Here we go setting off to France in our very loaded Hood, this is what we have been waiting for.
First stop was at our Bed and Breakfast in St Ives kindly donated by Chris Brown, Thanks mate!
Next morning after a nice early start, we soon met up with Steve Altwasser and co. and made it to Dover with time to spare. One nice thing was that a complete stranger came over to us and asked if I was "Bill", turns out this stranger was a RHOCAR "Lurker" Nick Francks who was taking his family on a holiday in France (Unfortunatley not Le Mans), Isn't a small world? 
The Speedferries boat was pretty cool with 4 bloody big water jets thrusting us along at a very respectable speed.
Bye Bye England.
First stop in France was at the Motorway ticket station looks like Joeys trying to "Cool" his head with the Coolbag
We decided that some sort of head protection was needed against the blazing sunshine, struth it was hot! We tore my Arab Headress into 4 pieces and Chris made us a Bandana each, "nice one" not only do they look cool they keep our heads cool too !
Here we have a Happy lad, not only off school for a extra week but he's on the way to Le mans in his car!
Now this is something I have never seen before, "Joey asleep in his Hood" This was whilst we were sitting at a 70 Mph cruise down the French motorway. I know the road was a bit boring but not that bad
Wow, we are here "Camping Blue" just outside the circuit, Mmmmmm, Where is the shower block ? Where is the toilets?
Joey took the Opportunity to have a quick drive round the empty campsite "I mean Field"
Whilst setting up the tents we could not fail to notice Graham Dockerill's "Girly Blow up Mattress"
Tents erected, there was a bit of time to relax before the Ale started to flow.
Looks like Graham would sleep well tonight even on his "Barbie Mattress".
Next Day was another scorcher, and it was Scrutineering day in Le mans town, The Hoods attracted an amazing amount of attention from the French locals, Apparently they are not allowed to do kit cars in France hence the interest in our cars.
In the Scrutineering area we saw the Audi and "Frank Biela", and quite a few other Race cars. There was a display of vintage Ferraris, but there was very little attention paid to them, we all agreed that if the Hoods had been parked there, a lot more interest would have been shown!
On the way back we experienced the Mulsanne Straight for the first time, not quite 240 Mph but a more sedate 60 Mph
Back at the site Joey and Mark decided on a game of footy
Unfortunately it ended in tears as Joey got a Bloody nose, its not what you think Mark did not punch him but Joey tried to do a "Header" with his nose .
We got some funny looks when I walked Joey to the Hoses by the bogs to wash the blood off !
Later that evening we were all entertained by Chris Brown lighting his gas Barbie and discovering there was a leak downstream of the Non return valve, Rather than run for their lives most people managed to take the piss nicely, By the time I got the camera out the flame had died to the small flicker that you can see!
Poor Steve it looks like he had a long day
Next morning "Bright and early", OK about 11 we were all ready for the trip to Le Flesche to "Dial Daves" villa for a Barby.
Off the motorways France is a lovely place to drive, especially in a convoy of Hoods.
Here we are in Le Flesche On Market Day, all parked up facing the wrong way in a car park some even blocking the road, but the response to our convoy was amazing they all loved it even the ones who could not get through ended up getting out of their cars for a "friendly" look.
One French chappie was talking to me "In French" I was talking back in English "With hand signals" and getting along quite well I might add. Then Irish Bob came along with the benefit of his french lessons
My reply:
"Its a Ford Engine"
Irish Bobs reply in French
"Its a Ford Engine"
Dave had this cracking set of glasses that played DVDs on so we all had a look at a couple of laps of Le Mans in a Porsche 956 driven by Derek Bell
At first I did not know what was happening, I asked Sir Chris what he was doing and he ignored me I presumed he was in some sort of trance
This is Daves "Villa", it's in a lovely quiet country position, "Very Nice".
