The trials and tribulations of motoring Sur le Continent

Like any responsible motorist, especially a motoring journalist, planning a long trip I prepared my car thoroughly...

Intending to drive around 1100 miles to southern France, and back, to visit friends lucky enough to have a euro bolt hole, I wanted a trouble free journey. The car I was using is a decade plus old (Classic?) Volvo estate. We needed space for 4 and our luggage.

I gave the car a full service a few days before, including checking all hoses, pipes, belts, exhaust sections, the tyres (including the space saver spare) and cleaning the entire air intake system while replacing the air filter. Oh, and I checked and cleaned the plugs. So far so thorough, but it's an old car so the day's work was well warranted.

Next I checked my tools and packed a small but comprehensive tool kit. A small bottle jack, a jump starter, a tyre-inflator and an aerosol tyre-inflator. A box of spare bulbs and fuses, cable ties and pipe clamps, and finally two warning triangles, two fluorescent vests and an old coat to lay on if needed. So, fully prepared for all eventualities ... or so we thought .. we set off...

The first 250 miles of day 1 were all ok until the roadworks on the motorway. I still don't know what we hit, something sharp on the road, at about 65mph. The front left tyre blew up, and tore itself to pieces.

Luckily no one was close by so we could roll to a hard shoulder halt. Triangle out, vests on, out comes all luggage on the side of the road, off comes a wrecked tyre and on goes the space saver.

It is then I noticed the right front also going down fast. Oh b#######, now we need the tyre aerosol inflator as well and a minor disaster just become a major problem.

Cue my daughter's O level French and mobile phone skills.

She finds a tyre place in the next town still open for just 2 more hours of today (Saturday), but closed on Sunday.

They have two tyres of the right size, and good price, so we limp there.

It's then they tell us, yes, they have the tyres, but are far too busy to fit them... "Come back Monday!!"

Enter teary grandson and pleading daughter and they say ok will do in one hour. 5 minutes later a mechanic appears, and since he has a gap he will do it right now.... brilliant.

Half an hour later we have two new tyres balanced and fitted and are ready to go after parting with 130 euros. They have even taken off the fitting charge as a gesture of goodwill or sympathy. That sum goes to 5 year old grandson as a performance fee!! 

However, not all the news is good.

The mechanic explains that the wheel is slightly damaged. And so it proves. Apart from vibrating around 55mph like having a missing wheel weight... it is warped but driveable.

We gently ease speeds up to 70mph/110 kph and all is ok ... phew. Let's hope that its problems are over...

... and they were for the next 850 miles until our journey was almost over.

Leaving the ferry, nearly home, we stalled, or so I at first thought, on the ferry's exit ramp. But car won't restart and ALL the warning lights are lit.

I then stepped out of the car and straight into a puddle of petrol!!

Not good.

Blocking the only exit, crew and several drivers push us off down the ramp and to one side. Time to call the breakdown service, but it's now about 4 am and they tell me earliest they can get to us is 2-3 hours. Ok, so be it... but then I put my thinking head back on...

If the car won't start, all the warning lights come on, and there is only new petrol under the car when I try to start it, there must be a fuel line problem.

Time for a torch and a look underneath. There I find that bumping on the exit ramp has neatly separated the exit pipe from the fuel filter which sits quite low on a V70. I push it back on carefully, and the car starts 3rd turn. Hooray!!

Cancel breakdown call, and DFDS ferry staff even assist us through customs and passport control so we don't have to turn the engine off again!

Soon after, home safely. Tired and relieved!

The moral of this tale .... You can be fully prepared for a trip abroad, reckon you've thought of everything, but two bizarre incidents can still catch you out.

If you want suggestions as to what to carry for emergencies take a look at our "What's in YOUR emergency kit?" video. I was never a Scout but I do try to be prepared.

Graham Benge

New MoT Test - What has changed?

The MoT Test has long been a challenge for the millions of owners of older cars, vehicles over 10 years old being particularly problematic to get through. However, the MoT Test is, and, since 1960, has been, intended to remove unsafe cars from the public roads.

