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.

Monza Part 2

Then we were off the find the race track – not as easy as it sounded. I was following the road-book – but when at a very difficult junction I lost my bottle in the decision I had already made. Needless to say – we went one way and everyone else went another way..aaahhhh!!!
Thanks to Paul’s great sense of direction and ability to now drive like an Italian…we found our way back to the pack of minis and made it to the Parc de Monza that had been especially opened for us and into the racetrack.

It is impossible to explain the feeling as 42 minis lined up ready to make an entrance onto this famous F1 circuit. We drove round – once again with horns blaring and headlights flashing. Although this time the headlights were needed as it was pitch black.
Then we lined up on the grid – swapped drivers – and this time completed the lap in tandem. It was simply fantastic -a thrill of a lifetime.

As no visit is ever complete without a special stage, we completed one before the short walk to the grandstand for dinner.
This was such a special night – one we will never forget I’m quite sure.

Monza Part 1

It was a very early start, considering we were enjoying a wine tasting until late last night!
Then it was a long drive across to Monza.
We had been warned to leave in plenty of time as traffic can be very heavy – but we had a good journey [which means I didn’t get us lost] and arrived in the Parc de Monza early!

After lunch we then had a very short drive – but with plenty of manic traffic – to The Villa Reale, right in the centre of Monza.
It wasn’t quite the type of stately home we are used to seeing. It looked every nice from the outside – but once inside, “in need of renovation” would possibly describe it best.

We then had a very fast [rallying I would say] drive just 8 miles to the hotel, followed by the rarest of things on this trip – a break of 2 hours.

Then we were off again, this time in evening dress to visit a BMW Mini dealer. He had given a lot of support to the event, and had been very instrumental in getting the access to the Monza race track. The short visit also included the unveiling of the new Mini Clubman – lots of testosterone filled the room as the men sat in/took photos of/ stroked and admired the car!!!

Did You Miss Us Yesterday

Sorry there was no blog yesterday – the Hotel wasn’t the best and internet/wi-fi was most certainly not available.
I missed writing it though – so there will probably more than usual once I get started today!!
Hope you are enjoying reading about the 'adventure' - we would love your comments?

Mini goes racing!!!

Mini goes racing!!!
Mini goes racing!!! [Photo]Today has been eventful to say the least.We were all lined up and ready to go when news came through to the starter that roads were blocked – so it was down to sat-nav to get to Adria….only sat-nav didn’t appear to know the way!!She took us up the autostrasse – brought us off [we paid our toll] then took us back on again, in the opposite direction! She was about to do the same again when we decided to over-rule her! WeEventually found our venue – the Adria International Raceway – and discovered that almost everyone else had had similar problems – and we still made it in for our official time- phew!!![Photo]Then was Special Stage 1 – enter an area., crush 5 plastic cups around a circuit and leave the area dead on 30 seconds. This time I remembered to start the stop-watch – and counted loudly. However, Paul was concentrating so hard on “killing” the cups that he may not have heard me???? – so we may have exited the box a few seconds early – not a lot you may think but we get penalty points for every 100th of a second.Then we fell into formation for our entrance onto the actual race circuit. It was mid-programme for a Touring Car meeting. Lights on, fog lights on – horns blaring we were off!!We completed one lap[Paul driving], then we all lined up on the grid to swap drivers!!! – and I completed 2 laps!!!-pure adrenalin.Then lunch in the drivers quarters, before a final Special Stage ….driving a figure 8 in 12 seconds….think we did ok.…just seen the results and we have moved up 4 places [but the only way was UP!!!]

What am I bid?

I know we said we weren’t going after the gold but when the opportunity came along, we just couldn’t resist…..
As last nights Charity Auction we bid successfully for four gold bars – which we split with the rest of our ‘gang’

One of the other 'interesting' lots was one of the teams offering to drive today in their boxer shorts. They presumed no-one would pay - but EVERYONE paid a few euros - so they had to do it!!

A total of over £5,000 was raised last night at the auction

On Days Like These

We have had a simply fabulous day – excluding the 6am alarm call!!
The plan is always to synchronise watches and stop-watches with the organiser’s definitive clock. Then to zero the trip meter – and await the precise time to leave. However – too many cooks etc – we are both trying to cover all bases -and this morning Paul forgot to set the trip meter – while I failed to start my stop watch!
This meant I just used my stop watch as a precise watch! And had to ‘do sums’ all the way round to keep the mileage right with the instructions.

Anyway we managed very well – until one turn when we were in the left lane of three and needed to turn right! – No chance. So we did a circuit of the one-way system – and it gave Paul a chance for some real rally driving to get past the cars who had managed to gain places!

We needn't have worried as we still arrived in Conegliano in plenty of time –and as we are all so British – everyone let us through to gain our position and save us from any penalty points!


We had arrived at La Nostra Famiglia – children’s homes high in the mountains. The children all came out to greet us – and loved the horns hooting and lights flashing – and as the sun was now shining we had the roof down and were waving madly!!
We then completed a small ‘special stage’ – precise manoeuvres – but so precise we may have overlooked the time allowance – oops more penalty points!

We had all brought toys with us to leave for the children -so we went inside the home where the children sang for us. The table was piled high with the gifts – and they were all very well behaved in not sneaking any until we had left.

It was then a hill start – to time – and stage 2.
This took us through some beautiful countryside – if only we had time to look at the view. We had specially reserved parking in Asolo – a lovely medieval town – time for a cappuccino.

Then we drove on again for lunch at Villa Razzolini – before being given the afternoon off [probably not for good behaviour!]

