First days of the Journey

We had travelled to the UK for a number of reasons, one of which was to bring a car back with us. The car, a BMW that we had in Spain was coming to its end. The AC had gone; numerous electric faults are appearing (doors not opening, interior lights failing etc.) So it was up for sale at a friend’s car lot in Spain. In the mean time CA and SA our partners in a property business in the UK had a Rover 75 that had been in their family from new. It had 75,000 miles on the clock and was first registered in 2000. CA being the top man that he is has looked after it and we had all the documents on service and repairs from its ‘birth’. A deal was struck and we intend to convert it to Spanish plates once we got to Spain. In fact CA had already changed the headlights to left hand drive before we left the UK.

Day 1

This was an easy run down to Oxford for a quick afternoon and overnight visit to my brother from South Africa. We had a pleasant Sunday lunch in a local country pub and a quiet evening in their home reading, talking, drinking wine and watching TV.
Day 2

The real start to the journey with the first leg being Oxford to the Channel Tunnel terminal. No big drama apart from the M25 being a car park at times. Arrived early and was allowed on the next train at 10:50. Stopped by customs for a ‘random check’. Sat in the car while it was checked by ‘sniffer’ instruments and we were eventually allowed on board at 10:35 and then surprise off early at 10:45. A really pleasant journey smooth and quite. To me the only way to cross the channel by car. Arrived at 12:10 including adding the 1 hour on for the time difference.

 With the guidance of the Lady who Navigates and her friend Tom-Tom we embarked on the second leg. Avoiding Paris by going towards Rouen and then onwards to our first day destination, Orleans. On the way down we realised that the car had never been abroad before and this was its longest run, ever. It has had such an easy life. No drama on the way just quieter motorways with occasional tolls. Arrived in Orleans at 6pm and found the hotel on the banks of the Loire and having changed got well wrapped up (it was -3C) and found the restaurant recommended by the hotel receptionist.

It was closed, but opened in 30 minutes. Next door was the strangely named “McEwen Arms“, so we went in for a quick drink. No Stella so we chose Carlsberg two pints of which cost 13 Euros, 6.50 each. Probably the most expensive Carlsberg I have ever bought!
The restaurant (La Petite Marmite - www lapetitemarmite.net) was a brilliant recommendation and we both enjoyed the meal and wine. After a quiet drink back at the hotel it was off to bed. 525 miles on the clock and an average of 30 mpg.
It was a pity that we could not explore Orleans as it looked a lovely city but time was premium as we had booked the next hotel in Avignon that evening.
Orleans famous inhabitant, St. Joan of Arc is well remembered in the cathedral and her life is told in the Cathedral’s nave stained glass window. The local tourist office has a booklet of 9 walks around Orleans each taking 90 minutes or so that look very interesting. Maybe next time.