80 Stone 2 Rome
Charity Banger Rally
Diary
Channel Crossing
Channel Crossing
Despite the early start and radio problems all crew members were collected at a time not usually seen on a Sunday. The only friction being Dave demanding Andy sang Bulls songs and then objecting to Barbara's bottom when forced to use yogic positions to access snacks and flip flops in the boot.
The Romemobile made it to Folkestone, the tunnel being a new experience for most. Advanced navigation gave us a sun drenched tour of Calais before a successful registration and close inspection of the opposition.
The friction between teams was vented in Lancashire/Yorkshire banter, that after a couple more beers disappeared to become a united North, with comments about the south such as 'Potters Bar what the hell is that all about'. Beeeeeeeeeema boys trying to outdrink us, the French being unable to translate 'who ate all the pies'. Dave finished the evening with flambé pudding and shouted 'there's a bird burning my pudding'.
Bon Nuit
The Romemobile held it's own amid the Ferraris, looking elite outside the casino and alongside yachts on the Marina. Dave drove the circuit, starting at pole he discovered the advantage of a right hand steering wheel in a road rage incident with a 4wheel drive. Quote 'sorry we're English -coming through' prevailing.
News from home was much appreciated, except the fact that 6 year old Connor Kenny had spent £200 on his dads iPod account!
A more relaxed drive today, Montelimar to Menton - challenge to photograph the oldest car - we have gone for class not age - a rolls Royce Corniche. beer 6 euro's a pint, we went to an 8 euro a pint bar with Brazilian dancers.
Top Gear had nothing on the Romemobile. Hair pin bend - no - 47 hair pin bendS in one section. Wheel bearing protested to the 80 stones - weight redistribution needed! Brakes - hot and smelly, engine/oil very hot and smelly, weather at top cold with snow - 80stonetoRome team cool at all times.
Challenge to obtain the best possible poker hand, an amazing event all 4 men insisted on going shopping, they had chosen hearts, gift shops were invaded!
A long drive but returned to the luxury and comfort of flat at Lake Garda.
Daves first lie in - following research into bar closing times - 1.30am. Andy Kenny excelled in his preparations for spending the day in costume, wig, makeup, refusal to wear shorts under the uniform. The support crew enjoyed walking behind them and watching even the most courteous Venecians turn and stare!
2 nurses 2 consultants - tourists were asking to take photographs with them! our challenge was to be photographed in St Marks square with 11 tourists - no problem, the best being with a possy of 25 German cyclists in matching Lycra.
The first day of testosterone Tom Tom tension, the Italians have built new roads and moved Venice. The Romemobile is doing us proud, but showing signs of wear, at least that's what the men say the smell is! The graffiti is getting less and less censored and apparently there has been banging in the Romemobile but the whining has stopped since the women have been ousted to the fully air-conditioned support car.
Well we are gathered here in Rome to pay our respect and homage to our little Romemobile, to take 80 stone plus of Yorkshire beef from the backstreets of West Yorkshire has been no mean feat. The long slog fom Calais, to the Monaco Grand Prix circuit she never batted an eye lid. then through the Stelvio Pass she was an absolute star, she smelt and moaned a bit but stayed true to us and pushed on to Venice, in Sottermarina she has to shed a bit of weight in the form of rust and the odd bit of wheel trim, then on to Rome where after 2000 miles she has finally delivered us to our final destination and unfortunately her's. thanks for all the great time and abiding memories of you .....so raise a glass to our old lass and say with me " ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in our little bucket of rust ...we knew we could trust.
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