We set off in the MGB GT just before 1pm heading to Stirling for an overnight stay before meeting the Caledonian Centre of the MG Car Club for their Sail & Drive event tomorrow.
The planned route was A66 - A1M - A66 - M6 -M74 - M73. Just before Scotch Corner I saw a sign saying A66 closed. Not a good omen. Sure enough when we arrived at Scotch Corner it was closed. There was no indication of where it was closed.
We took a chance and headed for Richmond and Gilling West to join the A66 there. That was a no go as there was a police car closing the westbound lane of the A66. Plan B. Head for Piercebridge and join the A67 to Barnard Castle and hope we could rejoin the A66 there.
This must have been the main diversion route as the traffic was heavy. Getting through Barnard Castle was a nightmare. The only bright spot was that judging by the amount of traffic coming towards us the A66 must be open.
We eventually joined the A66 just outside Barnard Castle 2 1/2 hours after we set off. We'd covered 44 miles. The direct route from home to Barnard Castle is 25 miles with a 40 minute travel time.
Pam rang the hotel to tell them we would be late and to ask them to reschedule our 6pm meal booking. They would do this but couldn't guarantee a time as the restaurant was busy on Friday nights.
Once on the A66 it was pretty easy going until we came to the M74/M73 junction where there were delays due to roadworks. We found out at this point that this junction would be closed for the weekend from 8pm so we would have to find a different route home.
Eventually we arrived at the hotel at about ten to seven, six hours after we set off. According to the route planner it should have been a 3 1/2 hour journey.
Our meal had been re-booked for 7pm so we just had time to have a quick freshen up before heading to the restaurant for a hearty meal.
The planned route was A66 - A1M - A66 - M6 -M74 - M73. Just before Scotch Corner I saw a sign saying A66 closed. Not a good omen. Sure enough when we arrived at Scotch Corner it was closed. There was no indication of where it was closed.
We took a chance and headed for Richmond and Gilling West to join the A66 there. That was a no go as there was a police car closing the westbound lane of the A66. Plan B. Head for Piercebridge and join the A67 to Barnard Castle and hope we could rejoin the A66 there.
This must have been the main diversion route as the traffic was heavy. Getting through Barnard Castle was a nightmare. The only bright spot was that judging by the amount of traffic coming towards us the A66 must be open.
We eventually joined the A66 just outside Barnard Castle 2 1/2 hours after we set off. We'd covered 44 miles. The direct route from home to Barnard Castle is 25 miles with a 40 minute travel time.
Pam rang the hotel to tell them we would be late and to ask them to reschedule our 6pm meal booking. They would do this but couldn't guarantee a time as the restaurant was busy on Friday nights.
Once on the A66 it was pretty easy going until we came to the M74/M73 junction where there were delays due to roadworks. We found out at this point that this junction would be closed for the weekend from 8pm so we would have to find a different route home.
Eventually we arrived at the hotel at about ten to seven, six hours after we set off. According to the route planner it should have been a 3 1/2 hour journey.
Our meal had been re-booked for 7pm so we just had time to have a quick freshen up before heading to the restaurant for a hearty meal.
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