Formule 1 Boulogne Sur Mer Boulogne-sur-Mer

... day it was an early start - up at 2:30am for a 3am departure, made worse by the fact that we only got to bed at about 11:30pm, after making sure everything was set for the big drive. I stayed at my cousin Pete's place that night, and we then picked up Rich and Phil, the other members of team 'Le Roast Beef' - apparently that's what the French call the English.

Pete and I were sharing the driving duties, so I drove us to Calais, making the most ...

... all our technology and man made world. They had created somewhat of a car park and garden. It is much easier if you look at the pictures then if I explain but I found it to be a fun art piece that was both thought provoking and easy to understand at the same time.

A nice little French town like all the rest. I'm starting to forget which town was which. Thank God for pictures and blogging or I would never remember!

Next stop was Calais, sort of. We didn't really stay in Calais but we kept getting drawn back there for one reason or another. It is the closest city to the U.K at just 34kms of water in between the two. We first decided to stop there to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat. The city isn't huge and besides a few nice buildings there wasn’t too much to see. We got some good food at a restobar ...

... Dan and Charles. It's a beautiful little town and one I was keen to show Kim. It is has high walls that runs 3km around it (perfect for our run morning run the next day!) and is situated atop a hill, so very picturesque.

PS. Le Coq Hardi is the local brand of beer

... the motorway at the first opportunity, and retraced our steps, along with the Landyprikkers, but we lost them shortly afterwards, as they sailed off missing the turning again.
We then followed the roadbook ok, but missed most of the things we should have seen along the route.
The Landyprikkers caught us up later, and we travelled together for a while.

18th September

Staples 2 Naples – Day 1 – Calais to Sarnen.

Last night I was well fuelled up on continental 6% European blond beer! Real lethal stuff, it was served in 3 litre tubes, we had 3 of these between 4 of us!!

Not a good mix after just 1 hour sleep in 2 days!

After drinking this and signing up for the rally, with a few more beers, i was told we are heading for a ...

We got to the campsite at about 9:30.

Then the party games began. We played putting up tents in the dark, cooking for 8 in the dark (which turned out delicious cheers logistics team), unpacking kit, blowing up airbeds - with no alcohol consummed.

Then suddenly there were some squeals ...

... due to a couple of little incidents on the way. We had a new inverter delivered yesterday morning as the original failed on Friday so I attempted to install that this morning but ran out of time. We were making good time to Dover but we needed to fill up the gas before we left the country as we had no time to get a French adaptor. The pump we found filled ...

We soon climbed out of the tunnel and raced towards the train's first stop at Lille. The land was flat, bathed in sunshine and looking decidedly and strangely 'foreign' !!!

We were served with a late lunch during this section of the ride. Well cooked and well served! Also with a nice glass of champagne!!!

... easily miss it, built as it is in the low slung style of the old fishermen's beach homes with shingle for a garden. Inside, apart from the welcome warmth, it's equally unimpressive with simple dark wooden furniture, random seafaring memorabilia and a second hand book collection to peruse with your meal. There are no reservations to be had here, you just roll up, find a table and order from the simple menu at the bar. And then the food arrives. And the table disappears if you're ...