Thursday
Finally the day had arrived for the start of our Rodding Adventure to
Belgium thanks to the hard work of Steve Marley it was all possible. I had 11
months of pure torture rebuilding my 34 Sport and most of that time was spent
sorting the power plant after two rebuilds it was still poorly and finally after
a head skimming session on my brand new heads? A set of expensive Mr G head
gaskets and finally a NEW Torque wrench it looked like it was finally
sorted. I had one day to test drive and it had to be ready for the off sorted or
not. It was decided after heated discussion that only my wife and I could go and
my daughter would stay with relatives as she would have to take a friend and 4 people
and luggage etc just do not fit in a 34 Sport Oh No!
We needed to be on the road by 9-30am to be on schedule, as we didn't want to
hit the M25 and Dartford tunnel in the rush hour. So daughter at school, the Dog
in the kennels furry pets in their Hotel and the 34 loaded to the hilt time was
tight but we were off on the road by our allotted time. *phew*..
When I had been selling this Road trip to my wife I had said it will be great, we will meet up with all the guys going from Scotland and Frank Ogden who had originally told me this was thee Rod Run to do had said a few guys from the Manchester area and Yorkshire would meet us and we would have a mini Rod run of our own, driving down together picking people up on the way... Man it sounded pure Hot- Rodding heaven for sure! My misses was never sold on the idea much, as she does prefers her holidays to be more conventional like 2weeks in Spain (by Plane) sun and beaches not Rods and driving, but she agreed we would do it. As the time got nearer it soon became apparent it was not going to be as was first expected by any means. The guys Frank knew were now going via Hull and there just was no Rodder's this far north doing this Run. So it would be Frank and his wife me and mine until we met up with Steve Marley (Uk event organiser) and his wife and Rob Whitwell and his family south of Northampton, so all was not lost but not the start I had hoped for.
The Off
I was sick to my stomach as we started off, I couldn't believe
I was finally doing it and I worried if I had finally got my Rod sorted and what
was in store for my wife and I on quite a big journey into the unknown whooooo???
I phoned Frank when I reached Preston about 70 mile for me and if he set
off now we would reach Knutsford
services about the same time so we could then carry on the drive together. About
20 mins later I got the call Frank had a blow out and would have to go back to Stockport
to get two new rear tyres but thankfully he and his wife were Ok. So now we were
on our own till we met Steve and
Rob a further 200 or so miles away. The 34 was running good, the sun was shining
and so things weren't all bad. We finally made it to the service's by jct12 on
the M1 in good time and phoned Steve, it was decided that a meet wouldn't happen
as one of us would have to go quite a bit out of their way to meet up and it would be more
sensible to meet on the M25 at South Mimms instead. So off we went traveling
again all on our own ;>(
We meet someone Hooray!
Finally
meeting after 320 miles or so.
Steve and his wife made us feel very welcome though Rob had gone on to the
hotel in Dover but soon we were joined by the
NSRA spares Van driven by Pete Griffith's and co piloted by Danny Stephens who
had just got back from California and showed no signs of jet lag. Danny soon
realised though you needed a passport to go to Belgium and he had left his at home. So
he and Pete had to do a quick dash back to his house to get it. Eventually we
were ready to move out again and get to the Hotel before the Rush hour got into full
swing on the M25. The pace was quick and soon we came to the awesome sight of the Er? Bridge
that leads into the Dartford tunnel. But just seeing that one Rod in front as we
crossed the bridge seemed to make up for the distinct lack of rods the previous
part of the journey.
