HCR Coast to Coast 09

This, our first HCR, was a bit manic as a first timer, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We made a big mistake on the first half when we realised we had forgotten Essex after blagging a couple of extra counties, which meant a frustrating drive from Northamptonshire to Essex to get the county and the bonus, unfortunatley this was through a M1 crash, (time lost) and then arriving at Stansted services with little fuel, and the services closed due to fuel dispenser computer failure. We trawled Bishops Stortford for fuel (more time lost) before getting Essex and the Bonus point for Hatfield Forest and then a dash down the M25 for West Berkshire and Oxfordshire. This meant we got to Chievley at 3-30am, after getting lost after Clivedon, and being warned off at Grays Court by an angry man. But with a good first half points total.

Start at Southwold.

A few more starters.

Cheivley Services 3-30am, not the last car though.

We tackled the second half of the event with a fast, fairly straight run to the finish, during which we managed some nominated counties but no bonus points in order to finish at 8am in Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The entry into Wales at sunrise was very welcome after a long night.
At Newport we where given a very good breakfast, before results and finishers plaques where awarded.

Early morning in Wales.

Early morning mist in Wales.

Near the Finish.

Welsh coast of Pembrokeshire in sight.

Newport, Pembrokeshire, finishers parked up.

More finishers.

We had a fantastic run home in the sun, not exactly direct, but after breakfast we felt quite good so thought we would make a leisurely day of it, we left Newport at 10am, and headed up the Welsh coast in glorious weather to Aberystwyth, then took the A44 accross Wales through Llangurid, Rhayader, and Llandrindrod Wells, to Leominster and Worcester, then accross the Chilterns to Milton Keynes, drove some lovely roads amid great scenery, stopped a few times for coffee and snacks, and then back to within 20 miles of the start at Southwold at 6.30pm. Surprisingly we didnt seem to need a kip on the way home!

Welsh Coast near Aberystwyth.

Coffee stop when leaving Wales.

The car ran faultlessy throughout the event, we started with a full tank and filled up with fuel 3 times on the way there and back. Mileage was 572 miles for the event from Southwold to Newport and 950 miles door to door. Thanks to Dale and Brian for organising the event, we will be back next year.