Now if you are in France when "Le Mans" is on this is the place to drive down, "Arnage Main Street" at this time of year is bloody brilliant, the street is lined with revellers.you drive down the road following Ferraris or whatever the crowds just glance at them, but as soon as a Hood or something "Different" comes down the road they jump out in front of you to get a picture then give a thumbs up and a little wave for you to give them a "Wheelspin" Of course you cannot refuse and after a good one you hear a loud cheers from the spectators "Brilliant fun".
Oh yes "The 24 Hours", our first sighting of the cars on track was in the pouring rain! Still very exciting and warm but quite wet!!!
About this time I was bitten by something "Rather large", I never felt it, perhaps it was the Alcohol
The camp sight was filling up by now.
First Night practice was very interesting, with plenty of viewing areas.
Outside the Race period, anyone was allowed in the grandstands. This view looks great but I can't imagine sitting here for 24 hours without a beer or two !
Fridays "Pit walk" was a bit of a Disappointment, we did not get anywhere near the drivers or the teams, OK the cars were on view but the fences were quite a way from the actual team members. We did try to see if we could have a talk with the Scudderia Ecosse Ferrari team manager "Stuart Roden" as we know his dad Peter, Unfortunately like I said earlier you could not really get that close to the big boys.
Later that day we took a drive to Arnage corners and parked up to watch the world go by, Imagine that about 14 hous later the racers would be wizzing up this track !
This is the first corner heading into the Arnage section, what a cracking bend eh? Notice Joey is in the Gravel though
We met this German Biker chappy who was interested in the Hoods, apparently he had heard that the RH was not that suitable for the larger person, and that the Cateringvan was more roomy
Needless to say he was quite impressed with the room in Joeys car !
Meanwhile "Brough" found a speck of dirt on his car which needed polishing off, Mark looks suitably interested.
Back to the circuit and we were in good company !
Back to the campsite, and it was getting a bit crowded!
As it was on Race day! The start area was "heaving", We started watching from right in the middle but decided we were going to melt in the heat so we decided to move a but further away.
OK this was far enough, Wheres the Beer Joey?
Later on that evening we took a trip out with Eric and Simon to watch some night racing, starting at Arnage. Its a brilliant atmosphere and well worth the effort to get there.
I tried a bit of "Long exposure" pictures and look what I got ! Wheres the bloody car?
Joey looks happy in this shot, The real reason is that he had just got caught out "Farting"
Later on that evening about 2am we got to the Porsche curves another cracking viewing area
After that it was back to the campsite to drink until 0500 Hrs
Struth this 24 hour racing is tiring
Ho Hum the Audi's won then! Shame they are so Quiet
Then the masses headed for the start line again, Nah! we could not be arsed far too crowded !
Back at the site we noticed that the "Staffordshire Hoodies" had made a bloody lot of rubbish Mind you they also "Talked" a lot of it as well
Ken deciding if he needed a full rebuild before setting off for home early the next morning !
It was time to go home for us now we set off in a convoy but ended up losing Steve Altwasser on a funny junction. Sir Chris, Graham and John ended up going along the B roads which was better than the boring motorway. One thing that we all noticed was how many British registered cars were driving like lunatics, Overtaking on blind corners etc.
Anyway we stopped for some chips and Sausage, Unfortunately for me and Joey we lost our food order to John and Graham who made off with our sausages!!!!
Back on route 2 happy chappies!
We all stayed the night in Bologne and after a very welcome shower and lovely meal we met up with the "Bloke from stoke and his chums" for a Balcony drinking session great fun, Next day back on the Ferry Jase, Rachael and Joey were nearly blown off the boat as it was that windy
Doesn’t it make you want to sing about "Bluebirds"?
And finally we made it home, Extremely tired but very, Very Happy.
Roll on next year!!
At first I did not know what was happening, I asked Sir Chris what he was doing and he ignored me
I presumed he was in some sort of trance
Needless to say he was quite impressed with the room in Joeys car !
After that it was back to the campsite to drink until 0500 Hrs
Mind you they also "Talked" a lot of it as well
Anyway we stopped for some chips and Sausage, Unfortunately for me and Joey we lost our food order to John and Graham who made off with our sausages!!!!
Roll on next year!!