The new rules which came into effect yesterday (Sunday 20th May 2018) are apparently much more stringent, yet have, I think, been very poorly advertised. Most of the general public seem completely unaware of the storm about to engulf them.

Although changes have, over the last couple of days, featured on news broadcasts, and on news websites, obtaining accurate information regarding how these changes will directly effect us, and what we need to do to avoid issues, has been difficult.

The new stricter smoke and emissions tests, which are not something you can check at home, are likely to cause many older diesel cars to be taken off the roads. It will simply be impossible, despite tuning and tweaking, to ever be clean enough to pass the new test. If your Diesel Particulate Filter has been tampered with, you can also run into trouble.

What else has changed?

Out go the old pass, fail and advisory categories, and along with these the old forms, although the maximum fee (for a car) is unchanged at £54.85.

In come 3 new categories:

Dangerous - a definite fail as the car is considered unsafe even to be driven away from the test centre.

Major - a fail and must be repaired as soon as possible. 

Minor - a pass but should be monitored and action taken asap.

...and there are still advisories as before, and they will be displayed on the printed certificate more prominently.

Most of the other checks remain the same or similar... tyres, brakes, suspension, steering, lights, wipers, seat belts etc etc it's a long list... though new items for checks include:

• under-inflated tyres
• contaminated brake fluid
• fluid leaks
• brake pad warning lights and (amazingly) if brake pads or discs are missing
• reversing lights (vehicles first used from 1st Sept 2009)
• headlight washers (vehicles first used from 1st Sept 2009 if fitted)
• daytime running lights (on vehicles first used from 1st March 2018 when they are first MoT tested in 2021!)

What to do...

If you don't have the last mot certificate for any reason, you can check the status of your vehicle quite easily on the government's DVSA website... https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status

While there you can register for future text and email reminders... https://www.gov.uk/mot-reminder

Thousands of failures each year are down to neglect, poor servicing, and not doing some simple checks before driving to the MoT Test Centre. 

You can download a full list from:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-parts-checked-at-an-mot/car-parts-checked-at-an-mot

... and check your own car for (obvious) minor faults which may cause a fail. Some things you may not be able to test, but many of the simpler items are easily checked.... worn wipers, blown bulbs and no water in the washer bottle, are all common fails.

Sometimes your car might be trying to tell you something!

There is also more information at http://ukmotortalk.co.uk/mot_preparation.html and http://ukmotortalk.co.uk/mot_test.html

It's too early to assess how these new regulations will affect the 34 million cars already on our roads, but it is very clear that a message is being sent to owners of older diesel cars that it's the end of the road and the scrappy beckons.

Yet, perhaps contradictorily, for cars over 40 years old no MoT is needed. It is assumed they will be classic cars maintained by careful doting owners! However, it is worth noting that the fines are similar if the car is considered not roadworthy.

Don't get caught out... Check you are legal...

One thing that hasn't changed is that you can still be fined up to £1000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MoT Certificate!!

Graham Benge

Tyred & Emotional - Part 2 - "The Reckoning"

And so it was dear reader that I found myself limping my temporarily-undershod steed in the direction of the local tyre fitting outfit having just been given the brush-off by the big-name service centre... To catch up, read Part One !

Now, the reason I had originally opted to visit said larger outlet was the belief that they'd be more-likely to have a matching tyre in stock to replace the Hankook item I'd seemingly-lunched earlier that morning.

However, as it turned out (again, see part 1 - ed) they weren't in the mood to supply anything short of a dismissive shrug, so it was with a degree less optimism that I turned into the somewhat less palatial premises of the nearby independent..

Tucked into a small yard adjacent to the local railway station, the facilities consist of traditional elongated sheds with a couple of fitting bays - a far more low-key outfit than the opposition but one in which I was to put my faith as I emerged into the still monsoon-like downpour and made a bee-line for the warm glow emanating from the office.

