Specialist Cars, Luton, 12th August 2010, Day 18
Ah Luton how I do love thee, let me count the ways. Ok so I might be being a little sarcastic but their Dominos is pretty good and they have one of the finest…um, one of the finest…
…aha, one of the finest Specialist Car dealerships on Leagrave Road! Tony and Matt were great and provided us with an immaculate showroom with which to show off our wears for the penultimate time. Although not the busiest of events of those who came all left impressed with MINI’s new big brother - few could deny the impact that she has had on people over the last four weeks. I fear tomorrow will be a sad day.
Specialist Cars, Stevenage, 11th August 2010, Day 17
After exploring what Stevenage Leisure Park had to offer (turns out not a lot unless you’re a fan of KFC) I headed down to Specialist Cars halfway through my final week. The event was another success with a record number of test drives being booked and, with the help of Dave, who at times seemed more taken with a certain cut-out image in our set than he was with the Countryman, we discuss the new addition to the MINI family, bacon rolls and parking in South London. He knows his stuff as well, with nearly 11 years collective experience in the industry and over three years with MINI there’s not a lot about a bacon roll he doesn’t know. I had him on the London parking though.
Elms, Stansted, 10th August 2010, Day 16
Our next stop on our action packed final week through the North West South East (the North West part of the South East region of Britain. No? I’ve been waiting to write a didactic sentence like that all tour!) Was Elms of Stansted. We were greeted by Sue and her very enthusiastic team, proud of their brand new showroom and eager to show off the Cuntryman. They had every right too as well as it contained a state of the art hand-over bay complete with lights, video and a large glowing red button that, when pushed, opened double doors to reveal their new MINI. Brilliant.
They also had an excellent array of gadgets and gizmos to keep the children entertained and while they were busy on either the Wii or Scalextric we supped tea from china cups and munched on cupcakes. It’s a hard life sometimes.
Elms, Cambridge, 9th August 2010, Day 15
This morning as I drove up the M11 the pang of nostalgia I felt last week is back. This time though there’s no escaping it; we’re approaching the end of our action packed tour around the South East.
But before I dwell upon what has passed before there’s still many more miles to enjoy and people to meet so out of Birchanger Green Services I pull, ‘freshly’ made sandwich by my side and, going through the gears, I head towards Cambridge.
After a chat with Grahame (the manager of Elms) about the event, Ryan (a sales executive) about motorbikes and Steve (a passing stranger being towed along by an over excited spaniel) about ‘how far MINI’s have come over the years’ we’re under way. We had to share the showroom with BMW today as the MINI showroom was exactly that. Mini – and there was no way that the Countryman would have fitted along with the customers that wished to view it. Not without the glass showroom looking like an overcrowded, if somewhat bizarre, aquarium with faces pressed up against the windows. Now there’s an image.
Stephen James, Blackheath, 6th August 2010, Day 14
We’ve been on the road for so long it seems that MINI have run out of managers and are rotating their staff. Today I had the pleasure of seeing the familiar face of Hayley Porter who I met during my first week at Stephen James, Ruxely. Today however it was their sister branch in Blackheath that premiered the Countryman and, along with the wonderfully capable hands of Stephanie the three of us got the event under way. Our first customers were so impressed with the Countryman’s capabilities that they stayed with us for nearly two hours looking over every nook and cranny with one gentleman in particular checking, checking again and then making sure that he wasn’t mistaken the first four times he checked, that he could indeed fit his 6’3” stature into the Countryman’s front seat. Sir, you were right the first time and when you come back to test drive it on the 18th September please feel free to check again – just in case we’ve fiddled with it in the meantime.
Cooper, Croydon, 5th August 2010, Day 13
Today we nipped down to Croydon to pay the lovely dealers of Coopers a visit. They had prepared a vast space for our Countryman with a magnificent buffet to match. The day was great success with two cars being sold and another with a deposit placed! As we approach the end of our penultimate week I’m left to reflect on all the places and all the people I have met along the way (I obviously have no need to recount my adventures – they are, after all, listed below) and one thing sticks out more than any other and that is how friendly, warm and welcoming everyone has been along the way. *he stops to think about this* I must remember to bring the Countryman with me wherever I go from now on. I care not for the impending social faux pas’ or how awkward the situation might be; clearly having a Countryman by your side vastly improves the quality of the people you meet.
Either that or MINI employ some damned nice people.
Thank you MINI, whichever one it is.
