AK350Z

Almost spat my tea out at 1:18. The rest's not bad either Should come in handy for next week...

I know Stew, I've looked on Google maps!

Have got one night in Aberdeen for a course on monday, and then continuing up to Buckie for 9-10 days at the Beatrice offshore windfarm/oilfield. Staying at the http://www.innattheparkhotel.co.uk/, then at the glam Marine hotel/pub in Buckie. Look amazing on google earth I'm getting picked up in the hire car, so mini meets might not be possible. boo!

How much snow is there? I know its bad at the moment, but theres a bit of warmer weather over the next two days isn't there?

Mmm, tasty! Good luck with it, seems a good price for it.

I'll certainly be epic enough for a weekend, as a lot of it will be in 40mph traffic. You wouldn't want to try and do it Wales style with 50-odd cars.

I will Martin, although the pool work has been slimmed down just in the last 3 years since I did it. No more simulated weather or wave machine - boo! I did do it at Falk Nutec last time though, don't know if they still do the works.

I know Stan, even my punto has 2 USB ports and can play mp3 cds!

Spotted in the car park this morning in the freezing fog. I'm down here for my offshore training for 3 days.

Another like here! That's proper cool. Does the jacket mean you dress up to drive it then? I think I would!

Happy birthday Neil, hope you can sledge your way to the pub!

Lol, you mean me and Chris I's playground? Thanks, I like reading non zed stuff too so that's why I did a kind of perpetual thread. It's tidier than starting a new thread every time.

-12 in the freezing fog at Penrith this morning.

Looks very nice, must pop down your way again mate.

Just thrown a wee bit more down here at Barrow tonight. Its just meat and drink to the wee red beastie though!

Growing on me too dammit! Much like the Honda CR-Z in fact.

Just had a couple of inches in an hour. Stopped again now though.

Just got back from a night away in the Borders 7 Stanes doing a bit of biking in some unexpected snow. It was a proper winter wonderland, and being freshly laid, it didn't affect traction too much either. We did pull some cheeky skids round the corners though We did Mabie on the saturday, stayed in some wooden tents (heated thankfully, it was -8degC !) near Dalbeattie on sat night and Dalbeattie trail today. Panda power pulls through the snow nae bother! Digs - http://www.gorsebank.com/gorsebank_equestrian/Gorsebank_Wigwams.html Mabie: Dalbeattie: No Slab daftness today, I've go a new job to go to tomorrow! Strike a pose! Fantastic two days riding.

Yeah, locals like me!

Still an NA car, so the throttle response is still immediate. It's a much weightier feeling car than the buzzy Civic though, more muscular delivery than zingy top end.

Coming north anytime soon Mart? I've only got this week to put in at the current job, then on to pastures new. First week is going to Kendal every day for a course though, so keep your eyes peeled for a red Punto on the A590!

Dont know yet Vik, JEZ is obviously a "He" though. Yep Chris, I think I may have a problem.....

Currently, BOCs Workshop Of the Telescopes. Which means Godzilla! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcZGRCU8s3g

Went down to Leeds on saturday to collect the Punto, so finally had the chance to test it out properly, the couple of miles I did in Leeds traffic last week wasn't exactly enlightening. First impressions are good, being a diesel of course means that the in-gear acceleration in 3rd and 4th in particular is strong, and although the ride isn't exactly cosseting, its competent and corners well enough with minimal lean. I believe it might be slightly lower in Sporting trim, and it certainly looks the part on those alloys, even if they do need a refurb. A job for next spring I think. More pressing is some new tyres. What with the back-of-beyond commute, I'm seriously considering some winter tyres. Stats are 130bhp and a healthy 208Lbs-ft torque. I belive you can even get these things remapped to 180bhp and near 300 Lbs-ft! Coming back from Leeds on mixed A and B roads I managed 50.4mpg too. Back at home with the other Fiat:

A small Big mountain day today! parked up at whinlatter and headed up the south red loop to near the top, before detouring out into the wilds! clicky Headed out up Grizedale pike, a good hike-a-bike up to the snow line. Big effort to get up there (791m!) but great downhill to coledale hause, then dive into the Coledale valley past the mine. Big ring blast to finish back down to Braithwaite.