Once under cover, I was buoyed by the friendly nature of the welcome which was markedly-different to that I'd just experienced at tyre retailer no 1. As per my previous encounter, the chap manning the desk was also on the phone, fielding what sounded like a call from someone in a similar situation to myself, but that was where the two experiences began to differ and from my point of view, very much for the better.

You see, as I walked into the office, glasses steamed up from the warmth emanating from the welcome fan heater on the floor, my soon to be new best friend on the phone cupped his hand over the mouthpiece, smiled at me and told me he wouldn't be long on the call.

Now that, as they say is how you do that.

True to his word, he finished the call and I was in business. Explaining the situation and relating my recent less than ideal encounter with the big boys down the road to a rolling of eyes and knowing grin from my oppo, I asked whether he might be able to help me out with a replacement Hankook.

Without even a glance at his old-skool (is that what the kids call it?) CRT box on the desk he told me that not only did he have one on the shelf, if I could hang on 20 minutes whilst the Transit currently occupying one of the bays was sorted out he'd be able to get it fitted & have me on my way ASAP.

So, handing over the keys and the alloy locknut remover, I settled in by the fan heater, demisted my glasses and set about the stack of well-thumbed copies of Auto Express pending the re-shoeing of my wounded steed..

As I idly scanned an article on the forthcoming Tesla 3, I looked up to see that my car was now up on the ramp with the wheel off and a couple of minutes later my presence was requested the other side of the glass.

With more than a degree of trepidation, I put aside Auto Express and with it thoughts of joining the brave new world of zero-emission motoring as I mentally prepared myself for the impending bad news of knackered lower arms or a squared-off alloy but no, for once the news was all good.

They'd had a good look at the wheel and remarkably it was still straight and true and even more remarkably, the tyre itself - despite absorbing the impact through its less than generous sidewall - was still intact, the only thing being broken being the seal with the alloy rim.

And that wasn't all - Skoda, it seems build things to last as they could see no deformation of the suspension nor any damage to either spring or shock-absorber.

They did advise that it might be sensible to get the tracking looked at at some point - something I was intending to do anyway - but other than that I had, seemingly, dodged a bit of a bullet.

Even so, I opted to have the tyre replaced as despite being legal the wear markers on the original item were getting ever more close to being level with the the tread and, well, better safe than sorry, eh?

A short while later, back in the office as I watched the last of the bolts being tightened back onto the freshly-clad (and still circular, thank heavens) alloy, my chum behind the desk asked me if it was a pothole that I'd hit.

Replying in the affirmative with a rueful smile I related the fact that I had only informed the county council of its presence less than 24 hours previously and judging from the number of graphical "!" symbols on the online reporting map it seemed that I wasn't the only one.

Tilting his head a little, he shot me an inquisitive glance:

"It wasn't down The Drive by any chance..?"

"Spot on." says I.

"Ah..figures - you're the fifth we've had in - you should submit a claim, the others have".

As I headed for the door, having said thanks and goodbye, I glanced again at the total at the foot of the invoice, turned back and said:

"You know what, I think I might just do that.."

And with that, I headed back out into the still biblically-damp elements and headed off to London, studiously avoiding The Drive and its lurking hazards and making a mental note to log onto the county council's online claim system once I'd made it to work..

To be continued.

Dave Wakefield

Tyred & Emotional - Part 1

It's unlikely to have escaped your attention unless you've been fortunate to spend Winter in more temperate climes, but over the last couple of months the UK has been subjected to some of the most inclement and Arctic-like weather it's experienced for quite some time.

With temperatures regularly reaching negative double figures and snow and ice bringing the usual chaos to the nation's daily grind, the 'Beast(s) from the East' - as the weather systems responsible were dubbed for headline-grabbing purposes - certainly made an impact as they plunged the nation into what felt at times like an unannounced Ice Age du nos jours..

So, you might be forgiven for feeling that now the snow has melted and icicles no longer cling to the underside of your bumper in the style of a frigid walrus 'tache that you might be permitted to relax, safe in the knowledge that you'd braved the Siberian conditions whilst keeping your automotive pride and joy intact.

