Work called for a quick trip for me to Cornwall. I returned on the Thursday evening, and Annabel and I went to the local pub, (as there had been a massive power cut on the farm).
Friday we had a day catching up in preparation for our 2CV trip to Tours in France.
This is a trip we have both been looking forward to, in part to help some friends deliver their 2CV’s to France for customers to use, but mainly, well….an opportunity of driving 2CV’s through France, what’s not to like!
We left Swindon on Saturday morning to head down to the 2CV base near Alton, where we could help get the cars ready for 2CV Adventures.
A busy day was to follow, chasing around to get the cars prepared, the highlight being me going off to pick up 24 bottles of window cleaner, (used to polish the cars) – a lady seeing me picking up so many bottles in the supermarket paused, watched, and then plucked up the courage to ask the obvious question – I explained I was working at the Chealsea flower show – she bought it!
The rest of the day Annabel prepared dinner and the bacon for tomorrow, and our hosts finished the last bit of logistics off. A really fun day, including a test drive of a 2CV for me, which cost me a ripped pair of shorts, but more importantly, got me ready for the gear box of the 2CV!
Sunday morning and we were up at 4, to be prepared for the other drivers. Our duties to get the bacon butties warmed up, while I went out to guide the various drivers to the correct parking spot and then the correct 2CV.
My car for the weekend was number 3, Annabel’s number 4.
At 6am, we left the base, and proceeded to Portsmouth harbour. I was the second car out, which meant I had the challenge of keeping up with Finella, a very experienced 2CV driver. In essence I had to be quick and close enough to not lose her, far enough to get used to the braking of the 2CV.
Darting through the country lanes, Annabel in 4, I could see our smiles growing bigger by the minute! All the cars in procession we headed to the port, and made a lovely spectacle, 19 2CV’s in the sunshine of a May Sunday morning.
On to the ferry, still getting used to the gears, we all met up for the drivers briefing, and then chilled out on the ferry to Ouistreham.
Introducing some of the drivers to our favourite card game of cows, the ferry crossing passed in style.
Arriving in Ouistreham at 3, our next task was to deliver the cars to the party location just outside Tours. This meant following closely a list of instructions to be on the right roads, meet at the correct petrol station and rendezvous at the same time to deliver the cars. Apart from a small accidental detour at a roundabout by Caen, Annabel and I made it with few incidents.
As you can imagine the party was in a stunning Château just outside Tours, however this was not to be our accomadation. We were instead treated to a comfortable hotel, (though oddly shaped bathroom, tapered walls creating odd logistics for the essentials of life).
An evening meal, chatting with our new friends, and bed. A fantastic first day of our tour of Tours.
