So began our trek up to the Northeast, this morning. We decided on a break in the Pennines, as it’s somewhere we both hadn’t been, and, upon further investigation, there was lots of countryside to see and explore. Family ties also sent us the 300 miles or so towards the lands of stark hills and valleys, road-roaming sheep, and inclement weather.
We left this morning, and it’s taken us most of the day to get here. We’re lucky we got here at all after today’s deluge of rain, as many of the main artery routes across the country are closed. Turning off just before Newark was obviously the right thing to do, as the traffic was backed up for miles, and could still be now for all we know.
The Polo GTI on loan from the Volkswagen UK Press Office has proved a fast, and comfortable companion, for one so sporting. It was launched in May last year, but as I’ve not had chance to drive one yet, I thought that it would prove ideal holiday transport, give us an exciting travel companion, and (most importantly of course) give the next issue of the club magazine some content, in the form of a drive story, a long road test, and some very honest opinions.
I’ll tell you one thing; the countryside is very different up here. Although the hills and valleys are plain, with the odd farmhouse or pretty stone village punctuating the undulating green landscape, there is undoubtedly a brutal beauty to it all. We’re staying near Consett, quite literally a stone’s throw away from the Derwent Reservoir, in the heart of the North Pennines. I think exploring will be fun, and it’s something that both of us can’t wait to do, when the sun rises tomorrow.