The Last Post

As we whistle through the French countryside on our way to Calais, attempting to catch the earlier ferry, it gives me time to reflect on the trip. Well, when I'm not hanging on for dear life with Eileen's London style driving or attaching the bungee to the gear stick that is. 

We started route planning for this trip as we returned on the ferry from the last one. Needless to say, the rough idea of that route changed a bit. No, actually it changed direction entirely. Several times. I had things that I really wanted to see and do. Roads that I really wanted to drive on. Oh well, they will still be there for future trips. 

There is a saying, "It is either a good experience....or it is a good story. ". I think that very much holds true from this trip. Yes, we've had the odd mechanical issue. We've found the odd slightly ropey campsite. All part of the rich experience of the trip though. Most of the campsites were excellent. The positives easily outweighed the negatives. My personal highlight was the Haro wine festival for its brilliant atmosphere and ridiculous wine fight. I think I'll be back there sometime. I hope so anyway. 

So, from Sully-Sur-Loire we drove north east. Eileen and I were in the slightly disconcerting green campervan of Sarah's (the green is disconcerting rather than the van, though Sarah can have her disconcerting moments too). Jezebel had chosen a different route, with Marc, Kath and Jayne, via central Paris. I've been there. It's great to visit, but I've climbed the Eiffel Tower three times now, Champagne sounded more appealing. 

We stopped with Jeff, Laine and their dog Ellie at a small bar in a small town on route for a coffee. Well, it was called coffee. More like a thimble full of black treacle. Eileen was more sensible and had the first beer of the day. 

Lidls in Epernay, the capital of the Champagne Region, was odd. I found it hard to believe a supermarket in Epernay sold absolutely none of the local produce ! We found a L'Eclerc that did though and stocked up on oysters, smoked salmon and steak as well. 

And so, the last night shenanigans. 

The fancy dress theme was 'millionaires'.

A tough one I'll admit, but we had an inventive lot in tonight. 

Champagne and beer flowed. Certificates were issued, speeches made, goodbyes said and at some point, after the noise police had made sufficient efforts to shut us up, we drifted off to bed. 

So, here I am, passing through the area of the Somme (another poignant European destination if you've never been) where there was so much bloodshed 100 years ago to the day. Already I'm plotting the next trip (or two). Where are we going, I hear you ask ? For Gods Sake ! How many times ? It's a mystery tour ! You'll find out the day before we get there ! 

I hope you've enjoyed reading the blog as much as I have writing it. I hope it has provided a good idea of what a Windy 500 Mystery Tour is all about. If you feel that you might be interested in the next one, if you think you have a sense of adventure, a sense of humour and a desire to fix unnecessary LED lights to an inappropriate vehicle of your choice and head off in to the unknown, well drop us a line or follow us on Facebook. We're always looking for fresh lunatics. 

It's been a blast. Signing off.  

Spooky