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This month’s Top Tip and the winner of our July competition comes from:
Katie Lewis from Cornwall
“When travelling in California, I decided to take the famously picturesque Highway 1 North from Beverly Hills to Monterey. However, I was so awed by the beauty of the beaches and the proximity of the endearing sea otters and magnificent elephant seals when I stopped for a breather at Piedras Blancas, that I totally lost track of time! As I continued on my journey it became progressively more difficult to appreciate the spectacular scenery as fog and darkness began their reign, surprisingly early it seemed to me. Soon I could no longer see beyond the head-lit portion of the dramatically steep, narrow and twisting road ahead. I was disappointed to find myself unable to appreciate the stunning views I knew to be so close on my left, but worse was to come: my low fuel warning light came on and there was absolutely nowhere in the vicinity where I could fill-up! All the pumps in the few villages at intervals along the road seemed by this point to be long-closed. Being an ignorant Brit, I hadn't realised quite how wild and remote the Big Sur stretch of Highway 1 is, and that once on the road you're as good as committed! I began to have terrifying visions of my rental car simply dying in the middle of the road, with me having to get out push it to the relative safety of the verge (without even the benefit of hazard lights) to camp on the back seat for the night! I couldn't even bear to contemplate how I'd manage to get hold of some petrol the next day, in the middle of nowhere, in order to continue on my journey! Anyway, I decided to keep going for the time being and, in an attempt to make the most of my dwindling gas supply, I was taking the bends at what felt like a hair-raising speed. I was pretty much fueling the car with my will-power! Imagine my relief when I did magically come across some still-open self-service pumps in an unidentified settlement at about 10pm. In dismay though, I realised that I couldn't purchase any fuel with my British credit card, since I didn't have the necessary code! My skin was saved however, by an American family from out of state who'd also been taken unawares and run out of fuel on the long, isolated stretch of road! The lady very kindly filled up my tank using her card in return for cash which I fortunately had in my purse, and we were both able to complete our journeys in a rather more relaxed fashion. So my advice to other drivers considering taking this same route would be go for it, but only if you are able to plan enough time to stop and appreciate the beaches AND complete your journey before nightfall. And most importantly fill up your tank before you pass Morro Bay!“
And here are some of our runners up:
Gary Skelly from Scotland
“If you arrive at night, take vinegar with you and wipe the headlights and windscreen before you set off. Keeps the bugs down to a minimum and helps when you activate the washer.”
Graham Ross from County Durham
“In Africa, never leave your car parked overnight in safari areas with fruit inside - the elephants will destroy your car to get to the fruit. I know to my cost!”
Malcolm Ball from Cheshire
“When driving to central Paris, reward yourself by parking in the most civilised parking lot in Europe. Under Place Vendome - beautifully maintained multi-level parking area - brightly lit, well decorated with chamber music in the background - and a waft of expensive perfume in the air - although this may be from the patrons! It always sees to have spaces available and the overnight cost is a fraction of what you would pay in London or most UK cities for a tatty, dimly lit and unfragrant equivalent. Almost worth braving the periferique just to experience the novelty!”
Sabine Price from Manchester
“When driving on a German Autobahn and you hit a traffic jam, it is advisable to stagger the formation ie move as far as possible to the opposite edge of your lane than the car in front. This helps reduce any damage to your car should there be a collision. You will notice that most German drivers do that”
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