My Le Mans story,share yours.
Discussion
Excellent stuff, Steve. I've been going almost every year from 1996 with my son...a really great set of man and boy memories. We're now at the stage when his eldest son is asking to come too; 8 is a bit young maybe but in a couple of years we'll all be there, I'm sure.
I have to say that our transport has been a bit normal compared to your hot Corsa. Our first trip in 1996 was in my fire engine red Carlton 3.0L GSI, then there was a Saab 9-3 turbo, then my Jaguar S-Type 4.0L V8, my son's Mercedes CL500, and latest my Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8.
Plenty of stories to tell but too many for here!
R.
I have to say that our transport has been a bit normal compared to your hot Corsa. Our first trip in 1996 was in my fire engine red Carlton 3.0L GSI, then there was a Saab 9-3 turbo, then my Jaguar S-Type 4.0L V8, my son's Mercedes CL500, and latest my Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8.
Plenty of stories to tell but too many for here!
R.
"I have to say that our transport has been a bit normal compared to your hot Corsa. Our first trip in 1996 was in my fire engine red Carlton 3.0L GSI, then there was a Saab 9-3 turbo, then my Jaguar S-Type 4.0L V8, my son's Mercedes CL500, and latest my Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8."
Hardly normal, underated straight six, turbocharged four and a few V8's Nice selection there mate!
Hardly normal, underated straight six, turbocharged four and a few V8's Nice selection there mate!
Based on your 'first experience', I'll continue the theme...
I was quite late catching onto the Le Mans dream, It was mid 1990's and I was early teens. Like Steve, flicking through the TV in my bedroom, I stumble across live motor racing on a Saturday afternoon!
Being an avid car fan already owning a number of Ferrari's and classic Jag's (BBurago ones of course) I’m fascinated to learn that the cars I'm watching race round this bizarre half track-half road circuit, will continue to do so through the evening and into night, 'Cars can actually race at night?! Wow!'
The seed was now sown, but remained dormant in me until on holiday in Rhodes in 2003. Reading a copy of evo magazine I had brought with me, I read an intriguing article about one of the journalists (who's name escapes me) experience of the big race. Towards the end of the article he describes their journey home, straight after the race Sunday afternoon. It depicted an idyllic scene when they stopped a number of miles north of Le Mans to have cold beer beside the road as they watched an amazing parade of exotic marques blare past them on route to the ports. That was it, I had to go. Persuading my now ex girlfriend that it would be a great trip for us both (oh how she was in for a shock!) I plan everything for 2004.
Leaving home early on the Thursday morning, we head for Dover in the little bit rusty, but very trusty Fiat Coupe (see profile). What followed was shear joy and amazement of the cars I would see on the way. An F40 filling up at our first fuel stop, a Radical blasting past at full chat as we head towards Brionne on the N138. It didn't take much to learn the joys of overtaking on the N138, the 200hp Fiat doing well a keeping up with Elises and lesser TVR's who stumble across us.
Arriving at the Camping Expo, it all seemed a little intimidating at first, but making good friends with the neighbours, and heading over to the track for the first time, I didn’t stop smiling the whole weekend. Drinking in the Danish marquee on the campsite, deciding that it wouldn’t be far to walk into town for the driver’s parade (ouch, feet!), falling asleep beside the circuit with beer in hand at 2am all made for a very memorable and addictive weekend. What started as a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip, I knew I had to come back next year. The story continues, chapter 7 – 2010…
I was quite late catching onto the Le Mans dream, It was mid 1990's and I was early teens. Like Steve, flicking through the TV in my bedroom, I stumble across live motor racing on a Saturday afternoon!
Being an avid car fan already owning a number of Ferrari's and classic Jag's (BBurago ones of course) I’m fascinated to learn that the cars I'm watching race round this bizarre half track-half road circuit, will continue to do so through the evening and into night, 'Cars can actually race at night?! Wow!'
