#Rally Driving Experience in Scotland

[johnalexcooper]

Ready to Rally? Why You Should Consider Taking Rally Driving Classes Today

If you’ve ever dreamed of tearing through rugged terrain, mastering hairpin bends, and experiencing the thrill of high-speed control, then rally driving might just be the perfect sport for you. Rally driving is one of the most exciting and challenging motorsports in the world, and Scotland offers some of the best landscapes for learning the skills required to become a skilled rally driver. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone looking to sharpen your racing techniques, Rally Driving Classes in Scotland can offer an unforgettable experience.

The Appeal of Rally Driving

Rally driving is not just about speed; it’s about control, precision, and adaptability. Unlike track racing, where the surface is predictable, rally driving involves navigating through unpredictable conditions such as gravel, mud, snow, and tarmac. This makes it one of the most technical and exhilarating motorsports available.

Scotland, with its varied terrain, provides the perfect setting for learning these essential driving skills. From the twisting rural roads to the challenging off-road trails, there’s no better place to test your mettle behind the wheel. Rally Driving Classes in Scotland are designed to help drivers of all levels build confidence, develop quick reflexes, and learn the techniques necessary to handle different road surfaces.

What to Expect from Rally Driving Classes in Scotland

If you’re considering signing up for rally driving lessons, here’s what you can expect:

1. Professional Instruction

Rally driving is not something you can learn by trial and error. Expert instructors will guide you through the techniques required for rally driving, including handbrake turns, weight transfer control, and left-foot braking. These techniques will help you control the car on loose surfaces and navigate difficult corners effectively.

2. Learning Car Control Techniques

One of the main focuses of Rally Driving Classes in Scotland is teaching drivers how to control their vehicles in extreme conditions. You'll learn how to drift, control slides, and recover from skids—essential skills for anyone looking to master the art of rally driving.

3. Driving on Different Surfaces

Rally driving isn’t just about speed—it’s about adapting to different surfaces. Whether you’re driving on gravel, mud, or tarmac, classes will help you understand how your car reacts to various terrains and how to adjust your driving accordingly.

4. Building Confidence and Safety Awareness

Safety is a crucial aspect of rally driving. Classes emphasize car control and situational awareness, ensuring that you not only enjoy the experience but also understand the importance of responsible driving in high-speed environments.

Who Can Join Rally Driving Classes?

The great thing about Rally Driving Classes in Scotland is that they cater to all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner with no previous experience or an advanced driver looking to refine your skills, there’s a class suited for you.

Many courses are open to individuals over a certain age limit (usually 17 and above) and do not require previous motorsport experience. Some courses even offer taster sessions, allowing you to experience rally driving without committing to a full program.

Why Scotland is the Best Place for Rally Driving

Scotland is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rugged terrain, making it an ideal location for rally-driving enthusiasts. Some reasons why Scotland stands out as a prime rally training destination include:

Varied Terrain: From forest trails to open countryside roads, Scotland provides a mix of terrains that can challenge drivers of all levels.

All-Weather Driving Conditions: Rain, snow, and sunshine can all be part of the same day’s weather in Scotland, making it an excellent training ground for real-world rally conditions.

Rich Motorsport Heritage: Scotland has a long history of motorsport excellence, with many professional rally drivers having honed their skills in the region.

Benefits of Taking Rally Driving Classes

There are many advantages to taking Rally Driving Classes in Scotland, whether you want to compete in rally events or just enjoy an adrenaline-fueled driving experience:

Improved Car Handling: Rally driving techniques can help you become a better driver in everyday situations, particularly in poor weather conditions.

Adrenaline Rush: Few experiences match the excitement of controlling a rally car at high speed over challenging terrain.

Newfound Confidence: Learning how to handle a car in extreme conditions boosts confidence in both rally and road driving.

Potential Career Pathway: If you’re interested in motorsport as a career, rally driving classes can be the first step toward competitive racing.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to experience the thrill of rally driving, the next step is to find a reputable training centre offering Rally Driving Classes in Scotland. Many facilities provide beginner-friendly courses and advanced training for those looking to take their skills to the next level.

Before signing up, consider:

Checking reviews and testimonials from past participants.

Looking for courses that offer a mix of theory and practical training.

Ensuring safety measures are in place, including using helmets, roll cages, and expert supervision.

Final Thoughts

Rally driving is a unique and exhilarating sport that challenges your driving skills in ways that regular road driving cannot. Whether you're looking for a thrilling adventure or a way to improve your driving techniques, Rally Driving Classes in Scotland offer an experience like no other. With expert guidance, challenging terrains, and an adrenaline rush that’s hard to match, now is the perfect time to get behind the wheel and take your driving to the next level.

So, are you ready to rally? Book your rally driving class today and embark on an unforgettable motorsport adventure!

[neiljohnsblog]

The Benefits of Rally Driving Days: Boost Your Skills and Confidence Behind the Wheel

If you’re a driving enthusiast looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience, Rally Driving Days in Scotland might just be the perfect opportunity for you. Scotland’s rugged terrain, winding roads, and stunning landscapes make it an ideal location for rally driving. Not only do these experiences offer thrilling adventures, but they also help participants develop essential driving skills, build confidence, and create unforgettable memories.

Let’s explore the key benefits of rally driving days and why they’re an excellent choice for anyone passionate about driving or seeking a unique adventure.

Develop Advanced Driving Skills

Rally driving isn’t just about speed; it’s about control, precision, and adaptability. During Rally Driving Days in Scotland, you’ll learn techniques that go far beyond what traditional driving lessons offer. Professional instructors guide participants through various skills, such as:

Cornering techniques: Learn how to navigate tight bends and hairpin turns with precision.

Controlled braking: Master the art of braking effectively on different surfaces, such as gravel, mud, and tarmac.

Throttle control: Understand how to maintain optimal speed while retaining full control of the vehicle.

Skid recovery: Gain the confidence to handle slides and skids, a vital skill for unpredictable road conditions.

These skills are not only invaluable for rally driving but also improve your overall driving ability, making you a safer and more competent driver in everyday life.

Boost Your Confidence Behind the Wheel

One of the standout benefits of Rally Driving Days in Scotland is the confidence boost they provide. Driving at high speeds on challenging terrains might seem intimidating at first, but with professional guidance, you’ll quickly find your stride. By the end of the day, most participants are amazed at what they’ve accomplished.

This newfound confidence doesn’t just apply to rally driving. Many drivers report feeling more at ease on regular roads, particularly in adverse weather conditions or unfamiliar settings. Knowing how to handle a vehicle in challenging scenarios can make a world of difference to your driving mindset.

Experience the Thrill of Scotland’s Diverse Terrain

Scotland’s natural beauty provides the perfect backdrop for rally driving. With its mix of winding forest tracks, open gravel paths, and hilly landscapes, every course offers a unique challenge. Whether you’re navigating tight corners in the Highlands or tackling muddy trails in the Lowlands, Rally Driving Days in Scotland deliver an unparalleled sense of adventure.

The diverse terrain ensures that participants get a comprehensive rally driving experience, testing their skills on various surfaces and conditions. Plus, the stunning scenery adds to the enjoyment, making the experience as visually rewarding as it is exciting.

Safe and Controlled Environment

One of the key aspects of Rally Driving Days in Scotland is the emphasis on safety. These experiences are designed to challenge drivers while ensuring they remain in a controlled environment. Professional instructors are present at all times, offering guidance and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed.

Participants are provided with essential safety equipment, such as helmets and harnesses, and the vehicles used are specially designed for rallying. This means you can focus on enjoying the experience without worrying about unnecessary risks.

A Unique Team-Building or Group Activity

Rally driving days aren’t just for individuals. They’re also an excellent option for groups looking to bond over a shared adventure. Whether it’s a team-building activity for colleagues, a birthday celebration, or a stag or hen party, Rally Driving Days in Scotland offers a memorable experience that everyone can enjoy.

Many rally venues offer tailored packages for groups, ensuring that everyone gets a chance to participate and enjoy the thrill of the track. It’s a fantastic way to create lasting memories and strengthen relationships in a unique and exciting setting.

Improve Your Reaction Time and Focus

Rally driving requires quick thinking and sharp reflexes. As you navigate challenging courses, you’ll need to make split-second decisions and adapt to changing conditions. Over time, this improves your reaction time and ability to focus under pressure—skills that are beneficial both on and off the road.

A Rewarding Sense of Achievement

Completing a rally driving day is no small feat. From mastering new techniques to tackling challenging courses, participants often leave with a deep sense of accomplishment. It’s an experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone and proves what you’re capable of behind the wheel.

Why Choose Rally Driving Days in Scotland?

Scotland’s rally driving experiences stand out for several reasons:

Stunning Locations: From the Highlands to the Borders, Scotland offers some of the most picturesque rally courses in the world.

Expert Instruction: Professional instructors ensure that participants of all skill levels can enjoy and learn during their experience.

Tailored Experiences: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced driver, there are courses to suit every level.

Unforgettable Memories: The combination of thrill, skill-building, and breathtaking scenery makes for an experience you’ll cherish for years to come.

How to Get Started

Ready to embark on your rally-driving adventure? Begin by researching Rally Driving Days in Scotland and selecting a venue or course that suits your preferences. Many locations offer flexible packages, so you can choose a single session or a full-day experience. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and prepare for a day of excitement and learning.

Whether you’re a seasoned driver or a complete beginner, rally driving in Scotland offers something for everyone. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, improve your skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don��t wait—start planning your rally-driving adventure today!

[cxhleel108]

LITG S5 MC:

Name: Omari Martin

Age: 25 (During the Season) 26 (Now)

Birthday: June 30, 1997 (Cancer)

Hometown: Born in Durban, South Africa. Raised in Truro, England. Moved to Edinburgh, Scotland for college.

Ethnicity: South African

Job: Photographer

Sexuality: Straight

Height: 163cm/5’4

Hobbies: Drawing, Photography, Painting, Crocheting, Driving

Personality: My girl loves hard ok. If you’re a part of her close circle, you’re guarded for life. The Cancer sign is a crab so everything important to her is staying protected in her shell. That includes her emotions/feelings. Omari is more on the emotional side, but at the same time, she only gets vulnerable with people that she trusts. If she doesn’t trust that you’ll value her feelings as much as she would value yours, she’s only giving away so much of herself. Also, if you screw her over she can forgive you eventually, but she will never forget. “I get in my feelings, I’m sensitive, and I can be hurt just like everybody else but I rarely feel hatred or bitterness towards people who do me dirty. In due time I can let the hurt go, but I know to let the person go as well and break the toxic cycle before it can even manifest.” Art has always been a big part of her life. She’s very imaginative and loves creating her ideas into visual forms. Getting to do photography is basically her dream job. Now when it comes to partying, if her friends are going then she’ll go. If it was up to her how she spent her night, then she’s staying her ass at home. She likes hanging out in a more intimate environment because she feels like you can connect more that way. “My idea of a dream date is so simple. I really do not require a lot when it comes to that. Just me and my partner at home eating sushi or maybe pizza, doing whatever. Bonus points if he likes art too cos then we can draw together or something like that.” Just remember this, she’s def not boring and can turn up when she’s in the mood.