Dover court Hotel Car Park
When we arrived at the Dover Court Hotel there were a few rods parked but not as many as I expected. Within a few minutes of walking through the Hotel door we were in the Bar and Danny Stephens started to entertain us with his stories and anecdotes from his trip to "LA" Danny has secured himself a job with So-Cal while out there and will be managing their merchandise round the Rod shows and Runs in the US of A... Now how cool is that! He was just so graphic in his tales from "LA", I could of listened all night and his recollection of his past time at So-Cal was splattered with Pete Chappirous this and Billy Gibbons that Ya know Like ya do! But all done in such a way we had a great laugh with him. Steve and Danny also have a great repertoire that just kept the atmosphere flowing. After a short while a few more Rodders started to arrive and the small group was now growing quite rapidly. I decided it was time to get ready for our evening meal so left the happy group still drinking and chewing the fat. Frank had rung saying he was only a few miles away and had made great time so we arranged to have our evening meal with him and his wife. I hadn't seen Frank for a while so we had some catching up to do and the other's were still in full flow in the bar. After the meal my misses was pooped so went to the room same as Franks did, so we fella's joined the now heavy throng of happy laughing Rodders again in the bar! The customary Rodders circle was now very large and everyone seemed to know everyone and I felt a bit out of it. I am very conscious of my thick sounding northern accent when darn sarf and to my detriment I often stay quiet cus of it. So I knew no one would miss me and I sauntered of to bed and I also didn't want to over rev and spoil the trip tomorrow.
Friday
An
8-15am start saw us in the Restaurant about 7am and ready to tuck into the
£7-50 a person breakfast, after two plate full's of full English I felt
refreshed and ready for anything!
We watched the first half of the England v Brazil game and left with England 1 up, the car park was now full of Rods and things were boding well for the trip. A short quick trip to meet the others at the Duke of Wellington and we would be on our way to the Ferry. But not after the customary fuel stop.
I am not sure how many there were of us but 88 had pre booked and we looked not far off that number at the docks.
Mike key on the Quay never one to miss a shot Hey he even took a photo of my
car.
There were plenty of fenderless cars with us but I heard Keith Atkinson had been stopped
20miles from Dover in his beautiful 32 and was given a compulsory off the road
order for driving fenderless so that was his trip to Belgium over *shame*
Keith Harman's T Sedan lines up behind Steve Bonds Coupe'd Standard 12.
Colin Burbage's perfect looking 37, I had a proper look at Colin's 37 and it is a
wonderfully built ride with a very comfy looking interior and sits oh so right.
Steve Hudson's T also lined up for the Ferry, how does Steve keep his T looking
so damn new looking? it is a beauty and looks just as good now as it
did when it was first built. He must be totally dedicated to it that's for sure.
The boarding of the ferry was without drama and exceptionally well organised. I
had a good natter with Keith Harman *Top Bloke* then we made our way up on
deck... Huh? where was everyone? were they hiding? I had a short chat to Colin
Burbage and left to find the others but my wife and I spent the entire trip on
our own ohhwww ;>). There was plenty to see on board so the time went quick
but lonely .
Once
docked we all met on one of the Calais ports car parks to regroup. We finally
got under way after a short break but stopped again across the road for more refueling
for them that hadn't done it Dover side.. or was it just the big blocks that
found the ferry boarding a long journey and needed fuel ;>) Only Joking!
We sat at the fuel stop for what seemed like an age. A puzzled and bemused
Trucker was wondering amongst the assembled Rods chuffing on a ciggy. He looked
at us all in the car parking area and preceded to now peer at the Rods fueling
up still chuffing on his ciggy arrghhhh! The error of his ways was soon pointed
out to him in broken English or it could of been broken French or similar get
away with that Fuggin cigarette...... He looked at the worried Rodder then at
his fag then at the fuel pumps and then it dawned on him Run away!!
Finally we hit the French roads and this was what I had been dreaming about a
sea of rods surrounding us as we blasted up the French highway yahoo! (see top
photo) I think a lot had set off without us so the sea was more a swollen river
but fantastic all the same as I was finally doing it....... running with a load of
Rods my dream.
You can
not imagine the Awe-inspiring sight of 20 to 30 Rods blasting up the highway on
a sunny day in Europe. We would all be behaving ourselves then someone would set the pace
and we would all chase. I made it to the front and came along side Adam Sayer
(former NSRA pres) we did a bit of baiting each other and he knew he was beat
;>) So the next time I baited him he booted it and stomped the brakes and
then laughed his head off as I shot away. As now I was in the lead with absolutely
no idea where I was going (I am not good with maps) Steve had issued us all
with directions but I preferred to follow the pack now I had no one to follow,
that would teach me eh! Then I spied an orange Rod miles ahead so I sped up to
catch them and follow them instead as I saw the pack behind pull into a lay bye.