Well, not so fast Speedy Gonzales, for of course, after the freeze comes the thaw, and if you were paying attention at school during double Geography all those years ago rather than idly attempting to outdo Pininfarina with fanciful sketches of the next Ferrari Testarossa you'll recall the principles of 'freeze-thaw' or 'frost-weathering' and the sort of damage it can do to solid rock.

And, if a bit of water coupled with sub-zero temperatures can fracture huge great lumps of granite in the mountains of Wales then it follows that the hastily-laid and many-times-patched sections of asphalt currently passing for road surfaces in the UK these days don't stand a chance..

Yes - once again, it's pothole season!

A time for Kwik-Fit shareholders and board members of alloy wheel manufacturers to rub their hands in glee whilst County Council insurance departments up and down the country brace themselves for a tidal wave of claim forms.

And guess who's large diameter, liquorice-wrapped alloy wheel recently encountered a prime example of such a carriageway crater?

Yep..

I wouldn't have minded (alright, actually I would - very much) but I'd only reported this particular bomb hole less than 24 hours previously using Surrey County Council's online system where - I discovered - I was far from the first to do so.

In my defence, it was dark and wet when I dropped my wheel into the hole in question and it was disguised by being full to the brim with water but that didn't lessen the sheer frustration and physical shock that accompanied the filling-loosening crash.

Pulling over further down the lane I emerged into the Stygian gloom and relentless downpour to study the offending appendage by the light of a torch and I was encouraged to see from a cursory glance that the rim didn't appear to be bent. However, the tyre had certainly lost a bit of air so with great care I turned the car around and set off the 500 metres or so back home at a slow and watchful pace, trying to remain positive about the fact that I had only a short distance in which to nurse the car back to the driveway.

A couple of hours later and I'd got the temporary spare on, having removed the alloy which by now was clad in a completely-deflated tyre. Taking a closer look at the rim in the daylight it seemed that fortunately my initial inspection at the side of the road had proven accurate as there didn't seem to be any obvious damage - which was a relief given how easy it is to bend wide, large diameter alloy wheels with their attendant offset. And so, having checked the opening times of the nearby big-name tyre and exhaust place I rocked up as they opened the doors, optimistically (as it turned out) looking forward to getting a replacement tyre fitted and somewhat belatedly getting on my way to work.

And so I stood, waiting for the chap sitting behind his computer terminal to finish his call whilst his four tyre fitter colleagues lounged around behind him, all studiously avoiding making eye contact with me lest they acknowledge my existence until finally the phone call ended and I evidently became visible to the assembled throng - the conversation unfolding thus:

Man behind counter: Yes, can I help? (this being uttered in the sort of tone that seemed to indicate that he dearly wished he couldn't)

Me: I hope so, yes, is there any chance you could fit a tyre for me quickly if I wait, please?

Man behind counter: Sorry, the earliest I can do is next Tuesday. (today is Wednesday)

Me: (looking around at the 4 empty fitting bays, the 4 tea-drinking tyre fitters and the 4 empty job sheets on the desk as well as the empty waiting room)

Really?

Man behind counter: Yeah, it's the Easter weekend - we're fully-booked out I'm afraid.

Me: (looking around once more at the 4 empty fitting bays, the 4 tea-drinking tyre fitters and the 4 empty job sheets on the desk as well as the still very empty waiting room)

Oh, ok..

Man behind counter: You could try (name of local, independent tyre company) down the road - they might be able to help.

Me: OK..thanks, I guess I'll have to. Bye then..

And with this, I exited the empty waiting room, walked past the empty fitting bays and drove off in the direction of the independent tyre company down the road suggested by my oh so helpful chum..

To be continued.. See Part Two

Dave Wakefield

Drive Safely This Wintry Week

A timely reminder to prepare yourself and your vehicle for whatever the weather is going to throw at us over the next few days.

Make sure you have everything you need in your car:

...that your car is fully functioning...:

... and when you do get on the road, take it VERY cautiously...:

For more information, tips and advice, visit http://ukmotortalk.co.uk/winter_driving_tips.html .

