We're here! Having set off from PHHQ just after 6 o'clock this morning there's a proper sense of achievement in that. Our tents are erected and still standing 20 minutes later, we've had food and beer, there's plentiful noise all around and a great sense of excitement about the weekend ahead.
Taken a very, very long time ago...
It would be great to tell you about an unimaginably dramatic journey down, getting on the ferry with no time to spare, dubious roadside grub and brushes with assorted gendarmerie. But aside from one maniac in a Golf and Paul's oddly coloured saucisse frites, the journey was without hiccup. We got to the ferry on time, only encountered a few uninterested police at peages and enjoyed gorgeous sunshine the whole way down. Really rather pleasant actually.
The cars have been magnificent. I'm allowed to drive the Vanquish Volante but Monsieur Garlick hasn't yet relinquished the keys. He also hasn't yet raised the roof apart from when absolutely necessary, meaning both he and Mr Lowndes are rapidly turning as red as the car they arrived in. Lads.
In the Range Rover you feel like the distance covered in a 24-hour race could be vanquished (pardon the pun) in one hit. It just feels imperious, a cruise controlled 130km/h meaning the engine is barely ticking over. A clever seating position leaves the driver sited high but relatively low in the car. It's a great place to plan overtakes from and the V8 diesel is happy to oblige your right foot when almost any opportunity arises. Perhaps it's a bit too keen to kickdown sometimes but for this journey it's just been bloody superb. Our expert livery work has been well received also.
So we've arrived very happy campers, particularly after a picking up valuable supplies such as beer, Haribo and crisps from the Arnage supermarche. All that's left to do this evening is enjoy the final part of qualifying, then we'll get set for the Friday Service in the morning. Can't wait!
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