Why She Came On Love Island: Omari was ready to find new love. She felt that she had taken enough time to be with herself after all that happened with her last relationship and the one thing she hates the most is being alone. So, what better way to get over your ex cheating on you than going on an island vacation with several hot men waiting to cuff you?

Who She’s With: We’re just gonna discuss what she got up to after the show because all of them boys from the season literally SUCKED so bad that she ended up getting with nobody <3. Ok, Finn was cool and they did have a lil thing for a bit after the show ended, but they both knew eventually that they wanted different things so they just stayed friends. Other than that life’s been pretty good for our girl. She took her prize money and used it to move back to Truro because there was really no point for her to stay in Edinburgh anymore thanks to Suresh’s cheating ass. She got a lot of good offers for photography work so safe to say she’s been getting a few pretty pounds. A lot of apologies were sent her way once the season was done. Alfie, Dana, Arlo, and Gabi hit Omari up to say sorry for her terrible experience on the show and the part they played in that. She appreciates all of them admitting their faults and is completely fine with having cordial relationships but none of them are gonna be her besties anytime soon. “It’s sad cos I really did view Dana as a good friend and obviously everyone saw how much I fancied Alfie but all of the weird behavior became way too much to ignore and I couldn’t deal with it anymore.” Suresh probably has tried numerous times to apologize again and again but Omari has that man blocked on everything possible because she really wants his chapter of her life CLOSED. Her favorite thing to have happened because of the show though has to be the support she’s gotten. A large portion of the fans were rallying behind her the whole time. #JusticeForOmari was even trending on Twitter at one point. All of the winner girlies from the previous seasons (you’ll meet them soon) sent her sweet messages. Dani from Season 2 and Simone from Season 4 specifically showed her the most love. Dani invited Omari all the way out to LA to come on her channel/podcast so she could say all the things that she couldn’t on the show. “She’s exactly how you’d expect her to be in real life after seeing her on the show. Just super cool and hilarious 24/7. We got to laugh, bond over similar experiences, get serious, talk shit, and then laugh some more hahaha. I’m really grateful to her for that. Also, Bobby makes the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had in my entire life.” Simone invited her out to lunch when she was in the area one day. They had a nice lil spill sesh and Simone even put Omari on to one of her friends who happens to be a certain tall, gentle, cat-owning tattoo artist from Falmouth that we all love. “I was talking about how I wanted to get a really nice and more noticeable tattoo cos I only have a small one on my wrist, so she recommended a close friend of hers who does really good ones and only lives about 25 minutes from me. I could tell by the fact that she started telling me stuff about him that wasn’t relevant to his job and then showed me a picture of a very attractive man that she was trying to set me up haha. But, that’s how Oliver and I met.” So yeah she’s with Oliver now and they’re just living life being like the cutest and most creative couple ever. (I really needed to give her a happy ending cuz…well you already know why)

[bertiebusyt]

Nightmare Van Life Problems could have been Disastrous

Nightmare Van Life Problems could have been Disastrous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX06FDc6MH8 What a DISASTROUS day, Van Life Fuel PROBLEMS from cheap Supermarket DIESEL . Welcome back to our channel as we experience fuel problems after using cheap supermarket fuel when suddenly the EDC engine warning light comes on as our motorhome started juddering and misfiring whilst driving along a busy dual carrageway .We have to do an emergency stop and panicked to find a solution 0n the road . Find out what we did to try and resolve the issue before a complete breakdown . Plus we book onto a campsite but when we turn up there is a rally on and we was not welcome and did not want to risk getting stuck on a muddy field so we had to turn around to try and find somewhere else late at night to park up . We then had trouble paying for the park up online as it would not accept our payment . Todays Vlog is all about us not having a great day in Van Life and how we overcome the issues thrown at us all within a few hours . We give some valuable advice from what we have learnt through real situations and real events in our Motorhome life . In this Vlog we include ; Fuel Problems Booked Campsite Issues Solutions on the road Overnight park up Van Life Travel Pets in Our Motorhome Beautiful Beach and Castle 🔔Hit subscribe to join our travelling family & never miss an update on motorhome adventure, real-time vlogs, travel tips, and loads of laughter. / @bertiebus 🔗Support Our Channel ☕Buy us a coffee: https://ift.tt/0TFAMjC ✅ Stay Connected With Us. 👉Facebook:https://ift.tt/a2rNbWs?... 👉Instagram: https://ift.tt/sBylGiC... 📩 For Business Inquiries: needham1505@gmail.com ============================= 🎬 Recommended Playlist 👉 Bertie Bus • How We Got Lost In Mallaig: A Van Lif... 🎬 WATCH OUR OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 We SCREWED up in MALLAIG Scotland 👉 Someone has hit our van in the car park 👉 Flooded Sink Problems .The jo 👉 Anchored down on the West Coast of Scotland., Living in a Motorhome on the road full time . • The Best Fish & Chips on the West Coa... 👉 Strange happenings in our MOTORHOME VAN LIFE ============================= ✅ About Bertie Bus. Hi guys. We are John and Zoe. We started our YouTube channel in Aug 2022. We live full-time in our motorhome called Bertie. We have two gorgeous border collies with us on our travels. We release a vlog every few days and keep it real and entertaining. We also keep it within two days of where we are. Please join our family and become one of our friends. Please subscribe and follow our adventures for tips and ideas or just to laugh with us and our banter with each other ❤️ For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: needham1505@gmail.com 🔔Hit subscribe to join our travelling family & never miss an update on motorhome adventure, real-time vlogs, travel tips, and loads of laughter. / @bertiebus ================================= #vanlife #travelwithpets #traveltips #motorhome #livinginavan #problem #travelvlog ⚠️DISCLAIMER: We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of our publications. You acknowledge that you use the information we provide at your own risk. Do your research. Copyright Notice: This video and our YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Bertie Bus. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided. © Bertie Bus via Bertie Bus https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwG3U4blYbNJ5biJvFIydZA June 03, 2024 at 12:00PM

[mysteriouslyluckyblizzard]

Scottish adventurers Chris and Julie Ramsey wanted to prove their electric SUV was as tough and dependable as a schematic car. To do it, they decided to submit it on a drive. That ride started in March on the frozen waters of the Arctic Circle close the North Pole. It ended in December, nearly ennead months and some 20,000 miles later, at the south pole in Antarctica. The Ramseys say the globe-trotting expedition is the firstly of its genial done in an galvanic vehicle, or a car of any tolerant. It took them through a carefully plotted route downwardly North and South America that injury through frozen snowscapes, mountain roadstead and dense cities, where they hunted for charging stations on the way. The duo, who in January returned place to Aberdeen, Scotland, told The Washington Post they hoped their effort could enliven other adventurers and any consumers considering electric vehicles. “We could experience failed at any instant, for whatever conclude, and you just don’t experience if you’re sledding to micturate it,” Julie Ramsey said. “... It simply proves that EVs can go the distance.” The Ramseys make undertaken challenging electrified expeditions before. In 2017, the brace completed the Mongol Rally,

Source : https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/01/15/electric-car-north-to-south-pole-drive/

Relate : https://trendingggnews2024.blogspot.com/2024/01/carolyn-hax-old-quaker-is-encroaching_14.html

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[briefcupcakealpaca]

Ultimate 'Outlander' Fan Experience by Novel Adventures. 24-27 MAY 2023. Edinburgh.

https://www.noveladventuresvacations.com/events/the-ultimate-outlander-fan-experience-by-novel-adventures-r?fbclid=IwAR1mQJ_LBBC7KQagLcHnZYmNml0xxMVWmcisZElu0oPBT0HOYXw-nQJ9IVA

Gary Lewis-National Museum of Scotland

Annette Badland-Rally Car Driving

Steven Cree-Zipline

Duncan Lacroix-Hike

Maria Doyle Kennedy-Private Concert Performance

John Bell-Whisky Tasting

Ed Speleers-Good Old Fashioned "Wee Walk"

Richard Rankin-Giving a Photography Lesson

Sophie Skelton-Macallan Distillery Tour

Caitlin O'Ryan-Clay Pottery Making Class

Paul Gorman-Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Graham McTavish-Whisky Tasting

David Berry-Karaoke

Charles Vandervaart -Hiking with Bonfire and S'mores

Cesar Domboy-Cooking Class

Lauren Lyle -ATV riding

[servicedogforum]

American Pit Bull Terrier Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog. The result was a dog that embodied all of the virtues attributed to great warriors: strength, indomitable courage, and gentleness with loved ones. Immigrants brought these bull-and-terrier crosses to the United States. The American Pit Bull Terrier’s many talents did not go unnoticed by farmers and ranchers who used their APBTs as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing, Dock Jumping and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation. The United Kennel Club was the first registry to recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier. UKC founder C. Z. Bennett assigned UKC registration number 1 to his own APBT, Bennett’s Ring, in 1898. The essential characteristics of the APBT are strength, confidence, and zest for life. This breed is eager to please …make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children. Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog. … Aggressive behavior toward humans is uncharacteristic of the breed and highly undesirable. This breed does very well in performance events because of its high level of intelligence and its willingness to work. Learn more at the United Kennel Club (UKC)! https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-pit-bull-terrier Follow us @servicedogforum #servicedogforum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr! #pitbull #pitbulls #pitbullsofinstagram #pitbulllove #pitbulladvocate #bullybreed #pitbullsofinsta #doglovers #petlovers #dogloversofinstagram #petlife #petloversofinstagram #servicedog #servicedogs https://www.instagram.com/p/CShdvq7grQI/?utm_medium=tumblr

[minervacasterly]

~No Other Way: Mary’s Failed Escape Attempt~

As things between Lady Mary and her half-brother, King Edward VI got progressively worse, her imperial cousin, Charles V took action. He sent imperial ships that were disguised as merchant ships to England. The plan was to take her away from England and use her as a figurehead to intimidate Edward VI and his council. However, like every other escape plans, these failed.