The seed was now sown, but remained dormant in me until on holiday in Rhodes in 2003. Reading a copy of evo magazine I had brought with me, I read an intriguing article about one of the journalists (who's name escapes me) experience of the big race. Towards the end of the article he describes their journey home, straight after the race Sunday afternoon. It depicted an idyllic scene when they stopped a number of miles north of Le Mans to have cold beer beside the road as they watched an amazing parade of exotic marques blare past them on route to the ports. That was it, I had to go. Persuading my now ex girlfriend that it would be a great trip for us both (oh how she was in for a shock!) I plan everything for 2004.
Leaving home early on the Thursday morning, we head for Dover in the little bit rusty, but very trusty Fiat Coupe (see profile). What followed was shear joy and amazement of the cars I would see on the way. An F40 filling up at our first fuel stop, a Radical blasting past at full chat as we head towards Brionne on the N138. It didn't take much to learn the joys of overtaking on the N138, the 200hp Fiat doing well a keeping up with Elises and lesser TVR's who stumble across us.
Arriving at the Camping Expo, it all seemed a little intimidating at first, but making good friends with the neighbours, and heading over to the track for the first time, I didn’t stop smiling the whole weekend. Drinking in the Danish marquee on the campsite, deciding that it wouldn’t be far to walk into town for the driver’s parade (ouch, feet!), falling asleep beside the circuit with beer in hand at 2am all made for a very memorable and addictive weekend. What started as a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip, I knew I had to come back next year. The story continues, chapter 7 – 2010…
Steve,
OK, maybe "normal" is the wrong word, perhaps "nothing to take notice of" (unlike your Corsa) may be a better to put it. My son and I do like what might might called sports saloons and there's no doubt we feel they are ideal for the trip to Le Mans every year, in fact any trip anywhere! Can put the frighteners on some others travelling there too!
R.
OK, maybe "normal" is the wrong word, perhaps "nothing to take notice of" (unlike your Corsa) may be a better to put it. My son and I do like what might might called sports saloons and there's no doubt we feel they are ideal for the trip to Le Mans every year, in fact any trip anywhere! Can put the frighteners on some others travelling there too!
R.
nice one boolay, an F40 overtook me on the return trip along with about five other cars on the wrong side of the road around a blind bend with noble chasing hard, a incredible sight to see.
The Leaper, there is something very cool about subtle cars with unsubtle engines 4.2V8 and 5.0V8 have stacks of torque to strech long legs. How do you rate the Carlton?
The Leaper, there is something very cool about subtle cars with unsubtle engines 4.2V8 and 5.0V8 have stacks of torque to strech long legs. How do you rate the Carlton?
Edited by Steve Smith on Monday 30th November 21:24
First trip down in my first Tuscan, with my ex-girlfriend, from Zeebrugge heading through Belgium, no sat nav, no idea where we are going and running late due to a bus breaking down on the ramps. An Aston vantage, old version, pulled alongside, driver looked at me and nodded, I looked at him and nodded. He then took off somewhat spiritedly. I followed, where else could he have been going?
Made it in to Le Mans to pass a school with all the kids hanging off the fence and waving and jumping about like loons to see the Tuscan.
Was only going to see the TVRs race and see what the crack was. Been every year since, taking my son for his first time this year.
There is only one place to be in June. The rest of the year is waiting.
Made it in to Le Mans to pass a school with all the kids hanging off the fence and waving and jumping about like loons to see the Tuscan.
Was only going to see the TVRs race and see what the crack was. Been every year since, taking my son for his first time this year.
There is only one place to be in June. The rest of the year is waiting.
Steve,
My son and I rated the Carlton highly. 3 litres and 201 BHP, loads of space etc meant it was a really nice all-rounder. I had it from new for 4 years and did about 120,000 reasonably trouble free miles in the mid 1990s. Must be manual and in red though!
