Close encounters with a reindeer
Mar 2nd, 2008 by Chris
You’ll recall how our taxi driver’s driving made us rather nervous on the way out to Harriniva, so when the same driver arrived to take us back to the airport we were a little alarmed. But as James pointed out (he and Freya had had the same driver on the way out), we weren’t likely to be late for the plane.
A little way into the journey and we were doing a comfortable 110kph (about 70mph) when I felt the car decelerate rapidly as Sophie gasped. Looking up I saw that a couple of reindeer had decided to casually step out into the road. Our driver braked hard and with complete control and brought the car to a halt some way in front of the reindeer. I was astounded at how well the car braked on the icy road. This wasn’t a 4X4 or anything special, just a Peugot 407. But with studded tyres. It certainly calls into question all those 4X4 drivers in the UK who claim that they ‘need’ a 4X4 because it sometimes snows where they live. What they need is the right tyres.
The reindeer stared at us. It didn’t seem keen on getting out of the way, so we carefully drove around it whilst it watched us bemused. And on we went to the airport.
Everything went smoothly from there. We checked straight in. Got on the flight almost immediately. Arrived at Birmingham on time and walked into the baggage collection area just in time to see both our rucksacks emerging on the first carousel. The bus to the car park arrived quickly and we were back at home within 1ΒΌ hours of touch down. And very ready for our own bed.