mike4gtl
Mad many would insit upon
- Messages
- 794
So once again we found ourselves on the way to the Moulin Bodin last week for another taste of tree doctoring and whilst in the vacinity i thought it would an ideal opportunity to swing by Brittany on our way back to see my aunts new house they have just had built.
We had a super week of hospility from Ian and Kate and their friends, a super week of weather and well just a super week in the Vendee fullstop and i as usual didn't want to leave.
Sunday lunchtime came around to quick and we started to think about packing up my AX and pointing towards Damgan. It was just a one night stop over as my aunt and uncle were very busy moving in, laying flooring and painting etc. Anyway i decided to book a hotel in Deauville and drive the Route Nationale so we could see the pretty sights and farms for sale, although it is very hilly and the roads are narrow and quite winedy.
5pm book in and Deauville was windy and cool but was busy and we were looking forward to going out for a meal and walk round the place, but this didn't happen. I couldn't find my credit card, worse still i couldn't find my wallet our house keys. We spent an hour pulling the car apart and emptying our luggage - nothing.
We called my aunt, she had not seen it. I knew i had not used it in Damgan anyway so there was only one other place it could be, we assumed. Back at the Moulin Bodin. Oh Heck. I couldn't call Ian to find out as he had departed like us and was already back in the UK in time for the Flotilla up the Thames.
Hmmm, silly boy! I had to know that is where it was or i had to call the bank and cancel my cards and chance it being there upon Ian's return, this i couldn't do so we repacked the AX, turned its bug spattered nose back south towards Le Mans and wound it right up. Luckily it was tea time and the Peage was empty and my AX could fly.
250 miles later, dusk and warm again in the Vendee. Lovely! We drove up the manicured lawns of the Moulin Bodin, key in the door and no bag hung on the chair. Our hearts start to pump ten to the douzen now and brains go into overdrive. Whats the number or Barclays? Where can it be? How much cash was in there?
Panic, Panic, Panic.
Then i opened the top draw on the dresser and there it was. Sun glasses staring at me too. Phew.
Pasta and sweetcorn were the only supplies in our possesion as we had intended to do a big shop at the Cite Europe before bording our train. This was consumed before bed.
Locked up and left at 10am for a 6pm eurotunnel however i after a couple of hours my eye lids decided they had, had enough. I pulled off the peage and drove RN to Rouen to wake myself up. Tea and pain au Chocolate at the smelliest aire i have ever been to in my life and i was ready for the last leg.
Rain. Missed our 6pm crossing so decided to go shopping and stupidly assumed i would catch the next train even if i had to pay again. Wrong.
22.05 next availabe, and it was heaving with people. I have never seen it so busy. But some lovely cars in the ques. 1972 gold SM. brand new audi, Ferrai. So we just sat in the car scoffing our faces with Pate, and generally feasting on the food we were supposed to be bringing home, listening to the Archers.
Still it gave me time to tell my brain to stop driving and unwind. I thought i would work out how many miles we had done, how much fuel we had used and the average MPG and here it is.
Total Milages 1868
Diesel door to door 154.00 euros
24.3 Gallons
Average MPG 76.8 at 82 MPH
Not bad for an old diesel AX. But i want a Xantia HDI now.
Was it a sign - did the Vendee call me back???
We had a super week of hospility from Ian and Kate and their friends, a super week of weather and well just a super week in the Vendee fullstop and i as usual didn't want to leave.
Sunday lunchtime came around to quick and we started to think about packing up my AX and pointing towards Damgan. It was just a one night stop over as my aunt and uncle were very busy moving in, laying flooring and painting etc. Anyway i decided to book a hotel in Deauville and drive the Route Nationale so we could see the pretty sights and farms for sale, although it is very hilly and the roads are narrow and quite winedy.
5pm book in and Deauville was windy and cool but was busy and we were looking forward to going out for a meal and walk round the place, but this didn't happen. I couldn't find my credit card, worse still i couldn't find my wallet our house keys. We spent an hour pulling the car apart and emptying our luggage - nothing.
We called my aunt, she had not seen it. I knew i had not used it in Damgan anyway so there was only one other place it could be, we assumed. Back at the Moulin Bodin. Oh Heck. I couldn't call Ian to find out as he had departed like us and was already back in the UK in time for the Flotilla up the Thames.
Hmmm, silly boy! I had to know that is where it was or i had to call the bank and cancel my cards and chance it being there upon Ian's return, this i couldn't do so we repacked the AX, turned its bug spattered nose back south towards Le Mans and wound it right up. Luckily it was tea time and the Peage was empty and my AX could fly.
250 miles later, dusk and warm again in the Vendee. Lovely! We drove up the manicured lawns of the Moulin Bodin, key in the door and no bag hung on the chair. Our hearts start to pump ten to the douzen now and brains go into overdrive. Whats the number or Barclays? Where can it be? How much cash was in there?
Panic, Panic, Panic.
Then i opened the top draw on the dresser and there it was. Sun glasses staring at me too. Phew.
Pasta and sweetcorn were the only supplies in our possesion as we had intended to do a big shop at the Cite Europe before bording our train. This was consumed before bed.
Locked up and left at 10am for a 6pm eurotunnel however i after a couple of hours my eye lids decided they had, had enough. I pulled off the peage and drove RN to Rouen to wake myself up. Tea and pain au Chocolate at the smelliest aire i have ever been to in my life and i was ready for the last leg.
Rain. Missed our 6pm crossing so decided to go shopping and stupidly assumed i would catch the next train even if i had to pay again. Wrong.
22.05 next availabe, and it was heaving with people. I have never seen it so busy. But some lovely cars in the ques. 1972 gold SM. brand new audi, Ferrai. So we just sat in the car scoffing our faces with Pate, and generally feasting on the food we were supposed to be bringing home, listening to the Archers.
Still it gave me time to tell my brain to stop driving and unwind. I thought i would work out how many miles we had done, how much fuel we had used and the average MPG and here it is.
Total Milages 1868
Diesel door to door 154.00 euros
24.3 Gallons
Average MPG 76.8 at 82 MPH
Not bad for an old diesel AX. But i want a Xantia HDI now.
Was it a sign - did the Vendee call me back???