As it was the car that we used on our firt trip to La Sarthe maybe there is a bit of nostalgia there, and why not!
I often wish I had kept it. Rarely see any on the road now, of course.
R.
My son and I rated the Carlton highly. 3 litres and 201 BHP, loads of space etc meant it was a really nice all-rounder. I had it from new for 4 years and did about 120,000 reasonably trouble free miles in the mid 1990s. Must be manual and in red though!
As it was the car that we used on our firt trip to La Sarthe maybe there is a bit of nostalgia there, and why not!
I often wish I had kept it. Rarely see any on the road now, of course.
R.
Great stories and a great idea for a thread Steve as I am now hyped up about the trip next year! :biggrin:
My dad has reached the age where he no longer wants to go the the 24hr, he is a classic man now! Up until last year i had been to Le Mans 4 times, as well as every classic there has been with him.
Last year in Jan my dad told me he was not going to the 24hr (and obviously there was no classic last year.) This left me with a gap....which had to be filled!
I was now "of age" to drive (19) and asked a mate from Uni if he was interested. After he looked it up on the internet and i showed him a few snaps from the years before - he was in!
Next task was convincing dad to let us borrow the Caterham.....
A few "discussions" later it was a go ahead!
A few squids on pistonheads for stickers and applying the flyscreen (no doors, no windscreen, just crash helmets and a prayer for good weather - she was ready to go)
Queue the best lads weekend ever and one of the best weekends of my life.
The drive down was sensational - unfortunately due to summer jobs we had to go Friday morning!!!
This meant leaving on the 6am ferry and blasting all the way down the motorways to try and get there before mad friday really kicked off.....
But what a drive! We were on the same ferry at the Stratstone convoy and went all the way down with them. Two memorable highlights... Going off the ferry at Calais with all the fezzas, lambos, astons etc. etc. and literally hearing none of them with the k-series engine bouncing off the 9,000 limit at a tested 118db! Even the French ferry guys were laughing!
Then driving down the toll roads following two F430 challenge stradale at ridiculous speeds then suddenly, both of them slammed on the brakes......
Thinking they must know something i don't, we followed them until the next tollbooth where they pulled over before we got there. Pulling over with them i asked "What happened back there, I didn't see any gendarme? They relied, "No - but did you see the helicopter following us!"
Got to the campsite (blue nord) and set up camp just before mad friday really kicked off. had a great evening and subsequent weekend.
Drive home not so lucky, on monday it peed down all the way home which obviously...was pretty miserable. However, a trip I will never forget and going to the 24hr with my pal again and the classic with my dad - so two excuses to make two pilgrimage's again next year!
Hope to see as many of you guys there as possible, and maybe some in the Pistonheads/1st Tickets camping!
John
My dad has reached the age where he no longer wants to go the the 24hr, he is a classic man now! Up until last year i had been to Le Mans 4 times, as well as every classic there has been with him.
Last year in Jan my dad told me he was not going to the 24hr (and obviously there was no classic last year.) This left me with a gap....which had to be filled!
I was now "of age" to drive (19) and asked a mate from Uni if he was interested. After he looked it up on the internet and i showed him a few snaps from the years before - he was in!
Next task was convincing dad to let us borrow the Caterham.....
A few "discussions" later it was a go ahead!
A few squids on pistonheads for stickers and applying the flyscreen (no doors, no windscreen, just crash helmets and a prayer for good weather - she was ready to go)
Queue the best lads weekend ever and one of the best weekends of my life.
The drive down was sensational - unfortunately due to summer jobs we had to go Friday morning!!!
This meant leaving on the 6am ferry and blasting all the way down the motorways to try and get there before mad friday really kicked off.....
But what a drive! We were on the same ferry at the Stratstone convoy and went all the way down with them. Two memorable highlights... Going off the ferry at Calais with all the fezzas, lambos, astons etc. etc. and literally hearing none of them with the k-series engine bouncing off the 9,000 limit at a tested 118db! Even the French ferry guys were laughing!
