Cima Racing : Home2Rome 2010: Day Two: Homeward Bound

Day Two: Homeward Bound

10 November 2009

After leaving John o' Groats at lunchtime, it was a power drive back down the coast road to Inverness, retracing our steps as far as Perth, and then heading East towards Berwick-upon-Tweed. Easy.

Although in banger rallying, nothing is ever that easy. As the sun set, you realise just how dark the more remote parts of the A9 are. There's simply no ambient light at all. Nothing. Which is about the same amount of light the Audi's headlights give out, despite putting in 'Super Brilliance' bulbs the day before we started the event. Combine that with a windscreen that has an interesting set of cracks on the driver's side, a damp road that produces that muddy spray that covers headlights and windscreens, and finally a distinct lack of washer jets, and a worryingly high number of miles were driven by what can only be described as 'guesswork'. Oncoming cars simply blinded us, so making progress involved simply aiming slightly left of where the blinding lights were coming from, and hoping there isn't a central reservation.

We made it through, and arrived at Edinburgh, where there was enough light from busier roads and street lighting to be able to see the rest of the way. From there it was a simple drive down the A1 to Berwick, crossing the border in to England before arriving at another hub of despair. Or Travelodge. Facilities included a closed supermarket, kids in Nova's in the car park, and a vending machine offering cheap food for high prices.

Can't wait to leave in the morning, as it'll be a good day tomorrow!

Labels: Bangers4BEN 09