I was on my own in the car this year. Was meant to be in convoy on the way down but when I pulled over to put the roof up in Rouen, the others didn't stop and ended up heading down on the autoroute rather than old N138 from Rouen as planned. I stayed on the planned route and it was an enjoyable drive.

Got to Epinnettes to find they'd all been waiting there for 45mins as I had all the tickets and my mobile wasn't getting service!!!

Oh well, I had fun drive and plenty of time to myself to think/plan etc.

I drove down to Le Mans on the D338. Recently tarmac'd, not many cars in sight and new sticky tyres 

Made up for the fact that the rest of my party didn't stop when I had to pull over in Rouen to put the roof up in the rain on the Wednesday and then they missed the 338 junction so went down on the toll to Le Mans by mistake. 

we were searched a couple of times getting into the track. The time the guy felt the hidden bottles, he asked if they were glass, we said no, he obviously knew they were but shrugged and let us through.

One thing we found reduced the searches was to have a half empty bottle in hand as we approached the gate, down it and dispose of the empty and they gave a token search or just waved us through. I know it meant we had to drink a beer on the walk from the campsite to the track, but it was a hardship we were all prepared to endure.

Epinettes was OK. The bit behind us was a bit soggy when we arrived but that didn't stop a group pitching there later in the week.

Catch up on some sleep, enjoy the excitement on my son's faces when they wake up and find I'm home. If it hadn't been for the migrant delay in Calais on Monday those two things would have been the other way around (without the boys waking up to find I'm home as they'd already be awake!)

A couple of days home and the thoughts start arriving in my head for next year. I know I said I couldn't afford it 'cos of the family holiday to Florida next year and Mrs H was upset enough about her not being able to join me this year that I suggested I'd give it a miss until 2018 but could I sneak a visit to La Sarthe???

I've got my cover through the CSMA too. Added the second car and got both covered for European breakdown. Policy is due for renewal in August and so it only cost me £16 to 'upgrade'. 

Was a busy weekend, but the car is ready enough now.

Tonight is either wash it, or get it packed up with kit (weather determined). Tomorrow night is whatever I don't do tonight, plus get fuelled up ready for Wednesday morning's drive to Dover and Le Mans...

Thanks all.

I've not been since 2008 - kids/house etc. so knew I'd get an up to date response from here.

Time to log off now and go practice liquid refreshment consumption...have a good pre-Le Mans weekend all!

Been asked by one of the guys coming with us this year whether we'll be able to see the England match anywhere next Thursday afternoon??

I'm sure I'd seen it in a chat somewhere on here, but can't remember for the life of me where....football not been high on my priority list lately.

I vaguely recall someone showing an England match on Maison Blanc back in the early years of my Le Mans trips in the 90's or was it 00's?

Simon

 

Hi Broon,

Welcome and where have you been??? 

Let's hope we all have a good time there, Mrs H is a bit upset she can't be along this year, but with kids at school now we can't all make it. So its just the guys this year....a few newbies and a few less new!

This time next week we'll be well on our way to La Sarthe 

Simon

This time next week we'll be on the ferry in the middle of the channel between Dover and Calais.

Bled the brakes last night so now the car will stop after a caliper and flexi hose change.  All that's left now is the interior tidy up (finish dash, tidy wiring etc) and final check over. I have about an hour a night after work and all day Saturday....on the home stretch so looks like I'm going to just about make it  If not there's the back up of a seat in one of the other cars going.

I've just got a couple of telescopic windsock/flag poles from Newquay Camping. Will be able to let you know in a couple of weeks if they're up to the job 

http://www.newquaycampingshop.com/windsocks-telescopic-poles.html

Picked her up last night, its good to be able to change gear properly. It was a good drive home

Tomorrow is brakes day then we're in business, OK cosmetically it might not be quite ready inside but I'm confident on getting there now.

Air con is easy....it's called taking the roof down 

Problem is, I've been 'meaning' to get her back on the road for the past couple of years but things kept getting in the way, so I committed to Le Mans to give myself a deadline to work to....and its just loomed quicker than anticipated!!!

Two steps forward....clutch changed last night, new distributor being done today
One step back....front left caliper seized

New caliper ordered so I'm still sticking to the dream of being mechanically ready by end of this weekend...leaving me next weekend to tidy things up a bit and load ready for the off...but back up was discussed last night