The run up to John O’Groats is an easy one from a navigational point of view as there is only one road.  The A9 unfolds along the eastern coastline, the North Sea always visible to the right as we drive. Oil rigs are just visible on the horizon, some burning off gas, the only spot of colour against the greyness. Smooth, flowing and in better condition than most roads around Surrey, the route offers some unique sights, not least deserted cottages (surely not remnants of the Highland Clearances?) and oil rigs moored up in the inlets, a few seemingly huddled together for warmth.  The laws of physics dictate they will float, but it is still hard not to wonder at how such enormous steel, bar stool shaped things can sit on the surface.

As we near Wick, the last recognisable town this far north, we are treated to the sight of a RAF Nimrod taking off from the nearby Leuchars air base.  It circles low and our last sight of it is almost head on, landing lights ablaze as it makes a pass over Wick. Built to detect incoming Cold War Soviet bombers, it predates all the cars on the Bangers4BEN run by decades. Old is a relative term even for machines.

When we reach John O’Groats the sense of anti-climax is unavoidable. A grey sky covers grey buildings surrounding an almost empty car park.  Souvenir shops, visually indistinguishable from the (not free) toilet block are inviting only in contrast to the icy looking sea only yards away.  Commercialisation means the once famous road sign is  only brought out for a fee. No one here today is inclined to pay.

Weather transforms this place. In summer sun it has a rugged beauty, the nearby islands appearing to be much closer than they are: In heavy winds, the sea is whipped up to all sorts of drama. Today it is cloudy and still and dank, urging us to head south again as soon as possible. However, the needs of media hold us a while longer as the photographer tries to shepherd a bunch of over caffeinated car dealers into some sort of photogenic array.

Christian pleased to be in John O'Groats - and pleased to be leaving soon

Then it’s back the way we came, literally, and on down through the glens to skirt Edinburgh and on to England – just. We overnight in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

bangers4ben, Carina, charity, inverness, loch lomond, Toyota Hide

We arrived in Inverness almost exactly 12 hours after we left Ascot. Given that we stopped a few times and took the scenic route via central Glasgow (a mistake) and the Loch Lomond road (deliberate) that is not too bad a time to do 580 miles.

The choice to come the scenic route was mine based on years of previous experience of and liking for the roads. The run from Dumbarton to Inverness has got to be one of the best driving routes in the UK.  Of course, daylight adds considerably to its charm, but sadly that had deserted the sky before we got through Glasgow.  In my mind I could still picture the hills, glens, lochs and castles, but poor Christian had to make-do with my rather inadequate descriptions.  I promise to bring him back in Summer sometime.

LINTO, our £100 Carina E cruised up the motorway as fast as we wanted and belted through the Highland roads with nothing to alarm except perhaps the fear of old suspension on budget tyres and damp roads. Compared to a modern car the headlights are a bit dimmer and the brakes less powerful, but in terms of comfort, quietness and pace we were little worse off than if we had been in my wife’s Prius.

Taking into account time spent getting to the start we were in the car for nearly 14 hours, but we both emerged feeling relatively unstressed and relaxed. The lack of tiredness can be gauged by the fact that only now, at gone 1.00am, have we returned to the room and remembered to do this blog post.

So, am I saying a 15 year old, 151,000 mile Carina is as good as a brand new, £20,000 Prius?

In some ways, yes it is. It has carried us several hundred miles safely and comfortably with barely a sniff of trouble.  Of course the new car is better, more lavishly equipped with air con and in car entertainment for example, but if you could only afford a “banger” it is reassuring to know that in terms of basic functionality you are not much worse off than the driver of the new, more expensive car.

Of course, my view might change if we get a  mechanical problem that strands us miles from anywhere in the wind and rain.

Scott

bangers4ben, Carina, charity, glasgow, inverness, loch lomond, prius, Toyota Hide