Happy New Year 2020!
A new decade begins. We can only hope that all of us enthusiasts who enjoy owning our petrol cars and driving them for fun, can continue doing so at the close of this new decade in 2029. Driving our cars for leisure, touring, and motorsport purposes forms the bedrock of our passion for the Porsche brand. Long may that continue.
Whilst on the topic of driving for fun, on January 2nd I joined a group of like-minded Porsche owners for a drive-out day from Mains of Drum cafe near Aberdeen, to Cruden Bay on the north-east coast of Scotland. The weather forecast promised a dry, if overcast day, so I decided this to be an ideal opportunity for my 718 Cayman GTS to stretch it's legs following a 5 week lay-up in my garage. As I live 100 miles north of Aberdeen, I accepted the kind offer of overnight accommodation with friends prior to the event. Daylight is short in the northern latitudes, so it was still quite dark at 08.30 in the morning when we left for the breakfast meeting rendezvous at Mains of Drum near Peterculter. The assembled group comprised of approximately 15 Porsches, which was a very good turnout considering the festive time of year. In Scotland the Hogmanay celebrations can extend well into the new year. Perhaps our group were the first of the "Dry January" contingent.
My drive on January 1st to Aberdeen via the A939 Grantown, Tomintoul, Lecht, route, was far less eventful than the previous journey a month earlier in my Abarth. No snow was encountered this time, even on the highest summit at the Lecht ski centre, which this year must be having a dismal season with very little snow. My route to Aberdeen from the Lecht followed the A944 at Corgarff, then taking the A97 Logie Coldstone to Dinnet road before joining the A93 Royal Deeside road west of Aboyne. This is a great driver's route, taking in majestic scenery while flowing through scented pine forest woodland in a series of undulating, swooping curves. Pure Porsche country in fact, and a joy to experience.
The group drive ensemble left Mains of Drum via the recently opened Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). This new dual carriageway leaves the A90 south of Aberdeen at Stonehaven, heading north-westwards before rejoining the A90 again at Balmedie north of Aberdeen. The convoy of 15 Porsches with headlights ablaze made an impressive sight on the dual carriageway as we made our way north to Cruden Bay on the A975. A very cold, blustery wind greeted us upon arrival at Cruden Bay harbour. The local area is known as the Buchan coast, and the village of Cruden Bay is on one of the most windswept coastlines on the UK mainland. After parking at the harbour we saw two very hardy wind-surfers skimming the white-topped waves, seemingly oblivious to the freezing cold sea temperatures. Following some excellent photo opportunities and a chat amongst ourselves, I bade farewell and left the group behind at Cruden Bay to head north and west to my home near Inverness.
My chosen route was the A975/A90 to Peterhead, then the A950 westwards to New Pitsligo, to join the A98 Moray Coast road onwards to Inverness. Not having travelled this particular route for many years, I was grateful for the relatively commercial traffic-free conditions to enjoy the wonderful, undulating terrain with every conceivable type of corner on the winding route keeping a keen driver more than interested. The light traffic at this time of the year made the journey especially enjoyable. My round trip mileage for the whole two days was just under 250 miles with average fuel economy showing 27.1mpg.
Finally, 12 months have passed since I started this thread following the hand-over of my new 718 Cayman GTS at OPC Chester on January 3rd 2019. I have now completed 8,654 trouble-free miles in the car, including 3 exhilarating track days. The purpose behind my starting this thread was to relate my experiences and opinions of owning and driving this somewhat controversial version of the Cayman genre. Never once have I regretted my choice. The car is a brilliant performer on the roads I drive on, and is also a superb, comfortable, and immensely capable long distance touring machine. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those, both contributors and readers, who have followed my exploits on this thread over the past 12 months. Never in my wildest expectations did I envisage having over 30,000 views 12 months later. In truth, for such a widely derided machine by more than a few enthusiasts and journalists, it is surprising that this thread has endured into 2020 and a new decade. Heartfelt thanks you all for your support and comments, whether you share my enthusiasm for the 718 GTS or not. Your attention has been much appreciated.
I have a few photos of my two-day trip to follow below.
Brian
