A client asked me to pick up a piece of work for them "near Aberdeen". Expecting to take the train and get lots of work time either direction, I was very motivated. Then I discover it's actually Peterhead. (There's another engagement I'm going to take on for them too, which was "quite nearby". On further probing, that one is Inverness. These Londoners. I ask you!)
Anyway.
This presented the opportunity to stretch the Evora's legs. I hatched a plan to cruise up the M9 and A90, missing all morning rush hours. And return via Glenshee. Also to "miss the rush hours"
With cruise now fitted, the run up was sublime. I dialled in 75 or 80 tuts depending on the Scameravan threat level and road type, and the Evora did the rest. With "Wake up to Money" BBC 5 live podcasts on the Apple Carplay feed, all that was missing was a good coffee in my travel mug. No cupholder
On arrival at the Kingsway, Dundee, the trip average MPG was indicating 36. Rather impressive. Dundee cost me 1mpg, however. Scandalous. In better news, approaching the "Forfar bypass" section of the A90, a heady 37mpg was indicated. Yes really. Albeit I think I benefitted from a fair tailwind.
Refuel at Tesco Ellon...with my 10p fuelsave points, so just 101p per litre
Opened the taps a couple of times to pass a few slowmos. Wow. That noise.
Arrival in Peterhead was something of an experience, never having been there before. But the sun was out, which helped.
After I concluded the coaching session I was running, it was kicking 3pm and I needed a late lunch. The bakers on Marischal Street (I think) did the trick. I tried to find Keith Inch - more accurately, to get to the seaside part of it, since it's the easternmost part of mainland Scotland. Sadly there appeared to be an oil supply yard in the way! So I retreated to Alexandra Parade and a view of the supply vessels out at anchor, while I ate lunch and reflected on what a nice place the Evora is simply to sit. Ssshh, don't tell the kids. No eating in the car, y'see.
I'd packed my "big camera" in hope of some funky harbour shots of the car but the weather had turned, so I took this cameraphone snap for my "places I've worked" album, and sped off south.
The forecast for Glenshee was particularly scary - for an Evora - so that plan had to be shelved too. Earlier in the day, I'd emailed Tut in the off chance he was at a loose end...but this week is "the big move", so no Tut Towers to visit any longer (sniff) and Tut End is not receiving guests quite yet.
After a customary call at Tesco Ellon en route south (again), I realised I was going to hit Aberdeen rush hour. Bleh. So I mapped a route cross-country towards Stonehaven and set off. Before long I realised I was very close to Chateau Fraser. Sadly couldn't obtain clearance to land - just a voicemail - so I pressed on for Peterculter. Bit of a gravytrain. After Maryculter, it got a bit better. Some chap in a Saab 9-3 convertible was quite eager behind me, so I made sure I left him a gap to fill
By now I'd abandoned all hope of setting a further MPG record en route home, so I joined the A90 south at Stonehaven and just re-engaged the Podcasts. But by Dundee I was bored and tired. So I decided to take the Tay Bridge route to help stay alert. It was then that I really opened the taps...
A black Merc CLA 220 CDI had passed me before Dundee, fairly tramping. He pulled onto the Tay Bridge just ahead of me, and made good progress across the bridge. I could bear it no longer. I selected 2nd at the roundabout, and didn't change up until at least a couple of the shift lights were on. I wasn't brave enough to do the same in 3rd (we all know what happens if you do that, given Evora gearing...) but it was enough of a launch to make the whole of the trip as far as Ladybank a real hoot, and it fair woke me up.
The Merc did not too bad, for a smoker, too. We parted company at Ladybank with a flash and a wave. Happy days.
I recovered the return trip average to 31mpg, which is not bad considering the fun had. 4 hrs from Peterhead to home should have felt a bit of a drag, but it didn't.
Not bad, for a commute...
