There are recent reports in our papers about tourists still driving the North Coast 500, with villages along the route hanging up signs telling tourists to go home, or saying "Bettyhill is closed". There have even been suggestions in the last few days that police should close the snow gates on the main roads north through the Highlands, but I can't see that happening because essential traffic still has to keep going.
A recent study said that the NC500 supported almost 200 jobs & boosted the economy by £22million. It'll be a similar story in other tourist areas in UK, let's hope these businesses can survive.
It annoys me when I hear reports of people driving miles for personal pleasure rather than necessity. Every day I look at my little Micra sat on the road outside my house and I can clearly see the front brake discs are now orange with rust, as are the discs on my neighbours car which is almost new.
I am tempted every day to jump in it and drive round the block a few times just to get the engine running and the wheels lubricated...a little heavy braking should clear the discs of surface rust, but I just wouldn't feel right in driving my car even locally. How do these people live with their consciences...or do they simply not have a conscience?
The surface rust comes off when you use it, you could drive it on an off the drive a couple of times! Our cars only go to the shops when necessary which is not far.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Here is something to consider. Motorcycles have lovely shiny discs with a series of holes. I believe that is the difference between car discs and motorcycle discs. Without those holes the shiny surface, if wet, would not allow any braking effect, whereas car discs, subject to weather conditions are not a problem. Any car/motorcycle mechanics on here care to comment and correct my statement?
Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 11/4/2020
Here is something to consider. Motorcycles have lovely shiny discs with a series of holes. I believe that is the difference between car discs and motorcycle discs. Without those holes the shiny surface, if wet, would not allow any braking effect, whereas car discs, subject to weather conditions are not a problem. Any car/motorcycle mechanics on here care to comment and correct my statement?
not quite right, the holes are there to get rid of heat, bear in mind that a car has 2 lots of discs to rely on a bike just the one, last thing you want is brake fade! water has little to nothing to do with it.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 11/4/2020
The surface rust comes off when you use it, you could drive it on an off the drive a couple of times! Our cars only go to the shops when necessary which is not far.
Unfortunately I do not have a drive. I could run it down the road on the pretext of going shopping but I would have a serious guilt complex about doing that. The closest I got was to run the engine for awhile and check the tyre pressures, then I rolled the car back a few feet just to make sure the brakes were free and then drove it forward again...I then had to say 3 Hail Mary's
I am not sure if running the engine in that way will do it more harm than good but at least I know it still starts.
It is not just M/Home users that are the problem.
Family of 5 from Leeds drove 80 miles to Hornsea for a paddle and an ice cream and were given a ticking off. Lol.
It seems that this lockdown only applies to those who can be bothered.
No guidance or leadership from the government so no one actually knows where they stand.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 10/4/2020
There are recent reports in our papers about tourists still driving the North Coast 500, with villages along the route hanging up signs telling tourists to go home, or saying "Bettyhill is closed". There have even been suggestions in the last few days that police should close the snow gates on the main roads north through the Highlands, but I can't see that happening because essential traffic still has to keep going.
A recent study said that the NC500 supported almost 200 jobs & boosted the economy by £22million. It'll be a similar story in other tourist areas in UK, let's hope these businesses can survive.
No way are they going to close the snowgates - though that was suggested for the A82 four/five weeks back when there was a massive number of motorhomes around Glencoe and the Nevis range. There are still some, though, who think they can do what they like - Calmac turned away 66 touring units from Oban last week. In case anyone's concerned, as islanders we have to have very good reasons for leaving the island - I've not tried!!
I fear it's inevitable some businesses won't survive.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
I am in Limbo. I am a full timer and as this is my Home I am trying to find a place where I can stay and be safe. I have no issue with going somewhere I can stand in a queue to get food. it's no different to when I was living in a house anyway.
Luckily every Police officer I have met has been okay with me - after all they can't send me home when they are sitting in it with me chatting!
I did the NC500 last year and will again as soon as this is all over. I love Scotland and I buy local and stay local when I can. I would be heart broken if some of my usual stops went our of business.
But here's my thinking. I drive from where I am now - I drive 100 miles - I stop and stay there a few days - what harm am I doing? I've had no symptoms and have been sat here for 4 weeks on my own. I don't even open the bloody door when I get the other end anyway!
Quote: Originally posted by pcov76 on 14/4/2020
I am in Limbo. I am a full timer and as this is my Home I am trying to find a place where I can stay and be safe. I have no issue with going somewhere I can stand in a queue to get food. it's no different to when I was living in a house anyway.
Luckily every Police officer I have met has been okay with me - after all they can't send me home when they are sitting in it with me chatting!
I did the NC500 last year and will again as soon as this is all over. I love Scotland and I buy local and stay local when I can. I would be heart broken if some of my usual stops went our of business.
But here's my thinking. I drive from where I am now - I drive 100 miles - I stop and stay there a few days - what harm am I doing? I've had no symptoms and have been sat here for 4 weeks on my own. I don't even open the bloody door when I get the other end anyway!
so you don't run on petrol/diesel then? and what if your involved in an accident or a break down? its all been said before on the other threads! stay put!
pcov76, whilst you're not in the same category as the hordes that thought the highlands and islands were a great place to self-isolate rather than stay at home and were open about what they were doing, saying you're in limbo is faintly ridiculous as the majority of people are in limbo - you in your van, we in our homes. Some of us cannot even leave their homes and rely on others delivering food and medicine.
It's great that in normal times you'll shop locally but we aren't in normal times. Many small shops in rural areas cannot get supplies as normal to feed local residents - you may be on your own, but there are a lot of other people who think that because they're on their own, they're the only people doing it and numbers add up! Then, as marg6 says, you are moving on so you're needing fuel as well as food with the potential attendant risks of travelling and of course you'll need to dispose of your waste. What happens, God forbid, if you fall ill or slip and injure yourself and need help, particularly if you've found yourself somewhere in the wilds to park up?
I hope you can find somewhere where you can safely park up and stay put for the duration, like the rest of us.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
When your nearest shops are 14 miles away and either they don't do home delivery or you can't access it, you have little choice but to drive.
Whether I drive in my camper or my wife's car is little relevance.
We shop every fortnight and much as I'd like to drive further to access a larger range of shops, we don't. However, I would suggest that currently driving is much safer as there are less cars and lorries on the road.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
I agree with you both. I have actually managed to find somewhere - I wouldn't go to remote places at a time like this anyway - even though this has only happened once in my lifetime so far. I was in the highlands about 3 weeks ago - but I had 6 weeks worth of food and water - so I wouldn't have gone to the shops anyway - that said why can't shops get supplies? The lorrys are still going over the Applecross back roads - And with less traffic on the roads - it should be easier no?
Anyway I went to a large Tesco and stocked up with food and other stuff I needed. The world is still turning at around 1000MPH so can't be all bad!
Glad you've found somewhere to weather the storm pcov76.
To try and explain, as we've had it explained to us, why rural small stores (as opposed to the major town supermarkets) have been having supply issues is that many receive their supplies through regular but smaller firms doing their deliveries rather than big artics which aren't financially viable for the small store. These firms (which don't deliver daily during the off season anyway) are suffering from a number of factors, including staff off, changes in how long they're allowed to travel (with consequences for normal schedules being disrupted); when they get the goods; cash flow, etc. and being smaller firms they've not got the flexibility. Additionally, with the lockdown, many stores are not going into visitor season mode because they won't be able to shift the stock and won't get the income. On the plus side, things seem to be looking up a bit, with a network of local suppliers and firms working together.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Non Essential Journey.
via mobile 11/4/2020 at 10:33am
