The Cannonball Run you say? No thanks, we’re embarking on The Prodigal Run
In 2007 we completed the Cannonball Run: Miami to LA in five days by way of more parties and debauchery than we care to remember – or indeed can remember.
We enjoyed it but, truth be told, the whole thing lacked a certain finesse. A little too much macho posturing and not enough expertise or intellect for our liking.
So, now and again, we like to embark on our own little driving challenges that we build around some of our other interests. We call them Prodigal Runs.
And this week we’re embarking on The Prodigal Run 2009.
Why now? Well, you see, two dates loom large this week in The Prodigal diary. On Thursday we’re due to attend a networking event in Geneva at which there are two keynotes that have piqued our interest: the CEO of Rolls Royce, Tom Purves and the CEO of Panerai, Angelo Bonati, will both be talking about how they are stewarding their brands in developing markets.
So that’s Thursday. But watch fans will already know that the following day in London the inaugural SalonQP event is taking place. Obviously, we wouldn’t want to miss that either.
Now, any sensible person would realize that what was called for here was a couple of airline tickets.
Not us.
We’re just a little too car-mad to let an opportunity like this go by. To us, this seemed the perfect excuse for a Prodigal Run.
So here’s a breakdown of the challenge
Day 1
We need to get from London to Geneva before the event kick-off at 19:00. Leaving London around 6:00, racing into Paris quickly to pick-up Straight-Six and hurtling down to Geneva in time to check-in to our hotel and make our way to the event by 19:00 (we wouldn’t want to miss a single minute of the complementary drinks.) We’re then planning dinner at one of our favourite little bistros in Geneva – Le Relais de l’Entrecote – and an evening of Scotch-fuelled watch and car chat that should take us into the early hours. Which is ill-judged, because…
Day 2
We need to be up early to ensure we’re out of Geneva and heading North West at high velocity by 7:00. Somehow, we have to get ourselves back to London in time for the evening session of SalonQP that begins at 18:00. Geneva to London – via the Eurotunnel and London Friday night traffic – in 11 hours.
Can it be done? Of course! What could go wrong?
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Straight-Six
Patito
saffygirl
