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roads to remember
My Favourite Drive: David Roome joins a fleet of Jaguars headed to Blessington Lakes
‘The problem with driving nowadays is that we’re going from A to B and not enjoying what we’re seeing.’
JOURNEYS, EVEN IF they’re everyday ones, can mean a lot. David Roome is Treasurer of the Irish Jaguar and Daimler Club. As someone with a passion for cars, David told TheJournal.ie about the drive that meant the most to him.
First up, describe the drive.
There’s a drive I’ve often done with our own Jaguar club, around the Blessington Lakes, where the road comes right down to the lakes. We start off in Blessington village, then wind our way around, taking in the stunning views. We usually end up in Russborough House afterwards.
The event organiser susses out the run first and then gives you a sheet of paper telling you how many miles to go before you turn left or right, so there’s no danger of getting lost. We could have as many as 80 cars on a run or as little as 20.
Driving along the back roads in a vintage car like my own E-Type Jag means there plenty of time to enjoy the scenery – classic cars don’t tend to push you along!
Is there a particular highlight that sums it all up?
Once the sun is out and you’re tucked down in the car, the views around Blessington are breathtaking. The problem with driving nowadays is that we’re going from A to B and not enjoying what we’re seeing. Classic cars don’t tend to go fast so we meander along the road and take it as it comes.
What makes the drive so special?
I suppose it’s because you’re not rushing anywhere. When you go out, you just enjoy the views. Motorway driving is always about getting somewhere as quickly as possible – everyone tries to go do it at 75 km per hour and you’re not seeing anything at all. We try to stay off the main roads as much as possible, which means you’ve no choice but to sit back and take everything in.
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