“On the evening of Monday, 30 June 1550, three imperial warships arrived off the coast of Essex. Further out to sea, they were supported by four larger vessels. This little fleet, commanded by the Dutchman Cornelius Scepperus, had encountered a flat calm. The next day one of the ships made its way to Stansgate and a small boat, with two men in it, rowed ashore. They claimed to be grain merchants and took with them a sample of their corn, but when they got ashore they found things unnervingly quiet. There was no one to meet them and they were obliged to return to their ship without having spoken to any local people. They had, however, been observed, and by quizzical eyes. People living around about, especially in the small port of Maldon at the head of the Blackwater estuary, knew of the rumors and wondered about the true motives of these Flemings who had materialized overnight. They were not convinced that the grain vessel was alone or that it had become with innocent intent. Though there was a long history of problems with Scottish pirates plundering the imperial merchant fleet, which might explain the need for an adequately defended ship, something about this vessel seemed wrong. The real purpose, they feared, was altogether more sinister. Nearby at Woodham Walter the Lady Mary had been in residence since early May. Her confrontation with the government was well known and the possibility of her attempting to flee England had been all the talk in this part of Essex for weeks. It was hard to keep anything secret in a large household, where people came and went and not everyone was trustworthy, even if they seemed devoted. Yet few people could have anticipated quite how the enterprise would finally be abandoned. The saga of Mary’s abortive attempt to escape from England to what she hoped would be a secure haven in the Low Countries was well documented at the time. It has elements of almost surreal comedy: disguises, frantic attempts to keep something secret of which the authorities were well aware and the final, complete deflation of Mary’s refusal to seize the chance when offered. At its heart was a troubled woman under severe strain, who entertained the fantasy that creeps into the minds of many people who are stressed almost beyond their mental resources–that running away offers a simple solution to all their difficulties. It is less the act itself which matters, more its contemplation. Perhaps this explains the contradictory nature of Mary’s behaviour in the summer of 1550. A woman who had shown remarkable fortitude over so many years could not, for a time, cope with yet another assault. To call this weakness would be a harsh judgement of Mary, who could not forget the past … Charles V also thought long and hard about whether, in agreeing to Mary’s repeated requests that he should furnish her with a means of escape, he was doing the right thing. As always with the emperor, his doubts about the wisdom of the enterprise were partly inspired by an uneasiness about whether he would actually be doing his cousin a service and partly overshadowed by political considerations. Aside from the hazardous nature of getting her away by ship, once gone she became financially dependent on him and could not serve his purpose by acting as the rallying force of principled opposition in England. He was also preoccupied with his preparations for leaving Brussels, which he did at the end of May, to go and take up residence at Augsburg. Ill and unhappy, beset with costly wars and rebellious subjects, this weary man who was losing his grip on his vast empire must have found Mary’s troubles little more than a minor irritation. His instinct, and his instructions to Van der Delft, pointed towards calming Mary down and persuading her to temporise. Eventually, he reluctantly agreed to help her. The plan for Mary’s flight was put together over a two-month period between May and July 1550 and the princess was very much its moving force. She had convinced herself that not just her religion but her life was in danger. This was the answer she gave to Van der Delft, when he pointed out to her that, if the king died, her absence could deprive her of the crown and would probably ensure the triumph of religious change for good: ‘If my brother were to die, I should be far better out of the kingdom; because as soon as he were dead, before the people knew it, they would despatch me too; there is no doubt of that, because you know that there is nobody about the king’s person or in the government who is not inimical to me.’ The problem with following the emperor’s advice on temporising was that her own, grim experience told her quite the reverse: ‘I fear I may tarry too long,’ she said. ‘When they send me orders forbidding me the mass, I shall expect to suffer as I suffered once during my father’s lifetime; they will order me to withdraw thirty miles from any navigable river or sea-port, and will deprive me of my confidential servants, and, having reduced me to the utmost destitution, they will deal with me as they please. But I will rather suffer death than stain my conscience.’ Her suspicion of the council was profound. They were ‘wicked and wily in their actions and particularly malevolent towards me’ … Mary had given some thought to the details of her escape. Van der Delft acknowledged that the first plan developed was Mary’s idea and he believed it could be made to work. Or perhaps it would be truer to say that he hoped it would work, because it relieved him of involvement, and the thought that he might be compromised alarmed him. Like Mary, he had a regard for his own personal security and that of his family. His desire to be of service to the princess was tinged with growing anxiety, especially as he was ill and arrangements were already in hand for him to leave England himself. The essence of Mary’s scheme was that she should be as close to the sea as possible, to facilitate her escape by water … Royal lady as she was, Mary did not initially contemplate going alone. She wanted with her ‘four of her ladies whom she trusts more than the rest’ (interesting to note that she evidently had reservations about some of them) plus Rochester himself and two unnamed gentlemen, one of whom was ‘very rich but would willingly give up all that he possesses to follow my lady to a place of safety’. Apart from these people, Mary would take nothing with her ‘except her rings and jewels. The plate she uses belongs to the king,’ wrote the ambassador, ‘as, I suppose the tapestries and other furniture do.’ Van der Delft said that no one apart from himself, his secretary and Rochester knew of the princess’s plan. Whether that was true or not, it involved too many people to be practical. Then the possibility of a boat being procured in England evaporated. The month of May came and went with Mary still in Essex and still exhorting the ambassador and his master to help her leave. Matters stalled when the government introduced restrictions on all movements at night, so that ‘no roads or crossroads, no harbours or creeks, nor any passage or outlet’ escaped the vigilance of ‘good folk who had something to lose’. This was a reference to the possibility of further summer uprisings like those of the preceding year, but a secondary motive for the council may have been to restrict Mary and frustrate her possibility of flight. The plan that was finally put into action took shape after Charles V had left Brussels and was approved by him on 25 June. Its driving force may have been his sister, Mary of Hungary, the regent of the Low Countries, who was more inclined to make decisions and take action. She also wanted to ensure that any repercussions were minimised, particularly in the event of failure. This meant waiting until Van der Delft had left, so he could not be implicated, and it also required that his successor, Jehan Scheyfve, a man of whom the regent did not think much, was kept completely in the dark. Thus it fell to Jehan Dubois, secretary to the imperial embassy in London, to take on the burden of managing the revised escape plan. He was more than equal to the task; in fact, he carried out his part of it in exemplary fashion. But it did not succeed. The emperor foresaw difficulties when he gave his sister his guarded approbation. All concerned should be aware of the need for flexibility and not try ‘to reckon the thing too exactly from day to day, as if the sea were a fixed and invariable factor, permitting such undertakings as may be carried out on land’. He thought that there was inevitably some danger and that speed was vital, or the details might leak out. ‘As for disguising our cousin,’ he wrote, ‘I will leave that to those in charge … but no disguise need be used as to whether or not I knew of the undertaking, and it will be better to be quite open about it … for we have the best of reasons and have done all we could to protect our cousin’s person and conscience … and holding back as long as possible from this extreme measure, which it has now become imperative to resort to because of the attitude adopted in England.’ Charles was evidently not given to cloak-and-daggery and he was determined to put the blame on Edward’s councillors. He was more concerned that the pursuit of Scottish pirates, the pretext for his ships being in English waters, could lead to difficulties if the ambassadors expected from Scotland at any time arrived in Brussels before the ships set sail. In the event, none of the difficulties foreseen by Charles V happened. The reason Mary did not leave was straightforward. She had changed her mind. Or, put another way, when faced, at last, with the opportunity to go, she could not bring herself to do it.“

As before, Mary was faced with a difficult choice. She could have left and enjoy moments of bliss. But these would pass in time. She probably remembered the lessons in history. Although she had the fighting spirit of her Trastamara grandparents and Tudor grandfather, she knew that it would be a huge gamble to run away and then attempt to take the throne. Not to mention, the people who still believed in her. Many of them would still support her, but returning back wouldn’t be easy. Everything her enemies had accused her of, would start to ring true, and she could end up the same way as La Beltraneja, de la Pole and other pretenders who fled to foreign countries for protection and when they tried to come back to claim what they viewed was rightfully theirs, they failed. And then there was also the more personal aspect of this: her mother had refused the easy way out, clinging on to her title of queen and asking Mary to obey her father but also to persevere. This was one of her most harrowing trials where the end lesson was: she was on her own and could trust no one but herself and rely on her unwavering faith to see her the coming struggles.

Source quoted: The Myth of Bloody Mary by Linda Porter. For more information on this failed escape, I also recommend H.F.M. Prescott’s biography on Mary, The Spanish Tudor. She doesn’t have a favorable opinion on Mary but the biography is repleted with plenty of details and and this is one subject that she expands upon.

[albionscastle]

First Impressions Part 9

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been in a dreadful funk since getting back from Scotland and I haven’t written hardly at all. But I was putting up the tree and thought of a scene which turned into this.

This chapter doesn’t really further the story much but gives an insight into what Lizzie and Jack are thinking. 

MASTERLIST AND PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS PART 9 - SNOW DAY

LIZZIE

Winter had officially arrived, several weeks early in fact. Lizzie sat in her window watching the children walking to school, bundled in their coats and scarves, happily throwing snowballs at one another. Shop owners were salting and shovelling the sidewalks while the trucks came along to give the same treatment to the roads. The first decent snow of the season the week before Thanksgiving was almost unheard of. Since Lizzie had been in high school it had only snowed before Christmas maybe three times. Up at 6am she’d already shovelled the sidewalk outside the theatre, the landlord was far too old to be having to worry about it and if she was honest she enjoyed the simple labor of it.

What she didn’t like, however, was driving in the snow, especially in or around Chicago. She’d admittedly been called a crazy driver more than once but she had nothing on the idiots who came out in the bad weather. It was far safer for her and everyone else for her to just, not. The museum had already been informed that she wouldn’t be back until March, and honestly Lizzie was looking forward to taking the time off to explore some online classes, anything to pad her resume. Today, though, she was free just to relax and watch the flakes fall while she nursed her tea.

A ping from her phone distracted her, no-one usually texted her at 7am unless it was an emergency, or they wanted her to work.

Brad: Hey Red! It’s snowing!

Lizzie rolled her eyes. In the weeks since Charlie’s birthday, the weird feeling she’d had about Brad had almost vanished and she’d engaged with him a lot more. Though she had yet to take him up on his offers of dinner, she had allowed him to sit beside her at the movies once or twice. For his part, Brad had eased off while still making his attraction clear. Lizzie couldn’t understand why she was so reticent about getting involved with him. On paper he was a hell of a catch - gorgeous, charming, successful, friendly and fun. Brad Wickham ticked a lot of boxes, except two. Attraction and trust.

The truth was - she just didn’t think of him in that way. If he brushed her hand or touched her she felt nothing. Literally nothing, it just wasn’t there for her and no amount of trying had changed that. There was also the niggling feeling in the back of her mind that she just couldn’t trust him. Whether it was because he was just too perfect, or her own personal fears, she just couldn’t tell, but it was there.

It didn’t stop her from enjoying his friendship though.

Lizzie: Your powers of perception are second to none. I never would have guessed.

Brad: Ha ha, there’s talk they may cancel filming today.

Lizzie: It’s barely a dusting! And wouldn’t that just put production behind? Brad: Nah, we only have a few days of filming left and today is just us lowly bit part actors lol

He was right, Lizzie realised suddenly. Even Tom had mentioned more than once that the whole thing would be done by Thanksgiving, which was only seven days away. She made a mental note to ask Maya what plans her and Tom had made.

Lizzie: I forgot you will all be out of our hair this week.

Brad: Well our mutual ‘friend’ will be, me, I might stick around for a while.

Don’t.

She didn't’;t even realise that she’d said the word out loud the thought was so sudden. But Lizzie knew without a doubt that deep down she didn’t want Brad to stay in town once production finished.

Lizzie: trust me, there’s NOTHING here in the winter. Just ice and assholes, other than that, nothing happens.

There was no text for a while and Lizzie hoped that she’d gotten the message across diplomatically enough. She knew damn well what he meant when he talked about staying and she didn’t want to give him false hope.

Brad: Subject change, are you going to the wrap party?

Lizzie: Half the city was invited so yes. What about you?

Brad: Well it's sure to be awkward but I’m determined to. After all, Jack’s the one who should be ashamed, not me. If he doesn’t want to see me there he can leave and hide in his hotel room.