We decided to head for Treviso. It was lovely and quiet - no problem parking – and then at 3pm the shops opened – and it was like rush hour in Birmingham!!!!
Paul took me shopping – but kept reminding me that we have absolutely no room for any purchases….but I’m sure I’ll find room for this small evening bag!.
Just time for an Ice-cream before heading back to the hotel – wash & polish the car [this is serious stuff] and get ready for team briefings!

And we're off!!!!

Well this is it.
Stage 1 – and they broke us in gently.
We completed a 20 minute stage to get us used to using the Road book and the tulip instructions!
The timings are strict to within a tenth of a second, but it is the same for everyone and we were set off at 30 second intervals.
We then had to follow the road book, but it is not a speed test – especially in the awful rain!!!!

We set off on our correct time – and were happy with my navigation until we saw another mini turn off ‘our’ route…who was right? Quick consult -stick with original decision – we were right!!
This first stage took us to a vineyard – but guess what – as we were are driving we didn’t taste a drop! But we had a lovely lunch.
There were two Special Stages – basically time trials. One was to complete two small circuits in 10 seconds each and the other was a circuit in 20 seconds while the navigator balanced three tennis balls on a tray out of the window! Again penalties for times – over or under.

We will know our ranking by tonight – very difficult to second guess. But at least we didn’t get lost!

Meeting more ‘jobbers’ . Quite a few have bought a car just to take part in the Rally, including one guy who paid £45 for his mini off e-bay. He drove it here, had a new alternator fitted in the garage under the hotel – at a cost of £45 – and so has doubled his costs.

When in Venice....

Well the mini passed inspection - so we are ready to go.

And once that was sorted we had a free afternoon - so we hopped onto a train and went into Venice - simply magical.

We splashed out on coffee and cake in St Marks Square and a gondola ride [second mortgage please!] - but we may only be here once - so it had to be done!!

Made it to Venice

A fairly short journey - by the previous two days standards -from Bergamo to Venice. We passed lots of snow covered mountains – and the traffic was very heavy .
But with 1061 miles added to the clock since we set off, we are now in place for the mini to be checked over and our documents checked.
The real Rally starts tomorrow.

We now know that we are complete novices. All the other teams we have met have done it for years…14 being the longest so far. And after years of wearing Round Table and Ladies Circle logo items – we feel totally out of place as they turn up in polo shirts, hats, coats etc etc.

There are already a few minis jacked up – heads under bonnets – but the support van looks decidedly lacking is spares!!!

Passport Nightmare

When we checked into the hotel – we were asked to hand in our passports – for a security check. Reluctantly I did so – on the promise that we could have them back in ten minutes.

When we were ready to go out to dinner, we called by reception to pick them up – ooops – they weren’t there!!
It transpired that they had been given to an other English couple – by mistake!!!

As Paul said there was nothing we could do until the couple returned to the hotel -we went out to dinner. While I pushed my food around the plate Paul tried to put me at ease. He "entertained" me with stories of the Mafia taking the passports – and to expect a horses head in our bed- or an assassin may be using it to get out of the country- or a spy could be using it to change his identity….it all made me feel so much better!!!!
Anyway when we returned to the hotel – the passports were there – along with champagne & strawberries to cheer us up!!!

Breakfast in France, Lunch in Switzerland, Dinner in Italy

Three Countries in one day….

Croissants and home made jam for breakfast in France
Bells on the cows and snow on the mountains through Switzerland.
Manic driving in Italy…and that includes Paul!!!.....


Having turned right at turn-left only traffic lights and making a u-turn in the middle of the road!!! - we are now safely resting in a very nice hotel in Bergamo, before the final outward bound leg to Venice.


Note * it difficult to take photos when driving at speed!!!!!

Ciao …or as Paul says CIAO!!!!!!

Bonjour

We were far too excited to sleep, so we were up, washed and dressed and heading off early to the port.

We survived a security check and proceeded to ‘check-in’.
When Paul asked “can we go on a big ship” – they let us onto an earlier ferry!!!!
We met a couple of fellow ‘ jobbers’ on board – Steve and Martin
They are doing the Rally for the 8th time – so far more experienced than us – and soon sped past us in Calais.

We were using sat nav & Sue Nav – and coping with the odd diversion!
Paul was designated driver [luckily!] and drove superbly all 359 miles [should have been 331 but I missed a sign!]

Two “blonde moments” for Sue….
Couldn’t quite work out why the toll booth was on the passengers side?...but don’t think I’d taken into account that all other drivers were on that side!

Then, when struggling to find places on the map [stupid small writing] I realised there were bigger/more detailed maps further into the atlas!!! – Oh dear doesn’t bode well does it

Day 1

Well we made it to Dover..despite a scare that we had a flat tyre.
All the technology was saying we had lost presure!..but it felt ok.
What to do? - team discussion - and we decided to wing it....so far so good.
Anyway,Sue drove all the way....then managed to get lost in the Hotel!!

[However - now she's found the bar]

Washed and Polished!!

Well, the Red Balloon Mini is washed and ready for the off...more ready than we are!!
Having now seen the detailed programme and read details of special stages - not to mention the time penalties to within 1/10th of a second- we can't help but wonder what we have signed ourselves up for.
It looks like it will certainly be an Adventure...watch this space.

Hold The Front Page...

After my meeting at The Hospital this morning - I took time out for some publicity shots for the local press!!!!what a star...the mini not me !

Looking Good

So, the final piece is in place - our official signs are on the doors, sponsors are on the panels and the Red Balloon is in pride of place on the front.

We are now really excited - with just a week to go before we set off!!!

Sign Writer Booked

The sign writer now booked - to make my mini look a bit more like a rally car!
Sad that we didn't get more corporate sponsorship to go on there - but hey, guess that's life