Day 1 - Travel from home to Reims
Departure day turned out to be a blur, and so our target of out-of-the-door just-after-four, was more like 1740, and we had to stop by the doctors to pick up a pppp-enguin, sorry prescription, so we had some serious ground to make up.
We had at least a foot of snow on the drive, and I had new set of Continental Winter tyres fitted the day before, to make sure we could go wherever, whenever. First impressions are that they're slightly louder, although to be fair the tyre pressures are higher than we run on 21-inch Summers, because of the weight of passengers and luggage.
The trip from the Midlands to the Eurotunnel terminal is about 200 miles, and we got there at just about 2100, with snow falling, and brimming the tank with V-Power at the service station immediately before the Chunnel exit. Managed 22 mpg which is a record, maybe down to the smaller diameter 20-inch (same 295mm width) wheels and tyres.
As we descended the slip ramp after leaving the servces, we could see tail lamps at the back of s a queue which turned out to be a mile long, and that was before even starting to queue within the Eurotunnel complex. No other traffic except for the queue soon turned to chaos as what appeared to be a rolling road block descended upon us, taking two more lanes all the way to the Eurotunnel exit, adding another two miles of cars to the queue before us!!
We still don't actually know why we were delayed. The recorded message at Eurotunnel referred to technical difficulties, and the news reported that the ferry workers strike had been lifted. Luckily we had opted to get some overpriced sandwiches from the petrol station to keep the hunger pains at bay.
After queuing for 3.5 hours in light snowfall, watching Leighton Denny nail varnish special on QVC, with crossed legs we finally got on to the train. A quick power nap and we were disembarking in France. We were the last but one but incredibly all the cars ahead of us had disappeared.
We had a two hour drive ahead of us to our first stopover near Reims and so we adjusted to driving on the right and pressed on in the snow. We covered around 200 miles in France and only saw one french registered car - every car had UK plates, and XC90/X5 the chariot of choice.
We should have been in the hotel just after midnight but with the delays and the weather we finally arrived just after 0400.
Day 2 - Travel from Reims to Monte Carlo
After three hours sleep we were up, getting ready for breakfast, and heading South, stopping at every service station bearing the Shell logo. We stopped for fuel near Folkestone, Reims, and South of Lyon, and had a bite to eat near Dijon.
After recalculating the route umpteen times, Rita (that's COMAND) finally announced that we should get off the Autoroute and follow the local roads through Lyon.
I don't care if this makes me sound camp, but OMFG it was hairy!! The drivers, the traffic, and complexity of the instructions was a perfect storm for confusion.
I would have made it too if it wasn't for those pesky kids. I mean complex directions. I kid you not, this was a genuine direction issued without pause by Rita: take the next half right, then immediately left, half right, and immediately left.
I missed the very last of a string of directions, which was the last before getting back n the autoroute, and had to go through even more traffic chaos. Rita was as disappointed with my performance as I was.
We had planned to be at the hotel in Monte Carlo at 1830-ish but we finally arrived at 2200.
We covered 1000 miles, in 26.5 hours and after allowing for stops and the shortest overnighter ever, we were in the car for 10.5 hours straight on the first leg to Reims, and then 12 hours (but with fuel stops) on the second leg to Monte Carlo, with an average 19 mpg. Leaving more than a foot of lying snow, driving through snowfall, and arriving 15-degree heat.
Some amazing cars parked in the garage. Several Ferrari 550s, several G55 AMGs, and countless contemporary Ferrari, Porsche. I was a little tired and can't remember most of the metal I passed as I found the perfect space.
We travelled in the ML63 AMG and it's a fantastic choice. Amazing we spent so much time in the car, and not one of us felt uncomfortable at any point in the journey. Great Hi-Fi, comfy chairs, air-con set just so, and Rita leading the way. I used the time to perfect my seating position, and it's now saved to memory position number 3.
Day 3 - Wet day tourist attractions in Monte Carlo
We have a rather special room, with an excellent view of the Marina, albeit shrouded in mist, cloud and rain which have dampened Day 3 physically, but not mentally. We've had a great time.
Reception suggested that we leave the car tucked up in the garage, which was probably a good choice. After a hearty breakfast we had a meander through to the Marina, visited the Aquarium and Museum, had a road train trip around the main areas, checked out a few super yachts, and took a taxi (S212) back to the hotel.
The Cayenne seems to be the family car of choice around these parts, but we've spotted a few tasty Mercedes. We saw his-and-hers G55 AMG following each other, one black, one white. A black ML63 AMg with precisely the same winter wheel and tyre set up as us. A white GL63 AMG, the first I've seen. A very handsome SLS Roadster in grey. And the cherry on the top - a beautiful red gullwing 300SL .
Kids bathed. Two Monegasque Cheeseburgers, one Club Sandwich and Penne with Tomato sauce delivered to the room. Tummies full and feet aching the other Dazzlers are snoring. I really ought to do the same. But how can I, I have the glass wall opened up, the whole of nighttime Monte Carlo to marvel at, and flat plane V8s to listen to??
I just found a can of Orangina and a Toblerone in the minibar, so I'll enjoy the sights and sounds just a little longer...
- so we walked much of he Grand Prix track today, starting at Casino Square. Through the tunnel, and around the Marina. Amazing sandwich close to Chicane, and back to Casino Square for ea few drinks in Cafe de Paris. On the way back through the tunnel we almost literally bumpd into Mika Hakkinen!
