Whilst not as impressive as addo's, I completed mine yesterday. 240miles in the end, which kept me out the house from 10 until 4.
Was pheasant suicide day it seems, I was following a Land Rover who hit a pheasant with some force. Then 45 mins later one ran out in front of me and as much as I hate hitting anything, I won't swerve so just hit it. Thankfully, no damage to the Coupé's notoriously fragile bumper. The entire journey was strewn with dead pheasants and coming out of Salisbury on the A338, about 7 were all over the road as if they'd been bowled through. They really are stupid!
There was a bit more traffic around than I thought and it wasn't until I hit Somerset it really thinned out and I started to enjoy myself a bit more.
The A356 was fantastic, there is excellent scenery and then just outside Beaminster an array of transmitters which I find interesting for some reason. Climbing out of Crewkerne on the A30 was brilliant as just at that point, my music and the scenery was perfectly matched. There is something special about a snow covered landscape and Brian Eno's An Ending (Ascent) combined together. Quick blast up the M5 which the Coupé seemed to appreciate - it was also fairly empty
The Mendips were stunning and Cheddar Gorge was brilliant. Climbing up the Gorge was fun. Coming back down was not!...
I'd chosen a minor road to get back to the A371 and on turning into it could see it was not a good choice. It was covered in ice and thick snow, and obviously went fairly steeply back downhill. Back end all over the place and was very bottom clenching. ABS was useless as it would stop the wheels locking, but wouldn't slow the car down which I needed to do as it was downhill and a narrow road. I found I could cadence brake more effectively than the ABS on this occasion and get the speed down. I really wish there was a legitimate (in insurance terms) switch for the ABS.
Salisbury Plain is good for a drive although yesterday visibility was useless with freezing fog. Good job I've got some decent screen wash.
All in all a great drive, not quite as spirited as it would have been due to the conditions and the unfamiliarity with the roads (from a speed camera point of view) but all the roads were pretty good for driving. Some were particularly suited to an Activa and next year I think I will do the same route with mine. I also used less fuel than I thought I would. Just a smidgen over half a tank. I've done 240miles and the range readout suggests I still have another 240 left. Not bad for a V6! I certainly wasn't trying for economy... Also, still the Coupé manages to look good when its now absolutely filthy.
Definitely one for the summer though - maybe an FCF Cheddar Gorge meet sometime?