Berry, Heathrow, 4th August 2010, Day 12
It turns out that whispers on the wind can sometimes be true and today at Berry Heathrow we were in exclusive company with our Countryman sharing the showroom with one of only a hundred or so limited edition JCW MINI Coopers but again, like we managed in Sunningdale, the Countryman stood proud as it delighted our guests. I’m pleased to say that on top of a previous golf bag query the Countryman also passes the baby buggy test much to the delight of a couple who, after pre-ordering, had come in to see their new car in the flesh. Although a quieter day than previous events Andy and his team at Berry put on a great spread in a spotless and spacious showroom. As I was left to reflect on another great day with the Countryman my mind kept wandering back to that John Cooper Works and what our Countryman would look like in the same livery…now there’s a thought!
Berry, Chiswick, 3rd August 2010, Day 11
Well you know what they say about Tuesdays “Time to head over to Berry in Chiswick!” Ok so they don’t say that about Tuesdays, or any day come to that matter, but nonetheless I heeded this nonsensical proverb’s advice and off to Chiswick I went. Aside from the usual London traffic mayhem my journey was very enjoyable and my day made even better when met by Anderson and his excellent team at Berry MINI. With expert advice at hand I’m pleased to say that as of now Berry in Chiswick have sold all their Countrymans! (or should that be Countrymen, I’m not sure…) Here our car continues to impress and this time had converted a couple away from their MINI cabriolet – which they adored – and into the Countryman Cooper S. They left saying that if it drives as well as it looks (which they were sure it would) then they would be the proverbial cat that got the cream! Sir, Madame, may I congratulate you on a splendid decision, may you have many miles of Countryman enjoyment. Tomorrow it’s off to another Berry, this time in the guise of Berry Heathrow where I hear whispers of a JCW limited edition…surely not…
Sytner, High Wycombe, 2nd August 2010, Day 10
Week three dawns after what turned out to be an eventful weekend. But before I take you through today’s visit to High Wycombe I must quickly, and fondly, look back on two highlights. One was passing Stone Henge at sunset (magical) on Thursday evening and the other was a trip to Thruxton race circuit (words cannot describe). My colleagues will be pleased to hear that the Cooper S they had leant me for the tour was not taken round the track – nor was the Countryman come to that! But one day…one day *he gazes fondly into the distance*
Back to the matter at hand and let me be the first to thank all those at Sytner High Wycombe for another wonderful event. The Countryman showed off her wares with many people commenting on the build quality and how MINI seemed to have really “thought of everything!” As the evening wore on and the density of the gnats outside increased (we were next to a river) I was left rueing the fact I had no insect repellent. Didn’t quite think of everything after all…
Dick Lovett, Hungerford, 29th July 2010, Day 9
Fully rested I awake to the idea that I’ll visit my old man on the way to Hungerford for a morning coffee and a catch up.
“After all” I think, “he’s on route, nothing to worry about”.
And there wasn’t.
That is until I realise, after a very pleasant coffee and a delightful drive down the M4, arriving in Hungerford with plenty of time, that I have left my laptop at my Dad's house in Reading. *Sigh* The hour I had to spare that I was going to spend down by the river before the Countryman arrived now has to be spent driving up and down the M4. Mental note: coffee with Dad is hazardous to work.
With laptop safely back and Countryman ready in place the afternoon’s event at Dick Lovett, Hungerford gets under way – with the aid of a chocolate fountain no less! But even cascades of molten chocolate and a plethora of goodies with which to dip into it was not enough to detract from the Countryman’s striking looks. One couple who have been MINI mad for years were instantly in love with it and had booked in for a test drive before coming to ask anything about the car. Once again my thanks go out to Simon and his team at Hungerford for making this a great event – the chocolate fountain in particular was excellent!
Cooper, Reading, 28th July 2010, Day 8
As I sit in the relative luxury of my Premier Inn room, hot cup of tea on my right and…er…nothing of any note in my left I’m left to reflect on today’s visit to Cooper Reading. It’s safe to say that a busier and more fun (is “more fun” good grammar?) day I have yet to have on this tour. Andrew’s team – Bobby, Ian and Graeme were excellent. From the off they made us feel so welcome and when the customers came (and never really stopped coming) we embarked on one united goal: to see how many times we could embarrass Graeme by playing his nephew’s ‘happy birthday’ video through the Countryman’s video player. I jest (this happened before they arrived) but we did however generate a buzz around this great car with several orders being taken throughout the day. Thank you gentlemen *he raises his mug* it’s been a pleasure.
