Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 8:23:12 GMT
Got dive bombed by a red kite on our patio this summer, 6 of us were sitting at the table and one swooped down so close it bashed one of our guests on the head with its wing. I think It was investigating a lump of bone which was lying next to us, belonging to the Labrador which our guests had brought with them. Bloody huge thing, at least 5 feet wing span. Quite magnificent but I'll not be keeping pet rabbits in our back garden, and I'm surprised one never had a go for our little Jack Russell.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Sept 21, 2018 8:40:56 GMT
They’re scavengers, not hunters — which is partly why we see relatively few gulls and crows round here; the kites are eating their lunch.
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Post by tyrednexited on Sept 21, 2018 8:50:22 GMT
.....belonging to the Labrador which our guests had brought with them. Bloody huge thing, at least 5 feet wing span..... ...never seen a Labrador with wings...... |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 9:03:49 GMT
They’re scavengers, not hunters — which is partly why we see relatively few gulls and crows round here; the kites are eating their lunch. Oh right, didn't realise that. Thought they'd be the type to have a pop at live rabbits, pigeons or rats and the like. |
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Post by Humph on Sept 21, 2018 9:31:50 GMT
Even better with a V6.... Of course. But in reality, I can't see how it'd have made much difference on a trip like that other than to have used more fuel. Filled up in Milan before I left and topped up again somewhere in France and ran in on the fumes. Almost all motorways for the whole journey which are now festooned with speed cameras. I just put it on cruise at 130kph for most of the run. Amazing really that you can cross Europe with pretty much no hold ups on well maintained roads and it's only when you get back to Britain you remember how broken our infrastructure is. Took a route from Milan up past Aosta, Courmayeur, Mont Blanc, Dijon, Troyes and on to Calais. Had to get out at every toll but soon got into a routine for that. Left behind 28C and sunny and arrived to rain, wind and 13C. Yuk! Anyway, got back home at half past midnight having clocked 952 miles in one hit. I was surprisingly ok when I got out of the car and after a nights sleep I'm totally fine. Pretty bad flooding as I got further north last night. Came off the M6 at J14 to avoid yet more blockages but the cross country route was treacherous with patches of flood water. |
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Post by dixinormus on Sept 21, 2018 9:48:37 GMT
That's impressive Humph. Weren't your eyes at least sore after so much driving?
Did Carcassonne to the Midlands in one hit a couple of times around 12 years ago, approx 750 miles IIRC. Not sure I could have driven 200 miles more, whatever the car!
Decent roads make all the difference. The roads are so poor in NZ by comparison that even 400 miles is exhausting!
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Post by Humph on Sept 21, 2018 10:46:38 GMT
Oddly enough, I didn't really feel tired at all Dixi. Scenery through the Alps was stunning. Never even thought to put the radio or any music on, instead just sort of enjoying the drive. Northern France can be a bit monotonous of course, but the weather was fine, the traffic light and it was really easy. Sunroof open most of the way too !
I first did runs like that back in the early 80s when I was based in both a London and a Florence office. Quite often drove back and forth between the two in my trusty Cortina, so a modern car with air con, power steering and cruise etc is a doddle by comparison. Albeit, I am quite a lot older now !
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2018 14:49:41 GMT
If you can avoid traffic, driving is incredibly relaxing. 950 miles in a day is huge, but in a car with the capability of an E-class (almost any engine) it is easily done without issue.
Driving to Edinburgh from Manchester with the whole family and boot load of luggage was a doddle, but the same journey to London would have me stressed.
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