5th February 26 Mayfair Memories
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Three jobs today, or rather two and one collection. Meant an early start to take the Discovery Sport collected yesterday to Chelmsford Land Rover. The early morning drive from Aylesbury to Chelmsford means A41 then M25 clockwise to the A12 a stretch that can normally be ok. Define ok right?
But today the rain was torrential again and made me happy to be in a Land Rover product. Any mention of Land Rover on social media is always met with the same derisory comments about reliability. Although everything on social media now is met with hate comments I suppose.
Having worked for Land Rover for stretches from 2008 to 2016. I've driven hundreds. Only broken down once. But I would also say that having been lucky enough to go to three different off road experiences and one special day at the proving ground in Gaydon. Where I was shown exactly what a 5.0 Range Rover Sport can do on track and on an off road track. The confidence that gives you to drive in very minor conditions like rain. Is incredible.
Although this Discovery Sport was now more like a Range Rover product. The interior had the same quality and it just felt too much. Please Land Rover. Make a more utilitarian vehicle.
Arrived safely at Chelmsford Land Rover. Which I was very surprised to see the old style building with the big world map on the wall. Strange when every other dealer had to spend millions some tens of millions. Like Aylesbury. Sorry, Land Rover Buckinghamshire. Must have done. On the new "Arch Concept" sites
Car signed for at Land Rover and a quick Uber to Chelmsford station. From there to Liverpool Street. And underground to Bond Street on the Central line.
Now for my trip down memory lane.
I was lucky enough to live in a flat on Gilbert Street W1. This was back in 2000 to 2004. It was above Bond Street Tube station at the side entrance one minute away. We had an amazing time living there. Oxford Street was on one side. Bond Street on the other.
Grosvenor Square was a short walk away and I remember spending time there with our kids playing tennis or football on the green. In front of the US embassy which was there at the time. Suddenly 911 happened and it was never the same again. Now it's a very expensive looking hotel which has kept only the facade of the old embassy and looks out of the price range of everyone but the 1%
It was good and bad, to walk around here again. Some great memories and a shame it's changed so much. The overriding thought walking from Bond Street to Park Lane. Was that now this isn't a millionaire's playground. It's a billionaire world here.
The other thing that struck me is the lack of people. For central London it's like a ghost town. This is because all the residences are empty. Bought by foreign banks and shell companies and left empty simply for investment. So the life has gone. Sucked up and simply making a percentage. Sad.
Onwards to Park Lane. Going to collect a Mercedes going on to the Leighton Buzzard prep centre. I knew the BMW place of collection was actually in the middle and underneath Park Lane in the car park. Where I found the office and the car was brought round. Checked and signed for. The boss asking for my details for future work was a result.
The drive to Leighton Buzzard was simple
I was in a place for once I don't need Sat nav. Exit the car park onto Park Lane northbound side round marble Arch and straight up Edgeware Road quick stop for fuel around Maida Vale and follow it to Cricklewood and Staples Corner, another ex workplace when it was Renault Retail Group.
Onto the M1 and turn off for Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable.
Arriving at The prep centre dropping off the Mercedes and collecting a Ford Kuga from the same place for delivery tomorrow to Eastbourne.
Brilliant day. Very relaxing walk around Mayfair and some great memories to take with me.
