Our car had shown an engine management issue since we landed in Normandy – combined with a knocking noise from the engine – the online advice is to stop at the earliest opportunity to rectify the situation. Being in France, with a schedule, stopping has not been practical – and on the basis the light had previously come on in Oakhanger, been cleared, and then remained off for ten days – we took the risk to continue driving/nursing the car – today, however, was our drive to the ferry home, and I held private concerns that if the vehicle was going to die, this would be the moment….very much Monte Carlo or bust, the only difference being we were heading to Roscoff, and not driving vintage cars with Terry Thomas trying to scupper our every turn!
Last minute gifts bought then in Dinan, car loaded, and a gentle drive to Morlaix for a coffee stop, and then Roscoff.
Every engine noise was a concern, but to the car soldiered on with gusto, and actually started to sound better – we had put some catalytic fluid in, and we wondered if this was doing the trick – Annabel tried to book the car into a Kia garage as we travelled, sadly with no joy.
I have visited Morlaix a few times, so we stopped at my ‘usual’ coffee shop, enjoyed a quick break, bought one last gift, and then decided to get to Roscoff, at, which point at least the car was in the right place we needed to be.
Roscoff is an attractive harbour, but the high-street is very limited, which is not helped by us visiting in off-season. We were too late for lunch, so loitered in the town, before joining the ferry queue – one last drama was being held for a long time at customs, at, which point we both looked at each other as the knocking got worse with standing.
Thankfully boarded the ferry – found our cabin – had a drink – meal – sleep. Passage was calm, with just an occasional bop in a localised swell.
