In England...

The rally doesn't officially kick off until Sunday, but I feel like it has already begun.  I made it to England yesterday with a plan to start getting the car ready, but it seems the universe has other plans. 

I lucked into the best situation for my stay here in England.  I decided to couch surf and was invited by none other than a previous rallier (from the 2013 team - The Village Idiots).  Brilliant!! 

Chris was nice enough to come pick me up at the train station with plans to take me to finally meet the car.  We decided to call to confirm directions and that's when we found out that the car isn't ready yet.  Yikes!!!  The mechanic says he needs a few more days with it and I can pick it up on Wednesday.  So, I've still yet to meet the car...  This will make getting it done a little tight, but if we have to work through the nights, we will.

Chris was also awesome enough to give me a taste of the rally life.  On the way back to his place, he decided to be nice to his girlfriend and top off her car with petrol (gas, for us Americans).  He finished and we stopped in a nearby town so I can pick up a SIM card for my phone.  When we got back in the car, it wouldn't start. He thought it was an issue with the key, but dismantling it, popping it back together and trying again didn't work.  It was then that it dawned on him...it's a diesel car!

We were supposed to have 2 cars between us and now we have none.  Ahhhh...adventure!

A tow truck and a cab ride later, we manage to make it back to his amazingly lovely cottage and they treated me to a substantial BBQ and completed the evening with a walk to a local pub. Eh, who needs cars anyway?