Then driving down the toll roads following two F430 challenge stradale at ridiculous speeds then suddenly, both of them slammed on the brakes......
Thinking they must know something i don't, we followed them until the next tollbooth where they pulled over before we got there. Pulling over with them i asked "What happened back there, I didn't see any gendarme? They relied, "No - but did you see the helicopter following us!"
Got to the campsite (blue nord) and set up camp just before mad friday really kicked off. had a great evening and subsequent weekend.
Drive home not so lucky, on monday it peed down all the way home which obviously...was pretty miserable. However, a trip I will never forget and going to the 24hr with my pal again and the classic with my dad - so two excuses to make two pilgrimage's again next year!
Hope to see as many of you guys there as possible, and maybe some in the Pistonheads/1st Tickets camping!
John
boolay said:
An F40 filling up at our first fuel stop
Not necessarily trying to get into a p
g contest but in the spirit of the post... probably 2001 or 2002 we were sat outside a bar close to the circuit when 10 x F40's in a line stopped at the lights right in front of us. Now that's something you don't see every day!WhyTwo said:
boolay said:
An F40 filling up at our first fuel stop
Not necessarily trying to get into a pg contest but in the spirit of the post... probably 2001 or 2002 we were sat outside a bar close to the circuit when 10 x F40's in a line stopped at the lights right in front of us. Now that's something you don't see every day!My first Le Mans was an aborted one in 2007, bought the tickets and ferry but bottled it at the last minute, flogged them on ebay. My whistle was initially wetted in 1996 when I went to the bikes 24hr and discovered that Frenchie bikers are totally bonkers. The ferry to Le Harve sailed in the worst weather I have ever seen on a ferry and we ended up docking in Cherbourg, but a great trip.
My second attempt was rather better last year as boolay's co-pilot. Boolay had done a bloody fantastic job of stickering up his chipped 9-5 Aero and the drive down was great apart from the crap weather along the N138. Things got worse when we arrived, an inch of water on the pitch at Karting Nord, a proper storm and a tent so big and broken it nearly proved impossible to erect. Luckily our new neighbours chipped in and finally we got the damn thing up in some sort of fashion.
Got some great memories of the cars, madness and people. Watching the sun come up with a beer and Le Mans Radio on the headphones at the Karting track , watching the Corvettes disappear, wondering why the diesels made a frapppp noise and the other cars didn't (its just the diesels are so quiet you can hear the tyres on the edge of the corners). But my favourite memory is standing on a road watching the burn outs and water fights, when suddenly a limo opened a window and a large breasted lady appeared and rubbed said breasts together about 2 inches from boolays face. Priceless.
Funds are a bit tighter this year, and I only have a few days leave booked with the family so 2010 is probably going to be a quick dash there and back.
My second attempt was rather better last year as boolay's co-pilot. Boolay had done a bloody fantastic job of stickering up his chipped 9-5 Aero and the drive down was great apart from the crap weather along the N138. Things got worse when we arrived, an inch of water on the pitch at Karting Nord, a proper storm and a tent so big and broken it nearly proved impossible to erect. Luckily our new neighbours chipped in and finally we got the damn thing up in some sort of fashion.
Got some great memories of the cars, madness and people. Watching the sun come up with a beer and Le Mans Radio on the headphones at the Karting track , watching the Corvettes disappear, wondering why the diesels made a frapppp noise and the other cars didn't (its just the diesels are so quiet you can hear the tyres on the edge of the corners). But my favourite memory is standing on a road watching the burn outs and water fights, when suddenly a limo opened a window and a large breasted lady appeared and rubbed said breasts together about 2 inches from boolays face. Priceless.
Funds are a bit tighter this year, and I only have a few days leave booked with the family so 2010 is probably going to be a quick dash there and back.
