Just completed the trip down to Andalucia from Amsterdam and am so buzzed by the experience that I thought I would write some of it down. Bit down through northern France was dull as really just wanting to get miles (kilometers!) completed. However got to the Millau bridge and, after spending some time there gawking, went over on to some country roads. You soon realise just how crowded our coutry is by comparison. Started climbing after Carcassonne, up through the central Pyrennees in a thunderstorm. Roads carved like shelves into the rock face, twisting and turning and demonstrating that AO48’s and streaming tarmac have very little in common, including grip. Came out at the top onto a high plateau, sun starting to shine and a cup of coffee to wait until the roads dried… Down the other side and a bit dull again as it was mostly motorway class until about level with Valencia, then inland across the central plain, Albacete and Sout west towards Granada. Absolutely fantastic roads through spectacular scenery into the Sierras. Open road , well sighted twists and turns, few cars and fewer police. The area is driving heaven.
Car was great and did not miss a beat, although the intercooler had its work cut out with temps in the mid 30’s At the top end it was clearly down on power and ully loaded with two people and a fortights luggage. It is amazing how much you can get in the thing. Three soft bags, rucksack, tool box, IT bag etc.etc. Combination does take the edge off the performance though. Even the new motorway down from Granada to the south coast was good fun with quite tight turns, always wth a spectacular backdropm Just wish I could sort the wheel balance though as anything over 90 really isn’t pleasant except for short bursts…
We have a 16 km road up to where we stay in the hillswhich is just a bit wider than single track and ultra twisty. Trouble is that the surface, though fairly smoot, is sun baked and like glass. Just too slow and tight and the front washes out at every opportunity, armco and rock face instead of run off areas. . Just have to follow the hire car in front and enjoy the view.
Sorry to bore you all with this except to say that if you get a chance to bring you car to Andalucia, it is well worth the longish trip down. Good thing is we have it all to do again in a week or so, Meantime I am told there are some race tracks in the area to explore.
When I used to compete in paragliding competitions I flew in Algodonaries/Andalucia/Rhonda , spectacular scenery . The sights of the dust devils raging up out of the dry fields were a humbling experience.
The maps we flew with were strange cos they showed blue lines and blobs which were nowhere to be seen from the air … dried up rivers and lakes that only appear after rainfall !
Amazing sounding trip! I’m currently thinking about driving down to see a friend who lives on the Costa Brava near Barcelona. Not sure I trust VHPD reliability that much though…
A great account and not in the slightest bit boring. Sadly, I share Chevron’s doubts about long-distance VHPD travel. Having said that, I did make Lancashire to Le Mans for the Classic in 2008.
Come on chaps. That particular VHPD has been to Le Mans several times, Angouleme etc etc. Good god, it’s even been to the Buckles a few times and even as far as Croft. In fact most of its miles have been on long trips. VHPDs only need proper warming up for a long and healthy life, and save the real peak revs for the track…or, catch the ferry/cruise to Bilbao and drive across Spain to the Costa Brava and take in some Pyrenean roads on the way. The high ambient temperatures will not make any difference to the engine provided that the cooling system is in good order and the roads are just brilliant.
Whether the driver can cope with the heat … well that’s another matter.
You’re right, of course, Mike. The car hasn’t so much as grumbled during the last 3,000 miles so no reason for that to change any time soon. I’m tempted by ferry to Bilbao and south from there. Will be next summer before it happens anyway. I’ll keep you posted…
For reassurance we extended our green flag cover for the trip. They cover getting the car and passengers back in the event something goes wrong and were very efficient when my Westfield gearbox gave up in Toledo some years back. Even got a hire car for the remainder of the holiday. So a small risk really. Have to say the adventure is worth it.
Going south is great - the central plains of Spain have some interesting sights but turning right for a play in the Pyrenees would be a good option first; or turn left for the Picos de Europa.
Had a green flag euro recovery a few years back also. Servcie with hire car was excellent and car was recovered back to the UK in one go by an English driver using an artic with boxed trailer. Definitely the best service possible and not the most expensive.
Just got back to Amsterdam and the round trip was just on 3800 miles split into two three day sessions, there and back. Overall the car ran very well and, apart from having to replace the battery (suspect before we left), without mishap. Highlights on the way back were the trip over the Pyrenees on Sunday morning - Huesca to Pau route, and the TomTom guided road trip through rural France, away from the motorways and radar traps. Major result is that SWMBO said she quite enjoyed it. That’s next year settled then.
A bit of a ‘To Do’ list to be tackled:
The intercooler shroud buckled so that the big jubilee clip no longer holds a tight fit and lets air in. Modification coming up on that one I think. Watching the other thread closely.
I have to find an alternative to the powerflex engine mounts. The vibration and general harshness got too much with prolonged use. Anyone know of other options or different ways of restraining engine movement to consider?
There is a hesitation every time I accelerate hard, possibly when the timing changes as it seems the engine falters then realises that some real power is required at two points going up the revs. May look at a remap to sort that one out
The front suspension bushes creaked and squeaked when the temperatures got to the mid / high 30’s. Loud enough to hear above the engine and exhaust. Worst when the front suspension was depressing in unison so may be roll bar or rack mountings. Went away when the ambient temp came down. No chance of identifying it in the UK then!
And the rattles!!!
Basically a good clean and some TLC required, but really pleased with how the car ran and the driving fun we had. Not the most exhaustive of tests, but with the heat levels and rough roads we certainly got to know the car well. Even the air con held its own, although a couple of times the engine stopped when coming up to traffic lights. Seemed the extra load was enough when coming off the throttle. I can also recommend active noise supression headphones. Made a big difference even when not listening to music.
We did 3000km, including the ‘Alpes Maritimes’, Rally Monte Carlo etc. down to Barcelona and back, with Missy, with luggage, without problem. So stop crying and drive
Are we mice or men?