Lizzie: Now that would make the night perfect lol

Brad: Gotta go, we just got called. TTYL

The wrap party had been a bone of contention for Lizzie since the invitations arrived. Her mother and Lydia were over the moon, naturally, but when Lizzie had suggested she stay home with Ben she had been vetoed across the board. Reluctantly she’d had to agree to go, even though she wanted to avoid a great many of the people who would be there.

Still, maybe the night would be bearable with Brad and Charlie there. Maybe.

As expected, the snow had eased off by mid-morning and would be melted away by late afternoon. Maya had arrived at lunch, arms stacked with books and looking all flustered.

“Can I study here? If I go home Mom is just going to distract me and I’ll get nothing done, I’m behind already.”

Lizzie couldn’t say no to Maya, even if her presence meant that her planned day of solitude had gone out the window. Leaving her sister with her law books spread out all over the dining table, Lizzie had pottered around cleaning the apartment and hauling the Christmas boxes down from the storage room. Chloe was strict about the tree not going up until December and Colin had never allowed one. This year she was going to have it her way, Christmas was her favorite time of year.

It was dark by five and finally Maya shut her books.

“I’m done. All caught up, thanks Lizzie.”

“No probs, are you hungry?”

“Famished, I should get home for dinner.”

“I’ll rustle something up, stay and relax for a while.”

Lizzie could see Maya’s forehead wrinkle nd she knew what was bothering her.

“You have plans with Tom?”

“Just dinner with him and Jack.” Maya looked guilty.

Taking a deep breath, Lizzie made the decision.

“Invite them here.”

The thankful look on Maya’s face was worth any irritation that Lizzie felt at the prospect of Jack being in her apartment. Besides there were just a days left and she was, as always, willing to put up with anything if it meant Maya’s happiness.

Lizzie busied herself in the kitchen, making sure she was busy when the men in question arrived. She could hear their voices, the difference between their accents always so clear. Despite herself, she enjoyed the burrs and lilts when Jack spoke and loathed that she actually found his voice quite comforting.

“Could ye use a hand?”

Speak of the devil and he’ll pop his head into your kitchen.

“I’m actually good.” Lizzie didn’t even look up  from chopping the carrots.

“Are ye sure? I think those two want some time alone, if ye ken?”

You could have stayed home, she thought bitterly.

“Fine, can you chop these for me?” she sighed.

“What are makin?” he took the knife from her hand and got to work.

“A coconut curry, nothing special.”

“Sounds better than McDonalds again.”

Lizzie couldn’t help but snicker. Whiting wasn’t known as a hub for the discerning diner, and their McDonald's even had a Facebook page declaring it the worst in existence. For good reason.

“You’re gambling with your life eating at that shithole.”

“Take it up wi’ the young’un, he’s go a stomach made o cast iron.”

“And apparently the taste to go with it if he willingly eats that crap to begin with.”

“Well, to be fair, the lad’s no had a lot of experience past uni, and ye know how tha goes.”

“I remember. I existed on a diet of ramen, takeout and toast. Oh and chocolate, naturally.”

“Naturally.” he chuckled, sliding the veggies into the skillet at Lizzie’s beckoning.

The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence as the meal came together. Jack seemed able to anticipate her needs and they worked together like a well-oiled machine.

“It’s almost ready, let me check the rice.”

Lizzie lifted the lid on the pot and held her hand out for a fork. Jack handed one to her, fingers sliding over hers as he placed it in her palm. The jolt that hit her made her catch her breath, hand shaking as she gripped the utensil. The last time he’d touched her this hadn’t happened, but she’d been upset and his touch had been comforting in the face of Colin.

This. This was trouble.

Lizzie waited until Jack went to set the table before she let out her breath, her hand still tingling and her body far too warm for comfort.

What the fuck had just happened? JACK

His hand was twitching, literally twitching as he flexed his fingers. He’d seen Elizabeth take a deep breath and he knew that she felt it too. The attraction that simmered was white hot and coursing through his veins and it was all he could do to slow his breathing. Jack barely even paid attention to what he was doing, his mind wandering to far more interesting thoughts.

Stop it! He muttered to himself before his body betrayed his thoughts.

Jack forced himself to calm down before going back into the kitchen. Elizabeth had her back to him as she transferred food to serving dishes. He took a moment to appreciate her, even all covered up she was a treat. For a brief moment he allowed himself to imagine walking up behind her, lifting her braid so he could press his lips to her neck. In his mind she leaned back into him with a smile as his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her as he whispered in her ear.

“Can you get the others?”

His bubble burst and reality came into sharp focus as he called out to Tom and Maya, taking a serving dish from the counter. He gave himself credit for rallying well during dinner, telling stories from different sets that had the women howling with laughter. There were moments he noticed that Elizabeth would have her brows furrowed in confusion, and he definitely noticed her watching him when she thought he wasn’t looking.

Bolstered, he not only dragged Tom to make sure they did the cleaning up, but he also broached the subject of the Christmas boxes in the corner.

“Lizzie always was gung ho about getting Christmas up and moving.” Maya laughed. “Mom would never even let her look at tinsel until December.”

“I’m all fer decorating early ma’self.” Jack shrugged, noting Elizabeth’s surprise. “There’s summan magical about Christmas an I think the longer ye can experience it each year the better.”

He didn’t add that he hadn’t decorated his flat since Lisa buggered off and even then it had been all her, designed purely to be shown off and with no warmth or charm. There had been no magic to it.

“Lizzie! Why don’t we do it now?” Tom suddenly piped up with excitement.

Good boy, Jack thought as he murmured his agreement to the idea.

“Well I guess we could.” she seemed uncertain at first but he could see the excitement brimming in her eyes.

That was all it took. Within minutes the boxes had been dragged into the center of the room and the corner emptied.

“I prefer real trees,” Elizabeth sighed she cut open the huge box containing the tree. “But I couldn’t justify the expense when I already had this.”

As it was, her fake tree was impressively real-looking, and large. Jack could see that it had been packed away for quite some time as even the scent packets in with it had lost their smell. It was a lovely tree but in the back of his mind all he could think was that he deserved the real thing.

Maya lit pine-scented candles, while Tom turned on a Christmas playlist. Jack helped Elizabeth piece the tree together, pulling and fluffing the branches until it looked perfect. For the next hour or so, lights and tinsel were hung, and box after box of baubles opened. Many were the typical colorful glass balls, glittering stars, pretty but impersonal. The last couple of boxes were different. He watched the sisters as they lifted each one out, some hand made and some old and well loved. There was even a box of ornaments that were nothing but Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, a wonderland of pop culture. Jack’s personal favorite was a Darth Vader in an ugly sweater who spoke about presents and Sithmas every time someone moved past him.

“When did you get all these, Lizzie?” Maya was hanging a golden Snitch beside a sparkly Merida.

Tom was unboxing a Captain America and jack was playing with a shark that played the Jaws theme.

“I’ve just bought them at sale over the years, Mom never wanted them on the tree and Colin…” Jack watched her visibly gather herself. “He wasn’t big on Christmas.”

It occured to Jack that this might well be the first time Elizabeth had her own tree, in her own home, and he wasn’t sure how it was making him feel. Shaking his head to try and clear his thoughts he handed her the shark, watching her while she hung it. After it all was done and the boxes carted back to storage, Jack stood back looking at what they’d done.. The tree was a hodge podge, with no apparent style or theme and he had to admit he thought it was perfect. The result was warm, inviting and somehow uniquely Elizabeth. This apartment wasn’t designed to please anyone but her and it worked, in the fact that one felt so much at home here.

His flat in London was pathetically sterile, had been even during the time he shared it with Lisa. She’d been all for the ultra modern, with white everything and the place had looked like a damn photoshoot. He’d been afraid to even sit on the fucking couch. In the year that she’d been gone the only thing he’d done with the place was buy a couch and a tv, most of the time that was where he slept too. If he was with a woman it had always been at her place or a hotel, somewhere that he could make a quick, discrete exit. There had been no morning afters, no desire to have a woman in his space.

Until now.

Elizabeth would hate his place, he knew by looking at her jewelled throws and little knick knacks, and he’d be embarrassed to take her there. But here, he could see something more than taking her to bed and sneaking out while she was asleep. He could see snuggling on the couch as a movie played, he could see cooking together again.

He could see a future and it scared him to death.

It wasn’t possible, least of all with her and all of this had to be some weird side-effect of being in close quarters to the woman he wanted to shag and couldn’t. There was no future with a woman who lived in a different country and whose whole family belonged on some trashy American talk show. Not to mention that he was never ever going to put himself in that position again. He could never allow himself to be blindsided and betrayed again - especially when the woman in question was already friendly with Wick.

While the others dug into dessert, Jack excused himself to the bathroom, finding that he needed a few moments to be alone with his thoughts. Strolling down the hallway he ran his fingers along the wall, taking in the gallery of photos. Most were of Elizabeth and her family or friends. He chuckled to himself at one of her and Charlie as young teens, skinny and awkward looking, their teeth in braces. Further along, closer to her bedroom door were two framed documents. With some surprise he realised they were diplomas, from Northwestern University. Somehow he’d known in the back of his mind that she’d been to school, something he’d overheard maybe. He hadn’t considered a place like Northwestern, or that ‘gone to school’ meant a Masters degree in History.

He was honestly taken aback. What on earth was she doing working in a bakery with a masters degree? Jack couldn’t wrap his head around it, or around why the hell he cared so much what she did or didn’t do with her life. Splashing his face with water in the bathroom, Jack tried to shake some sense into himself. With a resigned sigh he instead gave into curiosity and opened the bathroom cabinet, all the while telling himself that he was a despicable human being.

“What on earth?” he murmured aloud as he took in the row of prescription bottles on the shelf.

His brow furrowed as he read the labels; Hydroxyzine, Lexapro, Amitriptyline, Naproxen - that one, he knew was for pain. The others though, he had no idea what they were but it didn’t bode well. Whatever was wrong with Elizabeth, she did a good job of hiding it, he’d certainly seen no signs of illness or weakness.

“That was a nice night, even you have to admit Jack.” Tom remarked later as they walked back to the hotel.

“Aye it was. Say, do ye know if Elizabeth is sick or summan?”

“She looked fine to me, a bit tired maybe.”

Jack just shrugged, surely if it were something  like say, cancer, Maya would have mentioned something to Tom. Whatever it was it apparently wasn’t bad enough to cause anyone any real concern.

Again, why did he even fucking care?

Short answer, he didn’t. The woman had gotten under his skin, yes but for no reason other than him being horny, wanting to scratch the itch. Anything else was simply sentimentality, maybe a touch of loneliness.

“Nuthun, jus thought she seemed a bit, off, probably jus tried like ye said.”

“Awe how sweet of you to care you big softie.” Tom laughed, despite the dark look that Jack shot him.

“Shut the fuck up, asshole.” Jack muttered, shoving Tom good-naturedly.

As much as Jack hated to admit it, Tom had a point. He did care, despite his better judgement and every argument against it. He cared. Very much.

And he was miserable.

