A French Loop - Aston Style

[mikey k]

I needed a distraction for the nightmare of house moves and bd incompetent solicitors
So have finally completed our next euro jaunt which kicks off next week!

Day 1
Le Mans track
Down to Gennes
Sanef tag bought fortolls this time

Day 2
Ordour Sur Glan (WW2 ghost town)
Gouffre de Padirac boat trip in caves
Rocamadour (cliff village)
La Roque Gageac (cliff village)
Castel Merle for the night

Day 3
PiP (Prehistoric Centre)
Dune du Pilat biggest sand dune in Europe
Château d'Urtubie for 2 nights

Day 4
Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian Combs of Winds top of two hills overlooking Mount Urgull & Monte Igueldo Hotel
Hendaye to San Juan de Luz coast road (ruote de la Corniche)
Biarritz & Virgin on the Rock via Effiel bridge for Sun set

Day 5
Roncevaux Pass
5* Col de la Pierre
N260 along Pryenes to Tremp
Casa Guilla for 3 nights

Day 6
N260 along Pryenes from Tremp
Biescas on A136 north
In to France on D934
5* Col d’Aubisque & Col du Solour D918 & D13 east from Eaux Bonnes, Gourette & Argeles Gazost
Col du Portalet
Lac d’Estaing
NE on D13 to Lourdes
Col du Hautacam & Luz Ardiden
Col de Tentes - La Breche de Roland - D921 South to Gavarnie
Cirque du Gavarnie highest waterfall in Europe
Cirque de Troumouse
5* Col du Tourmalet - Esterre East on D918 to Les Bassess
5* Col D’Aspin – Eainte Marie De Campan East on D918 Arreau

Day 7
Relax day by the infinity pool

Day 8
Cires North on D51
D925 North to Sarp
Barousse Valley
Andorra - Encamp to Soldeu and down Pas De la Casa/Port d'Envalira
Col de Puymorens
Ax les Thermes East on D25 to Mijans Col de Pailhères
2 nights in Prades

Day 9
5* D115 / C38 : Arles-Sur-Tech (France) - Olot (Spain)
Castellfollit de la roca town on cliff
“Road of the Year” 365 bends in 12 miles Gi682 Sant Feliu to Tossa del Mar and back
Cap de Creus to Portillgat - Cap de Crues S on GI-614 to Cadaques
Portbou in the Pyrenees
Colera N on N260 to Portbou
Over border to Cerbere on N114
To Collioure

Day 10
D10 Saint Paul de Feouillet to Cubieres sur Cinoble (Gorge de Galamus)
Carcassonne
5* N112 / D907 Saint-Chinian - La Salvetat (The roads of the road testers)
Under Millau Bridge
Gorges De Tarn
Overnight in Quézac

Day 11
5* route N106 : Mende – Alès - Corniche des Cevennes
Mont Ventoux
D20 little twisty to N85
N85 Route Napoleon
Verdon Gorge Route des Cretes
2 nights in Grasse

Day 12
Monaco Casino square, F1 circuit tunnels on exit
Antibes?

Day 13
Sigale, Roquetron & Pierrefeu D17 (Gold bike run)
D2565 La Plan du Var - Gorges de Vésubie - Roquebilliere - St. Martin-Vesubie (Silver Bike Run & Col Saint Martin Bronze Bike Run)
D30 St. Sauveur sur Tinee - Roubion – Beuil
D28 Beuil - Valberg - Guillaumes & back to St. Sauveur sur Tinee (Gorges Superiores du Cians & du Dalius)
D64/D2205 St. Sauveur sur Tinee - Jausiers (Col de Bonette Gold Bike Run)
D900/D902 Barcelonnette – Château Queryas (Col de Vars)
2 nights in Eygliers

Day 14
Lac de Serre-Poncon
D205 Chateau-Queryas – Casteldelfino (Col d'Agnel)

Day 15
D902 Château Queryas - Briançon (Col de l'Izoard)
D902 Col du Telegraphe & Col du Galibier Bronze Bike Run
D213/D94 La Chambre – Pussy (Col de la Madelaine)
N212 Megeve - Ugine (Gorge de l'Arly Gold Bike Run)
D909 Bonnevill St.Pierre – Flumet (Col de Aravis)
Through Geneva
N5 Gex - Morez - Champagnole (Col de la Faucille)
Overnight at Beaune

Day 16
Château de Savigny-lès-Beaune Fighter & car museum
D996/396 & D9 Dijion to Reims
Dunkirque Ferry home

