Working for Odyssey means writing a
blog, no reason why this adventure should be any different, a shorter
journey, but a journey none the less. We take our responsibilities
seriously. Admittedly we probably shouldn't use the word epic, an
Odyssey favourite, in this particular instalment.
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| Penelope's first outing |
Well, where to start. An action packed
day, crossing no less than 5 counties in just under 5 hours! We
started our journey in Surrey, our first challenge to cross into
Hampshire to meet Penelope, the newest addition to Odyssey's rapidly
expanding fleet. No hassles or formalities crossing into Hampshire,
in fact just an attractive “Welcome to Hampshire” sign as we
crossed the border, lovely.
There she was, resplendent with her
shiny new coat of paint, purring into life at the mere turn of the
key. Out she crept from the workshop into the drizzly Monday which
was to be her first outing with her new body. Wipers leapt into
action at the flick of a stork as the rain fell heavier, sweeping the
water aside like eyelids blinking rapidly whilst running in the rain
to maintain clear vision.
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| A rather bleak M27 |
Bleak views ahead of the M27,
thankfully just a quick jaunt before joining the lesser A roads of
splendid Great Britain and the wilds of Wiltshire, another bribe free
border, success. Cutting up through Salisbury, no time to stop at
the Cathedral, a peek over the houses would have to do. Realising on
joining the A303 we would miss the highlight of the day Stonehenge,
we made a five minute detour, some rapid re-routing and navigating by
Hels, what she does best, and we were on course for “The Henge”,
an Odyssey first.
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| Beautiful Autumnal roads |
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| Salisbury Cathedral. That's all you're getting. |
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| Back On Track |
Due to a tight kitty and extortionate
entrance fee to stand inside, rather than outside the fence, we
joined the other tight tourists and scaled the perimeter. Mystery
surrounds the construction of this great monument, some 2,500 years
old. If this doesn't float your boat, why not join one of Odyssey's
other trips and see Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China or Angkor
Wat (that should get us our bonus). Attempts to photograph Penelope
with the stones were sadly unsuccessful due to the clever positioning
of the car park and ticket office to avoid people doing just that.
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| Stonehenge |
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| From behind tight tourist lines |
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| Sparkling Penelope |
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| Hels & Rogs, back on the road |
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| An Odyssey First! |
Switching drivers to allow Rogs a rest
after a hectic morning's drive, Hels re-positioned the hi-tech seat
and steering wheel to her liking. Whizzing past Longleat wildlife
park, no time to stop for a game drive today, thinking of the African
animals sitting glumly under our grey skies. A gourmet burger lunch
stop at McDonalds and it was time
for Rogs to get behind the wheel again and return the seat position
to his comfort. A plethora of levers, switches and buttons proved
too much for such a young mind.
After some slapstick and cursing we were off again.
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| Rogs struggling with the seat |
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| What does this one do? |
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| Stupid seat |
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| Hels showing how easy it was to adjust comfortably |
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| Rogs back in the driving seat |
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| Pig yurts of Somerset, just like Kyrgyzstan! |
Onwards to Somerset our penultimate
county. The rain started to lighten and eventually clear as we
entered glorious Devon. Sun shone down over Exeter to light the way
to Penny's winter home. The last leg proved that Devon does have the
tightest of lanes, each turn revealing an ever increasing narrowness.
The final mile the wheels cut into the bank each side, mirrors
clipping the overgrown hedges, one hairpin bend proved too tight with
reversing and diff lock thrown into the mix. A quick stop for the
lamas and dodging pheasants over the final metres, we got our
wildlife fix in the end, our epic journey came to an end. Tucked
away behind a barn, Penelope rests til her next big adventure to
Beijing in 2013.
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| Devon's narrowing lanes |
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| Closing in |
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| The final mile |
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| Lama spotting |
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| Penelope tucked up in her winter hideout |
