Just as quick update - we left home after church this morning. most pf the car was already packed and we were on the road by 11.30 with an estimated journey time of 3 hours. Of course, we have these days to factor in a stop for charging the car as well as a comfort break.
Studying various maps and websites, it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that by far the best point to do this is Hopwood Park service station, not long after joining the M42 from the M5. After our experience last time we were nervous about trying this as there seemed to be plenty of holiday traffic about. We kept a close eye on the range left displayed by the car but know from experience that it drops down rather quicker once cruising on a motorway.
By the time we neared Hopwood is looked as if we would be too close to empty for comfort if we did not top up and so took the risk of exiting to the service station. Fortunately, the upgrade works to the EV facilities were now complete and traffic was entering and leaving quite freely. In fa ct we hooked up at the same charge point as before! After a comfort break we were already sufficiently topped up to reach the marina comfortably and set off without further delay. The complete stop had only added 30 minutes to our ETA.
We arrived just after 3 o'clock and immediately set about unloading and stowing as usual. It always takes much longer that we anticipate!
In the morning we plan to pop to the nearby Lidl for stores - we tend these days to leave buying the usual range of stock items until after arrival as it makes packing the car for the long journey a little more realistic! We will also recharge the car (outside the MacDonalds next door to the store) and call at the marina office to check where to park the car until the next Car Shuffle. We can then set off. Tomorrow we will talk a bit more about our plans for this and the next two trips which will probably takes us up to our arrival at our winter mooring.
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