You can never be too prepared for bad weather, and when you safely get home into the warm, you'll appreciate it all the more.

UKMotorTalk News highlights podcast - London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2017

In this episode of UKMotorTalk:

• 2017 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
• Lewis Hamilton - 2017 F1 World Champion
• Ford Robutt - Robot seat tester
• Project Bloodhound
• Winter Driving - Tyres and Lights
• Autonomous driving tests
• Older Drivers

UKMotorTalk - UKMotorTalk News Highlights - London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2017

To follow the UKMotorTalk podcast, and not miss a thing, go to:
http://shoutengine.com/UKMotorTalk/

Ford's Robutt seat tester can be seen here:

The UK’s ongoing headache with potholes

The RAC have released new data that suggests that drivers in Britain are still having recurring issues with potholes and this is causing a lot of problems. Used Volkswagen provider Inchcape Volkswagen, who offer thorough aftersales services, MOTs and repairs to solve issues such as wheel misalignment and suspension damage, explores…

Between January and March of 2017, the RAC had dealt with almost 7,000 breakdowns that were likely caused by poor road conditions. The last time that so many pothole-related breakdowns were recorded in a three-month period was in the first quarter of 2015 (almost 6,900 breakdowns were recorded then). However, in the early months of 2015, the country was subjected to more days of frost and rainfall when compared to the first three months of 2017, when the nation experienced mild and moderately dry conditions.

“Our figures sadly show a surprising and unwelcome first quarter rise in the number of breakdowns where the poor quality of the road surface was a major factor. We had expected a figure no worse than that recorded in the first quarter of 2016 (4,026) and it is very concerning that the roads, strangely, appear to have deteriorated in a mild, comparatively dry winter.” Commented David Bizley, a chief engineer at the RAC.

But do we actually know how bad these pot holes are in Britain? 

Where are the potholes?

The table below is based on the number of road hazards which were reported to them with research carried out by FillThatHole.org.uk:

Position	Authority	Region	Total reports	Open reports	Fixed reports	% fixed
1	Surrey	SE Eng	7,657	6,473	1,149	15%
2	Hampshire	SE Eng	4,133	3,241	849	21%
3	Essex	SE Eng	3,804	2,912	878	23%
4	Hertfordshire	SE Eng	3,557	3,004	530	15%
5	Kent	SE Eng	3,478	3,105	364	10%
6	Lancashire	NW Eng	3,301	2,484	792	24%
7	Oxfordshire	SE Eng	3,245	2,225	985	31%
8	Glasgow	Scotland	3,059	2,444	601	20%
9	Cheshire East	NW Eng	2,980	2,110	787	27%
10	West Sussex	SE Eng	2,845	2,034	783	28%

... Surrey having almost twice as many reports as the next county, Hampshire.

How many potholes are being filled?

We can see that across England 13,468 potholes were filled throughout 2016/17 by local authorities – in the Asphalt Local Authority Maintenance Survey 2017 - A small percentage of the total number being reported and causing damage (and compensation costs!).

Some local authorities are able to claim that more than 90% of the reported potholes are subsequently fixed... Well done to them!

However, from the table above, it is clear that there are still many places where only 10-15% are being dealt with.

In the past year, in London and South East England, more than 1.6M drivers reported damage to their vehicles. A costly problem.

With the cost of road repairs averaging £163 per pothole in Eastern England, and £124 in London and the South East, you can see why struggling authorities appear to be burying their heads in the sand.

UKMT comments:

My recent drive across several neighbouring nations has convinced me that Britain is now the  pothole capital of Europe.

Travelling mostly on secondary category roads, the equivalent of our A and B roads, I have found French and Spanish roads to be in considerably better condition than ours. 

Ah you say, they have toll roads. Indeed they do, but the toll network of motorways is entirely self financing and in both countries the A and B roads are financed from local taxes and fuel duties.

In our case most of the finances raised by the treasury from road tax, fuel duties, motor insurance levy, vat etc etc does not get spent on the roads. The ring roads are not ring fenced, nor indeed are any of the others!

