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GWR Round Britain Drive May 2009 The Beginning The motivation Off we go…. We purr away from the Shell station Staxton North Yorkshire, the official start line. For successful completion we have to drive a minimum of 120 hours and a maximum of 180 hours. The route is, The most coast road route around Britain, which means not driving on motor ways but primarily on A, B and C roads. Additionally, the drive must be continuous, which dictates only necessary stops are allowed. Safety is paramount so ‘power nap’ breaks are imperative. The rules state the drive must be in a clockwise direction. We headed south along the east coast of England. God’s country they say, well there is no argument from us, the scenery is breathtaking. We were thrown obstacles of all dimensions. At this point we are grateful Peugeot cars are built with such a sleek aerodynamic shape. Farm machinery crawls in front of the car on roads where no overtaking is permitted; alternating speed limits restrict the rhythm of our driving. We are entertained by ducks, partridges, foxes, horses and their foals. The local motorists are very courteous which makes driving easier. This pattern continued throughout England. We want any driving record to be conducted in realistic conditions; the car must be ‘stock standard’ with no adjustments, so anyone can buy it from a car showroom. We put into place our Fuel Economy tips. Yes, we practise what we preach. Our fuel gauge is looking healthy, so we smile and keep driving past many a Shell station, occasionally popping in for a chat, provisions and to use the bathroom, but NOT for fuel. We decided the ‘most seen’ things in England to date were Speed Cameras, Fish and Chip shops, Post Boxes, Pubs and streets named Station Street. Crossing into Wales aboard the Severn Bridge, began the next chapter of our journey. Our ‘Navman’ navigation system giving us directions with a very Australian accent, this gave us a constant chuckle. Knowing where you’re going means you can concentrate on the job at hand, yes and helps you drive safely. Thank you, Navman. We have been thrilled overall with the weather. The weather conditions play an important role in any record driving attempt. We’re both comfortable in the car, with only the internal ventilation system working, sometimes having a window down due to our love of fresh air. The wind was often blowing from behind enhancing the speed of our Peugeot vehicle. There was the occasional shower, seemingly not having too much effect on the drag of our tyres. There is an old saying ‘You can’t buy experience’, definitely this came to the fore driving through Wales. Endless hills, mountains, sharp turns tested our driving ability. Driving at sufficient speed going down a hill we were able to use the momentum to climb up the next hill. Our earlier research proved successful avoiding driving through ‘rush hour’ traffic. Knowing in advance about the Bank Holidays, Events, Holiday Hotspots, and planning our route carefully together. Back into England and continuing along the West Coast into Scotland. As you pass through different Scottish towns there is a sign ‘Haste Ye Back’, brilliant! You can count on it, we WILL return. The following days we were engulfed by scenery so beautiful words failed us. Even the photos we took did not bring it justice. With this picturesque coast line came treacherous driving, predominantly on One Lane roads. The ‘Passing Lane’ system on these lanes worked efficiently and all drivers did the right thing, keeping the road safe. Withstanding all of these driving challenges our fuel economy figures and record breaking mission are looking optimistic. We must stay focused; there is still a lot of road on this island yet to be covered…. The Scottish Lochs and sheep on the road were to be our only company for some time. We paused at Loch Ness, camera in hand, hoping for a glimpse of Nessie. This one shot could make us rich and famous, or not...…. Reaching John O’Groats brought a wave of euphoria over John, he holds the Guinness World Record for the most ‘end to ends’, having cycled twice, and run, walked and driven it 20 times. This is the most north-easterly tip of Britain. A gathering place for numerous adventurers, you can just about hear the walls talking, relaying many a great story of present and past times. We have managed to keep up a decent hygiene ritual, but shaving has fallen by the wayside, not being a priority. However, I like the ‘new look’ man in the car next to me! Back on the East coast of Britain, heading south once more and the ‘on road’ driving conditions are kinder. There have been improvements in the roads since our last trek in 1991. We see Bypasses through small towns, good for us, but perhaps not so good for the local traders. We pass the all famous St. Andrews Golf area, continuing along the Fife Coastal Drive, life can’t get much better. Like the golfers on the golf course, we are always trying to better our score. Each time we fill the tank of the Peugeot 308 HDi with Shell Diesel we want to go further in distance, bettering our Fuel Economy figures. We drive over the Scottish border and back into England. As we nudge our way closer to the Finish Line we must resist the temptation to ‘plant our foot’, but stay disciplined. That temptation is there in most people’s every day lives, in their quest to reach the comfort of their home. It’s a fact that most accidents happen within a 3km radius of people’s homes. So, let’s get this record in the bag. The FINALE and a very thrilled Helen and
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