Home Again - some 2727 miles later!!!

So we are finally home -tired and in need of a holiday!
We have covered 2727 miles in total !!!
It was much harder than we had ever imagined and some parts of the navigational rally left us with headaches!
The special stages really made or lost the competition. Any mistakes were measured in 100ths of a second – and we scored far too many points on this.
We managed not to fall out -although it may have been close a few times!


Would we do it again?
2009 sees the 20th anniversary of the Italian Job Rally – it will be very special – and it is VERY tempting.
We are in awe of the organising committee and their professionalism. The support they had from sponsors reflects the respect they have earned over the years. The privileged entrance to race-tracks was the icing on the cake and we are honoured to have been afforded the opportunity.

As we decided quite late on to join the Rally we didn’t leave ourselves a lot of time for fundraising and the next time [see we are not ruling a re-run out!] we would start earlier.

We have made some new friends along the way, seen some fabulous scenery and visited lovely cities.
Most of all we are proud of our achievement, travelling all that way and, thanks to some generous support, have raised a good sum of money for Charity

We really hope that you have enjoyed reading the blog – and we appreciate your comments – it was good to have contact from you all.

The Finish Line Comes Into Sight

Well the final leg was fairly uneventful. We made the ferry in plenty of time and we were all asked to embark in convoy – so we could disembark in convoy.
With horns blaring and to the shocked amazement of other passengers this we did.

We then had a very tight time schedule to get to the muster point just outside Brighton- but we made it. The Sussex police boys did us proud. There was a rolling road block along the A23 [not all other drivers were happy about it!] – and we travelled 6 miles, in convoy.
As we finally approached the seafront we started tooting horns – and letting everyone know we were on our way. The finish line was in sight – and emotions were high.
We made it – and more importantly my little car never let us down.

The gala dinner in the evening was brilliant. All the tiredness was forgotton as speeches were made, stories told and prizes awarded.
The winners of ‘best dressed mini’, the different special stages and the overall navigational rally winner were all worthy.
We managed to finish in 24th position [out of 42], Not bad for our first attempt and considering we never really got the hang of the special stages [Paul needs more training in listening!!].

Almost there..

Well the end is in sight – everyone is feeling tired and today’s drive was one of the longest of the trip, some 330 miles. The only break in the monotony was the fuel stops!!
But is was worth it to arrive in Reims and the Mumm Champagne house for a private tour and tasting!!! – tough I know but as they had given sponsorship to the event we sort of felt obliged.

It is obvious that we are all tired as more and more teams are leaving the hotels late, driving too fast and picking up fines along the way. The old minis are also more prone to breakdown as they are pushed to the limit – so I think everyone will be pleased to make it to the ferry tomorrow!

Bon Soir

A remarkably uneventful day [for us] today. We were to make our own way to Annecy.
So we had a leisurely start, drove through some spectacular scenery and crossed into France without getting lost once!!

We did comment on how quiet the roads were -and later discovered that as it is All Saints Day -it is a Public Holiday here – which meant that Paul was let off the hook with all the shops being closed!!! We did have a very nice walk around Annecy – A beautiful town that we will definitely revisit with more time!

Tomorrow we have a very long drive – over 400 miles and a time schedule – the pressure is back on!

photos from Turin

Turin- a testing time

Wow what a roller-coaster of a day we’ve had.
A very early start yet again – and more manic driving.
The scenery looks spectacular - but once again low cloud prevented us from seeing it too well. Although this is a perfect time of year to be here as the trees are fantastic colours.

However, scenery apart - the navigation is quite stressful - and to finish us off completely - we were very unlucky at the toll booth today.
Anxious to keep pace with the convoy, I told Paul to keep driving slowly through the ticket booth and I would grab a ticket. Unfortunately I didn’t quite reach – so missed it. Paul thought I had one – and carried on driving. I shouted for him to stop…I got out of the car ran back barefooted – but the following car [Italian] had taken my ticket and wouldn’t concede – so we had no ticket and no way of getting one….
Therefore on arrival at pay booth – no ticket meant a 70 euro charge!!! – Expensive missed ticket.

All of that left us a long way behind the rest of the cars – and not the best of roads to try and make up time – but make it up we did. The final few metres into the centre of Turin were manic - but we actually managed to get to the muster point in plenty of time. Then the fun really started.

The police escort arrived in the form of 6 motor bike outriders and at exactly 3pm we set off – as loudly as possible!
We quite literally stopped traffic and raced through the narrow streets – for what must have been miles until we had gone out of the city centre and reached the Lingotti roof top test track.
There was a slight delay before we could access the track – as there was a helicopter waiting to land!
Then we were off.

Paul drove us round the track twice…maybe it was because I was screaming that he went faster???
Then we stopped to change drivers….I bottled it! So Paul went round again…even faster while I tried to capture a photo of the action.

We are both on a real high – even though extremely tired as well. The main parts of the adventure are over as we begin to rally our way home – back into France tomorrow…but still time for more action I’m sure...and at least it will mean an end to 2 corses of pasta at every meal!!!!

**** sorry no photos - will try and add later

Stresa or Stressed?

No set leaving time today – not always a good thing. We just had to arrive in Stresa on Lake Maggiore by 11.30am – and a journey of only 68 miles.
However, this is Milan and rush hour lasts for 24! We managed just 14 miles in 45 minutes and quickly realised we were going to have to move somewhat to make it in time.
It would have helped, therefore not to have gone the wrong way!
Once again we were racing against the clock and never has a destination been more aptly named as stressed was definitely my state upon arrival!!
However, once I realised we had made it with a few minutes to spare I calmed down.

We then all left the cars behind as we took a short boat ride across to Isola Pescatori for a walk and lunch. Then back onto dry land for yet another special stage before driving onto tonight’s hotel.
This is a stunning over-night stop or would be if the cloud lifted. We know the Alps are out there somewhere.