The government returns a steadily diminishing amount of the taxation to local authorities to keep local roads in good order. Desperately cash strapped councils then divert some of this money to other equally underfunded areas of their responsibility. 

The result is a pathetically small amount of money left for road repairs and, just as bad, no inspectors to check the few works that are done. The inspectors have mostly been made redundant.

I live in Sussex but drive all over, so am certain this sad state of affairs operates throughout most of the UK. 

Every minor road I travel is littered with holes and those few repairs that are carried out are usually of poor quality and often only last a few months. 

We have become a third world country in terms of our roads despite inventing the tarmacadam process ... or at least the Scots did... Thank you Scotland.

According to a recent survey most local authorities now spend more on settling motoring insurance claims for pothole related damage than on repairing the potholes. 

How on earth did we allow successive governments to get us into such a mess? 

Graham Benge

Sources:

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/pothole-related-breakdowns-up-despite-mild-weather/

*RAC data reported on at

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/15/pothole-damage-cars-soars-two-thirds-despite-dry-mild-winter/

http://www.asphaltuk.org/wp-content/uploads/ALARM-2017.pdf 

https://www.fillthathole.org.uk/league-table?sort=desc&order=Total+Reports 

Devil's Dyke Road... in a DB7..?

OK, so perhaps it's not quite as dramatically scenic, as rugged or even as long as our other suggested great drives, but a personal favourite of mine is a road that I have often used for benchmarking the handling of a wide variety of cars. 

The road in question is just north of Brighton, the Devil's Dyke Road up towards Horsham.

It's set in the South Downs National Park, and uses the Downs' green contours as a rural switchback.

It's narrow with multiple curves. In fact, it has hardly any straight bits at its southern end, so it's more like the Millbrook Alpine handling track, used all year to put test cars through their paces.

Both have an incredible variety of curves, cambers and elevation changes and if treated with respect, they will reward any keen driver. Just remember, on the South Downs you won't have much time to admire the scenery you'll be so engaged.

It was on the Devil's Dyke Road that I once took an Aston Martin DB7 for a quiet, relaxing drive in the countryside. A beautiful car, in a beautiful part of the world. Both fully lived up to expectations.

Graham Benge

True driving roads of Snowdonia

Considering its reputation for rain, you’d be forgiven for dismissing a topless tour of North Wales, however when it comes to driving roads Snowdonia really delivers...

Miles upon miles of roads uncoil themselves as they thread through blue-grey mountains, through sweeping bends and impossibly tight apexes. In places, rock thrusts from the ground as if it had forced itself through a carpet of alpine-esque trees; dropping away to vast valleys, torrents of water forming streams and picturesque waterfalls, such as those at Betws-Y-Coed.

If it’s a drive through stunning scenery you’re after, you won’t be disappointed, (notwithstanding any fog) the scenery is as dramatic as it is beautiful.

You have to be careful though... unforgiving slate walls line the road a mirror’s width away and oncoming traffic, wide lorries in particular, remind you that wherever you are, you are peddling around 'main' roads - motorways and bypasses conspicuous by their absence.

Traffic can be either slow or heavy at peak times, worse still wheezy caravan-laden work horses can provide miles of tedious trundling. Still, such is the risk on truly involving A-roads with minimal straight stretches offering the possibility to overtake.

Plumping for an early, summer morning blast is favourite here; although don’t necessarily expect warm sunny weather, Welsh rain somehow seems heavier than most.

There are hazards, yes, a lack of signage when you need it - an over abundance when you don't and the odd errant sheep wandering into your path having escaped from a nearby field, but these are small fry... There are so many roads round here, each as breath taking as the last and nearly all equally unpronounceable.

It’s pushing on through these mountainous roads that, given the right car and conditions you can reach a state of driving Nirvana. With the benefit of choice, here it has to be a manual box. If you’re so inclined, a slick flappy-paddle system follows an acceptable second; but it is swapping cogs through a series of bends that really makes this type of drive shine, a gentle blip on downshift and a crackling exhaust fully add to the drama; I’d admit that a fun and fizzy car such as the excellent Fiesta ST, or Mini Cooper S feels incredibly at home here.

