Lacking Enthusiasm...

[Sideways Tim]

We have arrived at our digs in Tours for the night. 280 miles today and all I have to show is a slightly sticky throttle. Heat related cable issue I think. Will solve tomorrow.

Modern cars are big aren’t they…

[Sideways Tim]

Less of this please…



Quintessentially British. Purloin enough extras from the breakfast buffet to make a picnic lunch. Enjoy at the roadside in the rain…




Good job really, as it’s 1st May or Labour Day in France. Everywhere is closed, literally everywhere!

[Sideways Tim]

Every restaurant in the locale that are actually open are fully booked, so tonight we dine with the King!

[Sideways Tim]

21st Century Man said:

Wot? No Royale with cheese?

Burglar King was closer and definitely open!

Forgot to mention, only 130 miles today, overnighting just outside Limoges. Uneventful, but rained all bloody day and still is doing. It’s like being at home!

[Sideways Tim]

Smashing drive through the Dordogne this morning, that’s a bit more like it. Hills, curves and finally the rain stopped.

Stolen breakfast picnic for lunch. About 90 miles until we hit Toulouse…

[Sideways Tim]

DS129 said:

Loving the trip, much envy.
How is the Lotus doing, no trouble ?

Not yet

[Sideways Tim]

Have ditched the cars at our digs near Toulouse and taken an Uber into the centre for a cultural exchange.

Happy to report 2CV has behaved impeccably. Andorra tomorrow. At least we should get a decent meal tonight

[Sideways Tim]

Parmentier de confit de canard followed by a lovely almond tarte. That’s more like it

[Sideways Tim]

Turbobanana said:

If you're following the "go at the speed of the slowest" rule, has the Lotus got out of third gear yet?

Lolz. He’s impressed by his improved mpg

[Sideways Tim]

Thanks Lowdrag, as you say, memories are a wonderful thing and that’s what these trips are made of.

Reims holds a special place in my heart too, as does the Hotel de France in Chartre. That would have been our first overnight had I been organising. However I’m not, so onward and today upward!

Edited by Sideways Tim on Friday 3rd May 08:10

Edited by Sideways Tim on Friday 3rd May 08:25

[Sideways Tim]

Balls!

[Sideways Tim]

21st Century Man said:

Puncture? Or worse?

Flat. Aged spare catches on the track rod end (if you know 2CV’s, you know the clearance there is minimal!), so quickly swapped a good rear onto the front and off we go to find a Mr Pneu!

[Sideways Tim]

21st Century Man said:

What tyres do you run it on? They don't look like Michelin X?

Toyo’s as they’re more readily available. Except in France, Andorra or Spain. Tyre is goosed so we’re using the aged spare until we can find a replacement. Which is proving difficult

That said, we’ve crossed the Pyrenees with no issues and currently relaxing/tyre searching in our Andorran digs for the night.

[Sideways Tim]

Om said:

Please tell me you drove there on three wheels!

It’s a 2CV not a DS

[Sideways Tim]

coppice said:

Sacre bleu . Not even a tiny bistro to save you from this terrible fate? I speak as possibly the only person in the UK who has never been to a BK, mainly because my sole trip to MacDonalds in 1989 put me off US fast food for life .

So I'd like to see some fresh asperges with a glass of Sancerre next please . ,

Tonight we came close…

[Sideways Tim]

Yertis said:

You’re not trying hard enough

Having tried every tyre place in Andorra (which has a surprisingly large amount), we may yet end up on three wheels!

[Sideways Tim]

Warning! *Top off klaxon*


We have arrived not particularly close to Barcelona, 24 degrees, sunshine and a fully operational 2CV, if still lacking a spare tyre.

Small cars fit in small spaces, so FOC underground parking for us

Edited by Sideways Tim on Saturday 4th May 14:31

Edited by Sideways Tim on Saturday 4th May 14:32

[Sideways Tim]

21st Century Man said:

Love the crochet.

Is that the car's jumper your nan knitted for it?

MiL, but yes

[Sideways Tim]

ferret50 said:

I would imagine that your main tyre replacement issue is that no one carries stock?

Can you locate a potential supplier where you expect to be on, say, Tuesday and ask them to order you one?

You could always send the Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious on ahead with the wheel....

Indeed. There’s a place in Valencia that has some. We arrive there tomorrow hopefully, so should at least be able to pick one up first thing Monday morning…

[Sideways Tim]

Currently picnicking, 150 miles into today’s 240 mile stint to Valencia. All seems well.

The Europa is keeping up just fine. We’re on minor roads, so rarely going above 50mph. Current temperature 28 degrees. Outlook, hopeful…

Edited by Sideways Tim on Sunday 5th May 16:07