A surreal evening

[AndyC_772]

I had a particularly dull day in the office. We've been working on the same project for months, everyone seems busy except me, and I've spent the day staring at my PC trying to get motivated. I normally leave at 6.30, but today (for some reason) it was an hour later before I eventually hauled myself out of my chair and down to the car park.

I piled into the daily runabout, picked a CD and headed for home. The motorways are quiet by then, so getting home feels a complete no-brainer. I'm on auto-pilot; my conscious brain is thinking of the wasted day, the two hungry cats at home, and the fact that Mrs C is out for the evening. The highlight of the day is stopping for fuel, because it reminds me that I have a Westfield sitting on the drive with a near-empty tank.

Ah yes, the Westfield. It's been sitting under a cover all week because of the rain, so as soon as the cats are fed I dash straight back out of the house and tear the covers off. I grab my road map and phone, don a hat, and clamber into the driver's seat. I fasten the newly-fitted 4 point harness - tight.

With a flick of the key, the engine bursts into life - Christ, that's loud! I'm relieved; the starter had been playing up and the last thing I wanted to do was spend the evening getting oily. I back out of the drive and head out on my hastily-planned route.

Soon I pull into a filling station and refuel. This time it's different - I'm there for fun, not just necessity. I'm frustrated as the attendant fiddles with the register, unable to find the 'Q' for my number plate.

Minutes later I'm heading out of town. I change down, pass the de-restriction notice and BLAM, I feel alive for the first time all day. This is what I came out for, this is why I bother. The road is clear and it's a struggle not to overdo it, up through the gears, brake, change down, round the corner, BLAM, repeat until the world seems a better place.

Or, at least, until you're completely lost.

Pull over, look at map, realise you overshot your turning miles back. Don't care, just keep driving.

(This is an important moment for me. It's the first time I ever remember really not caring that I'd taken a wrong turn. It's also the only time I've ever set out on a journey with no route, no destination and no schedule. Having no sense of direction is normal).

In every town, I pause, look around, ignore the signposts and pick the most interesting looking road. Who cares where it goes? It's the getting there that counts. Look for the white sign with the diagonal stripe, hold it, hold it... ahh, that's better.

Now it's getting dark, and I'm getting hungry. Actually I've been hungry the whole time, I only just started to care. Somehow I've ended up ten miles from home. I relax and fall into line behind a Mondeo. I wish that van would get off my a*se. Time for a reality check, my blat has served its purpose.

Half an hour later I'm finishing dinner, and typing away. I feel human again. If you're wondering, then yes, I probably am nuts. But that won't stop me doing it all again tomorrow

Thanks for listening.

[Stueyboy]

Nothing surreal about that mate.

I usually end up 30 miles from home with no idea how I got there. It's great. Pick the beastie up from pro-tune tomorrow, so the blatting will be in the vicinity of the A1 from M25 to J10. Might go cross country though

[Chris Elworthy]

Done the same myself tonight. Collected Car from Northampton Motorsport having had Alpha System mapped, wot a difference. More torque all the way up, and a bit more power all the way up, one very driveable beast.

Found myself actually making sure I cornered through puddles so the spray got me in the face ! Must have been watching too much "Jackass TV".

To cap the night off, wiping car down before I put it to bed, chap jogging past house stops and introduces himself. He lives about 50 Metres away and owns a Pinto engined Westy. We've never met although he works at Cosworth and I used to, and we've never seen each others Cars about ! - Suffice to say Northants WSCC now has member 46 !

[catflap]

Its what i recon most of us bought them for well i did  

Mine is still in the shop so no fun for me yet.

[steppenwolf]

Nice prose, nice drive! I have had many moments like this and look forward to many more - makes for a great life doesn't it?

[Stueyboy]

Chris

Once more, thanks for organising that rolling road day and alerting me to my lack of power. Pro-tune have found 20 more BHP out of mine. Needless to say, it was running a bit rich at the top end. OOOH and the suns just coming out. Wayhay. The wife has just about resigned herself to the bill. Will find out tonight what the wallet damage is. Expecting about £300 hope it's not much more than that.

[tezza]

Stueyboy

Is your car at a service place in Barnet. (today) If it was it was very nice, wondered if you saw the new, yet to be SVA'ed yellow car in the right hand corner(won't mention make).

Of cause if it's not you then forget I mentioned it.

Terry

[Stueyboy]

Tezza

If you mean the one right inside the door, it was mine. There are some extremely cool looking beasts in there. I saw the yellow one and it looks really nice, I hope you get the SVA soon. I particularly liked the non-westie behind mine which was all in carbon and ally with the 190 BHP zetec motor in it.

Rob breathed some life into mine, I can tell you. More torque than you could run a cat over with (oops sorry wrong thread)