Jos Biggs Gem.A trip out in Henry wasn't quite as straightforward as I had hoped. 

That was some rain we had!

The next day I needed to go to Cucador. There are two ways from Limaria to Cucador; the longer route along civilised roads, or the more direct but decidedly scenic route.

It was a nice day and I was in no hurry, so I opted for the scenic. I think this road was originally cut out by easily distracted goats, who wandered from one patch of vegetation to the next with no particular destination in mind. 

Then along came the Council with a left over lorry load of tarmac, which they distributed sparingly along the tortuous track between Los Higuerales and Cucador.

Henry and I proceeded peacefully through the countryside, at one with Nature and each other, and with very little need for third gear, let alone fourth.

However, this idyllic scene came to an abrupt end when the tarmac came to an abrupt end!

We surveyed the route ahead - it looked like an embryo Grand Canyon. Henry gave a sharp intake of breath and muttered ‘Tch! You’re not expecting me to go through that, are you? You know my feelings on cross-country - I’m not one of those common 4X4s you know!’

‘But Henry, it’s not all that bad, really!’

He drew himself up, and in surly tones suggested that if I didn’t think it was all that bad, then maybe I should get out and walk.

He could see I wasn’t convinced, so he added ‘I’m all clean after that rain. If you make me go through that I’ll get dirty.’

He had a point. I cogitated. Then I noticed a huge earth mover parked up while its crew of two yellow-jacketed minions took their breakfast break.

They had paused in mid-chew to await my decision. I could see they were thinking ‘This could be fun! She’ll get stuck!’

But they were burly blokes who looked specifically designed by nature to push stuck cars, plus they had this enormous machine in their command that would be able to pull Henry out of the jaws of Hell, if necessary.

I gently pushed him over the lip and into the depth of the ravine. We rocked and rolled past the earth mover and its attendant humans, who turned to watch. I don’t know if they had placed bets, but I think the odds in their minds of Henry getting stuck were at best evens. 

However, we emerged the other side dirty but unscathed.

I took the long way home!