My bank holiday

Bunny · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 09:14 AM

Hi folks what did you all get up to over the bank holiday? I went on a quick trip up to Lancashire to see a dear friend that i hadn't seen for almost a year. Having not driven anywhere other than locally for literally years it was a major undertaking for me. At 4am on Sunday i filled up with fuel and headed north. Had the roads almost to myself and it was lovely driving into the dawn. First stop was at 5.45 at Gordano services for a pee and a cup of coffee then onwards. I nearly ended up in the poo on the change at Birmingham from M5 to M6 which was a bit hairy. I reached my destination at 9.45, 298 miles in 5 hours 45 mins. The trip home began at 8am yesterday, rather more traffic than on the way up but no jams and no accidents so it wasn't unpleasant, the trip home took 5 hours 30 mins. Altogether I drove 599 miles in 36 hours in my little 998cc Daihatsu and I have to say Mavis did me proud. The dear old girl (99 T reg) nearly made it up to 80 several times but I held her back because the poor dear doesn't usually work too hard and I was worried given her age (and mine).

Glad i did it and wonderful to see my friend.

**Jezer** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 11:11 AM

Lovely to hear that Bunny and well done you.

That M5/M6 interchange is not nice!

I was working for two of the days and we were transporting young un to rehearsals and concerts- only four projects on ATM!!

Discovery · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 11:39 AM

Glad it worked out OK for you Bunny.

Yes I know of that M5/M6 interchange too. I don't like the M42/M6 toll road junction either, I think it's been badly laid out!

I just had a go at the garden (between showers!) over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Bunny · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks peeps I must say I feel rather proud of myself for the adventure. Mavis seemed like a different car today when I drove over to the supermarket, rather more sprightly (or did I imagine it?) I feel like putting a sign on her saying something like...I did 599 miles in 36 hours without so much as a hiccup.

Before the trip I was having kittens and now that it's done I want to do it again. As most of you know my son is at uni in Canterbury so maybe I'll suggest a visit there to see him. Big challenge as that would be involving the M25.

The other surprising thing was the fuel consumption...all those miles on less than 60 quids worth of fuel. I put 30 quids worth in to fill up before I left and 29 quids worth to fill up to come back and there's still enough juice left in the tank for a week's pootling around town.

Dear Mavis she may only be small but she definitely has hidden talents.

**Jezer** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 02:01 PM

The M25 needn't be the nightmare we know and hate.

Aim to hit it around lunchtime and unless you're unlucky you'll be round it fairly quickly.

Bunny · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 02:24 PM

Cheers for that I will bear it in mind if Matt agrees to me visiting. I get my directions from Google maps and looking at it (in a wistful way) I would be going the A303 route so the M25 bit isn't much. Besides after the weekend I feel a lot more confident about the ability of me and the car.