The B GT was fuelled up and ready to go so we slung an overnight bag in the back and set off for Warwick for our overnight stop before the run on Sunday.
Despite the forecast the weather was great and we had the sun roof open all the way down. Traffic was light and we travelled quickly. I'll only admit to doing the speed limit, which was 50mph for some stretches of the M1.
Stopping for lunch showed that motorway services have really gone down the drain. Back in the 70s they were renowned for poor food at high prices. This improved gradually to better quality food at high prices, but now it's terrible. Once you could stop, get a proper meal, sit down & eat without problem. Now unless you want MacDonalds, Burger King or KFC, you can forget about a hot meal. They are overpriced too. Try to find a seat and all you see are areas reserved for the above companies or Costa Coffee. I had more stress trying to find a cuppa and a bit to eat than I had driving. Thank goodness I don't use motorways as much as I used to.
We arrived at our overnight stop just after 2pm and got checked in to the delightful Lord Leycester hotel in Jury Street, Warwick.
Despite the forecast the weather was great and we had the sun roof open all the way down. Traffic was light and we travelled quickly. I'll only admit to doing the speed limit, which was 50mph for some stretches of the M1.
Stopping for lunch showed that motorway services have really gone down the drain. Back in the 70s they were renowned for poor food at high prices. This improved gradually to better quality food at high prices, but now it's terrible. Once you could stop, get a proper meal, sit down & eat without problem. Now unless you want MacDonalds, Burger King or KFC, you can forget about a hot meal. They are overpriced too. Try to find a seat and all you see are areas reserved for the above companies or Costa Coffee. I had more stress trying to find a cuppa and a bit to eat than I had driving. Thank goodness I don't use motorways as much as I used to.
We arrived at our overnight stop just after 2pm and got checked in to the delightful Lord Leycester hotel in Jury Street, Warwick.
With the afternoon free, we decided to visit Warwick Castle. The hotel had a deal for cheap tickets and we took advantage of it. If we had to pay full price we wouldn't have bothered. I can't imagine how much a family would have to pay but I can well imagine it being a £100 day out by the time you take food and other spending into account.
We enjoyed our time there even though our joints were feeling worse for wear after all the walking and climbing.
We enjoyed our time there even though our joints were feeling worse for wear after all the walking and climbing.
Leaving the castle we went in search of fuel and food. We found a Tesco filling station with fuel at the same prices we pay at home which is way better than most we had seen in the area. A quick check on fuel consumption showed we had done 36mpg which is pretty amazing. It just goes to show what steady throttle cruising can do, especially with overdrive.
Food wasn't so easily found. There were plenty of eating places but mosy were arty farty food. Finding good basic grub was apparently difficult, so we ended up in a Chinese restaurant.
The buildings in Warwick, and as we found on Sunday, in the general area were lovely. Timber framed Tudor houses with timbers at crazy angles and bulging walls. Lovely to look at but a nightmare to keep up.
Food wasn't so easily found. There were plenty of eating places but mosy were arty farty food. Finding good basic grub was apparently difficult, so we ended up in a Chinese restaurant.
The buildings in Warwick, and as we found on Sunday, in the general area were lovely. Timber framed Tudor houses with timbers at crazy angles and bulging walls. Lovely to look at but a nightmare to keep up.
Finally it was time for bed and this was the view from our hotel window.
Here's hoping for a good day tomorrow.
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