27 May 08
Climbing up into the lofty BMW X6 we're feeling pangs of guilt. During the heady shit/lamb/arses/shaving discourse, we decide a 5am start is unreasonable. A new departure time of 9am is set.
9.05am - check map. Discuss route.
Kilmartin is on a peninsula so if we carry on driving south we prematurely hit sea. After five to 10 minutes' solid swearing we plot a detour back north and Phil suggests a route through B-roads to cut a corner - a decision he soon regrets.
After 40 minutes of bumpy, poorly-surfaced undulating B-road my co-driver is calling time, looking decidedly unwell.
Some fresh air and a larger A-road does wonders for our state of mind and we push on along yet more phenomenal and beautiful roads while religiously following signposts to Glasgow.
We slip through Glasgow (carefully avoiding the M77) and decide it would be rude not to pop into the Lake District and take in the breathtaking glacial valleys and bleak moorland, but more importantly, phenomenal roads.
As we head towards Lake Windermere the BMW is beginning to get serious attention from the locals. Necks crane and camera phones are utilised - the X6's cartoon dimensions seem to be going down a storm the further south we drive. Our car's proportions look better for the huge 20" wheels but behind the wheel we could have done without the bigger rims. With them the BMW is easily upset by grooves and ruts tramlining you occasionally off your chosen line. The ride is also a little jittery too.
