in the company of some excellent Minis and their equally excellent owners and I have many happy NMS memories in the ELFmobile from Oxford to Yorkshire to Durness & Thurso and all points in between. Here’s to a good few more in the future!

[matsarm]

Some great photos! Really disappointed I couldn’t make it in the end but as of this morning I’m now one vaccine down which hopefully helps pave the way for a much more normal life and many more NMS runs in the near future.

[Track Ali]

Some great photos! Really disappointed I couldn’t make it in the end but as of this morning I’m now one vaccine down which hopefully helps pave the way for a much more normal life and many more NMS runs in the near future.

I don't think any number of vaccines will ever make you normal Matt :lol:

[MINI William]

I don't think any number of vaccines will ever make you normal Matt :lol:

:laugh:Ali said what we’re all thinking

[matsarm]

:laugh:Ali said what we’re all thinking

Thanks guys [emoji28][emoji23]

[scottch]

A few wee clips from Abington to Drumlanrig


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQnkEiSYrP0&t=4s

[MINI William]

Good video Scott. Cars sounding good

[gemmamcva]

Amazing video, such a great day.

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[scottch]

Good video Scott. Cars sounding good

Thanks William - probably sounds the same now as when you had it :smilewinkgrin:

[badwolf340]

Nice :thumbs up:

[ELFMAN]

Great wee video of a great day out

[Crombers]

Pics & vid :thumbs up: