Frankenhealey
Club Retro Rides Member
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death
Posts: 3,887
Club RR Member Number: 15
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Dec 22, 2015 14:12:00 GMT
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SUPERLATIVE ALERT : WARNING - WARNING - CAPS may be used for emphasis - A LOT! This story/thread/awesomeness has already confirmed my suspicions that not only is this the best Forum around (and Bruce is a demi-god thereof) but there should be a area on the Forum for such EPICS, so that when the dust dies down and we are being WOWED by something else, it will be easy to find in a THREAD OF THE YEAR section. New members and visitors would also be drawn to the area thus benefiting thereby and this photo/writing/story GEM would not be eventually subsumed into the morass of our a daily postings (as worthy as they are). The case for the prosecution/defence rests (I'm really confused) and I wait in anticipation for my next fix of this automotive addiction. Also Happy Christmas to all RRers  |
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Tales of the Volcano Lair hereFrankenBug - Vulcan Power hereThe Frankenhealey here |
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Dec 22, 2015 15:06:53 GMT
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I've just read your thread from start to finish whilst i should have been tiling the bathroom.... I think whatever i could say has been said, but my god what an adventure. Really can't wait for the rest of the story, you do realise that you can't ever stop now don't you........
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Dec 22, 2015 15:43:02 GMT
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Hmm, something weird happened to my PC earlier, hence a strange, incomplete post that I've now edited.
This thread just keeps on giving, the pic of the Porsche by the sea can has replaced the flat nose on the bridge as my wallpaper.
I think we've all been there with the "if I'd known what they'd be worth I'd have bought everything I could" feeling.
Hope you enjoyed Vancouver, it's the only bit of Canada I've spent time around but, as you say, the folks there are just genuinely friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
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Last Edit: Dec 22, 2015 23:41:51 GMT by Morris63
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heathrobinson
Part of things
Broken everything
Posts: 848 
Club RR Member Number: 111
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Dec 22, 2015 22:24:45 GMT
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I've never really liked 911s, and only seen one or two that I thought interesting. I've never seen one that I actually wanted, that I felt a proper lust for. Until now. That thing is perfect. There's patina, and then there's that, it's got a beauty you couldn't create intentionally under any circumstances, like a mine ruin on the moor with the sun behind it, or moss & creepers claiming back old stonework. It's perfect.
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Hmm, something weird happened to my PC earlier, hence a strange, incomplete post that I've now edited. This thread just keeps on giving, the pic of the Porsche by the sea can has replaced the flat nose on the bridge as my wallpaper. I think we've all been there with the "if I'd known what they'd be worth I'd have bought everything I could" feeling. Hope you enjoyed Vancouver, it's the only bit of Canada I've spent time around but, as you say, the folks there are just genuinely friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Heh. I did exactly the same thing. Except for me it was the Rockies. Probably a few others as well.  My only request is a better ratio as the images don't fit my widescreen properly. |
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Dec 23, 2015 11:18:45 GMT
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Many thanks for the amazing comments everyone - not that it changes anything because I want to write the story anyway, but it's really nice to hear that you're enjoying it too. Hope you enjoyed Vancouver, it's the only bit of Canada I've spent time around but, as you say, the folks there are just genuinely friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Unfortunately I was only in Vancouver for about two hours.  However, I was there for quite a while back in 2007 where it was my 'base' before I headed off on an adventure to Vancouver Island, taking in (and spending at least two or three days at each of the following places) Victoria, Cowichan Lake, Gabriola Island, Fanny Bay, Tofino, Courtenay/Comox. Then back over to the mainland to Powell River, Squamish, Harrison...then off into the mountains on an expedition followed by some time in Kamloops, then Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish (again) and finally a week in Vancouver before flying home. It was amazing! Here are some shots from the expedition: Setting up camp on the first night.  Getting rather merry in the mountains!  Heading deeper into the wilds, a good day from civilisation in any direction from here.  Some of the tracks were seriously steep! This one was nearly a 1:2!  Stunning scenery away from civilisation.  A good two day drive in any direction to get to any kind of town from here.  Mountain passes were breathtaking!  Back in the 'normal' world: My first night in Victoria and I ended up meeting a bunch of amazing guys who just 'took me in'. The guy on the right, who I'd only just met that night, let me stay at his apartment for three days. He then took time off work to show me around the area including a trip in his friends yacht down the coast to Seattle. Stuff you could never plan, it just happens!  Exploring the mountains in and around Squamish with Neil and his lovely Mitsubishi Jeep.    Downtown Vancouver from Burnaby where I was staying with Mitch, who also came on the trip through the mountains, "Dude, when you're back in Vancouver, you'll have to come and stay with me" (as seems to be the Canadian way?)  Goose Spit in Comox with the Comox glacier in the background.  Mount Washington. Being on the sunny beach in Comox, then in the snowy mountains 45 mins later was a surreal experience.  One of the many lakes on the Pacific Rim highway  Long Beach, Tofino, STUNNING!  I loved Tofino. I loved ALL of this trip!  Classic jetty and floating house on Cowichan Lake  Overlooking Cowichan Lake. I was in BC for nearly two months on this trip and this was the only night I stayed in a hotel. This was because the family I was going to be staying with had just welcomed their new born baby into the world. They still showed me around but I chose not to stay at their place to give them space with their four day old child. Amazing people.  Horseshoe Bay from the ferry on my way back down to Vancouver from Powell River. I think this was my fave photo from the trip. I'd not been able to get any shots of the dolphins alongside the ferry, I only had a cheap point and shoot (this was way before I ever tried a proper camera), but the sailing was almost surreal in the mist. Magical.  That trip was the first time I'd ever flown anywhere in my life. My second ever flight was to Canada to collect the Porsche. I think you can kind of see that Canada must have had an impact on me? |
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Dec 23, 2015 11:42:51 GMT
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So here I am with my Porsche. In the Rockies. I know I can waffle on (that's something I never have a problem with) but I've never been the greatest at revealing my feelings. I was rubbish at English (got a grade D which my teacher says I should be grateful for, that I got lucky) and my GF could certainly verify that when it comes to letting my feelings be known, I'm about as expressive as the hallway light. Or the fridge door. I'm able to function, but beyond that...... And so I find myself stood here amongst some of the most impressive scenery I've ever encountered, with one of the most amazing cars (way above and beyond the fact it's a 911) I'll ever have the opportunity to own and I'm watching it blast up and down the mountain roads with the guy that built it behind the wheel.  THAT MOMENT!      That moment is something I truly don't know how to put into words. I was stood there with a huge lump in my throat...it was genuinely overwhelming. I mean, it's just a car. I love cars but I've never felt this kind of connection to one before. The sight of it amongst the mountains  The SOUND of that flat six filling the air with a noise that was intoxicating  Everything just came together  All the elements of the trip so far, even the people back in Toronto who weren't here with me, all came together....  ....to make this a moment I'll never ever forget.    I genuinely cannot express how I felt right then, I doubt I ever will? But I can tell you this, in the best voice of Vinnie Jones, "It was emotional"  Absolute perfection. |
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Dec 23, 2015 16:11:45 GMT
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Words can't describe buddy  Those photos there ^^^ in the Rockies - AWESOME |
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Dec 23, 2015 21:59:57 GMT
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Wow! Just read all 26 pages of this! epic!!!!! Would make a great story for Roadkills magazine! Amazing writing! |
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---------------------------
89 Masterace Surf
03 Astra
03 V40 Sport
09 E90 M Sport
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Stig
Part of things
Posts: 244
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Dec 23, 2015 23:21:19 GMT
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Wow! Just read all 26 pages of this! epic!!!!! Would make a great story for Roadkills magazine! Amazing writing! Couldn't agree more! Would be a nice keepsake to have to go alongside this thread and your memories? |
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More stunning shots and a back drop to kill for...doesn't anyone else use the roads out there? The highways seem deserted or are you slipping shots inbetween traffic.
On a different note and I guess a little ways down the road, but I'd love to see the mechanics face when you bring this in for it's first Uk mot test and even more so when he presents you with the ticket to drive away.
Looking forward to the continuing story!
P.S
I think your old English teacher didn't know Sh!t!
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Last Edit: Dec 24, 2015 2:11:44 GMT by dajonic
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One part of this that Bruce left out was after the last panning shot, a good size bull moose ran across the road in front of me... It was a very close call. Close enough to tell you that it's testicles were about the size of apples...
Unfortunately neither Bruce nor Clay got a shot of the moose but both saw it. There were 3 skid marks, 2 were on the road, one was someplace else...
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One part of this that Bruce left out was after the last panning shot, a good size bull moose ran across the road in front of me... It was a very close call. Close enough to tell you that it's testicles were about the size of apples... Unfortunately neither Bruce nor Clay got a shot of the moose but both saw it. There were 3 skid marks, 2 were on the road, one was someplace else...[/quote] Welcome. Welcome. And thanks for sharing. I can just imagine..... I have to withhold myself from making posts every time Bruce posts up an update...... This truely is an amazing adventure. The kindness and generosity of people as I recently experienced too, can leave one truely speechless and emotional. |
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Last Edit: Dec 24, 2015 5:24:51 GMT by grizz
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One part of this that Bruce left out was after the last panning shot, a good size bull moose ran across the road in front of me... It was a very close call. Close enough to tell you that it's testicles were about the size of apples... Unfortunately neither Bruce nor Clay got a shot of the moose but both saw it. There were 3 skid marks, 2 were on the road, one was someplace else... I've hardly commented on this thread as there's nothing I can add to all the other superlatives. However, I will say one thing, thanks for making part of this whole journey happen and, by doing so, multiplying the story a hundred-fold. A true gentleman! |
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Dec 24, 2015 10:00:26 GMT
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What an epic thread. I started this last night around 11pm while getting stuck into a bottle of Bombay Saphire. I got to page 22 and the 2nd Porsche. Next think I wake up and it's 2am and I'd fallen asleep with my iPad on my lap.
Just in bed now having a Xmas eve lie in and finished the rest of it.
When do these cars arrive in the uk?
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Dec 24, 2015 11:06:58 GMT
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Wow! Just read all 26 pages of this! epic!!!!! Would make a great story for Roadkills magazine! Amazing writing! Many thanks for the vote of confidence. I would love to do something like that, but I'm having enough trouble keeping this thread updated let alone trying to force details onto someone other poor sucker! If I do get chance later, I'll certainly see if I can put something down in writing for them. Thanks again. More stunning shots and a back drop to kill for...doesn't anyone else use the roads out there? The highways seem deserted or are you slipping shots inbetween traffic. On a different note and I guess a little ways down the road, but I'd love to see the mechanics face when you bring this in for it's first Uk mot test and even more so when he presents you with the ticket to drive away. Looking forward to the continuing story! P.S I think your old English teacher didn't know Sh!t! The odd car or two did pass, but seldom enough that you could get some shots in well before the next one. My local MOT man is looking forward to seeing the car. He's used to the random stuff I drive and this one came as no surprise to him when I showed him some photos of it. The thing I'm looking forward to the most is seeing that piece of paper giving me 12 months access to UK roads! Also, now I know who you are, talk about blast from the past! It was Mrs Cowley who taught me English. Remember her? I got suspended for three days for sticking my finger up her bum! (100% true story). I still laugh about that now and can't remember if it was you or James Hassett that instigated it? What an epic thread. I started this last night around 11pm while getting stuck into a bottle of Bombay Saphire. I got to page 22 and the 2nd Porsche. Next think I wake up and it's 2am and I'd fallen asleep with my iPad on my lap. Just in bed now having a Xmas eve lie in and finished the rest of it. When do these cars arrive in the uk? Funnily enough, I fell asleep last night writing another update. I got woken up when the computer was frantically beeping at me...only to find a 'create post' message box full of askdawsfdasfaefaskfkasdfasdfasfasfgaregasdkfassdfasdfasdfasfasdfasdkfsadfgasdgsadkfsdkafsad (ad infinitum) after one normal paragraph. And a face with an acute imprint of my keyboard all down one side of it. I figured it time to go to bed? As for the cars arriving, they are already here. Want to see them? One part of this that Bruce left out was after the last panning shot, a good size bull moose ran across the road in front of me... It was a very close call. Close enough to tell you that it's testicles were about the size of apples... Unfortunately neither Bruce nor Clay got a shot of the moose but both saw it. There were 3 skid marks, 2 were on the road, one was someplace else... Damn, how the hell did I forget to write that down? I'd been meaning to write it in, but guess I just forgot in the rush to get that installment posted before heading out to a family get together yesterday morning. The seat still smells a bit 'ripe' - but more than anything I cannot believe two things: The SIZE of that moose, it was *huge*! And also that I didn't get a photo. I'd just dropped the camera down after your pass, only to hear the sound of screeching tyres. Looking up to see the 911 heading rapidly (in a cloud of tyre smoke) towards the massive beast was a chilling sight and I can only imagine how it must have seemed from the drivers seat! Amazing save... |
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Dec 24, 2015 11:19:15 GMT
