stewartwillsher
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2017
- Messages
- 1,111
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- Location
- Western Spain and Costa de la Luz
Our journeys (other than shopping and tootling) invariably take in Autovias (Motorways) and Autopistas (Toll motorways), so our average speeds are quite high.
We avoid, if poss, doing the same trips as the masses when they are heading out of the cities at the start of fiestas (usually long holiday weekends) or returning.
Therefore 100kph or more is easily achieved on our 250kms trips to Madrid, for example.
However what I am about to relate was a bit spesh and a once off, I believe.
About ten years ago we had been to visit friends in Almeria where they have a beach apartment.
The good old faithful Mondeo Estate was our do everything motor then and had not too long previously been the relocation vehicle moving us, some belongings and two cats from Essex to Extremadura (wild West Spain where we live), so was no stranger to legging it a bit.
So, four up and with a bit of holiday luggage we set off on our return from the sea-side in Almeria.
The women busied themselves nattering.
My mate says, "Are you up for a unique bit of motoring?".
Now he knows a bit about getting round Spain because of his job (not retired like us), so I said I'll give it a go.
Well, a new, as yet, not commissioned Autopista, was being test used if you acknowledged on joining it, that there were no services or assistance, but no toll charges also.
We slipped onto this empty strip of concrete near Abacete and aimed at Toledo.
"You do realise there are no cops, don't you? said my mate with a grin.
The ladies were deep in gossip in the back.
In moments the old wagon was touching 160kph (100mph in your money).
So, no big deal, you say.
BUT we sat at 160kph for well over an hour!
I recall only passing a handful of other pioneers during that time, and they were not taking as much of an advantage as us.
The drop back to 120 kph (plus a bit) for the rest of the journey was a bit boring and even the ladies remarked that we had slowed down (we chuckled!).
I remember relating this experience to my son (Yorkshire based) and his envious expletive riddled response!
We avoid, if poss, doing the same trips as the masses when they are heading out of the cities at the start of fiestas (usually long holiday weekends) or returning.
Therefore 100kph or more is easily achieved on our 250kms trips to Madrid, for example.
However what I am about to relate was a bit spesh and a once off, I believe.
About ten years ago we had been to visit friends in Almeria where they have a beach apartment.
The good old faithful Mondeo Estate was our do everything motor then and had not too long previously been the relocation vehicle moving us, some belongings and two cats from Essex to Extremadura (wild West Spain where we live), so was no stranger to legging it a bit.
So, four up and with a bit of holiday luggage we set off on our return from the sea-side in Almeria.
The women busied themselves nattering.
My mate says, "Are you up for a unique bit of motoring?".
Now he knows a bit about getting round Spain because of his job (not retired like us), so I said I'll give it a go.
Well, a new, as yet, not commissioned Autopista, was being test used if you acknowledged on joining it, that there were no services or assistance, but no toll charges also.
We slipped onto this empty strip of concrete near Abacete and aimed at Toledo.
"You do realise there are no cops, don't you? said my mate with a grin.
The ladies were deep in gossip in the back.
In moments the old wagon was touching 160kph (100mph in your money).
So, no big deal, you say.
BUT we sat at 160kph for well over an hour!
I recall only passing a handful of other pioneers during that time, and they were not taking as much of an advantage as us.
The drop back to 120 kph (plus a bit) for the rest of the journey was a bit boring and even the ladies remarked that we had slowed down (we chuckled!).
I remember relating this experience to my son (Yorkshire based) and his envious expletive riddled response!
