7:41 am, February 9, 2009
PORTSMOUTH to John O’Groats in four £200 bangers… done. Inverness to Portsmouth… pending!
What I honestly thought wouldn’t happen just has. We made it. And without any major problems too (so far)!
We rolled into the viewing point car park at John O’Groats just after half five. And the only falling snow we’ve seen all day began to cover the tarmac – a poetic finale to a day of monotonous driving.
Unfortunately it was dark when we got to Jo’G so the pictures were a little poor, but it was so satisfying to actually make it there.
Plus the bloke who looks after the sign had packed up for the day and was long gone so we had to do without the stereotypical celebration shot.
I’m currently sat in our Best Western hotel in Inverness and to end the day on a high note we’ve been upgraded! Not because they heard what we’d done, but because the only other rooms they had featured just one double bed.
I like Dunc, don’t get me wrong, and yes, it is a bit cold outside – but I don’t think we really need to be sharing body heat just yet.
So what about the cars? Well a brief sit rep is as follows:
My Mondeo ST24 has started to display the ABS warning light, the heater still only has two settings and the stereo speakers are working only when they want rather than when I demand.
Dunc’s Calibra has problems with the jet washers – not handy in these conditions. Will’s Volvo has similar cleanliness problems while Dan’s Beemer seems to be working fine.
As you can imagine after 10 hours’ driving, 540 miles and not one proper meal I’m quite keen to crack on with a shower and some grub – so it’s over and out from me.
A few beers will help us forget the 650 miles we face home tomorrow…
James
