One thing I’ve noticed over the last few weeks, is that driving gets less pleasing the closer you get to London.

Today started off wonderfully, although a little slowly, along the winding roads around Windermere/Coniston area, up a rough track and nearly into a gate (thanks to Kate the TomTom having a blonde moment), then onto the relatively harmless M6. 

It’s when you get south of Birmingham when everyone forgets how to drive properly / safely that it gets a bit crap. It was raining down south too.

It’s a blessed relief actually getting home.

I think I need to move somewhere at least 25 miles away from London, just not Essex or whatever county Bracknell is in.

Yesterday, we went out for a trip in Herman, the intention, to head toward the coast somewhere, potter about, find some nice driving roads and come back and watch the second half of the FA Cup.

I thought Hastings, maybe, then west to Beachy Head (not jump off) then back up to London.

It was raining when we left London, so chances of pottering around were reduced and somewhere on A21 going south, there was an accident, completely blocking up the traffic. Turned out to be a bit of a blessing, as heading west, we found some really rather nice twisty roads, and eventually found our way to Beachy Head…. and just in time as we both needed a wee.

It was around this time that Herman hit 1000 KM. According to the car’s manual: keep below about two-thirds engine power in the first 1000 KM. Hurrah!

So, armed with lots of sea air, a good lunch from the Birling Gap Hotel, and a mostly run-in engine, we head off home, due north and discovered the awesome A267. Lots of ups and downs and blind bits and tightening corners and single track bits. On balance, I’d say this road (and an interesting one we discovered on the way down) are more fun that the roads in Gloucestershire where I grew up.

The day was slightly spoiled by the Blackwall Tunnel southern approach being closed due to an accident just as we were getting to the Sun in the Sands junction. Blimey, I don’t know how many hours we got stuck in traffic trying to go west toward the Rotherhithe Tunnel. 

Needless to say, we missed the second half of the FA Cup.

Update: some pics here