Not a collection, a repatriation of man and machine.

[stuboy]

12 hours ago, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

Never book a cheap hotel without seeing pics of the outside

do we get a picture?

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

When i get to uk, and if i remember i will take a pic of all the stuff i loaded in him ( for it is a him ).

There is an exaust pipe, 4 guitars, electronic keyboard, amp, towbar and tool boxes plus other stuff all in the back, quite surprising really, and  a 45ltr gpl tank .

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

4 minutes ago, stuboy said:

do we get a picture?

No, i was too tired and far from amused, i just flounced off in a huff.

[catsinthewelder]

Brings back memories of a certain Italian hotel 😂

Best of luck with the slog through France.

[Bitzer]

1 hour ago, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

Update time.

Little sleep last night as at midnight i remembered i had not filled in uk govv locator form, finally probably went to sleep at 1 am.

Alarm at 5am.

Breakfast ideal for long distance masocists

Plus 2 bits toast

Set of for uk 6am.

My old village, not my old house!

Switzerland achieved after 4 hrs thx to traffic around milano and como.

Not many about on swiss roads.

Road side lunch of healthy champs, saving the burger king for evening meal.

250 miles completed, nothing coming out the top or bottom, running well , but slow !

So far average speed including 1 fuel stop and 1 lunch stop.  39 mph average !

This is going to take some time..

Eventually made it to overnight stop near Nancy france, 450 miles in 10.5 hrs . Average speed creeping up.

So far about 35mpg and on the flat french bits cruising at a gps 53 mph.

The sj has got a gpl installation, but i don't use it for constant high rev motorway stuff.

With Earplugs in it is surprising comfortable (all relative) on the smooth motorways.

The sj has used no oil or water so far, it is fully loaded inside, probably equal to 3 up.  I am sweating inside but the sj soldiers on.

And now the cock ups. I only have 2 left turns on whole trip, and i turned left to early on the first one, ended up going smaller scenic roads for about 80kms, a lot of time in 3rd gear up steep hills.

Never book a cheap hotel without seeing pics of the outside, i am now sitting in 2nd hotel ! With onsite parking and clean sheets and aircon in the room.

I need some sleep. Belly full of burger king.

Tomorrow the boring french slog to calais.

I do not think I have ever seen Lidl "Nixe" tinned fish in a can of this shape. Possibly some sort of Italian special?

[sutty2006]

It must be something about brits heading from Italy to uk. We had one over night stop between Rimini and Dunkirque and that was Mulhouse? Some nautical themed town so far from the sea you’d think you would never see it again. Horrible Formula 1 hotel…… even worse selection of places to eat. No one spoke English. Was glad to leave the next morning. Glad you’re getting on with it! 

[Snake Charmer]

Do you still have to pay a Swiss road tax?

[loserone]

1 hour ago, sutty2006 said:

Mulhouse

 

1 hour ago, sutty2006 said:

English

Hmm, I see the problem there.

 

It's got a fantastic cathedral though, and plenty to do.  We found some great food too after chatting to some musicians who had young kids.  Obviously lots of museums of interest to AS folk too.

 

Good work chugging on in the CJ in these temperatures.  We always used to stop in the Première Classe in Calais but last September when we checked in at 2am the room was dirty and mouldy and the attached room had a party in.  We ended up staying as I'd just driven from near Monte Carlo..

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

This bed in too comfy. 

Low motivation this morning

Lower back pain from 11hrs sitting in an sj.

Oh great, i'm in france.

Got a ferry to catch in 12 hrs.

[lesapandre]

Be interested in hearing your experience at Calais - I need to go to France & back sometime but have been delaying given the ongoing situation.

You are supposed to have a pre-Covid test before coming back into UK I think -a PCR suffices I think...and 2-tests, pre-booked before arrival, to be taken once home (this only applies to arrivals from France but even those transiting through) + quarantine, given Covid rate there.

Best check here for latest:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=b32de9be-9620-4a14-8f2e-7bb768f80d6b&utm_content=immediately

If you are delayed and travelling P&O I have found them pretty kind about delays and missing a booked crossing - particularly now given the problems. Just give them a call in advance.

I take my 83' Landcruiser abroad - that's noisy too - but you soon get into the rhythm of the thing - the high driving position is a compensation.

It looks like another v. hot day.

Very best of luck there Sir Teapot.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

As i don't know how to ask " can you take a pic of me please while i woollard " in french i dec8ded to make the car try one during lunch stop.

Some thoughts on the journey.