[johnalexcooper]

Elevate Your Rally Skills: The Importance of Choosing the Right Test Venue

Rally driving is one of the most thrilling motorsports, demanding a combination of skill, precision, and adaptability. Whether you are an amateur rally enthusiast or a professional driver preparing for your next big event, choosing the right rally test venue in Scotland is crucial. With its diverse terrain, challenging weather conditions, and world-renowned rally heritage, Scotland offers some of the best rally testing grounds in the UK.

Why a Rally Test Venue Matters

A well-equipped rally test venue is essential for improving driving techniques, vehicle setup, and overall race preparedness. Rallying requires more than just speed; it demands control, responsiveness, and the ability to handle unpredictable road conditions. By selecting a professional rally test venue in Scotland, drivers can simulate real rally conditions, gain valuable experience, and fine-tune their performance before hitting the competitive circuits.

Key Features of an Ideal Rally Test Venue

When selecting a rally test venue in Scotland, there are several factors to consider to ensure you get the most out of your practice sessions:

Varied Terrain – A good rally test venue should offer multiple surface types, including gravel, tarmac, and forest tracks, mimicking real-world rally conditions.

Challenging Routes – The venue should have a mix of tight corners, fast straights, and technical sections to test your car’s handling and your driving capabilities.

Realistic Weather Conditions – Scotland’s unpredictable weather provides an excellent opportunity to practice in rain, mud, and even snow, preparing drivers for a variety of rally scenarios.

Safety and Facilities – A top-quality rally test venue should have well-maintained tracks, proper safety measures, and access to essential services such as mechanics, fuel stations, and emergency support.

The Benefits of Testing in Scotland

Scotland has long been a favourite destination for rally drivers, thanks to its rich motorsport history and diverse landscapes. Here are some reasons why a rally test venue in Scotland stands out:

Authentic Rally Conditions – The rugged terrain, winding roads, and natural obstacles create an ideal environment to push your limits and refine your driving skills.

Heritage and Experience – Scotland has hosted many iconic rally events, making it a prime location for those looking to follow in the footsteps of legendary drivers.

Year-Round Availability – Unlike some regions that have seasonal restrictions, Scotland offers rally testing opportunities throughout the year, ensuring that drivers can practice whenever needed.

How to Maximize Your Rally Testing Experience

To make the most of your time at a rally test venue in Scotland, consider the following tips:

Set Clear Objectives – Define what you want to achieve during your session, whether it’s improving your cornering technique, testing new tyres, or practising under specific weather conditions.

Bring the Right Equipment – Ensure your car is properly serviced, and bring spare parts, tyres, and tools to handle any unexpected mechanical issues.

Work with a Co-Driver – A skilled co-driver can help refine your pace notes and enhance your navigation skills, crucial for competitive rallying.

Record and Analyze Your Performance – Use onboard cameras and data logging systems to review your runs and identify areas for improvement.

Preparing for Competitive Rallying

Training at a rally test venue in Scotland is not just about practice; it’s about preparing for actual competition. The experience gained from testing in realistic conditions can give you a significant advantage when it comes to official rally events. Whether you are aiming to enter local rally championships or international competitions, a well-structured test program can help you sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.

Conclusion

Selecting the right rally test venue in Scotland is a vital step in enhancing your rally driving abilities. With its challenging terrains, unpredictable weather, and deep-rooted motorsport culture, Scotland provides an unparalleled testing ground for rally enthusiasts and professionals alike. By focusing on key aspects such as terrain variety, track difficulty, and proper preparation, you can make the most of your testing sessions and elevate your performance to new heights.

If you're serious about improving your rally skills, investing time in a high-quality test venue will be a game-changer. Whether you're fine-tuning your car’s setup or perfecting your driving technique, Scotland offers the perfect backdrop to push your limits and achieve your rallying goals.

[neiljohnsblog]

The Top 5 Reasons to Book a Rally Driving Experience Today

If you’re seeking an exhilarating adventure that combines speed, precision and the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape, a rally driving experience in Scotland is a perfect choice. This unique activity provides an unforgettable way to explore your limits and immerse yourself in the thrill of motorsport. Whether you're a seasoned driver or a complete novice, rally driving offers something for everyone. Below, we delve into the top five reasons why you should book a rally driving experience today.

1. Experience the Thrill of High-Speed Driving

Rally driving is not your everyday driving experience—it’s a test of skill, control, and courage. Scotland’s varied terrain provides the perfect backdrop for high-speed driving over challenging surfaces like gravel, dirt, and even mud.

A rally driving experience in Scotland allows you to feel the rush of adrenaline as you tackle tight corners, long straights, and unpredictable turns. It’s an opportunity to go beyond the confines of regular road rules and truly let loose in a safe and controlled environment.

2. Learn Professional Driving Techniques

One of the standout features of a rally driving experience is the opportunity to learn professional driving techniques from seasoned instructors. From mastering the Scandinavian flick to navigating hairpin bends, rally driving hones your ability to handle a vehicle in extreme conditions.

These skills are not only thrilling to learn but can also improve your everyday driving. Understanding vehicle dynamics and how to respond to sudden changes in terrain or conditions can enhance your confidence and safety on the road.

3. Scotland’s Stunning Rally Routes

Scotland is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, and a rally driving experience here is the perfect way to enjoy them from a unique perspective. The country boasts an array of rally routes, from winding forest trails to open, rugged moorland.

Driving through these scenic locations adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. Imagine powering through a dense pine forest with shafts of sunlight breaking through the canopy or skimming along a hillside with panoramic views of lochs and mountains—it’s an adventure that blends nature with speed in the most exhilarating way.

4. A Perfect Gift for Adventure Seekers

If you’re searching for a unique gift for the thrill-seeker in your life, a rally driving experience in Scotland is sure to impress. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity that leaves participants with memories they’ll treasure forever.

This experience is suitable for a wide range of skill levels, making it accessible to anyone with a passion for adventure. Many venues even offer packages tailored to specific preferences, such as beginner-friendly sessions or advanced challenges for experienced drivers.

5. Unleash Your Inner Racer

For those who’ve always dreamed of stepping into the shoes of a rally driver, this experience is the ultimate fantasy come to life. You’ll get behind the wheel of a specially modified rally car designed to perform under extreme conditions.

The adrenaline rush of navigating rough terrain, accelerating through straightaways, and feeling the car respond to your every command is an unparalleled thrill. It’s not just about speed—it’s about control, precision, and the sheer joy of driving in its purest form.

Bonus: Memories to Last a Lifetime

Beyond the technical skills and adrenaline rush, a rally driving experience in Scotland is about creating unforgettable memories. Whether you go solo, with friends, or as part of a group event, this is an adventure you’ll reminisce about for years to come.

Many rally venues offer photography or video packages, so you can relive the excitement and share your experience with others. From the roar of the engine to the spray of gravel, as you take on a sharp turn, every moment is a story worth telling.

How to Get Started

Booking a rally driving experience in Scotland is easy. With numerous locations across the country offering tailored packages, you can find an experience that suits your preferences and schedule. Be sure to check age and licensing requirements and dress appropriately for the adventure—sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing are essential.

Final Thoughts

A rally driving experience in Scotland is much more than a high-speed adventure—it’s a journey into the heart of motorsport, set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-fueled escape, a unique learning opportunity, or a gift that will wow a loved one, rally driving delivers on all fronts.

So why wait? Book your rally driving experience in Scotland today and prepare for an unforgettable ride.

[classyfoxdestiny]

Scottish minister demands investigation into nursery over alleged racism

Scottish minister demands investigation into nursery over alleged racism

A Scottish cabinet minister has called for an investigation into alleged racial discrimination at a nursery that refused a place for his young daughter.

Humza Yousaf, the devolved government’s health secretary, said a Dundee nursery had claimed there were no places available for his two-year-old daughter Amal.

But they said a white friend who called to check was told there were places available on three afternoons a week at the same establishment.

Mr Yousaf said applications had been tested by other family members and reporters, with “white-sounding” and “ethnic-sounding” names being accepted and rejected respectively on the same day.

A spokesperson for the owners of the Little Scholars Nursery in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, said they were “extremely proud of being open and inclusive to all” insisting that “any claim to the contrary is demonstrably false and an accusation that we would refute in the strongest possible terms”.

The spokesperson told The Daily Record newspaper, which first reported the claims: “In addition to our owners being of Asian heritage, across more than a decade we have regularly welcomed both children and staff from a range of different religious, cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds, including two Muslim families currently.

“We have also regularly made arrangements to accommodate different lifestyles by, for example, providing a halal menu for those children who come from Muslim families.”

Mr Yousaf said he and his wife had contacted the Care Inspectorate and are also seeking legal advice on the issue.

Mr Yousaf said: “We are fooling ourselves if we believe discrimination doesn’t exist in Scotland. I believe evidence we have proves our case beyond doubt.

“As well as reporting the nursery to the Care Inspectorate we are also seeking legal advice.”

The minister, who has played a high profile role in Scotland’s response to the Covid pandemic, said that contacting the Care Inspectorate with their concerns was “not a step my wife and I have taken lightly”.

He tweeted: “After our nursery application for our daughter was refused a 2nd time, my wife asked her White Scottish friend to put in an application for a Child the same age. Within 24hrs of refusing our application my wife’s friend’s was accepted.”

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24 July 2021

Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main

PA

UK news in pictures

23 July 2021

Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery’s new free programme of art-inspired activities for families

PA

UK news in pictures

22 July 2021

Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk

PA

UK news in pictures

21 July 2021

A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer

PA

UK news in pictures

20 July 2021

People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London

PA

UK news in pictures

19 July 2021

Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England

PA

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18 July 2021

A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent

PA

UK news in pictures

17 July 2021

Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave

Getty

UK news in pictures

16 July 2021

The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool

PA

UK news in pictures

15 July 2021

Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a £7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport’s Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe

PA

UK news in pictures

14 July 2021

Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the world’s first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the ‘Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein’ experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July

PA

UK news in pictures

13 July 2021

Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford

PA

UK news in pictures

12 July 2021

A local resident puts love hearts and slogans on the plastic that covers offensive graffiti on the vandalised mural of Manchester United striker and England player Marcus Rashford on the wall of a cafe on Copson Street, Withington in Manchester

Getty Images

UK news in pictures

11 July 2021

England’s Bukayo Saka with manager Gareth Southgate after the match

Pool via Reuters

UK news in pictures

10 July 2021

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty holds the trophy after winning her final Wimbledon match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova

Reuters

UK news in pictures

9 July 2021

England 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst stands on top of a pod on the lastminute.com London Eye wearing a replica 1966 World Cup final kit and looking out towards Wembley Stadium in the north of the capital, where the England football team will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday

PA

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8 July 2021

Karolina Pliskova celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women’s singles semifinals match on day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London

AP

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7 July 2021

The residents of Towfield Court in Feltham have transformed their estate with England flags for the Euro 2020 tournament

PA

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6 July 2021

A couple are hit by a wave as they walk along the promenade in Dover, Kent, during strong winds

PA

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5 July 2021

Alexander Zverev playing against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Court 1 on day seven of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

PA

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4 July 2021

Aaron Carty and the Beyoncé Experience perform on stage during UK Black Pride at The Roundhouse in London

