The other day, I was minding my own business driving home in the Z3 with some shopping, and some other convertibles came up behind me. I let a couple of them past, but they seemed happy for me to join them, and we enjoyed some spirited driving to Cromarty.
They were four friends from Manchester, who had driven up the day before. Some months ago, they had agreed to take a weeks’ holiday to drive the NC500, and would each buy a convertible for a maximum of £1500 to do the run. So Alec, Carl, Charlie and Dean had found an MG TF, Audi TT, Merc SLK and a Mazda MX5 – so my Z3 fitted in rather well.
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Like my car, I'm the oldest one! They were heading for Wick to stay that night, and asked for recommendations for stops along the route. I suggested Dornoch as a pleasant stop and with nothing else pressing to do, I ended up going with them.
After a very pleasant run in the sunshine, with some more spirited driving, we arrived, put the hoods up and soon ended up at Cocoa Mountain, enjoying their amazing hot chocolate!
Then it was off to the beach for a wander, where Carl tried out his new drone with spectacular results. They then set off to Wick, with a photo stop planned at Dunrobin Castle on the way. The next day they were heading for John O’Groats and across to Durness, no doubt to visit Cocoa Mountain’s place at the Balnakeil craft village.
We then parted company and I returned home to the Black Isle after a lovely spontaneous road trip with some very friendly guys. Having heard positive and negative opinions about the NC500, it was good to share a little bit of the experience with people who had made a real event of it.
They were four friends from Manchester, who had driven up the day before. Some months ago, they had agreed to take a weeks’ holiday to drive the NC500, and would each buy a convertible for a maximum of £1500 to do the run. So Alec, Carl, Charlie and Dean had found an MG TF, Audi TT, Merc SLK and a Mazda MX5 – so my Z3 fitted in rather well.
Like my car, I'm the oldest one! They were heading for Wick to stay that night, and asked for recommendations for stops along the route. I suggested Dornoch as a pleasant stop and with nothing else pressing to do, I ended up going with them.
After a very pleasant run in the sunshine, with some more spirited driving, we arrived, put the hoods up and soon ended up at Cocoa Mountain, enjoying their amazing hot chocolate!
Then it was off to the beach for a wander, where Carl tried out his new drone with spectacular results. They then set off to Wick, with a photo stop planned at Dunrobin Castle on the way. The next day they were heading for John O’Groats and across to Durness, no doubt to visit Cocoa Mountain’s place at the Balnakeil craft village.
We then parted company and I returned home to the Black Isle after a lovely spontaneous road trip with some very friendly guys. Having heard positive and negative opinions about the NC500, it was good to share a little bit of the experience with people who had made a real event of it.