Sytner, Sunningdale, 27th July 2010, Day 7
Next stop on the long winding road was (unfortunately not always sunny) Sunningdale near Ascot where we found ourselves amongst the distinguished company of Rolls Royce in the adjoining showroom! But even being in the vicinity of £200,000.00 vehicles our Countryman shone proud and was host to our busiest day yet on this tour. James and his team Matt, Lucy and Steve were exemplary and for nearly four hours all desks were full and the Countryman’s doors open and filled with excited customers eager to get their first taste of MINI’s newest sibling. The event alone saw three people place orders there and then with many more simply needing a test drive to persuade them. I fully expect to retire this evening with a large glass of something mumbling torque readings and interior lining options. I wonder if all this Countryman information is pushing out that fond memory of a trip to southern Spain…*he pauses to reflect*…yes, it seems to have done. More brain space please.
Stratstone, Maidenhead, 26th July 2010, Day 6
Week two dawns and we’re off to Taplow, Maidenead where we have the entire showroom at our disposal – admittedly the showroom usually houses two cars but still…
We took advantage of the situation and decked out Stratstone with all we could offer; a fair exchange for the magnificent spread Helen and her team laid on. With nibbles of all kinds on offer as well as sparkling wine the event was a huge success with several orders for the new Countryman being placed – one who’s optional extras may, or may not, have been influenced by the odd glass of champagne!
Huge thanks go to Helen and her team here at Stratstone, Tony in particularly, who helped make the day the success that it was.
Stephen James, Bromley, 23rd July 2010, Day 5
Yesterday’s trip down to Kent was so much fun we decided to travel down there again and visit Stephen James, Bromley – less than a mile away from our friends that welcomed us so graciously the day before. This however wasn’t such a joy for our Countryman’s transporter who had to drive all the way back to Silverstone only to return to almost the exact same spot the following morning. Wilf, you are a trooper!
In stark contrast to the roaming pastures of Ruxley the Countryman found herself in a more confined space today but this didn’t stop the people admiring the spaciousness that she had to offer. One sales executive who had recently left MINI and transferred to the BMW team found himself cursing the move when he saw the Countryman and wished he was back on MINI. My friend, I would feel exactly the same if I were in your position!
Oh, we also had our first 'golf club' query. I'm pleased to say that the Countryman, as has been mentioned by one of my colleagues on another tour, has ample room for the avid golfer (with photographic evidence no less!)
Stephen James, Ruxely, 22nd July 2010, Day 4
Today we travelled south of the Big Smoke and wound up in Sidcup, Kent to be greeted by the smiling faces of Hayley, the two Chris’ and Daryl at Stephen James. Here the Countryman was given free roam around their large showroom and with the arrival of some nibbles the event got under way. The response again was excellent with the spaciousness of the Countryman being the main pulling factor along with its striking looks and the unmistakable MINI quality. One gentleman had read so many reviews, performance tables and write ups that there was literally nothing I could tell him that he hadn’t read about already! He quickly signed up for a test drive and spent a good hour looking around the car inspecting every nook and cranny – he left a satisfied look and a broad smile. I think he liked it!
Sytner, Canary Wharf, 21st July 2010, Day 3
Its official, the Countryman has infiltrated my subconscious and I am now dreaming about her. The Countryman and I found ourselves on a rally through France surrounded by Minis’ of all shapes and sizes. Approaching a toll booth I realised that I hadn't any change on me, fortunately before this became an issue I awoke to find not an angry Frenchman but the prospect of travelling over to Canary Wharf to introduce the Countryman to the masses. We had another great day and, with the aid of some country style accessories, it looked resplendent in its black and white livery. A big thank you to all at Sytner MINI for making us feel welcome, we had a great time. We're sorry we couldn't solve the financial crisis by the way; we are working on it though.
Hexagon, Highgate, 20th July 2010, Day 2
Today we rolled into Highgate to be greeted by Nick and his team at Hexagon MINI along with a surprise addition to our set - grass! After the launch of a previous MINI Nick had acquired some astroturf and with this down the Countryman was ready to be shown to the awaiting public. Another good turn out today where the Countryman again exceeded expectations with couples and families alike.
Next it's the City to show off our wears to the movers and shakers of Canary Wharf. I can't promise our Countryman will solve the banking crisis but I'm sure she'll try!
Park Lane, London, 19th July 2010, Day 1
What a great start to the tour! The Countryman went down a storm here at Park Lane where it received great feedback from the large number of people that came to see it. People seemed hugely impressed at how spacious it was while still retaining it's MINI heritage and it was clear that it had exceeded expectations now that they had seen it in the flesh. A huge thank you to Peter and Olivia at Park Lane for making the day so enjoyable!
