Hi all, a very happy Christmas for yesterday and the best of wishes for the year to come.
While independently watching Casino Royale the other night, Ms Uphill and I (we don't live together as yet) both opined on the number of classy joints in Europe and beyond that we would both love to visit, and I suggested we plan our own Grand Tour. A stylish, cultural escapade that might compare with elements of the Club Triumph (forgive me) Ten Countries Run, allowing us to partake of such civilised experiences as (but of course not limited to) a real pizza on a terrazza overlooking Lake Como, and coffee at a street cafe in Venice.
Clearly a suitable vehicle is required. My 16-year-old Fabia estate is not really respectable these days, Ms Uphill's Golf is too small inside and a bit - well - Golfy. The hillclimb and rally cars are of course ruled out instantly and the Toledo is not really suitable for reasons that will rapidly become apparent.
We don't want to plan the life out of the trip, a bit of spontaneity will add to the overall experience. So if we arrive in village/small town XXX and find that there really is no room at the inn, and that the stable isn't particularly salubrious (thankfully Ms Uphill isn't - you know - but did you like what I did there?) then the ability to spend the night in the car without feeling like a pair of down-and-outs will be good. Which rules the Toledo out, notwithstanding that it wouldn't really have been a realistic proposition anyway...
So the ideal vehicle has to be stylish, a reliable, reasonably economical long distance mile-muncher, with enough room for two average-sized adults to sleep in the back. Having enjoyed a glut of Top Gear challenges over the weekend, where they have on occasion turned the back of each vehicle into a personal sleep capsule, I'm rather taken with the idea of a cleverly integrated bed platform with stowage underneath, with of course the Egyptian cotton and wood panelled drinks cabinet etc. Less sure about the outside loo seat though
So, assuming you have bothered to read this far (well done and thank you!!)...
What would be the ideal car? A friend suggested a Volvo 700 series estate, so I've decided he isn't my friend any more. "BMW 5-series estate" lacks a certain, shall we say, "class"
Jag X Type estate, maybe?? I will be wearing a linen suit and panama, of course...