Of all the memories of Le Mans trips it has to be the first trip which is always the best. I'd bought the Vette in July '04 so waited until 2005 for the first trip over. Our convoy got split on the midnight ferries so after waiting for a while in Calais we set off in to the dark behind the support Vectra - only to find after an hour we were heading to Paris and the other car was miles across country. So what began was a pursuit across rural France to reach the other motorway. At this point I must explain that the Vette had a radio which didn't work, was roasting hot like an oven and had an 8-track which would only play Elvis. So there we are in a 1978 Corvette at 4am blasting through villages with shuttered up doors listening to Blue Seude Shoes and loving every minute.
We eventually hit the N138 and got passed by a convoy of Fezzas, Porkers and a Bentley.........quickly followed by a fleet of BiBs on bikes. 5 minutes later we pass them all lined up at the side of the road. We eventually got in to Le Mans at 1pm, parked in BSJ, met the other car and started on the cases of warm beer...bliss!
We eventually hit the N138 and got passed by a convoy of Fezzas, Porkers and a Bentley.........quickly followed by a fleet of BiBs on bikes. 5 minutes later we pass them all lined up at the side of the road. We eventually got in to Le Mans at 1pm, parked in BSJ, met the other car and started on the cases of warm beer...bliss!
lost in espace said:
But my favourite memory is standing on a road watching the burn outs and water fights, when suddenly a limo opened a window and a large breasted lady appeared and rubbed said breasts together about 2 inches from boolays face. Priceless.
Ha ha, made my day 
Morning Craig 
My first was quite late on in life as well.
I went with 3 mates and we were in a black Elise 111S Type 72 and a blue S1 Elise 135 Sport. None of us had been before.
In a way I was gutted as I was a passenger in the 135 Sport. I had a virtually brand new S2 Exige at home but it only had a few hundred miles on it and was still in the running phase so with limited revs I decided to leave it at home.
We stayed down in Dover on the Thursday night and had a few beers. As usual the que for the ferry looked like a car show.
We went the N138 route in convoy with some great cars. The general banter on the walkie talkies was good.
We went passed loads of schools as well and all the kids were hanging off the fence waving.
We took the new autoroute for the last part of the trip and it was utterly fantastic. There were out 2 cars, 3 various 911's and an Ultima in convoy. Not stupid speeds but comfortably into 3 figures and the rest of the road was almost deserted.
It was a baking hot day and when we got to the tolls at the end the Ultima's doors flew open and 2 blokes who looked like they had just stepped out of a shower hung out to try and cool down.
Great trip even though we didnt have much of a clue about where to go and what to see.
Booked for the Classic next year but might do the 24 as well.
I went with 3 mates and we were in a black Elise 111S Type 72 and a blue S1 Elise 135 Sport. None of us had been before.
In a way I was gutted as I was a passenger in the 135 Sport. I had a virtually brand new S2 Exige at home but it only had a few hundred miles on it and was still in the running phase so with limited revs I decided to leave it at home.
We stayed down in Dover on the Thursday night and had a few beers. As usual the que for the ferry looked like a car show.
We went the N138 route in convoy with some great cars. The general banter on the walkie talkies was good.
We went passed loads of schools as well and all the kids were hanging off the fence waving.
We took the new autoroute for the last part of the trip and it was utterly fantastic. There were out 2 cars, 3 various 911's and an Ultima in convoy. Not stupid speeds but comfortably into 3 figures and the rest of the road was almost deserted.
It was a baking hot day and when we got to the tolls at the end the Ultima's doors flew open and 2 blokes who looked like they had just stepped out of a shower hung out to try and cool down.
Great trip even though we didnt have much of a clue about where to go and what to see.
