Welcome to OPEN ROADS 2002
June 9th Team U.K. takes to the air
Sunday morning dawns fine and wet. Classic Easterton Farm weather. The adrenal glands get activated rather sooner than anticipated by the non-arrival of the people-carrier booked to take us all to Glasgow airport! Peter as close to panic as I've seen him. The taxi office keep telling him that the car is at our farm when it clearly isn't. Turns out the fellow is sitting at a Westerton Farm instead. Obviously doesn't know his East from his West. Fortunately Peter always builds in extra time for emergencies. Once united with his passengers the driver sets off thinking he is Michael Schumaacher, saying 'don't worry, I'll get you there in time'. Even the blokes ask him to slow down along the little back road we live on. Visions of not getting there at all! Journey long but uneventful except trying to change planes at Chicago. Security lines so long and slow that nearly miss connection. Have to do a bit of queue jumping - art practised many moons ago when skiing. Picked up at Baltimore airport by more efficient taxi firm and drive over the Bay Bridge and through most attractive lush farming country to 'paradise'. David Stonely's house on the shore of the River Chester is simply idyllic. Reminiscent of the Lymington River near Buckler's Hard. Cars are all safely stowed away in garages taking up tractor room and upsetting the gardener. A great meal at Rockhall harbour discovering the agonies and ecstacies of Maryland crab plus far too much wine. Thank goodness for a rest day to recover and organise the car cleaning and packing. ready for the long drive ahead. prev. page next page |