17 Feb 06
The maddest month of my life starts with a knock at the door. My family is chomping toast while I double check the paraphernalia without which I cannot travel: passport, e-ticket, currency, lap-top, dictaphone, note-book, adaptors, i-pod, underwear - that sort of thing. Today takes me to the Florida Keys and a rendezvous with the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Sometimes I wished I hated flying because that can be cured. But I don't, I just get bored beyond expression, a condition for which there is no therapy. Still, a 520bhp convertible Lamborghini is not a bad incentive.
Take up position at helm of convertible Lamborghini. Plan to drive like hell. Car has lost staggeringly little over stock Gallardo coupe and looks great with the roof down. Sadly the roads round here are dead straight - corners raise the likelihood of people driving off the tarmac, into the water and the jaws of the waiting crocs.
Arrive at Miami Homestead raceway having driven fast enough to keep photographer quiet almost the whole way. Discover great track and a fabulous car.
Job done, face burned, it's back to Miami and Heathrow. Gallardo was a real revelation and I leave it with the sense that, for the first time ever, Ferrari has something very real to worry about brewing on the other side of Modena. This is great news: competition like this can only mean better supercars from both marques.
Land Heathrow and present self to Emirates desk to check in for flight to Dubai at 1.45pm. Told to come back at 10.00am. Curse rather a lot.