Focus RS

I took on the drive in one of my favourite cars of the last two years, the Ford Focus RS. This is a car I advocated so strongly that I managed to convince myself (and more importantly Mrs. G) to put my money where my mouth is and order a signature ‘Nitrous Blue’ example at the start of the year; siting the Focus practicality and inherent modern day safety kit that propped the RS as a ‘sensible’ daily driver.

Focus RS

I’ve got to know Snowdonia relatively well over the last decade or so; my wife’s parents living within a short hop of Snowdon itself has afforded me some fantastic drives and great memories too.

I have to admit that I approached the trip with both excitement and trepidation, had the car not measured up I’d undoubtedly be devastated. My fears however were for naught. As I progressed through the hills and valleys, the car came alive; playfully popping and banging on each lift of the throttle, glued to the tarmac and changing direction as if seeking out a golden-snitch. It was one of those moments where nothing else mattered – pure escapism, a perfect drive through an impossible landscape. Better still, when you’ve parked up and enjoyed it all, you can turn around and do it all again.

Also in the area: If you get the time also try the A470 between Snowdon and Brecon too, it’s nothing short of incredible and the drive from North to South takes in some of the best views Wales has to offer.

Michael Gates

See also: Cornwall in a Convertible

Cornwall in a Convertible

Following on from our recent "Scenic Drives" post from our friends at Design 911, it got me thinking about some of the more memorable drives I've taken on holiday in the UK and one area which particularly stands out is the South West - in particular the pointy bit of Cornwall.

Back in the days of yore, before the patter of tiny feet necessitated the purchase of something a tad more practical, I was the proud owner of a Fiat Barchetta - to my mind one of Turin's most distinctive and delightful creations of recent times and a car I loved - sometimes literally - to pieces.

The Fiat Barchetta - the 'Little Boat'

Surprisingly practical, the 'Little Boat' was more than up to the task of swallowing enough luggage for two and regularly found itself pointed in a south-westerly direction in the Summer as the missus and I set off on another trip to a part of the country by which we are genuinely taken.

Cornwall is a county to which the tourist is naturally drawn - a good few undoubtedly to the sandy beaches, ice creams, sunshine and surfing to be found on the southern coast, whilst others - and I'd include myself in this - revel in the landscape and the landmarks both natural and man-made to be found in this spectacular part of the world.

Probably one of the best known and regularly-frequented attractions in Cornwall is Land's End. With its diametrically-opposed cousin at the extreme North East of the UK - John O' Groats - it's (in)famous for being the start/finish line for countless charity journeys over the years and enjoys a degree of hype that's been capitalised on by its opportunistic owners who have turned it into - in my humble opinion at least - something of a tacky theme park.

Suffice it to say that it's one of those places that I'm glad to have visited but was even more glad to head away from..

Which brings us to the point of this rambling essay, because as referenced above, one of the top scenic drives suggested by our friendly Stuttgart sportscar afficionados was the coastal route up to St Ives which, appropriately-enough begins at Lands End.

Heading up the B3306 and running parallel with the rugged coastline I can well recall a mixture of open, sweeping and flowing roads with plenty of opportunities for straight-lining well-sighted S-bends. Yet conversely in places the road is challenging and tight, high hedgerows and wind-blown trees rising above you as you negotiate the more testing and twisty sections.

With the sun shining and the little Fiat's easily-stowed roof hibernating under its solid cover behind us, the joy of driving this road - and indeed pretty much all of Cornwall's country lanes was enhanced a hundredfold as the sounds and smells of the countryside sharpened the senses - helping to paint an ever more vivid picture of this stunning and beautiful part of the world.

Despite being left hand drive, the Barchetta wasn't really any more difficult to pilot around Cornwall than its omnipresent rival the MX5, and whilst overtaking could sometimes require a certain degree of faith in one's co-pilot -"anything coming.?" being an oft-posed question from the left seat - the benefit of being closer to the edge of narrow lanes helped immeasurably when trying to squeeze past oncoming caravans/tractors/milk trucks on some of the more 'breathe-in' stretches.

