Lacking Enthusiasm...
Discussion
Sideways Tim said:
I've had an interesting few years lately and find myself struggling to really get back into life. For reasons unknown, I agreed to partake in a road trip to Gibraltar at the end of this month, yet I'm struggling to look forward to this. I know it will be an amazing experience and that once I'm away it'll be fine, but boy am I lacking enthusiasm.
We are travelling roughly 150 miles a day though France and Spain, nice hotels booked for each evening then five nights on Gibraltar and back again. We will be using our 1986 2CV and my BiL in his Lotus Europa. Both proven cars that are easy enough to fix should anything mechanical befall us, yet here I am almost dreading the experience.
Not sure why I have posted this, other than to try and gain some affirmation for my trip. I'll try to keep a log and post updates, if anyone is interested...
What an interesting post. Glad I'm not alone. I'm at a stage/going through a phase where driving mine anywhere is not only 'not exciting' but also brings on anxiety (I'm not a generally anxious person). Mainly because I'm worried that the wretched things will break down and leave me stranded. But for context, the TR6 has never broken down (I've used it to get my daily car started, or when it won't work at all) and although the Quattro has had glitches I've so far always been able to fix at roadside/nurse it home. I mentioned this to my dentist the other day and discovered that he's similarly afflicted (Jags in his case).We are travelling roughly 150 miles a day though France and Spain, nice hotels booked for each evening then five nights on Gibraltar and back again. We will be using our 1986 2CV and my BiL in his Lotus Europa. Both proven cars that are easy enough to fix should anything mechanical befall us, yet here I am almost dreading the experience.
Not sure why I have posted this, other than to try and gain some affirmation for my trip. I'll try to keep a log and post updates, if anyone is interested...
So I've been starting to consider whether it's time to sell up and (coincidentally) buy another 2CV, which based on hallowed memory will be just as much fun as what I've got at the moment.
So, sorry, the opposite of affirmation but I do completely understand how you feel. In my case I think it might be because there's so much other like stress going on at the moment that subconciously I'm thinking "do I really need to be doing this?"
Anyway, good luck.
Yertis said:
What an interesting post. Glad I'm not alone. I'm at a stage/going through a phase where driving mine anywhere is not only 'not exciting' but also brings on anxiety (I'm not a generally anxious person). Mainly because I'm worried that the wretched things will break down and leave me stranded.
Interesting indeed, Yertis. For my part, I don't think I worry about breaking down per se, I worry more about the standard of driving generally and in particular around anything broken down / going slowly. Traffic seems so dense these days and everybody's going too fast because they're in a hurry / their cars can do 0-60 in 3 sec / there's no policing any more (*delete as you feel). I used to be a keen cyclist but wouldn't ride on the road now.Which is exactly why a nice, slow amble through the countryside in a car that forces you to relax and take it easy would be so great. The 2CV is the perfect car because they're inherently pretty reliable and if they do go wrong there's a blacksmith in every village who can repair them.
Tim,
I did a similar trip, around France last year, over 2000 miles inc the UK bit. I enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed doing the planning via a "Movement Schedule", that set out the timing and route, and the objectives for each day. Mine were to visit a number of classic race circuits, like Angouleme, Rouen and Rheims. That may not be your thing, but with an objective of 'only' 150 miles a day, you will have plenty of time to seek out things to see, places to go at each stop. That will increase your anticipation and enjoyment, rather than looking forward to anonymous hotel rooms every night.
Google Maps, and Google Earth are helpful tools for you to do this and can be invaluable in finding and recognising things, because you have "been there already" via Street View! I don't use a satnav on such trips so stops now and again to look up the next few miles from the Schedule break up the journey, and prevent fatigue and boredom.
JOhn
I did a similar trip, around France last year, over 2000 miles inc the UK bit. I enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed doing the planning via a "Movement Schedule", that set out the timing and route, and the objectives for each day. Mine were to visit a number of classic race circuits, like Angouleme, Rouen and Rheims. That may not be your thing, but with an objective of 'only' 150 miles a day, you will have plenty of time to seek out things to see, places to go at each stop. That will increase your anticipation and enjoyment, rather than looking forward to anonymous hotel rooms every night.
