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Part 5 – France emerges from the mist!
After a good sleep in the Cabin we awoke to moist surroundings – rain had battered the area overnight but our spirits were lifted by glimpses of blue sky. The children were able to swim in the pool and we restocked food for the next few days, enjoyed a beer at the local bar and walked around the pretty surroundings of Aramits.
The noisy gearbox was bothering me slightly and when I dipped it for oil was slightly horrified to find it bone dry! My initial thoughts were that the heat had boiled it dry and on refilling however I was delighted to find that it returned to a nice quiet box with a smooth clutch pedal, no damage had (seemingly) been done. After a short run I noted that a small pool of clean oil had dropped beneath the car, this was unusual, as normally the car drops nothing. Cleanliness of the oil pointed to the gearbox so I checked the drain plug, which was tight, and noted that it appeared to be coming from the bell-housing. I made a mental note to keep an eye on the oil level.
After two nights the sky had cleared and we decided to continue north. Taking minor roads we skirted to the east of Pau on route for Mirande. We found it difficult to locate a good campsite in this area, our VW friends were about to head back home and we wanted our last two nights together to be in nice surroundings. After several failed attempts we came upon Camping Du Lac in Marciac – a Bastide Town- and were surprised to be greeted by an English owner. The site was lovely and the surroundings very pretty but we found it quite strange to be amongst Brits (many were camping alongside us as well) after several weeks away.
The town was pretty and we celebrated a last night together on a boat restaurant with seafood and wonderful steaks, t’was great!
Our friends departed the next morning driving a solid 4 days to reach their Aberdeenshire home. Those interested in such things may like to know that Geoff’s van came from the desert in California and retains it’s ‘as found’ look without major rot. The highly modified engine produces enough power to cruise happily at 80mph and well beyond if necessary. He told me that it had been very nice to follow along behind us at 25mph as he could see so much more than usual! It was very sad to see them heading off and we felt quite alone for once. We were heading for Toulouse and on to a school friend’s house. It was a very hot journey and we had to navigate carefully to avoid ending up on busy roads as we neared the city.
Kevin greated us with a very big smile, a cold Pelforth Brune and his extensive swimming pool – what a welcome! It was his birthday that day and we were treated to Côte de bœuf, washed down with St Joseph and several of his cask strength malts – this holiday malarkey was getting highly addictive!
Kevin has a very fast "7" which I was taken out in - it was totally terrifying and I have no desire to ever repeat the experience!!
Part 6 – The Dordogne and beyond…
We had found travelling on Sundays to be a good thing, the roads are virtually empty and lorries are not permitted to travel unless carrying fuel supplies and the like. With no tent to pack we were able to depart early and make the most of the cool air so loved by the Zenith.
I am actually speaking to Hugh Barnes, the new A7CA Sec. in this picture!
Our goal for this drive was the town of Belves in the Dordogne – back in 1990 I had spent time with my parents in their Twelve and several other friends in Sevens. It was a hot day and as the journey was not too long we spent time exploring places. We drove north passing Fumel, Bonaguil, Villefranche with memories from a similar route in my father’s Chummy whilst on honeymoon 12 years previous. Soon we arrived a fantastic campsite just south of Belves and were able to spend 4 days exploring the super scenery and soaking up the wonderful heat we were experiencing. I had to fill the gearbox once more – none the wiser as to why it was emptying I resolved, “if it wasn’t causing problems, I wasn’t going to touch it”.
Monpazier
My parents joined us for a few days, here is Ian with his youngest granddaughter...
Leaving Belves we made for the village of Excideuil north east of Perigeux where my Rosengart friend Maurice lives. After showing us his collection we had a super meal followed by his own Eau du Vie! It was good to see him again after many years and also very interesting to see and drive his cars.
Maurice and me the morning after!!
Some of his cars:
This is his latest completion, he and some friends made four of them all together, each painted differently.
From Perigeux we took a long route north to Richleau where we house-sat for Austin Seven friends who were holidaying in England for the week. It was nice to sit on a sofa again, do long overdue washing and, best of all, have use of a fridge!
A late arrival at our friends' house:
Poppy heads ready for harvest!
Poppy with her poppy head - one of my favourites of of her.
My rear view for 5 weeks.
Ready to leave...
The week passed quickly and we soon found ourselves travelling (on a Sunday again) north towards Le Mans. Here we stayed a Camping Retro where you can rent 1960’s and 1970’s caravans to stay in. MG friends from nearby joined us bringing a lavish 5 course picnic for us all to enjoy – it was quite spectacular. We visited the nearby villages, which are very old and reminded me somewhat of Castle Combe.
Soon the very last day of the journey through France was upon us – typically the weather was poor as we drove into Normandy and on towards the Coast. Near Caen the car lurched right and I suspected a puncture – true to form, in pouring rain, I was forced to swap to the spare. Cold wet and in bad humour I was in no mind to put up the tent for one last night so booked into a hotel right on the sea front. The rain subsided and we were able to explore Courselles sur Mer, the beach and the seafood restaurants. Daisy got her mussels and I got my plateau du fruits du mer – all in a very fitting and satisfactory end to our time in France.
Our last lunchtime picnic stop, side screens in for the first time since we left Santander!
Daisy and her Moules Frites - one very happy 5 year old!
Next day we caught the 14:00 from Ouistraham landing in Portsmouth around 7pm. by 9pm we have navigated back through the lanes to Midhurst enjoying wine and cheese we had brought to our friends.
As we sat in their house looking out on Chummy it was hard to take in the journey the car had just brought us on. Five weeks of travelling, over 1800 miles covered without one single mechanical failure, two punctures and one blocked carb. jet our only let downs. The engine used just under one pint of oil whilst the gearbox used three. We averaged 25 miles to the gallon and weighed in at just under ¾ of a ton fully loaded.
It is unlikely that we shall be able to undertake such a journey again in this car as the girls will be far too big. They endured 9-hour driving days throughout the trip in searing heat, mostly they sang and looked at the scenery bumbling by. We met many lovely people, ate lots of delicious food and have very happy memories of a summer well spent. I encourage any of you who like the sound of such a trip to do it, good planning, preparation and patience saw us well.
What a wonderful story, what a wonderful family, thanks for that write up!
Location: Suffolk
well done R,
fantastic right up and pics.
if the girls get too big you can always take 2 x 7s next time. 5 will go into 2 fine. spare room for a cooler as well.
is it just me or do the pictures of the rosengarts, make them look like toy pedal cars. perhaps its just there colours.
enjoyed reading this thread, and i dont do alot of reading
tony
Location: huncote on the pig