Getty for UK Black Pride

UK news in pictures

3 July 2021

England’s Jordan Henderson celebrates after scoring his first international goal, his side’s fourth against Ukraine during the Euro 2020 quarter final match at the Olympic stadium in Rome

AP

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2 July 2021

Dan Evans serves against Sebastian Korda during their men’s singles third round match at Wimbledon

Getty

UK news in pictures

1 July 2021

Prince William, left and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London

AP

UK news in pictures

30 June 2021

Dancers from the Billingham Festival and Balbir Singh Dance Company, during a preview for the The Two Fridas, UK Summer tour, presented by Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance in collaboration with Balbir Singh Dance Company, inspired by the life and times of female artists Frida Kahlo and Amrita Sher-Gil , which opens on July 10 at Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens in Durham

PA

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29 June 2021

A boy kicks a soccer ball in front of the balconies and landings adorned with predominantly England flags at the Kirby housing estate in London

AP

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28 June 2021

Emergency services attend a fire nearby the Elephant & Castle Rail Station in London

Getty

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27 June 2021

People walk along Regent Street in central London during a #FreedomToDance march organised by Save Our Scene, in protest against the government’s perceived disregard for the live music industry throughout the coronavirus pandemic

PA

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26 June 2021

A pair of marchers in a Trans Pride rally share a smile in Soho

Angela Christofilou/The Independent

UK news in pictures

25 June 2021

Tim Duckworth during the Long Jump in the decathlon during day one of the Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena

PA

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24 June 2021

A member of staff poses with the work ‘The Death of Cash’ by XCopy at the ‘CryptOGs: The Pioneers of NFT Art’ auction at Bonhams auction house in London

EPA

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23 June 2021

Bank of England Chief Cashier Sarah John displays the new 50-pound banknote at Daunt Books in London

Bank of England via Reuters

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22 June 2021

Actor Isaac Hampstead Wright sits on the newly unveiled Game of Throne’s “Iron Throne” statue, in Leicester Square, in London, Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The statue is the tenth to join the trail and commemorates 10 years since the TV show first aired, as well as in anticipation for HBO’s release of House of the Dragon set to be released in 2022

AP

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21 June 2021

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon receives her second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

AFP/Getty

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20 June 2021

Joyce Paton, from Peterhead, on one of the remaining snow patches on Meall a’Bhuiridh in Glencoe during the Midsummer Ski. The event, organised by the Glencoe Mountain Resort, is held every year on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice

PA

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19 June 2021

England appeal LBW during day four of their Women’s International Test match against India at the Bristol County Ground

PA

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18 June 2021

Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after Scotland’s Euro 2020 match against England ended in a 0-0 draw

Getty

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17 June 2021

Members of the Tootsie Rollers jazz band pose on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

16 June 2021

A woman and child examine life-size sculptures of a herd of Asian elephants set up by the Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective to help educate the public on the elephants and the ways in which humans can better protect the planets biodiversity, in Green Park, central London

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

15 June 2021

Hydrotherapists with Dixie, a seven-year-old Dachshund who is being treated for back problems common with the breed, in the hydrotherapy pool during a facility at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s in Battersea, London, to view their new hydrotherapy centre

PA

UK news in pictures

14 June 2021

Scotland’s David Marshall in the net after Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick scored their second goal at Hampden Park

Reuters

Mr Yousaf went on to claim that “three White-Scottish applicants offered tours of nursery and spaces, often within less than 24hrs”, while at the same time that applicants with Muslim names were “being rejected, including application for my daughter”.

He added: “It doesn’t matter what my position or how senior in Govt I may be, some will always see me, my wife and children by our ethnicity or religion first.

“We have given Little Scholars nursery every opportunity for an explanation for the disparity in treatment, none has been forthcoming.”

“With no explanation from Little Scholars, we will pursue the truth and get answers we deserve.”

Source link

[t-baba]

Google's latest evolution of rel='nofollow'

#408 — September 11, 2019

Read on the Web

Frontend Focus

▶  Horrible Web Interfaces and How to Build Them — This entertaining talk from React Rally looks at a variety of ‘horrible’ Web-based interface approaches and the underlying technologies involved. I particularly like the ‘gravity’-based volume control.

Anthony Frehner

Google Is Evolving “nofollow” with New Ways to Identify The Nature of Links — Google introduced rel=’nofollow’ in 2005 as a way for site owners to mark untrusted links that shouldn’t receive any PageRank-related credit in Google’s algorithms. It took off, but now Google is introducing two new rel values for specific types of content.

Google

New Course: ♿️ Accessibility in JavaScript Applications — Make innovative and inclusive JavaScript-powered web apps. You'll learn to remove barriers and allow people with disabilities to use your modern JavaScript web applications in Marcy's new course.

Frontend Masters sponsor

Speeding Up The Web with the Save-Data Header — The Save-Data header field is a request header that indicates a client’s preference for reduced data usage — it’s not particularly new, but this is a good look at what it can achieve.

Matt Hobbs

Caniuse and MDN Compatibility Data Collaboration — MDN’s browser compatibility data is now integrated into the popular caniuse website, with the goal of surfacing even more web compatibility info to web developers.

Florian Scholz & Alexis Deveria (Mozilla Hacks)

What's New In DevTools for Chrome 78 — Including Lighthouse 5.2 in the Audits panel, and Largest Contentful Paint in the Performance panel.

Google Developers

An Animated Chart of Browser Usage Share 1996 - 2019 — One of those popular visuals showing the rise and fall of browsers over the last 20 or so years.

Reddit

💻 Jobs

Mobile App Dev Wanted for High-Growth Fundraising Platform — This company has a big vision, and everyone embraces it, not because it’s a weird cult or something, but only because it’s ethical and cool.

CareersJS

Find a Frontend job through Vettery — Make a free profile, name your salary, and connect with hiring managers from top employers.

Vettery

📙 Articles, Tutorials & Opinion

So You’re Being Sued for Accessibility Non-Compliance? — Compliance with web accessibility requirements is an important legal consideration — here are some tips to get started.

Bekah Rice (Telerik)

Less Data Doesn't Mean a Lesser Experience — Thoughts on how you can provide a good user experience for those looking to save data, without breaking things.

Tim Kadlec

Learn GraphQL in 2 Hours — Open-source tutorials for React, React Native, Vue, Angular, Android, iOS & Flutter developers that'll take you just 2 hours to complete.

Hasura sponsor

The Making of an Animated Favicon — Dynamically changing the pixels in a favicon to display upload progress – A lot of effort here, but it’s a neat little detail.

Preethi Sam

Mastering The HTML <audio> Tag — An in-depth guide covering the HTML <audio> tag and how it can be used.

Jean-Baptiste Jung

Understanding Specificity in CSS — Covers the basics of specificity in CSS and why you should never need !important.

Jess Mitchell

A Beginner's Guide to 'Scrollytelling' — Plenty of examples here on how scrolling can help tell a compelling and dynamic story.

Jeff Cardello

Using rel="preconnect" to Establish Network Connections Early and Increase Performance

Chris Coyier

Why to Stop Infinite Scrolling on Your Website Now — We can’t say we’re fans either.

Monish Reddy

💡 Tip of the Week

supported by

Using :focus-within to highlight a form

If you're working on a form with multiple sections, then the :focus-within property may prove useful.

This CSS pseudo-class can be utilised to highlight an entire form area when the user selects any of a form container's input fields.

The example image below demonstrates this (you can also see it in action in this little CodePen demo). The user has selected the Name input, and the entire form is highlighted in green:

Using this property is simple enough — just append the :focus-within selector on to the element you wish to highlight. Then, when any of the elements descendants are bought into focused, the desired change will occur.

form:focus-within { background: #98FB98; }

Browser support for this currently sits at around 82% — IE, Edge and Samsung Internet are amonst those yet to implement support.

This Tip of the Week is sponsored Pantheon, the WebOps platform built for agility. Learn what WebOps is and how it can help drive agile transformation and business results.

🔧 Code, Tools & Resources

ruffle: A Flash Player Emulator — An Adobe Flash Player emulator written in the Rust programming language. Ruffle targets both the desktop and the web using WebAssembly. There's a demo here. Related: The once-popular Flash website Newgrounds are planning to make use of this.

Ruffle

Make Your Images & Videos Load Fast & Look Beautiful with Cloudinary

Cloudinary sponsor

A Flexbox Cheatsheet Inside VS Code — This little VS Code extension builds upon the work done by Darek Kay - offering a quick reference guide within VS Code, meaning you can look things up quickly without switching context.

Dzhavat Ushev

   🗓 Upcoming Events

CSSConf, September 25 — Budapest, Hungary — A community conference dedicated to the designers and developers who love CSS.

Fronteers Conference, October 3-4 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — One of Europe’s premiere conferences on front-end web development.

SmashingConf New York, October 15-16 — New York, USA — The conference is sold out, but some workshop tickets are still available.

Accessibility Scotland, October 25 — Edinburgh, UK — One day of talks. Friendly, open discussion about accessibility.

by via Frontend Focus https://ift.tt/305g3Qh

[runningblogofanunfit30somet-blog]

Edinburgh Marathon - 26th May

Fourth marathon of twelve! Only 8 to go! I was on a massive high the weeks after the Newport marathon. Not only had I managed to get around the course in under 5 hours again but I had made a solid friend with Simon who is now meeting me at the Yeovil event in June and taking on the New Forest Marathon with me in September. The response I’ve had from friends, family and strangers has been overwhelming too. Even a tweet from Phil Hewitt, whose books I’d only recently finished reading.

Recovery was going well and my body seemed absolutely fine and rested bar a few aesthetic things (who needs toenails anyway?) but after a shitty week at work and a few unexpected hiccoughs financially, I plummeted into a bit of a weird place which threw my training off. No panic.....or so I thought.

I had been nervous but looking forward to going to Edinburgh for a while. Not only because of the marathon but to take a look around the city again with some exceptional company. I head to Huntingdon early on Friday morning to meet Chris so we could chill out a little ahead of getting to the airport later in the afternoon. The journey was pretty uneventful which I’m grateful for. We checked into the room which was warm and cozy and exactly what I needed ahead of the big day. We headed out in Edinburgh and stumbled into a few bars which was perhaps not my cleverest of ideas before a marathon.

Saturday morning comes and I had agreed to meet a friend, Louisa who is moving up to Edinburgh in the new year and we did park run together. Just a leisurely pace around Figgate Park which I thought would be a good sense check to see what’s pulling and where so I can strap up and prepare ahead of Sunday.

It was such a lovely day to just walk around the city with Chris although in retrospect probably did a bit too much walking but it was so lovely to have the chance to catch up with friends, family and see the city. I do love Edinburgh.

We got back to the hostel relatively early, and after I strap myself up, head for an early night.

Morning arrives and it’s absolutely pissing it down outside. Trying to force down some food despite the inevitable butterflies taking hold in my stomach. The cab is ordered and before we know it we’re at the start line. Thankfully where we were dropped off was right by the luggage lorries. A little sweet talking to the staff meant that Chris could drop his bags in with mine instead of lugging it around all day.

