10:10
TB - Depressing fact: all service stations look the same. I gratefully pass wheel over to Matt.
10:40
MP - Negotiate through the Midlands, head for West Country. Getting warmer in here; we probably smell. We will later.
10:42
TB - 18 hours since we left J 'o G, averaging 40mph. Thirst hovering at 67.7mpg - that's just 0.4mpg more than Toyota quotes for Extra Urban figure.
11:10
TB - May only be 20°C outside, but feels like a sauna in here. Matt's T-shirt and shorts were curious in Scotland but seem a damn good idea now. Prius' windscreen lacks UV coating so lets in all heat - tinted windows would be a godsend.
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| Low fuel light arrives after 623.3 miles |
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11:15
MP - Average fuel consumption slowly improving as roads get flatter and car lighter. Achieving best ever mpg now (around 80) and would probably make it if we averaged this for whole journey. As it is, we're still going to stop short. Resigned to it now.
11:25
TB - The moment we've been waiting for. On M5 near Bristol low fuel level light comes on. Matt tells me it's against law to knowingly run out of fuel on a motorway, so we head for coastal roads in a bid to run out at side of road.
12:22
MP - Thinking we'll stop near Severn Bridge, which will make for good photo.
12:45
MP - Get back on motorway for one junction. Showing no signs of running out yet. But there are oil distribution depots which might make for decent photographic backdrop.
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| Traffic slowed progress towards Weston-Super-Mare |
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13:15
MP - Rather than trail next to M5 to Exeter, have opted to follow coast westbound so we can stop with sea in background. Have some trouble articulating this to Tom, harrumphing at this thing's amazing range rather than map-reading. Headed for Weston-Super-Mare.
13:16
MP - Blimey, Peter Andre's going to be playing Weston-Super-Mare soon. How the mighty, etc.
13:25
TB - Two hours since low fuel warning light started flashing and we're still going. 700 miles have passed and consumption figure's looking better than ever at 68.7mpg. Plenty of downhill stretches have meant that onboard battery is keeping topped up and petrol engine's doing only light work.
