Man with large aerial protruding from his bonce is
interviewed by BBC Shropshire Radio
The Teams set off..Team Orange's engine light comes on after 1/2 mile.....oh
dear.....
Thursday 18 September
Shawbury to Calais
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Good luck getting into Italy and Switzerland with the camo paint ! |
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260miles done. |
First day and we made it.....sofar! The day started bright and early with a radio interview on the RAF Shawbury dispersal and the first 'misfortune' as Andy 'accidentally' reversed the Spitfire into the Orange horror.... It was kind of weird to be interviewed by BBC Shropshire and hear it being broadcast at the same time, but thats the wonder of modern technology, none of which is present in either car. We departed from 60 Sqn to be seen off by what seemed like the entire DHFS, which really touched a nerve as the tears welled up inside us.....until we realised that they had all turned up just to see us get hosed by the Fire engine, which sprayed us both at full power ! Luckily both cars made it through in one piece and we all thought it was a jolly jape, until team Orange realised their boot leaked and their bags were sopping wet, ah well if you can't take a joke and all that !
The teams set off and the teamwork lasted as far as the Shawbirch island, when we went our separate ways...and probably not for the last time either. Team Spitfire had a bit of a 'monk-on' as team Orange disappeared and left them at the island, wistfully looking at the rear end of the Orange car disappearing like an abandoned puppy. Thankfully after a successful stop for Coffee, Nuts magazine and munchies at Newport Pagnell services, the teams were friends again and set off in convoy with rather a few strange glances (something Nick is normally used to).
After a bit of a nightmare journey which involved us sitting still, tooting the air horn and playing with the walkie-talkies on the M6 and the M25, we finally made the ferry with about 2 minutes to spare.....After driving at 'only 70mph officer' down most of the M20 to make the ferry time we discovered that they'd slipped the time anyhow so there was no rush....drat.
Right, its beer O'clock and I'm being harrassed by 5 grumpy Staples2naples newbies...the sun is shining and we've checked in at Calais and are now off for a beer, just one and then beddie byes...honest.........