The rain is till coming down so I don my Scotland themed poncho (classy) and make my way down to the start pens, via a cafe to use the toilet and to keep warm. My friend Thomas managed to pop in to wish me luck too which was lovely!

Getting closer to 10am and taking my place in the starting pen, I’m unusually not feeling the pre run excitement. I can’t decide if this is the rain or nerves took over the excitement or what. The gun goes and the crowds surge and here we go.

The crowds were great but really quiet. I definitely think the rain put a literal dampener on spirits and everyone was cold and wet before it had even begin but there we were, on our way to the finish line. All that was in the way was 26.2 miles of road and weather.

The route was wonderful. There’s something about running through a city on an event day that just doesn’t compare to anything else. After the flatness of Newport I studied the route map for Edinburgh so I could try and pace myself as I knew it would be hillier. Downhill for the first  6 miles and then up and down for the remaining 21 miles with long stretches of flat which is great. 

Encountering the first hill, disaster struck though. Something didn’t feel right in my stomach all day and at mile 3, pulling myself uphill it happened. My first marathon puke. It was mostly water and the gel that I had just had but I was running on empty from that point on.

The mental struggle is real and even as I write this 3 days after the marathon I’m not sure how I got around. My body wasn’t coping with the weather, the hills or with food so it seemed, and my head was convincing me that it would be so easy for me to drop out. No one would be upset and probably would understand if I told them I wasn’t coping. Another part of me though pulled each foot one in front of the other; my own internal shame at not finishing and the disappointment at not completing the 12 marathons in 12 months as I had planned. 11 in 12 months doesn’t quite have the same feeling.

I ran when I could and walked when it felt too much on my stomach. Weirdly though, I think I had my water intake right this time. I didn’t need to stop for the loo at all this time around...... that could have been dehydration though!

The race does seem a bit of a blur now, I remember the scenery being absolutely breath taking and seeing CALM runners and friends run the course certainly helped but the head wind on the final 7 miles of the course made the home stretch a real challenge and I did slow to a walk for a lot of that. I’m not happy that I had to walk as much as I did BUT I am so proud for having completed the route.

Having Louisa and Chris in the crowd to cheer me on especially in that final home stretch around 22 miles was the boost I needed and I rallied to run the final few miles when I could.

5:14:16

4 minutes slower than Brighton BUT so much prouder of having achieved this when I could have so easily fallen apart at mile 3 and dropped out.

Sitting down on the grass in what was now beautiful sunshine, I wept. Not even embarrassed to admit it. I’m still surprised at where I got the strength to pull myself around the course from. I still have no idea but I can understand now why people have these spiritual experiences when running. It certainly does feel other worldly when you reach the finish line when you have nothing left.

Chris met me soon after and thrust a beer into my hands which I am so grateful for. A hug and some warmth and just some time to sit still with company after a gruelling 5 hours on my feet was perfect. Offered pizza by a stranger which I promptly inhaled despite the warnings you get as a child; I think when it comes to running, accepting sweets, water, fruit and pizza from strangers is just par for the course.

We collected our bags and grabbed a cab back into the city for some food before heading to the airport to catch the flight back.

Chris was so wonderful to me all weekend but after a tough marathon I don’t think I’d have managed the journey home by myself on my own steam.

Touching down in Luton after 10pm with another hours drive to Huntingon, made it a very long day in which Chris did exceptionally well at looking after me and making sure I ate.

Arriving back, Chris made sure I had a drink to replenish fluids, a shower and insisted I get straight into bed. I was done, pleased with what I had achieved at the marathon but done all the same.

It was eye opening and in the lead up to the next one in 3 weeks time, preparation is key. No more fucking about. I’m a marathon runner now.

Yeovil will be a challenge but I’m actually excited about it. Each marathon brings with it a new adventure. Yeovil, here I come.

[onlinecarreview]

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro review - living the American dream

Seeking respite from clogged UK roads, we find solace in the freedom and isolation of California's El Mirage lake bed

Isolation is a difficult concept to truly experience in the UK. Some parts of Scotland manage it, but there’s always a wiggle of tarmac or the bobbing cable of a power line somewhere in your line of sight, evidence that humankind is never that far away.It’s something I’ve always loved about travelling in the US.

Go to the right spot, at the right time, and you might be the only human being on the planet. Stand on the parched, dusty surface of El Mirage, a dry lake bed north of Los Angeles that covers almost 76,000 acres, and as the sun dips behind the mountains to the west and the landscape adopts an eerie silence, it’s just you and your shadow, stretching dozens of metres towards the east behind you. A moment away from work, from emails, a moment alone with your thoughts.

The silence might be even more stark were it not for the shutter click of photographer Aston Parrott’s Nikon, as he captures the descending, glowing orb through the windows of the car we’re here to drive - a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. I say car; what I mean is pickup truck, or simply ‘truck’ in local parlance.

Not a style of vehicle evo regularly gets its hands on, but we’re not entirely oblivious to the category either: we’ve run one or two in our long-term fleet, since they make brilliant workhorses for evo’s less glamourous errands.

It’s bigger, feels tougher, looks angrier

The ‘Taco’, as I quickly discovered, is a slightly different beast. What it shares with the pickups available on UK shores is utility, and rather rudimentary construction. There’s a ladder chassis, for instance, and the rear is suspended not by coils but by semi-elliptical leaf springs. Where it differs is almost everywhere else: It’s bigger, feels tougher, looks angrier, drinks petrol rather than diesel, and is - unnatural though it is to use the phrase in this context - more focused.

The focus comes courtesy of TRD, or Toyota Racing Developments. I’m most familiar with TRD through hotted-up Japanese sports cars, having steered numerous Celicas and MR2s around virtual circuits in the Gran Turismo series, but in the States it’s a name associated mostly with trophy trucks and NASCAR. The Tacoma features several TRD bits and TRD-selected improvements, from a naughty exhaust system to some trick Fox dampers and a quarter-inch aluminium skid plate under the front end.

Up front, mounted roughly chest-high if you share my 5ft 9in stature, you’ll find a 3.5-litre, naturally-aspirated V6 making 278bhp at 6000rpm and 265lb ft at 4600rpm. As the numbers suggest, and as I found out not long after leaving the confines of Los Angeles, it’s an engine completely out of step with modern expectations of performance.

The TRD Tacoma isn’t slow as such, but it needs working remarkably hard if you’re used to the relentless thump of something turbocharged. Shortly before heading to the US I’d driven the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, whose twin-turbocharged V6 makes an extra 84 horses and 119 lb ft, and does so 500rpm and 2100rpm sooner respectively. It’s also around 150kg lighter than the 2007kg Toyota, which allows it to get to 62mph in 4.9 seconds. Toyota doesn’t quote figures for the TRD Taco, but we’d estimate it’s a good three seconds slower to 60.

It’s a difficult car to make a case for on the road too, at least if corners are your thing. The loping highway gait is actually quite pleasant and the high driving position feels purposeful, but detour into the twists and turns of the mountains around LA and you’ll go to sleep that evening with the sounds of tortured rubber in your head, and reeling from nightmares about canyon-seeking understeer. It turns out that off-road tyres aren’t conducive to on-road grip, and turning the feel-free steering in either direction feels like opening the valve on an airlock. With time its responses become predictable, but you have the most fun when you eventually stop.

But that’s not really what I came to America for, and certainly not why I paid my $15 daily fee to enjoy the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area. Where trackdays are the last bastion of the thrill-seeking UK motorist, Americans get another option: spend a day hacking around in the wilderness, free to do largely as you please.

Within reason - the lake’s custodians take a dim view of firearms and fireworks, and you’re kindly asked not to tear up the lake surface by doing donuts - but beyond that your only real limit is your imagination. Want to zip about on quad bikes or dirt bikes? Go for it. Need somewhere to land your light aircraft? Be their guest.

Want to stage an impromptu race with your mates? That seems to be fine too (and El Mirage is more than suited to it - the Southern California Timing Association, which also runs Bonneville Speed Week, regularly hosts events at El Mirage). And if you simply want to turn up with your buddies and have a barbeque, you can do that too.

My own plan was pretty simple. I wanted to take a truck - the kind of vehicle that millions of Americans buy every year - and see how much fun I could have for my fifteen bucks.

Test number one: Speed. El Mirage is over six miles long from tip to tip, and around two miles wide. It’s also very flat and has a hard, sun-baked surface. And good visibility, so you can pretty much point your nose to the horizon and go. The Tacoma shifts clumsily down its six-speed automatic transmission, clears its lungs and emits a guttural bellow from the TRD exhaust as it heads for the red line.

Each shift is slurred like slushboxes of old, but the pace is definitely increasing. Top speed in the brochure is a limited 113mph; I lift off at a nice, round 100mph on the dial, followed by a mile of fine dust that’s almost certainly ruined the backdrop for the handful of people making what appears to be a low-budget music video.

Yumps next. The one thing we can’t find at El Mirage are proper rolling dunes, so we scout the small, sandy speedbumps that line the lakebed for potential air-worthy candidates. Photographers love jump shots whether you’re testing a Kia Picanto, a 918 Spyder or a two-ton truck.

My first attempt is little more than an uncomfortable thump, but the next is much more promising. Bit of a ramp on both sides, decent height. The TRD’s definitely getting air on this one, but Aston isn’t happy. ‘Faster, Ingram’, he says.

Faster, Ingram goes: I sink Converse to carpet and hit the ramp with a good 10mph more on the clock than last time. The front gets air, pointing the nose skywards, but then the back wheels hit the ramp and send the nose quite rapidly down. Sand replaces sky and I land with a sickening shudder. It’s enough to have set the wipers going by themselves, but a few exploratory wiggles of the steering suggests everything is still functioning.

I loop around to Aston, doubled with laughter as he shows me an image that will no doubt define my career

I loop around to Aston, doubled with laughter as he shows me an image that will no doubt define my career at evo: front wheels tucked into the arches, skid plate on the dirt, and back wheels a startling distance off the ground.

Remarkably, the only visible evidence of the landing is a scuffed skid plate. A BMW X5 would probably have set off all its airbags and auto-dialled for emergency assistance.

We try something a little closer to terra firma. One, solitary hillock standing proud of the surrounding bush looks inviting. Until we get close, that is. The damn thing looks a hell of a lot steeper than it did from half a mile away. Let’s be methodical: Clunk transmission into four-wheel drive, low range, engage the rock-crawling mode, foot off the brake... and up she goes, accompanied by the chunter and chatter of the ABS grabbing individual wheels to maintain traction.

I’m feeling quite proud of myself until it gets even steeper and I chicken out, but plans to fake the top-of-the-hill pictures and reverse back down are dashed when a couple of locals pile up the hill behind me at about eight times the speed I crawled up and park immediately behind. Bugger.

El Mirage is just one of dozens of off-road playgrounds in the area

Thankfully, they’re able to direct me to the top (‘Left a bit, you’ll clear that rock, give it some gas’), I thank them, and they say ‘no problem’, graciously pretending I’m not the most pathetic “four-wheeler” they’ve ever seen. One does take an interest in the truck - he currently drives a battleship-grey Toyota FJ Cruiser on huge tyres, and is looking to trade soon. He also tells me that El Mirage is just one of dozens of off-road playgrounds in the area, before roaring off down the hill again and shrinking to a spec in the distance.

