French Trip

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dodgepot

Original Poster:

268 posts

139 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Just returned from a trip to the Dordogne where we attended a mates's wedding.
We could have flown but it seemed like a good opportunity to take the Griff for an extended run.

Day 1 Sunderland to Folkestone - A1, M11, M 25 timed to get across the bridge without too much delay. Nightstop at Folkestone premier inn.

Day 2 Through the tunnel, never been through before and have to say I was quite impressed with the organisation and smoothness. Some tasty machinery going through also. I other TVR, a Tuscan, but didn't get a chance to speak to them.
Off at Calais down to La Chatre sur le Loire for a night stop at Hotel de France. Flew through Rouen over the newly opened bridge which was a bonus.

The missus loved the place and I reckon we'll be back.

Day 3 Down to Riberac via Tours, Poitiers and Angouleme. Really enjoyed the quiet French roads.


Day 3 - 6 Wedding party took over a Chateau for a long weekend of festivities and alcohol consumption



Day 6 Heading back now with a night stop in Alencon and small city centre hotel with good parking for the Griff


Day 7 Alencon to Hesdin l'Abbe 30 mins from Calais and a fabulous hotel. Room rate was 230 euros plus 16 euros each for breakfast. I got the lot for 75 quid with a deal from Travelzoo


Day 8. Back to Calais for a smooth transition onto the tunnel.
Decided to stop at Bespoke Performance as it was on the way and I don't get so far south very often. Martin made us a nice cuppa and we had a look round the showroom and workshop. Missus decided she liked Crystal Topaz, useful info for the next purchase! Then an uneventful trip all the way back to Sunderland

all in all, a lot of driving but some smashing roads and how quiet is it!!
Haven' t done the final trotting up re mileage/consumption as yet but may add the info later.
The Griff behaved flawlessly and drew admiring glances and thumbs up on a number of occasions. The only knob I saw on the whole trip was a Brit in a Rolls Royce he tried to reverse onto a petrol pump after going to credit card on by mistake. he was berating a local because he wouldn't back up.

I have some other photos of Hotel de France if anyone was considering staying there. I reckon it would be great base for touring the local area.

Cheers
Mark

Edited by dodgepot on Thursday 11th September 17:09

mk1fan

10,507 posts

224 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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dodgepot

Original Poster:

268 posts

139 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
I think he was heading out a couple of days after me

wongthecorrupter

2,382 posts

170 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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I crossed on Friday the 6th sept. We are in lake garda now. My Tuscan is red