Driving ~ McC Ab Test

We rented a car at Heathrow Airport and were given this Seat Leon, which is a Spanish brand. It seemed a bit familiar inside, which as I learned is because like Skodas (and Audis, Porches, and Bentleys) it uses the Volkswagon platform, so the controls and engine etc. are similar to our own cars. It turned out to be ideal for our needs, was nice to drive and went well. It is a 1600 cc diesel, and included the unexpected bonus of a satnav system which proved very helpful.

Our Seat Leon

I found driving presented few difficulties thanks to driving on the same side of the road, and sharing the same left-turn and roundabout rules, although all limits are in miles per hour. Off the main highways the roads often became extremely narrow, and we drove considerable distances in the more remote areas on one-lane roads with passing bays every couple of hundred metres. Often the hedges or weeds form a high wall on each side of the road which brushes the side of the car, so it is like driving down a narrow corridor with no visibility around the next curve.

A breakdown on a narrow road means everyone stops.

The motorways were generally very fast, with many people driving at over 80 mph (although the speed limit is 70 mph). On normal two-lane roads there were almost no passing lanes, and slow traffic such as heavy trucks and tractors would drive for miles without letting traffic past.

We didn't actually see any stags, just some small furry things.

As a Skoda Yeti owner and fan I was impressed by the huge number of Yetis and other Skodas on the roads of Britain. They have obviously convinced the British of the merits of Skodas.