136 THIS IS A HOLD UP…

With a heavy heart, I must announce that our jaunt across Europe has been put on hold until next year.  There are many reasons, but health issues are one of the main factors.  Ultimately, real life must take priority over a daft drive on the continent.

Another massive issue is the lack of updates from the Bust Rallies team.  They have completely gone off the radar, haven’t replied to the multiple emails we have sent, and the Facebook page looks dormant.

We need to know when the Black Forest Gateau event is taking place as we are supposed to be staying in a villa in the South of France before heading back.  With each day that passes, the availability of suitable villas diminishes, and the price invariably goes up.  

That is just the start; we need to book things like the Chunnel/ferry and stop off hotels as soon as possible, too, or the price becomes an obstacle to us all making the trip in the first place.

It isn’t all bad, though; with a bit more time, Richie thinks he may be fitter and will enjoy the trip more - who knows, the Kuga could be replaced by the Gulf Racing Abarth. 

It also gives D&J more time to think about adding the Fauxrrari to the convoy - if both cars could make it, I’d be happier than a dog with two bits!!!  Hope rather than expectation, to be honest...

One definite advantage is that we can plan the trip around the villa instead of the other way around.  This gives us the best chance of finding something within the budget that is available when we all are in a location we want.  This has the potential for massive cost savings and to get more people involved.

Also, if we aren’t participating in ‘organised fun’, Maddie can be Carl’s co-driver again, making him happy (even though he will pretend otherwise!!!)

It also means that we can maybe plan a trip home too, possibly head into Northern Spain and get the ferry from Bilbao or Santander (£350, 31 hours, a cabin and a bevvy - what could possibly go wrong!)

So it isn’t the outcome we all wanted, but it does give us a chance to bend the trip to our liking, meaning we get precisely what we want out of it, which is a definite positive.  Every cloud and all that...