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What an epic thread. I started this last night around 11pm while getting stuck into a bottle of Bombay Saphire. I got to page 22 and the 2nd Porsche. Next think I wake up and it's 2am and I'd fallen asleep with my iPad on my lap. Just in bed now having a Xmas eve lie in and finished the rest of it. When do these cars arrive in the uk? Funnily enough, I fell asleep last night writing another update. I got woken up when the computer was frantically beeping at me...only to find a 'create post' message box full of askdawsfdasfaefaskfkasdfasdfasfasfgaregasdkfassdfasdfasdfasfasdfasdkfsadfgasdgsadkfsdkafsad (ad infinitum) after one normal paragraph. And a face with an acute imprint of my keyboard all down one side of it. I figured it time to go to bed? As for the cars arriving, they are already here. Want to see them? Yes please |
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Dec 24, 2015 11:36:31 GMT
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Once the car was loaded back onto the trailer, Scott piloted the Tundra westwards once again and we continued our way through the Rockies. It was a long trip and I have to say, Scott was amazing....not once faltering. I offered to take over from time to time but he just pressed on into the night. Even in the darkness the scenery was impressive and eventually the landscape started to change. The view opened up more and more, the mountains turned to hills, to the flat plain that is Vancouver. We were here....14 hours after departing, it was gone 3am and we decided to find a hotel to put our heads down for a few hours. After calling numerous hotels, we finally found one with a spare room. The kindly opened up a closed area of the car park so that there was space to put the road train, which at nearly 4am was a nice thing for them to do! We headed to our hotel room and just crashed for a few hours. 7.30am we were up - we had to get the car to the shipping agents.  It was Sunday and they never open on the weekends, but my shipping agent in the UK had convinced Rik, the owner, to come in early on a Sunday on the basis of 'if this guy has flown across the world and then spent 14 hours on the road to get the car to the docks, the least you could do is pop down the road and open up for an hour'. It worked! Rik was there waiting for us at 8am. We pulled the car off the trailer and I took the opportunity to drive it around the industrial estate for a few seconds before parking it in the secure yard.  Rik did all the paperwork, and that was it....just like that, after all this build up, all this time, all this planning, the car was finally out of my hands. It was exciting to know it was finally going to be heading to the UK but it was also slightly nerving to think that I now had no say in the matter. Walking away from that yard meant I would not see the car until it arrived in England. And anything could happen to it in that time?  I couldn't let that thought get to me, there were other more important things to focus on now. I had a flight to catch and Scott had to catch a ferry over to Vancouver Island. Seeing as he was 'over this way' he'd decided to head over to the island to see some family and also, seeing as the trailer was attached and now empty, it was a good chance to collect another one of his cars that was stored at his mother-in-laws. We got to the airport and said our goodbyes. I genuinely didn't want to leave, I didn't want to say goodbye to Scott, or Clay....it would mean the end of an incredible time. But the flight was booked, and so was Scott's ferry. We gave each other a massive man hug and said our goodbyes, it was a sad moment for me but I'd made some incredible friends in the Sherman family and I knew I'd see them again one day. Thank you Scott, Yvonne, Clay, Gracie and Roxy for making this such a memorable, unforgettable time. I pass through the check in and watch through the glass fronted terminal as the Tundra heads off into the distance. Time to head back to Toronto. |
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Dec 24, 2015 11:38:56 GMT
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<snip> As for the cars arriving, they are already here. Want to see them? Yes please Yawn, oh, go then, if you must!  Well of course we do. I reckon for some of us this thread and its updates will be one of the best Christmas presents - not that we like to add any pressure on you Bruce! |
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Dec 24, 2015 12:10:47 GMT
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OK, seeing as you asked! I was going to keep these under wraps until well after the end of the story, especially as I had to wait for them. But I guess you lot are more impatient than I am? First to arrive was the 912 back on the 4th November. The arrival was even sooner, but I had work commitments that meant I couldn't collect it for nearly a fortnight. The anticipation of knowing it was int eh country and I couldn't fetch it was torture! But it was all worth it the moment I pulled into the customs clearance yard:    Dave (Butterz) came with me and we quickly got it loaded onto the trailer once I'd paid the storage fees having let my six free days lapse by a whole week. It was only £30 storage which I thought was pretty good?    rmad really wanted to see the car and he lives literally two minutes around the corner, so I called him up and we met just down the road from the customs yard.  It also gave us another chance to check the straps and trailer before we headed off to Bristol and the the cars new home:  Obligatory 'so excited with my new purchase I must take more photos' kinda shot at the motorway services on the M4.   HOME!!  Thousands of miles traveled, over a year since the beginning of this journey and it was finally here. Words: once again I was lost for them.  A few days later I managed to get the time to pull the Land Rover out of the garage and take it to Area 52 which meant there was finally space to put the 912 inside, out of the winter weather. A shot of the two together before I took the LR elsewhere. The first time these two were together. The last time these guys will be alongside each other for quite some time.  One last shot of the 912 with some light just picking out the details at night.  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!! |
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Those photos there ^^^ in the Rockies - AWESOME 
