Travelling in the UK via MINI

Vanwall Feb 28th, 2004 Link

Bring back a Moke! Go to Donington! National Gallery! (Don't miss the Dutch section) Tate Gallery! IWM! The Morgan Factory! Take pic in front of the old Michelin Building in London! RAF Museum! Beaulieu! The Heritage Motor Center! (Where I got to sit in the driver's seat of AJB 44B, the '65 Monte Winner!)

Due to the WWW, you can get pretty much everything you want from England. You may want to look for site-specific things that are unique to the area, but unless you can stuff a pre-'67 1275s in your carry-on, that's all I can think of.

Watch youself in those little backroads with hedgerow sides - they're not really 2-lanes, more like 1-1/2 lanes ;-) Watch your speed - candid cameras.

   BCNU,
 Rob in Dago  

P.S - Watch your passenger-side mirrors in London traffic - objects are closer than they appear.

doug Feb 28th, 2004 Link

Have a safe trip. That a brilliant way to write the entire vacation off! I applaude thee and will be doing the same soon!

Enjoy!

njpaguy Feb 28th, 2004 Link

My favorite item in the Canadian MINI Accessories catalog is the optional factory-issue “rodent deterrent system” that acts like a small scale version of a invisible fence.

Maybe there is something equally as “interesting” for UK buyers only that we couldn't even dream of looking for here in the US.

Enjoy. And “smile” for the photo radar! (Which means you'll be smiling most of the time…)

Rick Feb 28th, 2004 Link

You will pick up driving on the other side of the road quickly.
My wife and I had a ball a few years ago. I considered the round-abouts like my own personel skid pad :)
Enjoy!

Gabe Feb 28th, 2004 Link

Van - I think this trip will be focusing on what I haven't seen before. I actually went to school in the UK for a time and even met my wife there. I've done all the typical stuff many times over but I've never really had a chance to just get in a car and hit the country side.

ANTSMINI Feb 28th, 2004 Link

Pick up the MINI PDA holder! Very cool stuff. Enjoy the trip Gabe….jealous with envy.

Vanwall Feb 28th, 2004 Link

I noticed somehing curious when I drove the countryside there - even though I had an ordnance map, and checked my route carefully B4 motoring, I almost invariably had to stop and ask directions from the locals, usually in a pub. They always wanted me to have a drink B4 leaving, so I obliged. When I got to the end of my longest solo trip yet, I realized I prolly shouldn't be driving! ;-) Good thing I had a spot of walking to do! I had fun getting directions, I'll tell you!

    BCNU,
  Rob in Dago

Timothy Sipples Feb 28th, 2004 Link

Gabe, that sounds like a fantastic trip. Please do not get fingerprints on my new MINI (nor distract the craftsmen) if you see it roll by on the assembly line, OK? :-)

If you want to pick up absolutely the best bicycle in the world for the MINI — it fits in the boot! — I highly recommend the Brompton (http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk). MUCH cheaper to buy there. Don't forget the VAT refund. Just buy one in the box and check it as a standard piece of baggage. If the box is missing, wrap it in four layers of bubblewrap (as mine was) and it'll be fine. The standard saddle is awful, but get a nice Brooks spring saddle at home and you're done. L3 with standard gearing is probably the best value model for Chicago.

I also like to bring back Hob Nobs — a type of biscuit that costs about five times as much here as there. If you can figure out the difference between the chocolate ones and the milk chocolate ones, good show. (The latter allegedly have milk, but I have my doubts.)

Last time I went I flew a four seat airplane along the southern coast and that was lots of fun. Didn't cost too much money, even with the instructor. (Legally I needed one, since I was flying a G-reg, but he just sat there. Well, he deciphered the radio chatter, but otherwise he was useless. :-)) E-mail if you want details. I think I went on the tour of H.M.S. Victory (Nelson's ship) in Southampton the same day, and that worked well. Flexibility is required for the flying bit because of fickle weather.

I had problems in January, 2002, when I rented the Cooper — that was eons ago in MINI time, wasn't it? — with the small washer fluid reservoir and the difficulty procuring precious washer fluid. They don't premix the stuff, so you can either pour really expensive concentrate (if you can find it) into the wee container or buy bottled water and do the same. (Bottled water is cheaper, I think.) The car rental company seems to “forget” to refill the thing. So bring a water bottle, I guess, in case there's an emergency. Given the frequent wet (and thus grimy) weather there, it's good to be prepared. One would think MINIs there would have 50 gallon washer drums. :-)

Re: Stonehenge, they be rocks. Peaked through the fence, took photo (with about 2X zoom I think), then hopped back in the Cooper. Tick box checked and saved a couple quid.

It might be worth a trek to the Lotus factory to see (drive?) another wonderful motorcar. I believe that's in Norwich, and it's another excuse to drive. Check http://www.lotuscars.co.uk for info and contacts. Never been. Please report back.

I'll stop now. :-) Have a great time! And if you break down in or near Fleet, I know someone who might help.

cooprss Feb 29th, 2004 Link

One additional word about driving on the small 1.5 lane back roads. Since these roads have been re-paved a zillion times since the Romans built some of them, there is precious little room for the big Lorrys, (BIG TRUCKS for us homeland USA people), to fit under some of the old arched overpasses. They can only negotiate these area buy going right down the middle of the road under the overpass. This leaves no room for anybody else. I experienced this over toward Bath as I came around a corner quite quickly and was faced with a Lorry negotiating one of these overpasses about 50 yards (oops meters) around the blind turn. Well some good reactions and a 4 wheel slide up onto the curb allowed me to get stopped before I was attached to the front of the lorry as a new hood ornament.

Have fun

Hat Mar 1st, 2004 Link

when are you coming over Gabe? does it tie in with any Mini2 runs - i'm sure you'd be more than welcome along.

also you need to plan to visit the John Cooper Works garage

Ron Mar 1st, 2004 Link

If your into ww2 code breakers and computers you have to go to station X in Bletchey (Milton Kenes)check it out http://www.codesandciphers.org.uk/
Ron

flyingsluzer Mar 1st, 2004 Link

Gabe,

We took the tour this fall; and it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. One thing to keep in mind is that the plant is not really near a bus route, so you will have to take a cab (unless you'll have the MINI at the time). Also, be sure to get the number of the cab company for the return trip, as there is nowhere to “hail” a cab from the factory.

We stayed in a B&B that was pretty decent. Email me if you want the info.