Abroad with Ford

Today was day two on the launch drive of the new Ford Mondeo. Yesterday we drove the petrol engined estate car. Today was devoted to the version that is destined to be the most popular seller, the diesel hatchback. The test route was on demanding roads in spectacular scenery through Andalucia, over steep undulating terrain, with some urban and motorway sections also included.

The weather was perfect for photography and driving appraisal, with the clear light bringing out a richness of colour and the roads gloriously empty most of the time. Then we landed back at Stansted this afternoon under a leaden sky, and just in time to negotiate the busy M11 and the rush-hour M25 at the tail end of a fierce thunderstorm. At least there was a brief rainbow afterwards to brighten a soggy October evening back home.