Final Week in London with the Astra GTC

Goodbye Astra

Having had the pleasure of driving the Astra for the past three months, it is almost time up!  I thought that for my final weekend with the car I would put it to the test in central London.

As always the car handled well in both heavy and light traffic, cyclists could see me coming and I didn't need to use the horn once.  In fact, I was amazed at how many cars let me in! I perhaps went a little mad with photos in front of land marks but as this is the final blog, I decided that you can never have too many photos. Check out horse guard parade - seating all ready for the beach volleyball!

To conclude this three month drive, here is a little evaluation:
Favourite features: Its magnetic look, Size of the boot, Sporty feel, Fabulous handling and 6 gears.
Worst feature: Automatic wipers - I almost always have to over ride them due to not kicking in.
Top tip: Practice using the clever little hand break button before setting off for the first time - it takes a bit of getting used to.

Finally, I would do almost anything to keep this car for another three months.  Not owning a car, it provided essential transport for the Kilimanjaro training team, taking us up to the highest peaks in the UK plus it has given me quite a bit of street-cred amongst the kids at school.  I have enjoyed every moment of every drive and I will be first in the queue to buy this car.


Thank you so much Peter Vardy for allowing this crazy chic to drive your car up and down the UK.

Spirit of Adventure: Closer to Home

The last week or two have been pretty quiet for me, having arrived home from my Ultimate Journey around Britain. Taking three weeks out to explore this spectacular country has been a tremendous experience, and I can only thank Peter Vardy, and those who voted on this competition, for giving me the opportunity to take on this adventure.

Since my return to Glasgow, the Astra GTC has had to settle into the more mundane role of a commuting vehicle. From time to time, when I'm not delivering cars for people, I am asked to don a uniform and drive for a local chauffeur service. I've been doing that for about 8 years now and every job brings up something new and interesting. The other day, after signing out from the garage, I realised that I hadn't been anywhere interesting in the Astra GTC for a while. With the sun shining, and a few hours to kill, I decided to take a drive out to the sea-side town of Largs.

Largs

If you're feeling adventurous, I'll recommend the hidden gem of a road I discovered that afternoon.

I headed along the M8 motorway to Port Glasgow, and followed the main route into Greenock. After a few roundabouts I came to the junction at the Fire-Station and turned left. This road is sign-posted as an alternative route to Inverkip and takes you up-hill through a residential area, by-passing the town centre. Just before the road peaks and heads back downhill, there is a small road on the left, signposted “Scenic Route”. Shortly up this road you'll see another road to the left – the Old Largs Road. This is where the fun begins.

Roads like this developed from footpaths trodden over hundreds of years, so the narrow slither of tarmac, kept in good condition, meanders casually over the hillside, through open moorland, and along side small lochs and reservoirs. A handful of cars were abandoned by roadside as opportunistic anglers made the most of the good weather, trying to catch some dinner. Just 20 minutes from Glasgow City Centre, I felt like I was back in rural Wales. The scenery just got better and better as I followed the unpredictable route through the landscape.

Old Largs Road

The Astra GTC found its mojo again and was loving this new environment. Out here, in the wild, is where a car like this demonstrates its real potential. The GTC could do the morning commute as well as any other car, but few cars can match it out here. For the first time since my tour had ended I could hear the engine singing its heart out, and for those 20 minutes on that road, all was well in my world.

Gradually, civilisation began to take up residence along the roadside as I found myself descending into Largs.  Down by the promenade I stop to take in the view down the Firth of Clyde. Greater Cumbrae seemed a lot closer than it did when I used to go there on school trips. For a brief moment I considered jumping on a ferry to do a quick lap of the island but my fuel gauge suggested I shouldn't.

While it is a nice place to visit in its own right, there were two things that validate any trip to Largs: Fish & Chips on the sea-front, and an Ice-cream at Nardini's. Thankfully, after a long period of closure, this world famous restaurant, cafe and ice-cream parlour is fully open again, and looking greater than ever.

Nardini's

As the evening closed in, I got back on the road and this time took the slightly faster, but equally fun cross-country route home via Dalry and Barrhead.  Despite being a professional driver, I still find a drive in the country a fantastic way to refresh the mind and de-stress. I arrived home feeling good, and loving the prospect of one more month with the fantastic Astra GTC.