Booked for the Classic next year but might do the 24 as well.
rlw said:
1981 and me and the future Mrs rlw go off to see a mate of hers in Amsterdam. We are in a VW Type 3 1600cc aircooled estate vintage 1971. The starter motor is dodgy. We leave Holland on Friday morning and stop at Chartres after ten hours on the road for the night where she passes out in the ladies for half an hour, mainly a result of too much heat and not enough to eat. It is effing hot - the hottest ever Le Mans actually at that point. Have to be push started by helpful French people as starter will not engage. Mrs rlw also pushes.
We drive to the circuit and buy tickets on the way in under Tertre Rouge and we just turn up on a campsite and pay for the pitch on the spot - brilliant. We try to put the borrowed tent up at 2.00pm thinking we had loads of time but it was a 3.00pm start - oops. It is now extraordinarily effing hot but we get the tent up with some help and rush up to miss the start by about two minutes. We buy beer and chill a bit. We spend all afternoon out around the area from Porsche Curves to Tertre Rouge, getting somewhat sunburnt despite gallons of sunscreen. Around 10.30pm we have nice steak and chips from a little restaurant on the inside of the Esses, now sadly long gone, have some more beer and a bottle of wine.
We decide to walk to the Restaurant des Vingt-Quatre Heures and set off in the general direction, and eventually make it for what is a marathon session of motorsport viewing before walking back and thinking maybe its time for bed. Go to fabulous toilets which are a shed with an oil drum, a plank and a big hole in the plank. Barely pee anything despite considerable amounts of beer consumed during the day.
Wake up early Sunday and it is hotter at 8.00am than it was at 6.00pm yesterday - well effing hot in fact. Spend all day out in the sun, drink beer and get sunburnt. See end of race from outside of what is now Dunlop Curve but was then a straight bit. Sweltering hot at 3.00pm. Buy two litre bottle of water each, drink in seconds and pass out in the shadow of the car - sunstroke.
Wake up some hours later feeling st and with hell of a headache. Need food so we walk down to the Restaurant des Vingt-Quatres Heures - now straight down the N138 of course - still a proper French place at this point, just walk in and get a table by the window. Order more Perrier and down another litre each, followed by another. Great meal - real proper French provincial food - fantastic company - some Brits, some Dutch, some French all chatting to each other. Then the Porsche mechanics from the works team turn up along with Derek Bell and a few other notables. We all eat, mingle, chat to anyone and everyone and have a rare old time. No chavs, no pissheads, no trouble. Eventually walk back to the campsite and still barely able to pee but crawl into tent knackered and very happy. Its like WW3 down in Le Houx where the Germans mainly hang out - huge bonfires, fireworks and much singing. Out like a light.
4.00am wake up needing the toilet and PDQ. Pull on jeans and t-shirt, trainers and make a dash for it. Door won't stay just but its dark so sod it. Sit on plank on oil drum and take in the view. Smoke lays on the ground up to about a metre high, from all the bonfires and fireworks. The moon is nearly full and illuminates the layer of smoke so it looks as if you are looking at the sea. Looking down towards Le Houx, the bonfires penetrate the mist and the odd firework still goes off to much jeering and singing. The big wheel is still up too and all the old light on the old pits are glowing in the mist. It is still crazy hot with the temp in the high seventies and I think this is a scene and situation I will remember forever. Bloke walks past and says hi. Surreal.
Next day feeling somewhat the worse for wear and very sunburnt, pack tent and head to the Restaurant for breakfast. Talk to a few folks but sadly have to head off. Need a push. Go up the N138 and see lots of silly cars but no cops at all. Have to stop frequently as car is too hot but cannot open windows as sun on arm is not good , big time. Discover great toilets in the shade and spend 15 minutes cooling down. Eventually board ferry at Dieppe and share a table with drivers, mechanics and truckies, all very laid back. Have small beer and think - wow. Arrive back at Newhaven where its a glorious sunny evening and not so hot and enjoy drive through English countryside like it used to be. Fabulous.
Although that first year was an incredible learning curve we haven't missed one since and I'm not sure that I could. Next year is number 30 and I am just as excited as that first one.