Day 17
Work out where the hell we can stay for upto 6 weeks

4500 miles of roof down roads

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 9th September 21:44

[mikey k]

George - one day you will put some miles on that car!
Pete - that had crossed my mind we will see how we go not
Bingo - I suspected as much having looked on street view
Right off to pack some more boxes

[mikey k]

Notsa - not looked at the forecast can't be worse than it is here
Dredders - believe me you don't want to move house the way we are This holiday is the respite!
Stedman - I've seen pictures and read about it, looks like a surreal place

Euros arrived this morning and car is almost packed

[mikey k]

I feel for him
We had the land one and some!
He got a lot closer to buying than we have, we are homeless until late October
But we are looking at it like a 6 week holiday
Cars all packed and checked ready for the off tomorrow

[mikey k]

Excellent start!
25C in Ashford sat in the pub having a beer

[mikey k]

cardigankid said:

Watch you don't get shot.

that was the first thing Mrs K said when she saw the news.

[mikey k]

Sat on the boat having a coffee and Pain au Chocolat
Nice to relax after customs "investigated" the whole car, first time that has happened to us!
Nice and sunny bit a bit too much sea mist at the moment

Edited by mikey k on Saturday 8th September 17:32

[mikey k]

Day 1 in France and 661 miles from Cheshire
Customs woman was amazed how little space there was to "hide" anything, she was even more amazed to see how little we had packed for 2.5 weeks.
We went through Le Mans around the road circuit, quite weird seeing crash fences and chicanes with massive kerbs on a "normal" road
Temp hit 32C around Le Mans
Now sat in the garden of a great little chambre de hotes called Domaine de Joreau
Beer is nice and cold, then off out for nosh!

Early Start from Ashford with the mist still burning off

French Loop 002_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Empty roads and not a cloud in the sky, the Sanef Toll tag is great don't know why I've never bought one before!

French Loop 008_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Le Mans was a bit weird but nice to see out side a race event
Those guys are loons doing over 200 MPH on the Mulsanne straight!

French Loop 014_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 018_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 021_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Saw Yetis next engine ugrade out on a road test

French Loop 025_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Arrived at our first night stop to a fantastic drive way and nice "digs"

French Loop 031_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 036_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 044_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 9th September 22:29

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

You haven't sold any dodgy compressors to HM Customs recently have you

You back for a trip out on the 27th to look at the new Vanq and eat all the food at Wilmslow ??

Looks like Graham and I are going. Although you will be sleeping rough you will still need to eat

You know our stuff is only "quality gear"
Not sure about Wilmslow?

[mikey k]

Neil - not a fan of the train/tunnel
George - yes as a coincidence

[mikey k]

Found a superb restaurant in Gennes last night L'Aubergade excellent food and service.
Topped off with the local festival kicking off at 9pm.
Off for breakfast in the garden then down to Ordour Sur Glan for the morning.

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 9th September 17:42

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

Mikey - you using your Aston Garmin or a standalone satnav ?? If so, have you needed to update your maps ??

I know you have the GB rear plate and no doubt the hivis and bulb kit but.....did you bother with breathalysers or are you subscribing to the 'Foreigners aren't affected until November viewpoint?'

Tom Tom with ITN files is working well even shows the "danger areas"
Breath kits are available on the ferry at £6 for 2
They are sold out through out most of France and many are not bothering until November
They are 1 euro each I'd you can find them
Plod have found the AM interesting many have a really good look. It no tugs as yet

29C in Limoges, Mrs K is melting

[mikey k]

Day 2 1062 miles so far
It's still 31C!
That melted the pads on my rear no plate and it is now enjoying its own holiday somewhere in France
Luckily the husband fo the petrol station owner in Payrac got some body tape out and fitted my "legal" one I carry in the boot
Her face was a picture when she saw no gear lever then her hubby explained
Right off out to find some nosh on a Sunday evening!
Found some fantastic roads after having to mod the route to get to the hotel for last check in.

Day 2 Pictures

Interesting shot of insect death toll

French Loop 068_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Ordour Sur Glan where the SS murdered 643 people and destroyed a whole village for disobeying them It was left untouched and turned in to a shrine and memorial to remind us all!

French Loop 094_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 102_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Gouffre de Padirac a 200m deep sink whole that then runs as an under ground river for 20km with an underground bot ride down parts of it Amazing and a welcome constant 12C whilst it was 33C above ground!

French Loop 128_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Yes that is a set of 536 steps going up the side of it!

