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Thanks to Mr Macron our annual Christmas trip to the Alps has been made impossible just 24 hours before we were due to start. After all malarkey of having to cancel the bookings, train and PCR tests, I have decided that I'll not allow THEM to ruin another Christmas holiday for my family and immediately booked a cottage in Highlands. The decision where to go was based only on weather forecast and the highest probability of having some snow in UK. The pin fell on Bellabeg/Strathdon.
We started our journey from London early on Wednesday and I decided to take the Eastern route up North avoiding M6 possible heavy traffic, good decision that was.
![7496244B-E0F8-4904-ADD0-7966FD72CFA0.png]()
First comfort brake for a dog and us and an oportunity for a first trip photo was made near Leeds.
![A04DF0F0-517B-42E0-892B-E49703605782.jpeg]()
The traffic was light, few speed cameras and XF got a chance to clear the cobwebs (within a national speed limits). XF is a fantastic motorway cruiser. Silent, comfortable and very refined. Again I found it better suited to be in Dynamic mode on M roads than in Normal. It just runs better. Didn't choose the Sport mode this time as it would go over the speed limit in a blink.
Next stop was at Perth Shell garage for topping up the tank with V-Power.
![31B5B3D0-E624-460E-81FE-14D18AFAD085.png]()
At that time I was really pleasantly surprised with fuel consumption. Great.
Next stretch was the one I was looking forward to, getting into Highlands.
![97FA3035-D721-44EE-9AAC-47E8C38ED5A1.png]()
Very light traffic and a lot of opportunity to drive really slow and enjoy the scenery. Stunning country that Scotland. For all who love the mountains and nature, Scottish Highlands must be on the bucket list.
We arrived at cottage late and it was already very dark to make a photo but here is the one from Thursday morning.
![Tire Wheel Land vehicle Plant Car]()
Thursday was very cold with freezing rain and a lot of black ice so I didn't want to drive that day.
On Friday morning it started snowing, the road down the hill was covered with white fluff and first opportunity emerged to test fitted GoodYear winter tyres and XF's Snow/Ice mode and Low Friction Launch.
![C3ED76D9-5C5D-45F9-9C1F-DF4FD7BBD425.jpeg]()
Both worked perfectly. Not once the traction control light came on during the descent. Fantastic.
This was my first XF Winter drive and had no idea how she will perform on slippery roads. 20 minutes drive to Lecht ski center on half cleared road reassured me. Both the car and tyres exceeded my expectations. If compared to my previous E class estate also fitted with Winter tyres in similar Winter conditions, XF SB runs and feels better. It's more planted car, if you know what I mean.
![A011B917-59D0-46F2-957E-A4E3007817A0.jpeg]()
![38E8BCED-C300-4CD6-9372-4A7E1B70B9D7.jpeg]()
![A9D6C6DB-DA19-45F4-BE09-238D4F80BA8E.jpeg]()
Till next drive trip in 2022, stay safe peeps.
We started our journey from London early on Wednesday and I decided to take the Eastern route up North avoiding M6 possible heavy traffic, good decision that was.
First comfort brake for a dog and us and an oportunity for a first trip photo was made near Leeds.
The traffic was light, few speed cameras and XF got a chance to clear the cobwebs (within a national speed limits). XF is a fantastic motorway cruiser. Silent, comfortable and very refined. Again I found it better suited to be in Dynamic mode on M roads than in Normal. It just runs better. Didn't choose the Sport mode this time as it would go over the speed limit in a blink.
Next stop was at Perth Shell garage for topping up the tank with V-Power.
At that time I was really pleasantly surprised with fuel consumption. Great.
Next stretch was the one I was looking forward to, getting into Highlands.
Very light traffic and a lot of opportunity to drive really slow and enjoy the scenery. Stunning country that Scotland. For all who love the mountains and nature, Scottish Highlands must be on the bucket list.
We arrived at cottage late and it was already very dark to make a photo but here is the one from Thursday morning.
Thursday was very cold with freezing rain and a lot of black ice so I didn't want to drive that day.
On Friday morning it started snowing, the road down the hill was covered with white fluff and first opportunity emerged to test fitted GoodYear winter tyres and XF's Snow/Ice mode and Low Friction Launch.
Both worked perfectly. Not once the traction control light came on during the descent. Fantastic.
This was my first XF Winter drive and had no idea how she will perform on slippery roads. 20 minutes drive to Lecht ski center on half cleared road reassured me. Both the car and tyres exceeded my expectations. If compared to my previous E class estate also fitted with Winter tyres in similar Winter conditions, XF SB runs and feels better. It's more planted car, if you know what I mean.
Till next drive trip in 2022, stay safe peeps.