We drive to the circuit and buy tickets on the way in under Tertre Rouge and we just turn up on a campsite and pay for the pitch on the spot - brilliant. We try to put the borrowed tent up at 2.00pm thinking we had loads of time but it was a 3.00pm start - oops. It is now extraordinarily effing hot but we get the tent up with some help and rush up to miss the start by about two minutes. We buy beer and chill a bit. We spend all afternoon out around the area from Porsche Curves to Tertre Rouge, getting somewhat sunburnt despite gallons of sunscreen. Around 10.30pm we have nice steak and chips from a little restaurant on the inside of the Esses, now sadly long gone, have some more beer and a bottle of wine.
We decide to walk to the Restaurant des Vingt-Quatre Heures and set off in the general direction, and eventually make it for what is a marathon session of motorsport viewing before walking back and thinking maybe its time for bed. Go to fabulous toilets which are a shed with an oil drum, a plank and a big hole in the plank. Barely pee anything despite considerable amounts of beer consumed during the day.
Wake up early Sunday and it is hotter at 8.00am than it was at 6.00pm yesterday - well effing hot in fact. Spend all day out in the sun, drink beer and get sunburnt. See end of race from outside of what is now Dunlop Curve but was then a straight bit. Sweltering hot at 3.00pm. Buy two litre bottle of water each, drink in seconds and pass out in the shadow of the car - sunstroke.
Wake up some hours later feeling s
t and with hell of a headache. Need food so we walk down to the Restaurant des Vingt-Quatres Heures - now straight down the N138 of course - still a proper French place at this point, just walk in and get a table by the window. Order more Perrier and down another litre each, followed by another. Great meal - real proper French provincial food - fantastic company - some Brits, some Dutch, some French all chatting to each other. Then the Porsche mechanics from the works team turn up along with Derek Bell and a few other notables. We all eat, mingle, chat to anyone and everyone and have a rare old time. No chavs, no pissheads, no trouble. Eventually walk back to the campsite and still barely able to pee but crawl into tent knackered and very happy. Its like WW3 down in Le Houx where the Germans mainly hang out - huge bonfires, fireworks and much singing. Out like a light.4.00am wake up needing the toilet and PDQ. Pull on jeans and t-shirt, trainers and make a dash for it. Door won't stay just but its dark so sod it. Sit on plank on oil drum and take in the view. Smoke lays on the ground up to about a metre high, from all the bonfires and fireworks. The moon is nearly full and illuminates the layer of smoke so it looks as if you are looking at the sea. Looking down towards Le Houx, the bonfires penetrate the mist and the odd firework still goes off to much jeering and singing. The big wheel is still up too and all the old light on the old pits are glowing in the mist. It is still crazy hot with the temp in the high seventies and I think this is a scene and situation I will remember forever. Bloke walks past and says hi. Surreal.
Next day feeling somewhat the worse for wear and very sunburnt, pack tent and head to the Restaurant for breakfast. Talk to a few folks but sadly have to head off. Need a push. Go up the N138 and see lots of silly cars but no cops at all. Have to stop frequently as car is too hot but cannot open windows as sun on arm is not good , big time. Discover great toilets in the shade and spend 15 minutes cooling down. Eventually board ferry at Dieppe and share a table with drivers, mechanics and truckies, all very laid back. Have small beer and think - wow. Arrive back at Newhaven where its a glorious sunny evening and not so hot and enjoy drive through English countryside like it used to be. Fabulous.
Although that first year was an incredible learning curve we haven't missed one since and I'm not sure that I could. Next year is number 30 and I am just as excited as that first one.
Edited by rlw on Saturday 5th December 17:27
WhyTwo said:
I didn't unfortunately. I never used to carry a canera and it was pre-camera phones. I'm sure at least 1 of our group must have taken some pics. Let me see if I can find some
Apart from that, you were leathered and wouldn't have known your lens cap from your elbow.Alright Stu, how are you?
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