Google Maps, and Google Earth are helpful tools for you to do this and can be invaluable in finding and recognising things, because you have "been there already" via Street View! I don't use a satnav on such trips so stops now and again to look up the next few miles from the Schedule break up the journey, and prevent fatigue and boredom.
JOhn
tapkaJohnD said:
Tim,
I did a similar trip, around France last year, over 2000 miles inc the UK bit. I enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed doing the planning via a "Movement Schedule", that set out the timing and route, and the objectives for each day. Mine were to visit a number of classic race circuits, like Angouleme, Rouen and Rheims. That may not be your thing, but with an objective of 'only' 150 miles a day, you will have plenty of time to seek out things to see, places to go at each stop. That will increase your anticipation and enjoyment, rather than looking forward to anonymous hotel rooms every night.
Google Maps, and Google Earth are helpful tools for you to do this and can be invaluable in finding and recognising things, because you have "been there already" via Street View! I don't use a satnav on such trips so stops now and again to look up the next few miles from the Schedule break up the journey, and prevent fatigue and boredom.
JOhn
This is indeed all good advice.I did a similar trip, around France last year, over 2000 miles inc the UK bit. I enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed doing the planning via a "Movement Schedule", that set out the timing and route, and the objectives for each day. Mine were to visit a number of classic race circuits, like Angouleme, Rouen and Rheims. That may not be your thing, but with an objective of 'only' 150 miles a day, you will have plenty of time to seek out things to see, places to go at each stop. That will increase your anticipation and enjoyment, rather than looking forward to anonymous hotel rooms every night.
Google Maps, and Google Earth are helpful tools for you to do this and can be invaluable in finding and recognising things, because you have "been there already" via Street View! I don't use a satnav on such trips so stops now and again to look up the next few miles from the Schedule break up the journey, and prevent fatigue and boredom.
JOhn
Last year I managed to convince Mrs TB and the junior TBs to let me visit the Circuit de Reims-Gueux, which was in equal measure fascinating and chilling:
At Le Mans, we paid a little extra at the Museum for access to the circuit, where they happened to have a bike track day going on:
The Museum is well worth a visit if you're into motorsport. The car museum at Reims is as well, although it's the polar opposite to the immaculately laid out Le Mans one. Quite charming.
OP, I have no idea which route you're planning to take through France but if you're nearby then the following museum at Lohéac, SW of Rennes, is well worth a visit if you've not been there before.
https://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home/
https://www.manoir-automobile.fr/home/
Thanks folks, you've been a tonic.
I've done Le Mans many times, Riems and the Laon Historique as well as trips to the Italian lakes and the Dordogne several times too. always in either my 2CV, Triumph Spitfire or the Mustang when I had one. Loved them all so chuff knows what's up with me currently.
I shall gird my loins, check the old Dolly over and get out and enjoy myself. Leaving end of this month, stay posted for updates...
I've done Le Mans many times, Riems and the Laon Historique as well as trips to the Italian lakes and the Dordogne several times too. always in either my 2CV, Triumph Spitfire or the Mustang when I had one. Loved them all so chuff knows what's up with me currently.
I shall gird my loins, check the old Dolly over and get out and enjoy myself. Leaving end of this month, stay posted for updates...
Many years ago my wife and I took a long slow drive through France in a Classic Alpine A110. The car wasn't really suited for a fast blast on the major roads so we took the slow back roads. Driving through the local villages we were greeted with 'thumbs up' and waves from almost everyone. Your pretty little 2CV will almost be greeted the same way. The other upside was, the Alpine was left hand drive. Enjoy the trip and views.
Do it. Sometimes, having few expectations makes one more open to little serendipitous joys, which can be very nourishing. I had an appalling start to last year, cataclysmically bad. A few months later, I got the classic car out in the early spring weather and found that just driving it and enjoying it for what it was, for everything I already knew I liked about it, was great therapy. Then, in the autumn, I went to France and did a couple of thousand miles, saw different places and found some space. I travel constantly for work, but this was different. It was good. And yes, when the engine started playing up with a few hundred miles to go, it became a bit more nailbiting than I would have liked, but that's just old cars.....Nursed the old thing home and now have more affection for it than ever.
carrera al said:
Many years ago my wife and I took a long slow drive through France in a Classic Alpine A110. The car wasn't really suited for a fast blast on the major roads so we took the slow back roads. Driving through the local villages we were greeted with 'thumbs up' and waves from almost everyone. Your pretty little 2CV will almost be greeted the same way. The other upside was, the Alpine was left hand drive. Enjoy the trip and views.
