Round, round, get around, I get around.

[f4f3]

Greeting from the Capital of the Highlands

Or possibly the Gateway to the Highlands. I’m never quite sure which one is Inverness, and which one is Fort William. I’m in Inverness, for the avoidance of doubt, on some interesting business for my corporate masters.

I drove up yesterday, instead of taking the train, mostly because I wanted to give the new car a work out. I’ve been playing with it since it arrived on Wednesday, and it’s shaping up very nicely indeed. It handles motorways effortlessly, which you’d expect from what it basically a Grand Tourer, and it’s fine in town, even though I’m normally to be found trying to navigate the on-board entertainment and navigation screens instead of watching where I’m going.

The car has a programmed in multi-personality. With the press of a button you can go through Eco-Pro (treads gently on the earth) through Comfort (priority is a nice smooth ride) up to Sport (get out of my way, puny mortals) and finally Sport Plus (A driver as good as I am doesn’t need any of these electronic nannies to drive safely… oh shit, oh shit, we’re all going to die!!!!). I haven’t had much chance to try out Oh shiiiiit! mode yet, but that will change tomorrow.

Coming up to Inverness I took the quick route, the A9, which has a certain amount of Highland Majesty, but no real winding roads. Unlike, say, the A82, which follows Loch Ness down to Fort William via Glencoe. It didn’t make sense to come up that way, but I need to drop by the cottage tomorrow to pick up some documents, so that’s a perfect excuse for some, um, performance testing. I might even stop in Oban for some seafood dining.

It does put me on the wrong coast on Thursday, though, since I have an art show to go to in Edinburgh that night. Ach, it’s nothing that a shitload of driving won’t put right…

Comments

[slobberpuppy.livejournal.com]

But have you names your new wheels yet?

I have electric vehicle, eco, and power mode on my car. I rarely use the power mode, but it is good for overtaking slower drivers.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I think he is going to be called Blue. Perhaps even Big Blue. And he's a he, apparently.

[slobberpuppy.livejournal.com]

These are all important things to know about one's car.

My car is a he names Bunni. It's a bit of a misnomer, b/c Bunni is actually a sleek and silent gunmetal grey shark.

Yes, this Bunni has BITE!

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Oh, and he's a cat, a big cat, unlike Scooby who is a dog.

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

I remember really liking Inverness. I'm pretty sure it was the Ramada Jarvis (fairly recently absorbed by Ramada at the time) that had the snazzy sauna and hot tub.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I think I stayed there last time, but it was one night and away, and I didn't get the chance to do the gym thing. It's a lovely wee toon, and I'm hoping to spend more time there.