Zedster's Swansong

 In what may turn out to be my last trip in Zedster, the Rogues repeated the trip from last year - a short, 3 days in Devon. Originally, my wife was due to come with me but with my daughters A-levels imminent, my wife didn't want to leave her alone. More honestly, I don't think road trips are her thing, despite her trying last year. She wants to see the sights (and there were a lot of them in Devon) and that's not what our trips are about.

The weather forecast was ominous but I've said it before....NEVER base a trip on a weather forecast. As it turned out, we had the best weather in the UK this weekend; windy but hardly a drop of rain and even a bit of sun - it was perfect. My roof stayed off the whole time.

We met up initially for breakfast near Andover, 90 minutes from home for me and I took an enjoyable route to get there, taking 30 minutes longer than the motorway would have taken but much more fun. The group consisted of 8 cars and 9 people (Duncan's wife, Alison, is made of sterner stuff than most); Zedster, 2 Caterhams, a Tiger, Elise, Stylus, MX5 and a Fiesta (Rob's Quantum is awaiting work).

From there, a gentle meander through Wiltshire and Somerset, with the required coffee stop:

Traffic was reasonable, road conditions dodgier than last year (more potholes) but some of the roads were lovely and Zedster continued to make me feel guilty as he swooped and roared round the tight bends. Linda's Tiger had a wing stay failure which left her with a naked front wheel for the rest of the trip but no other mishaps occurred.

We arrived at the B&B in Illfracombe (same one as last year) in time for a relaxing power nap (I was knackered) and then a meal in the same restaurant as last year. In our defence, it was still early in the year for tourists and it was almost the only place open and could seat 9.

Map of the route, day 1:

Day 2 started off very badly for me - half a mile from the hotel and Zedster died completely. Fortunately, after 5 minutes, a loose wire to the fuel pump was found to be the cause. Initially, just wiggling it seemed to be enough but at the first coffee stop, and with the aid of numerous tool kits, a new wire and terminal was added and no further problems occurred:

With slightly different routes to last year (far fewer tiny lanes - a very good thing), we had a blast as we headed south. However, the weather did seem worse that way and we luckily started heading back north before we hit the rain.

The A396 from Tiverton to Dunster is 20 miles of sublime; twisty, foresty, mostly well surfaced and little traffic, we had a great thrash up there. Dunster is a very quaint town with a castle - but it's not visible from the road, so I had an excuse.

Second coffee stop of the day was at the Blue Anchor on the coast:

The run back along the coast again and via the toll road (name forgotten) that snaked around the cliffs, was superb:

Being a Sunday night, The Smugglers was again the only place open but their roast beef was excellent and reasonably priced - they've done well off us.

Map of the route, Day 2:

The final day was a bit darker but the weather improved as we drove east and home. We all made it to the first coffee stop at Portlock Weir:

Duncan left early as he had a long trek home and the rest of us, after a very slow coffee service, carried on to repeat the wonderful road between Dunster and Tiverton in the reverse direction - just as good, unsurprisingly. 

We set off for the lunch stop at Chew but it dawned on me that my satnav was telling me I'd be home by 7pm if I stayed on the route, so I said my goodbyes and re-routed for home. Most of my route back was on the very dull A303 but I managed to find an interesting new route after that and got home at 5.30pm, pretty knackered.

It was another brilliant road trip; the weather turned up, the people are a great bunch and you can get enjoyable roads in congested England.

And what about Zedster? Apart from a little hiccup, he was faultless, fast and fun. The problem I did have with the fuel pump wiring was fixed in 10 minutes for zero cost. The fuel pump on a Boxster is almost inaccessible and takes several hours of expensive garage labour to get to. Lots of people stared at Zedster and made positive comments - no-one looks twice at a Boxster.

BUT....I feel Barry would have been just as fun on those twisties and MUCH more comfortable on that A303 back home and I could have listened to some music.

In 2 weeks, I go to Wales in Barry - that is the final, acid test. Wish me luck...

Decision made...I think

 Zedster has been resting in the garage since October while I cheated on him with an upstart Boxster (see here for details of my infidelity).

A few weeks ago, I cleaned up the wiring to the starter motor and Zedster fired up first time, making me feel even worse. I've since had a couple of trips out to keep the battery topped up and to try help with my decision of who goes; Zedster or Porsche.

Last weekend was a good test - decent weather and a free afternoon, so I drove both cars on the same 10 mile route that I've often enjoyed before.

Zedster was first and felt great, as usual. Fast, noisy, wheel spin out of junctions - lovely. I came back thinking, ok, that's it, Zedster stays.

Then I went out in Barry (I must think of a better name for the poor thing)...

The Boxster is SUCH a lovely car to drive - turbine smooth, faster than Zedster and with the traction control off, just as mental out of junctions - more so, in fact, as there is so much more power available.

Most significantly, the Porsche feels so much more stable, especially on our cruddy roads. The suspension is much more supple and just makes the whole drive feel more in control. With Zedster, I do feel as though I am holding a tiger by the tail and it could bite me back at any time. When I was younger, this would have been a 'good thing' and is what all the reviewers say about Caterham-style cars - it's more 'alive' etc.

But with my advancing years comes slower reflexes, delicate body parts, social responsibility and an appreciation of civility which the Porsche caters to better than Zedster. Yes, I'm old...

Another factor is the social aspect - there are 2 kitcar owners that I can meet up with vaguely within my local area. Almost everyone else is in the Midlands or further north. The Porsche FB group meet up every weekend and there are between 8 and 14 cars, even in the depths of winter.

Soooo, with a heavy heart, I think that is decision made...for now.