Through the eyes of a sj410 and the buttocks of a teapot France is bloody big. 

Eating apples while wearing ear plugs is very strange.

My right leg and ankle want to find out if it is possible to retro fit cruise control.

Lithuanians like big black cars with blacked out windows.

New peugeots a pretty good / interesting  looking cars these days.

I hope buttock disco dancing is a thing, because i have been doing it.

Slip streaming live animal carrying hgvs is not a great idea.

 

Anyway.

I made it to the ferry 

Today so far 335 miles in 7.5 hrs including stops.

Average 47 mph and again 35 mpg.

32 years ago (1989) this car left the uk doing a european tour and then living in italy until today. I bought it off the previous English owner in italy 8 years ago. Never thought i would be bringing it back, but life goes on.

The ferry is very quiet,  including all the trucks about 80 people on board, maybe only 20 of us private individuals.

Through italy, switzerland and france not 1 single stop or check of anything.

At french ferry terminal they

checked all paperwork, covid tests and that have pre booked 2 uk tests and filled out location form.

I shall see what happens in Dover,  if they let me in.

Only dover to basingstoke left to do.

And probably the worst part of the whole journey, the concrete bit of the m25 with knobbly tyres.

 

 

[Nyphur]

Good going. Hopefully the remainder of the trip runs smoothly

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

It has been 2 years and 1 month since i last saw these !

[hairnet]

ashford then turn left

by the time you get to the 25 you can be halfway across the downs

 

[Dick Longbridge]

Welcome back, and sorry about the plague. 

I didn't know the back story on your SJ, but it makes perfect sense now that it's so clean looking. I'm assuming it's not seen salt before? 

[High Jetter]

Seen any Bluebirds?

[sutty2006]

I’d be more concerned about a pre booked wax oil for the SJ than a pre booked COVID test!  Glad you’re nearly back, you’ve done us all proud. 

[lesapandre]

2 hours ago, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

As i don't know how to ask " can you take a pic of me please while i woollard " in french i dec8ded to make the car try one during lunch stop.

Some thoughts on the journey.

Through the eyes of a sj410 and the buttocks of a teapot France is bloody big. 

Eating apples while wearing ear plugs is very strange.

My right leg and ankle want to find out if it is possible to retro fit cruise control.

Lithuanians like big black cars with blacked out windows.

New peugeots a pretty good / interesting  looking cars these days.

I hope buttock disco dancing is a thing, because i have been doing it.

Slip streaming live animal carrying hgvs is not a great idea.

 

Anyway.

I made it to the ferry 

Today so far 335 miles in 7.5 hrs including stops.

Average 47 mph and again 35 mpg.

32 years ago (1989) this car left the uk doing a european tour and then living in italy until today. I bought it off the previous English owner in italy 8 years ago. Never thought i would be bringing it back, but life goes on.

The ferry is very quiet,  including all the trucks about 80 people on board, maybe only 20 of us private individuals.

Through italy, switzerland and france not 1 single stop or check of anything.

At french ferry terminal they

checked all paperwork, covid tests and that have pre booked 2 uk tests and filled out location form.

I shall see what happens in Dover,  if they let me in.

Only dover to basingstoke left to do.

And probably the worst part of the whole journey, the concrete bit of the m25 with knobbly tyres.

 

 

Operation Brock is in place I understand. The contraflow on the approach to Dover. They thought that when restrictions for Covid lifted* there wd be a rush to the port for hols*.

**didn't turn out that way

 

[somewhatfoolish]

Molto Bene Teapot!

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Had a cup of tea and biscuits , all showered and in bed.

In summary

4 countries, 920 miles and  1 ferry. 40 hrs.

DONE.

NOW 10 DAYS QUARANTINE!. And stucking things up my nose.

 

[Mrs6C]

Just now, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

Had a cup of tea and biscuits , all showered and in bed.

In summary

4 countries, 920 miles and  1 ferry. 40 hrs.

DONE.

NOW 10 DAYS QUARANTINE!. And stucking things up my nose.

 

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

Welcome back!

[Soundwave]

If I owned/wore a hat, I would tip it to you. In fact, I may go and buy a hat for the specific purpose of putting it on and then tipping it to you. What a journey!

[High Jetter]

17 hours ago, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

4 countries, 920 miles and  1 ferry. 40 hrs.

What - no dramas, breakdowns, recovery trucks, last minute will-he-won't-he make the ferry? What a smooth(ish) trip - bloody well done. We organized some sunshine here for you, enjoy it.