French Loop 130_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

We had a quick blast through Rocamadour would like to spend some more time there!

French Loop 139_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Then the rear plate departed company so we lost some time sorting that out and headed straight to our Hotel happening on some nice roads on the way

French Loop 148_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 153_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 168_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

With a great view from the breakfast terrace!

French Loop 170_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 13th September 14:52

[mikey k]

First couple of days pics added
Action shots thanks to Mrs K!

Few other highlights from today
Flame Orange MP4-12C in Ordour Sur Glan of all places, looked gret buy sounded tame
Dropping gears on the first tunnels of the tour
Parking up in Montignac and the car attracting a surprised crowd, until some old block asked if it was a Ferrari
Night time drive down the twisties I did a bit earlier in the evening!

Edited by mikey k on Sunday 9th September 22:36

[mikey k]

Day 3 and 1388 miles so far
PiP was closed until late in the morning and the Cave of Font-de-Gaume had a 6 hour wait as they limit the number of people in to the prehistoric caves That was a real shame as the area is packed with this sort of stuff it's every where! Must organise a trip back!


French Loop 195_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 203_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 209_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

So I went in search of twisties to get over to Dune du Pilat this thing is absolutely massive! 2.7 km long and 0.5 km wide, as a dune its height changes and is normally around 115m. It was a bit fo a climb, I managed it but Mrs K stayed in the shade at the bottom. Well work a half day to visit with some great facilities to make a day of it if you wish.


French Loop 215_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Taken from about 3/4 of the way up!

French Loop 216_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Taken from the same spot & Mrs K is lurking some where down there! A bit like "where's Waldo!"


French Loop 221_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Quick blast down the toll road and we arrived at Château d'Urtubie.
Owned by the same family from when it was built in 1341 as a castle with keep, ramparts, gatehouse and moat. The count showed us round and explained the history, then showed us the "private floor" amazing place.


French Loop 234_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 230_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

They even have a "Jockman Suite"

French Loop 266_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

As we arrived a bit early we did a bit of the next days coast route at dusk from Hendaye to San Juan de Lez (route de la Corniche) and on to Biarritz for sunset (just before an almighty thunder and lightning storm - just to match the car colour )

Sacau Fort & Port with a growing collection in dead insects on the front of the S

French Loop 310_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 13th September 15:33

[mikey k]

Cheers John - enjoy Spa!
Weather has cooled off which has pleased Mrs K
Couple of "issues" though
One Tom Tom got dropped and has expired, noticed a small scuff on a rear wheel (my fault I know when I did that ) and finally some tt has taken abig chunk out of the drivers door right on the swage line tossers
Any way we headed off on the route the Count recommended then did the reverse of Route de la Corniche
Day 4 mileage is now up to 1517
Pictures when we have a decent connection

[mikey k]

It's only paint but it is deep
I will try touching up if not door respray
We did manage to exchange on the Duke of Sutherland fishing lodge before we came away just waiting for 19th October to complete on it.
How is yours going?

[mikey k]

It's a main land thing I don't we have seen a single car without a ding
It's not so much a dent as a large paint chip right on top of the swage line. No way PDR will sort it, I will have to be patient with my chipex!

Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 12th September 18:43

[mikey k]

Day 5 mileage upto 1842
Woke to pissing rain in Biarritz
Headed off on our route down through the Pyrenees
Couple of accidents closed two major roads on our route and the top of the Cols were shrouded in mist


French Loop 278_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 282_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

So to catch up time we just took the quickest none motorway route to the Casa

A promising "sign"

French Loop 346_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Turned out to be a good call once we got through CanFranc tunnel


French Loop 372_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

The Spanish side was sunny and back up to 29C!
TT also found some excellent Cols for us on our route
The views from the Casa are amazing!

Route in to Casa

French Loop 490_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Just parked up ready to unload

French Loop 509_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Sunset over the balcony area

French Loop 519_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Day 6 is a down day by the pool in the sun! Was going to do that on Day 7 but the route was too long in these temps and we need a rest

A quick wander round before it got too hot.
This is the derelict church with the Casa next to it on the right

French Loop 524_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

A moment of contemplation at the top of the hill before beer by the pool
Weirdly you can just see the road in from earlier above my head!

French Loop 530_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 13th September 15:44

[mikey k]

yeti said:

Ah, living my life vicariously through you Mikey! Glad it's all working out and the mishaps aren't taking the shine off it

No point in worrying about them!
Move on and make the most of it I say