What a great weekend we all had. From arriving at Dover through to getting back into our house we never stopped laughing.
Day One – Calais – Arras – Laon
The first scheduled stop on the trip was Arras for a lunch stop . Those ever so nice Scenic Tours guys had reserved parking for us in the towns old square, so along with 200 other cars we had lunch and a catch up in the brilliant sunshine.
Arras Town HallThe Old Square ArrasWing Commander Edmondson and Jake EdmundsonCaptain Slow and Ann EcclesMr and Mrs Warburton , looking every bit the Englishman abroadColin and Gillian MortMichael Ramsey stickeringMark and Carol Gordons SRT6Sue Bosson looking sophisticatedA rather nice car
After a quick dash to the hotel, for some it was quicker than others (we got lost and at one point was heading back to Calais). We had a group bonding session in the hotel bar and restaurant.
Lost in FranceHotel Kyriad in Laon
Day Two Saturday – The Rally – Laon – Chimay – Laon
After an early start and getting registered for the event we all assembled at the start at Parc Foch (the sat nav on my iPhone made some very dubious commands at the pronunciation).
Parc Foch before the start of the RallyMark Gordon polishing his SRT6 before the start of the RallyGroup Photo just in case we didn’t make it backLunch Stop Chimay in Belgium and the newly opened road circuitA brace of Farrari’s waiting for the trackI always wondered why the roaster had those flat plastic bits, now I knowKarls SRT6 with a built in Picnic tableMark and KarlAnn breaking the house rules, NO EATING IN THE CAROur turn for a spin around the trackHow come his brakes look better in red than mine?At the finish, we made it back first (Karl we did not use the SatNav haha)Out for another team bonding session (not a bad Photograph considering it was taken by a TVR driver)The Buffalo Grill, as the name suggests that is what I had just eaten
Day Two – The Precession Day
As the name suggests all the participants drive around the city until you have had enough driving and then you can pull in and watch the rest. The day starts with a briefing by the Mayor in the Town Hall followed by a champaign reception. Then just time for some lunch then the fun begins.
Once you have parked the car then its a quick walk up two thousand steps and a steep slope to the town hall. Chris opting for a cardio vascular workout!Cars assemble in the Town SquareIn the Town Hall for the briefingHe is the coolest mayor I have ever metA pre event cheeky aperitif before a quick explore around the townCant beat an old Aston Martin, drop dead gorgeousbefore you start racking your brains its a Sabra made in Sabras were made in two basic versions in Tamworth (United Kingdom) and in Haïfa (Israel)There are incredible cars parked in every corner of the townThe Cathedral is spectacular the stained glass windows looked fantastic with the sun behind themTodays lunch venue, be rude to walk passThe Food was fantastic and we all got to sit down together try that in England on a busy day!And so it beginsThe Mayor is in the first car around the circuit followed by the vintage cars
Mark and Carol cruisingIan and Sue following close behindParked up watching the paradeWow it was hotMasserati engines have a sound all of their ownMy favourite car of the day, it sounded and flew like a jet!Spotted these guys on one of our laps, the smartest guys on the day award!Next year, I can See Karl with his Commander’s EpauletsAt the debrief and they are still talking hahaSix o clock and the apocalyptic clouds started to form, just after i found my sunglasses, funny that!So we transferred the debrief to indoorsThis is what the debrief mainly consisted of
So after a fantastic weekend of early starts and not so early evenings, food to die for and great company to laugh with.
I have a few people to thank. Karl for his hard work in pointing us all in the right direction and getting us to book. To Jo who convinced Ann to change our Cruise booking,
Ann says its the best decision she has made this year.
To Scenic Tours and the people of Arras and Laon and Chimay who made the event a fantastic experience and finally to everyone else who have made me laugh till my face hurt (you know who you are).
