weekends away

Every so often the management and I whiz off for a weekend. So Friday came and we loaded the 806 with ourselves and little D and away.


Dropped the man himself in Daycastle and pointed the voiture at the ferry port.


It wasn't a good start, between howling winds and driving rain speeds on the motorway were severely restricted.

This all soon cleared and we made impressive time to Plymouth, well we did until the 806 fule light flicked on and, it seemed like moments later ran out of fuel. Fortunately, we were actually on a roundabout next to a fuel station.

A certain amount of heaving swearing and struggling, and a passing AA man in a van got the 806 to the pump. Of course this is a diesel so the whole system would need bleeding meaning the spanners needed to come out. Or not, Luckily the thing started on the key and after a few moments rough running all was fine again.  


All in all we still managed to be early enough for the ferry for us to tootle off and get a beer in a pub that overlooked the harbour, allowing us to have a spectacular view of the ferry berthing.

This in turn meant we were amongst the last to load, meaning again that we could not go on the car specific upper deck and had to slum it parked right next to the bow doors. Which in turn meant we were amongst the first off the ship.

The trip over was accomplished without a cabin, I had forgotten to book one and the only ones available were club class at 90 pounds a night - thanks but...

Next day all bright and early (7 am local time) we dozed off the ship.

The day proceeded like the running of a clock, lawns were mowed,  a fantastic 4 course meal for two offered change from 25€

Then it was on to the shopping spree, unfortunately there was a promotion on wine with a lot of BOGOF offers. This seriously filled the car meaning it groaned  into the ferry terminal with us having loaded ourselves with yet another good meal for good measure.

Our good luck on the out trip did not hold and we got stuck on the upper car deck meaning a longer wait to unload. That was before the interogation that is UK immigration. Having convinced the powers that we were not undecover agents for international terrorism we made our merry way. 

Trips back do tend to drag out but this one seemed to fly by, even the interminable stretch from Exeter to Bristol didn't feel like weeks on the road as it normally does.

Soon we were back in West Wales and driving the last bit to home.

Now the diesel in that 806 is a testiment to modern design. Propelling the mightily laden car along at a steady 65. Things however did not last, hitting our last 15 mile B road the 806 handled with all the precision of a canal barge. Massive roll and sufficient banging and crashing from the rear to convince me that the suspension had just collapsed!

Unloading took a little while and as the vehicle slowly rose up it became clear that all was well.

The dynamic duo me and management retired to bed, last night a bit early hardly suprising really.

A great weekend away though.

Back to normality.

Work work work.

R












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