Home at Last

This morning at 07:30 I arrived home after a nice man called Paul spent 3 days bringing me all the way from Magalas in an enclosed transporter. Paul works for Ontime Automotive and spends his time transporting cars all over Europe. Neil was initially shocked to see how dirty I was but then relieved once he had carefully checked me over for damage. I was also relieved when Neil removed his bag of dirty washing from my boot!

Now I'm home Neil will want to sort my alternator out, give me a thorough wash and a fresh coat of wax before taking me back on the road.

I Like France ... and I'm Staying!

By the time you read this Neil and Karen will be safely home but I on the other hand will still be in France. Heading north from Columbieres Sur Orb on the motorway Neil realised that my alternator had failed when I started to cough and splutter. He managed to guide me into a small village and the worst was confirmed. Not carrying a spare, the AA was contacted and allegedly found a garage who could find a part and repair me over the weekend.

Neil and Karen continued to Clermont-Farrand in a Peugeot 308 hire car to admire the art-deco architecture of the town and explore the Puy de Dôme and surrounding volcanoes. Unfortunately the AA's optimism of effecting a repair was misplaced and time ran out (the French lunch-break is sacred and seems to go on for most of the afternoon). Cue a hastily arranged flight home for Neil and Karen and repatriation for me.

Einstein and the Laws of Physics

We have been at the Domaine Rodie in Columbieres Sur Orb for several days now and Neil has been finding out some interesting history about the villa they're staying in.

Parts of the property date from 1783 but it was a Mr. Cremieu, physicist and professor at the Sorbonne, who took the adjoining colonial villa dating from 1910 as his summer residence.

Mr. Cremieu used to invite his friends and colleagues to stay; these included Albert Einstein and Pierre and Marie Curie. The property has 200m² of catacombs purportedly used by Mr. Cremieu and his friends to carry out experiments. Not much remains of their makeshift laboratory apart from a 5m deep pit the purpose of which is unknown. Neil will do some more research on this when we get home.

The laws of physics came into play the other night when the Carcasson winds blew a storm through the Vallée de l'Orb, lifting a plastic patio table and skimming it across my bonnet. What made it worse was the fact that I was very dusty so it left a scuff mark in my paint. When Neil saw this he gave me a good wash then polished out the scuff mark. It did leave a very small dent in my bonnet but it could have been a lot worse.

Tomorrow we depart for Chamalières where, strangely enough, we are staying on Avenue Pierre et Marie Curie!

I Like France!

After an epic journey yesterday of over 400 miles from Bilbao we arrived safely at our destination for the next week, the Domaine Rodie in Colombieres Sur Orb. We had to be met in the village and guided in for the last half mile down a dirt track because the battery died on the TomTom just as we were approaching. I on the other hand performed faultlessly and really enjoyed the smooth French roads and the distinct lack of traffic.

Neil checked me this morning and in spite of yesterday consisting mainly of steady and prolonged high-speed driving nothing needed topping up. I'm having a rest today, as is everyone else, before we start to explore the local countryside.

Hola Bertie!

We arrived in Bilbao this morning and headed straight for the city centre. I think Neil got lost because I'm sure we went through the same toll 3 times before we found the hotel. I was left in the hotel's underground car park while Neil and Karen visited the Guggenheim then explored the old city. Tomorrow is a long drive through France to Colombieres-sur-Orb so I was glad for the rest.

Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion

Here I am ready to leave Portsmouth for Bilbao; you can see our Ferry, The Pride of Bilbao, in the background. Boarding took ages and I was eventually put on a small section of deck with a steep ramp but we left on time.

Being at sea is a strange experience. I can feel all my fluids moving around but my engine is not running and my wheels are not turning. I lost touch with the MG and Panther I met in the queue and there are only modern euro-boxes for company. All they want to talk about are their folding metal roofs and xenon headlights not the art of proper motoring. The MG for example has no roof but that all adds to the experience and adventure.

Another night at sea before we arrive at Bilbao. Another day of trying to have a sensible conversation with a Peugot 205cc for me; cafes, bars and dolphin watching for Neil and Karen.

European Adventure

Only a couple of days now until we depart on our European adventure. This is the route we will take after sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao. We will cover 1,500 miles in 2 weeks, take in some stunning scenery and spend some quality time with friends. Hopefully Neil will take some photographs of me for my album which I'll share with you when we return home.