Really? Surely, every peasant and their cow has a 2CV in France - that's what they were designed for! That and "driving across a ploughed field carrying two dozen eggs in a basket without breaking one of them" (In French, of course!)We met real car enthusiasts in Italy, doing the Club Triumph 10 Countries Run when it really was a weekend trip, ie non-stop, in his much modified Gitfire - Spitfire with 2.5L TR6 engine, no windscreen and a mighty roll cage. They would follow us on the Autostrada, overtake, drop back, and do it again, all the while leaning out their windows to take photos and shouting Avanti, avanti!
But Reims is in trouble. The old grandstands, pits and paddock are owned by the local commune, Gueux, who let them descend into near ruin until Les Amis de Circuit de Gueux started to preserve and restore them. They are now a gorgeous jewel-relic of classic motor sport, that anyone can visit for no charge. But Monsieur le Maire de Gueux wishes to hand the management of the premises to a commercial company who will generate income for the commune. Les Amis are contesting this, but we have no outcome yet.
Court cases are expensive (and so is restoring old circuits!) So if you have visited Gueux, please make a contribution to Les Amis, at their website, an become another Ami de Gueux! https://www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr/events/25
Enjoy your TRip!
John
Edited by tapkaJohnD on Wednesday 10th April 19:17
I’m sure you’ll have a great time, it’s a great feeling driving abroad. We went to the first four Classic Le Mans in my S4 Elan, then the next three in my Twin Cam Europa. A friend had a house near Beaumont so we also did lots of driving around sightseeing while we were there. We always had breakdown insurance but never needed it. My mechanic mate always gave the cars a thorough check over a few weeks before our trips. Enjoy!
So jealous, would love this, always wanted a blast across Europe,
Remember a hi vis vest, bulb kit, and warning triangle, check if you need anything else not mentiioned.
I do thousands of miles in the UK, Essex to Lands End next week, but the wheels are modern and boring usually, like the Ecobang Fiesta Vignale that is doing this trip,
Only good thing about it is the flight home, Newquay, if I find a way toget there lol, to Stansted, for the grand sum of £15.09.
Remember a hi vis vest, bulb kit, and warning triangle, check if you need anything else not mentiioned.
I do thousands of miles in the UK, Essex to Lands End next week, but the wheels are modern and boring usually, like the Ecobang Fiesta Vignale that is doing this trip,
Only good thing about it is the flight home, Newquay, if I find a way toget there lol, to Stansted, for the grand sum of £15.09.
Broadly correct in an objective sense - except for comfort . There might not be air con but there's fresh air at a turn of the wheel which opens the flap under the windscreen . Or at the twitch of an elbow to open the flappy windows . There's a very comfy seat and a ride which shames moderns.
And it is an adventure- you can do 1000 miles in a couple of hours or so , watching a film and sipping a gin in a Boeing 737 . But who wouldn't rather do the same journey in a Tiger Moth or a Spitfire?
And it is an adventure- you can do 1000 miles in a couple of hours or so , watching a film and sipping a gin in a Boeing 737 . But who wouldn't rather do the same journey in a Tiger Moth or a Spitfire?
JuniorD said:
The trip sounds like 20 days of driving, staying in about 20 different hotels, in old, slow and relatively uncomfortable cars. I can see the joy in the outward leg, but not so much the return leg.
I'm not sure this is the thread for you. We're trying to help a fellow PH-er stay positive in return for some regular updates from an epic trip.JuniorD said:
The trip sounds like 20 days of driving, staying in about 20 different hotels, in old, slow and relatively uncomfortable cars. I can see the joy in the outward leg, but not so much the return leg.
Why would the return journey be any different, if the OP has enough time for it, it doesn’t have to be the same route.It’s the journey, that is part of the pleasure; not the destination.
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