There's plenty to see along the coast as you wind your way towards St Ives - the view of the sea tempting you to stop and and find a vantage point either up on the headlands or down at one of the little coves nestling away between the granite outcrops where land meets sea in quite spectacular fashion. Either way, there are ample opportunities to stop and take it all in, perhaps whilst clutching the ubiquitous pasty - examples of which seem to be available at every outpost of civilisation throughout Cornwall (this is not a complaint by the way).

Whether you're out to enjoy a spirited jaunt or happy to kick back & amble along taking in the scenery, the journey along the north-westerly tip of Cornwall is a must for anyone with petrol/diesel/electrons flowing through their system. And if you're lucky enough to be in possession of a rag top in the Summer sunshine, you're guaranteed to have a smile on your face as you rock up in St Ives having gained a healthy tan into the bargain..

Dave Wakefield

See also: True driving roads of Snowdonia

Five best scenic drives in a convertible in the UK

If you’re lucky enough to own a convertible car, then you will know how fantastic it is having the wind in your hair and the sun on your back as you hit the open road.

Here in the UK, we’re lucky enough to have some fantastic scenic drives on our doorstep, through mountain crescents, rolling fields and long stretches of road, allowing you to really open up your vehicle and make the most of your road-trip.

The car experts at Design 911 have listed their 5 top scenic drives in the UK that will make you want to pack up and drive off into the distance.

1. Kendal To Keswick, Lake District

This 30-mile stretch in the Lake District National Park is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful drives that England offers. This slightly more winding drive gives off some fantastic views along the way, including views of Lakeland fells and Lake Windermere and Lake Thirlmere. Why not stop off at the Lakes and get a real Cumbrian experience by staying over in a cosy B&B and visiting Lake Windermere for a long meandering ramble in the day. 

2. The Northumberland Coast

The coastline of Northumberland was given the title of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958 and it’s easy to see why. The Northumberland Coastal route takes you along some stunning areas including many eclectic towns and villages. From Seaton Delaval you can head north and visit Alnwick and then follow the 35 mile coastal drive route from Alnmouth to Lindisfarne. This route is the perfect drive in September, when the tourist crowds are dwindling and the late summer sun is still shining. 

3. Land's End to St Ives

It’s no secret that Cornwall offers some jaw-dropping coastal views and cliffs, which many roads are very close to, offering a ‘hairs standing up on the back of your neck’ moment. One of the more enjoyed routes is the drive from the famous Land’s End to the superbly quintessential English beach town of St Ives. The road wanders up and down dales, and into dramatic countryside scattered with ancient stone walls and farmhouses which really give off that rugged Cornish feel, enough to make you feel like you’re on the set of Poldark.

UKMT's Dave Wakefield enjoys the Cornish experience too - see Cornwall in a convertible

4. Beddgelert To Betws-Y-Coed, Snowdonia

Snowdonia is one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of the UK, so it’s no surprise that it has made the top 5 drives. One of the country’s most scenic drives is the run along the A498 from Beddgelert, past two lakes, Llyn Dinas and Llyn Gwynant, and up the Nanat Gwynant Pass and into Snowdonia, finishing at the fantastic Swallow Falls at Betws-Y-Coed. Why not stay in Betws-Y-Coed village for a few nights to experience the real Wales and enjoy some fantastic walks up mount Snowdon.

UKMT's Michael Gates also makes the most of the Snowdonian roads

5. Inverness to Nairn Circular, Scotland

Scotland offers some truly stunning natural beauty and rugged terrain, and those who have been lucky enough to visit beforehand will know how great it is to drive around. One of the more enjoyable routes is the impressive two-day drive starting at Inverness which takes in the dramatic coast alongside Lossiemouth before heading inland past some wonderful castles, as well as heading into the Cairngorms National Park which can be enjoyed on foot if you fancy taking a break from the drive. 

Piece brought to you by the experts at www.Design911.co.uk