By now the sun is sinking and I’m seeking a different, more traditionally evo kind of thrill. Lining sections of the lake are gravel roads and firm dirt trails, pockmarked by bushes and small dunes. To any self-respecting petrolhead, the rally stage builds itself.

There’s just one problem: while I’m back in rear-wheel drive, the traction control won’t fully disengage. Long, trophy truck-style skids are not there for the taking. But at low enough speeds the electronic nanny’s back is turned and I send thick clouds of ultra-fine dust into the sky as the ‘Yota slews sideways. It feels hilarious, perched so high and throwing armfuls of lock at every slide. Might be the most fun I’ve had all day. Maybe all year.

And the best thing? There’s nobody around to witness, nobody to disturb, and nobody to push passive-aggressive notes through your letterbox. Fifteen bucks doesn’t buy a lot these days. But it can buy you a few hours of blissful, automotive isolation.

[classyfoxdestiny]

UK could help fund jail in Albania for offenders transferred from British prisons

UK could help fund jail in Albania for offenders transferred from British prisons

The UK could help finance the construction of a prison in Albania to house offenders sent back to the country from British jails.

Albanians make up the largest foreign national group in UK jails, with more than 1,500 behind bars in England and Wales making up around 10 per cent of total inmates from overseas.

British and Albanian justice ministers Chris Philp and Etilda Gjonaj last week approved a prisoner transfer agreement that will allow offenders from either side to be sent back to their home countries to serve out their full sentences.

But Ms Gjonaj revealed in an interview with the west Balkan country’s media that the discussions also touched on the possibility of financial assistance from London to house returned felons – many of them convicted of involvement with criminal gangs active in drug-smuggling and people trafficking.

With very few UK nationals in Albanian prisons, the transfer of offenders is likely to be largely one-way, and Tirana is understood to be concerned about the additional financial burden that the arrangement could create.

Ms Gjonaj told an interviewer that British ministers “welcomed my proposal for the UK to build a prison in Albania or renovate an existing prison”.

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UK news in pictures

31 July 2021

James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics

AP

UK news in pictures

30 July 2021

Great Britain’s Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan

PA

UK news in pictures

29 July 2021

Team GB’s Mallory Franklin during the Women’s Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal

Getty

UK news in pictures

28 July 2021

Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status

PA

UK news in pictures

27 July 2021

A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants.

PA

UK news in pictures

26 July 2021

A woman is helped by Border Force officers as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

PA

UK news in pictures

25 July 2021

Vehicles drive through deep water on a flooded road in Nine Elms, London

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

24 July 2021

Utilities workers inspect a 15x20ft sinkhole on Green Lane, Liverpool, which is suspected to have been caused by ruptured water main

PA

UK news in pictures

23 July 2021

Children interact with Mega Please Draw Freely by artist Ei Arakawa inside the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in London, part of UNIQLO Tate Play the gallery’s new free programme of art-inspired activities for families

PA

UK news in pictures

22 July 2021

Festivalgoers in the campsite at the Latitude festival in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk

PA

UK news in pictures

21 July 2021

A man walks past an artwork by Will Blood on the end of a property in Bedminster, Bristol, as the 75 murals project reaches the halfway point and various graffiti pieces are sprayed onto walls and buildings across the city over the Summer

PA

UK news in pictures

20 July 2021

People during morning prayer during Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice, in Southall Park, Uxbridge, London

PA

UK news in pictures

19 July 2021

Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Westminster Underground station, at 08:38 in London after the final legal Coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England

PA

UK news in pictures

18 July 2021

A view of spectators by the 2nd green during day four of The Open at The Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent

PA

UK news in pictures

17 July 2021

Cyclists ride over the Hammersmith Bridge in London. The bridge was closed last year after cracks in it worsened during a heatwave

Getty

UK news in pictures

16 July 2021

The sun rises behind the Sefton Park Palm House, in Sefton Park, Liverpool

PA

UK news in pictures

15 July 2021

Sir Nicholas Serota watches a short film about sea monsters as he opens a £7.6 million, 360 immersive dome at Devonport’s Market Hall in Plymouth, which is the first of its type to be built in Europe

PA

UK news in pictures

14 July 2021

Heidi Street, playing a gothic character, looks at a brain suspended in glass at the world’s first attraction dedicated to the author of Frankenstein inside the ‘Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein’ experience, located in a Georgian terraced house in Bath, as it prepares to open to the public on 19 July

PA

UK news in pictures

13 July 2021

Rehearsals are held in a car park in Glasgow for a parade scene ahead of filming for what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones 5 movie starring Harrison Ford

PA

UK news in pictures

12 July 2021

A local resident puts love hearts and slogans on the plastic that covers offensive graffiti on the vandalised mural of Manchester United striker and England player Marcus Rashford on the wall of a cafe on Copson Street, Withington in Manchester

Getty Images

UK news in pictures

11 July 2021

England’s Bukayo Saka with manager Gareth Southgate after the match

Pool via Reuters

UK news in pictures

10 July 2021

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty holds the trophy after winning her final Wimbledon match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova

Reuters

UK news in pictures

9 July 2021

England 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst stands on top of a pod on the lastminute.com London Eye wearing a replica 1966 World Cup final kit and looking out towards Wembley Stadium in the north of the capital, where the England football team will play Italy in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday

PA

UK news in pictures

8 July 2021

Karolina Pliskova celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka during the women’s singles semifinals match on day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London

AP

UK news in pictures

7 July 2021

The residents of Towfield Court in Feltham have transformed their estate with England flags for the Euro 2020 tournament

PA

UK news in pictures

6 July 2021

A couple are hit by a wave as they walk along the promenade in Dover, Kent, during strong winds

PA

UK news in pictures

5 July 2021

Alexander Zverev playing against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Court 1 on day seven of Wimbledon at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

PA

UK news in pictures

4 July 2021

Aaron Carty and the Beyoncé Experience perform on stage during UK Black Pride at The Roundhouse in London

Getty for UK Black Pride

UK news in pictures

3 July 2021

England’s Jordan Henderson celebrates after scoring his first international goal, his side’s fourth against Ukraine during the Euro 2020 quarter final match at the Olympic stadium in Rome

AP

UK news in pictures

2 July 2021

Dan Evans serves against Sebastian Korda during their men’s singles third round match at Wimbledon

Getty

UK news in pictures

1 July 2021

Prince William, left and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London

AP

UK news in pictures

30 June 2021

Dancers from the Billingham Festival and Balbir Singh Dance Company, during a preview for the The Two Fridas, UK Summer tour, presented by Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance in collaboration with Balbir Singh Dance Company, inspired by the life and times of female artists Frida Kahlo and Amrita Sher-Gil , which opens on July 10 at Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens in Durham

PA

UK news in pictures

29 June 2021

A boy kicks a soccer ball in front of the balconies and landings adorned with predominantly England flags at the Kirby housing estate in London

AP

UK news in pictures

28 June 2021

Emergency services attend a fire nearby the Elephant & Castle Rail Station in London

Getty

UK news in pictures

27 June 2021

People walk along Regent Street in central London during a #FreedomToDance march organised by Save Our Scene, in protest against the government’s perceived disregard for the live music industry throughout the coronavirus pandemic

PA

UK news in pictures

26 June 2021

A pair of marchers in a Trans Pride rally share a smile in Soho

Angela Christofilou/The Independent

UK news in pictures

25 June 2021

Tim Duckworth during the Long Jump in the decathlon during day one of the Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena

PA

UK news in pictures

24 June 2021

A member of staff poses with the work ‘The Death of Cash’ by XCopy at the ‘CryptOGs: The Pioneers of NFT Art’ auction at Bonhams auction house in London

EPA

UK news in pictures

23 June 2021

Bank of England Chief Cashier Sarah John displays the new 50-pound banknote at Daunt Books in London

Bank of England via Reuters

UK news in pictures

22 June 2021

Actor Isaac Hampstead Wright sits on the newly unveiled Game of Throne’s “Iron Throne” statue, in Leicester Square, in London, Tuesday, June 22, 2021. The statue is the tenth to join the trail and commemorates 10 years since the TV show first aired, as well as in anticipation for HBO’s release of House of the Dragon set to be released in 2022

AP

UK news in pictures

21 June 2021

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon receives her second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

20 June 2021

Joyce Paton, from Peterhead, on one of the remaining snow patches on Meall a’Bhuiridh in Glencoe during the Midsummer Ski. The event, organised by the Glencoe Mountain Resort, is held every year on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice

PA

UK news in pictures

19 June 2021

England appeal LBW during day four of their Women’s International Test match against India at the Bristol County Ground

PA

UK news in pictures

18 June 2021

Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after Scotland’s Euro 2020 match against England ended in a 0-0 draw

Getty

UK news in pictures

17 June 2021

Members of the Tootsie Rollers jazz band pose on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

16 June 2021

A woman and child examine life-size sculptures of a herd of Asian elephants set up by the Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective to help educate the public on the elephants and the ways in which humans can better protect the planets biodiversity, in Green Park, central London

AFP/Getty

UK news in pictures

15 June 2021

Hydrotherapists with Dixie, a seven-year-old Dachshund who is being treated for back problems common with the breed, in the hydrotherapy pool during a facility at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s in Battersea, London, to view their new hydrotherapy centre

PA

UK news in pictures

14 June 2021

Scotland’s David Marshall in the net after Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick scored their second goal at Hampden Park

Reuters

UK news in pictures

13 June 2021

Raheem Sterling celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring England’s first goal of the Euro 2021 tournament in a match against Croatia at Wembley

Reuters

UK news in pictures

12 June 2021

Oxfam campaigners wearing costumes depicting G7 leaders pose for photographers on Swanpool Beach near Falmouth, Cornwall

EPA

Discussions are understood to be at an early stage, and the Ministry of Justice declined to confirm or deny whether the proposal was raised in last week’s talks.

But an offer of financial help would not be unprecedented.

In 2015, David Cameron offered Jamaica around £25m from the UK’s aid budget to part-fund a prison for offenders returned from Britain, though the deal was eventually rejected by the administration in Kingston. Since then, discussions have taken place with Nigeria about funding for a jail in Lagos, though again the proposal came to nothing.

Under the terms of last week’s agreement, Albanian authorities will have to foot the bill for housing returned offenders in its own jails, saving the UK taxpayer an average £44,600 per inmate.

Mr Philp, said: “We are committed to removing foreign criminals who have abused our hospitality and inflicted misery on our communities.

“Someone who commits a serious crime in the UK should be barred from returning so that the taxpayer no longer has to pay for them and victims can be confident justice has been done.”

No legislation is required to put the agreement into effect, and ministers expect transfers under the scheme to begin in the autumn.

Since January 2019, the UK has removed 7,985 foreign national offenders from prisons, immigration removal centres and the community.

The deal with Albania builds on an earlier agreement and means that offenders must spend at least the same amount of time in custody as they were sentenced to by a judge in the UK.

It also clarifies that prisoners can be transferred without their consent.

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