Classic LeMans - DDK live thread

[BILLY BEAN]

The second part of the adventures of a careless man. It's for those who did not fall asleep in the first part.
OK so after the slow fill at the pumps by the person in front I got up to filling up. Unfortunately at this point because I had waited so long the ' water pressure' was building to a crisis point. It is times like these when a stout elastic band would come in useful. The pumps on the motorways are all self serve and credit card only. Some require a masters degree to fathom and others are relatively straight forward. This pump was the latter. Filled up but was now desperate for the loo. Moved the car off the pump but not in the car park to save precious time. Headed for the shop/ cafe. Asked for the toilet in my best French and was directed. Got to the appointed place. Locked and adorned with yellow tape like a police crime scene. Any minute now I would be the subject of the scene. Headed out the nearest exit and saw some trees about 50 metres away. Got behind the largest tree and let rip or should that be let drip.I exaggerate of course. At 77 years old there is no 'let rip'. Despite the desperate need there is a modest flow. Any of you younger people reading that bit have to experience the aging process for which you require a sense of humour. A woman started to approach the trees so the episode is cut short and I get back in the car and get going.
The next fuel stop was a non event. No fuel as they were awaiting delivery. OK just another 30 miles for the next opportunity to get fuel. Bugger: no fuel at this one either. Switching to a different motor way and the little device did not work at the toll. The two cars behind got irrate very quickly. A little Anglo Saxon was in order. Got out and used the ticket machine. After 10 miles came relief fuel and decide to get something to eat and visit the loo. Back in the car. The heat was building outside and the car and the pilot getting a bit warm. The next fuel stop and piddle goes without a hitch. Soon I am on the A7 Autoroute de Soleil. And it is very hot. Opening the driver's window a little helps but the wind noise for my compromised hearing is a bit much. Put on the ear defenders. All going well but started to get concerned I would be driving a good distance in the dark. Would the headlights be up to the task? The car has H1 headlights which are slightly better than the usual H4s but not by much. To be honest I have avoided driving after dark in the car so what was ahead was a bit of a test. The last 90 minutes of the drive was in the dark. Indeed pitch black. No moon. The A7 sweeps and bends the closer it gets to Cannes and keeping track of your position in the road was challenging. The H1s on dip were useless at 70+ mph. Fortunately the main beam was another story. Not bad. A bit like the cars I used to drive in the 60s and 70s.
I have made the journey from Calais to Cannes many times over the years usually with an overnight stop. Did it in an 850 Mini which afsr a few hours it felt like a knitting needle was being inserted in your back side. Made the journey in an Escort 1300 Gt and a 1303 Beetle which was comfortable and BMW 530D and BMW 430D which both munch the miles easily. Surprisingly I did not feel too tired. Mr Satnav took me through Old Cannes with which I am less familiar and I was starting to feel a little gaga. Made it to the destination then could not get the security gate to open. Had to wake up SWMBO to let me in
So made it after 11.5 hours including my stops. The toll on the 55 year old car and 77 year old driver? Driver a little tired but releived to have made it without incident. The comfort seats were indeed comfortable and I had no back ache. The car? The plastic around the Repa seat belt receiver had fallen off, the horn had to be disconnected as it was hooting at everyone unbidden, the miles had stopped recording on the speedo and the drivers window had become stiff to operate. And in the last mile to my destination the clutch bearing started to shriek a little. Would I do 746 mile in one hit in an old Porsche again? Not really but I have a return journey in a few days so wish me luck. A friend kindly called me a " mad old git" for the undertaking. You have to make you own mind up.

[jwhillracer]

Being another “mad old git” that’s extremely reassuring to read!
Non illegitimae carborundum!

JW

[chris68]

Heck of a journey that. Well done and thanks for sharing. I'm 20 years younger and don't think I'd opt for 746 miles in an early car without an overnight stop. Guess I need to toughen up a bit.

[neilbardsley]

Nice journey. A bit long for any age!

I like French roads. I find the drivers so much better than the UK and motorways clearer. Also sometimes there are parking areas with toilets which is much better than the UK. I have however, run into a shop and zoomed for the toilets only to have to run back to get a payment method. As for the auto petrol pumps mostly a joy. However, once I had to go into the shop to prepay then go back to the car to fill. After making this journey 2 times I used my favourite French word, beginning with P, loudly and drove to the next petrol shop

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[chris68]

the lancia, there was a white one with martini parked in with teh period martini cars .. it looked way better in the flesh than the gold one

Morgan .. look ok without the roof

what we did have camping opposite us was this spectacular Tuthill SCRS .. very subtle until you started really looking t it .. based on a 993

Sweet looking Ford Anglia in the background

[PeterK]

There were 2 Anglias together. The silver grey one looked magnificent.

[Lightweight_911]

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That was a mammoth effort Kirk - not only the distance in one stint but the added stress of torrential rain & having to drive the final stage in the dark.

Hope you had a well-earned rest in Cannes !

Will Mrs Nunn be accompanying you for the drive back home ?


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[911hillclimber]

Great story, very amusing, and in places a mirror of our experiences, esp getting motorway fuel.
The French systems can be maddening.
I love driving in France, room and reasonable manners, but all this in the Boxster.

I admire anyone who do these runs in an old 911.

[misteralz]

I managed to not get a single pump to work. My travelling partner (who has the same type of ABN debit card that I do) paid for all my fuel.
I've got a Fulli toll tag in every one of our cars now and wouldn't be without one. Not having to stop at the tolls is an absolute joy!

[Gary71]

But you don’t get the chance to do a full launch each time, which is compulsory at toll booths

[BILLY BEAN]

.

That was a mammoth effort Kirk - not only the distance in one stint but the added stress of torrential rain & having to drive the final stage in the dark.

Hope you had a well-earned rest in Cannes !

Will Mrs Nunn be accompanying you for the drive back home ?


.

Andy,
The lady wife has never sat inside the car and never will.

[BILLY BEAN]

But you don’t get the chance to do a full launch each time, which is compulsory at toll booths

You can still do that as you have the option of using a booth with a barrier rather than a drive through.

[BILLY BEAN]

Just been looking at my options for the return to the UK via Dieppe ferry. It is an estimated 865 miles to the port. Think I may need to make a stop over on the way back. Must be getting soft.

[Gary71]

Few more pics from the first day and at the campsite: Good memories

[misteralz]

But you don’t get the chance to do a full launch each time, which is compulsory at toll booths

Nope, just a pull from 30kmh or so, next to the central barrier which bounces the noise right back at you. Glorious.