Flying Saab defies airspace lockdown

IT consultant Martyn Hobbs had finished a few days of teaching in Sweden and was due to return home to the UK but Iceland’s now infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano had other ideas.

Desperate to get back to his wife Karen and their two children, and with no assurances about when flight restrictions would be lifted, Martyn met the challenge head on and decided he would make the journey by car.

First stop for Martyn was the Swedish version of eBay where he successfully bid 10,000 Swedish Kronor (£900) for a 1988 Saab 9000.

“When I decided I’d be driving 1200 miles across four countries, safety and reliability were obviously key concerns for me but, having previously driven a Saab, I knew that I had made a sound investment,” said Martyn. “This was confirmed when I took it for a test drive and, even though it was over 20 years old, the heated seats were still working!”

Having been cherished by a retired couple who had owned it from new – it was fully taxed with a valid MOT and had been serviced in December – Martyn’s Saab, which he nicknamed Helga, didn’t let him down.

“I even managed to use the cruise control for a few hours while I was driving along the motorway in Denmark which was a huge help.” added Martyn.

Helping to pass the time on his 26 hour journey was an English holidaymaker that Martyn met in his hotel and two stranded Belgian men who he dropped off en route across Sweden, Germany, Belgium and the UK. After finally completing the epic 1200 mile journey, Martyn arrived back in Peterborough to be greeted by hugs and smiles from his relieved wife and their two children.

“It was difficult to know what to do when I was stranded so far away from home but I knew I had to take control and, in the end, everything went to plan. We didn’t even get lost once.” said Martyn.
Next up for Helga is a return trip to Sweden after Martyn agreed that the Saab 9000 would be the perfect first car for his Swedish colleague’s 18-year old son.

“I must admit the car has had a few admirers while being parked up on the drive but I think it’s right that it returns home to a new owner that I know will take very good care of it. I should add that I will be taking a slightly longer ferry trip this time so my petrol costs aren’t quite so high and I’ll be waiting until my wife gives birth before I decide to leave the country again.

“But that won’t be the end of my relationship with Saab. Given my recent experience I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future. I’d love to get back behind the wheel of a Saab and I think I’ll have to organise a test drive just to see how the latest models compare to Helga.” added Martyn.