More ‘white’ roads, a magazine connection, some book-buying and a pub lunch

A recent ‘taking care of business’ trip to Bordon gave The Special and its X-Type a chance to explore the winding country roads of the Farnham area and slightly beyond – and expand its motoring book collection in the process.

The trip to motoring booksellers Chaters began just outside Bentley and, proceeding with slight caution, took a ‘white’ road beyond the village past the Jenkyn Place Vineyard and on to Crondall, where Motor Sport’s Continental Correspondent Denis Jenkinson (known to the green one’s readers and enthusiasts beyond as DSJ) lived. The tranquil surroundings of the Surrey/Hampshire border was his home for many years, when not crossing Europe in, among other cars, a Jaguar E-Type.

Blink and you’ll miss Crondall, but the narrow, right-angle after right-angle twists and turns of the roads to Hook keep you on your toes. There are some great views looking south, field after field unspoilt as far as the eye can see. Out here you get the feeling it’s the ideal location for old-school night navigation rallies once so popular with local motor clubs.

And talking of local motor clubs and navigation rallies, what could be more suited than an early Gilbern or a Rochdale – but an Allard? Perhaps not. But all three makes were the subject of the book trio we bought at Chaters and they will make welcome additions to The Special’s one-make book collection.

Books bagged and safely in the X-Type’s voluminous boot it was a short northerly trip to The Leather Bottle in nearby Mattingley for a proper pub lunch. Dog-friendly and with a well-preserved Fergie in the beer garden, it was a pleasant way to while away an hour or so.