We got in about 01:30am today (Tuesday) after very pleasant leisurly return trip, now finding it difficult to get back into normal sleeping pattern, hence posting now, still no work tomorrow - so what the hell.
Good to meet up with Wishy there, along with Neil (NoPanic), Barry and Andy, and Douglas & son, amongst others. Sorry didn't get to meet up with you Doug after our chance encounter in the ACO stand, we went to the Courbe bar at the appointed time and sometime thereafter but failed to spot many CA'er's so carried on enjoying the race. Went to the Stranglers gig too but the chances of meeting there would have been even slimmer.
Nice to see Tom too - kept bumping into you. We must have the same modus operandi during the race!
Highlights apart from the above were:
1. The good weather (except Wed. night)
2. Sitting in the stand watching the race whilst the sun sun came up Sunday morning.
3. The glorious sound of the Lola Aston - well done for a deserved fourth.
4.
Lowlights:
1. The ACO 'Privelige' facilities at La Chapelle. Running out of large beer glasses early on, a distinct lack of seating, and installing a pizza oven inside a temporary tent that was already hot enough with the sun beating down on it, oh, and charging 15 Euros to my friends for the privelige of being there. Hopefully this is just teething troubles.
2. The Radio Le Mans link up with ITV4 at 14:15 or thereabouts. The (as usual) excellent commentary changed completely from that that recognises the knowledge of the listeners that have been tuned in for a couple of days, to a very dumbed down version for a (I suspect) largely less interested audience on UK TV, and the much less irreverent tone - one of the hallmarks that we most enjoy. I understand that RLM must try to maximise it's exposure but I'm not sure this was the best idea. Also the timing of it, the race was all but over and the usual forming up for a choreographed finish etc. does not make for exciting TV.
Already planning for next year - accommodation already booked. Not so sure about the tickets etc. though as the ACO would not take any bookings and say contact them in September, something to do with a new system?? Let's hope it's an improvement over the arrangements for the last few years.
All in all a good one.