The Orange Rod in front was 36 Chrysler, with it was a really Nice Anglia
(Dave?) and Dick in his big Black Dodge
who everyone seems to know.
We hadn't done 2 miles and the Chrysler pulled into the hard shoulder with a
problem. A quick fix and we were mobile again only to break down again as he
struggled to keep it running so we pulled into the service area ahead.
It was diagnosed
as a fuel starvation fault ... but why was the question?
The fuel seemed to be pumping to the filter and into the carb, so the carb was
suspected as the problem. A quick blow down the tubes and it fired but by now the
rest of the pack was zooming by on the French Highway to Belgium. We was on our
own, but not a problem just not the Fun I expected. Then back out onto the road
and the black Dodge showed it heals I think the white Humber was also with us
who did likewise a very wise decision I say :>) as The Orange Chrysler
shuddered to a halt again and they disappeared into the distance. Another quick
blow job which sorts out most of my problems I can tell ya, the same apparently
for this old Chrysler and it was rolling again...
The directions as they
were read said off at this jct er only it wasn't. We did about 3miles of carefree motoring when the road just sort of ended *Huh?* Lucky Maggie Ralph's
wife oh Ralph he's the owner of the poorly Chrysler, Hey yes we were now on
first name terms. Asked for direction in Flemish from a local now how's
that for showing off. A quick u turn and off we went again only to break down
half way back up the road and again after we had missed our turning Terrrrrr.
Ralph was still very cool and calm I started to add my thoughts and he gave his
car a blow job again and also wondered about the splitfire lead he had fitted so
he change that for a spare he had... Ah Ha now the gypsy in me never lets me miss a
trick and I suggested I put his old lead on my car as Ralph was extolling its virtue's
at giving more gas mileage. I did say I would pay for it if it worked but Ralph
now not of sound mind said hey mate ya can have it.. *result* :>) only joking
would I take advantage of the situation Man I hope not *smile*
Back on the right
road we gave it some stick Ralph's car was sorted and he was canning it. Me and
my wife now had to pedal like hell to keep up and the beautifully smooth road
just suddenly turned into a test track for the 2cv. It had massive pot
holes and bumps allover I hit it about 65ish with an almighty bang as my
suspension bottomed and the 34 bounced in all directions rather rapidly WoW what
Fun that was. I slowed down as quick as I could and all seemed Ok *phew*!!!! Then we hit heavy traffic a few miles up the road, and the Chrysler spluttered
again and we had a line of Belgium or were they French? motorists lined up behind us. Ralph knew the
script and assumed the position, a very nice Belgium Cop asked us what was up
and he spoke less English than we did Belgium or were we still in France errr
who knows yes Maggie stayed in the car!! He gave us directions and we were at
least on the right road now. A quick fix and it sputtered into life only to conk
out right as we were on a very busy round about Sacra Bluer!! Now it was serious
we were in a very dangerous position. But at least I had a use for my red
triangle that I reluctantly bought just for this journey as they are law on the continent,
Yes £7-50 not wasted.
I was now suspecting it wasn't a fuel problem as listening to it it sounded to sudden a stop pointing more an electrical fault? I offered a new coil as I always carry one Ha Ha doesn't everyone! Na after a load of messing on Ralph's part it didn't cure it. Ralph still convinced it was fuel and tried a few tricks and I then agreed and suggested a new fuel filter which I also always carry :>) By Now Ralph was getting very agitated and I knew it had to be fixed soon or he would explode... I have been that soldier and knew exactly how he felt.. and low and behold it started and stayed fixed all weekend a bloody blocked fuel filter Grrrrr.
A quick as in speedy drive and we were at the Sun Parks Village in De Hann without any further drama. We were met by an amazing array of Rods at the Park and a human traffic jam trying to get their allocated chalet and key. All the guys who had zoomed off were only just in front of us in the queue *hum?* They had been queuing while we had been having Fun.. There were three Belgium SRA women manning the desk but could only serve one person at a time Jeez it was a long wait.. But they were friendly and we even got a free commemoratory T-Shirt which was well cool. We found our chalet after about 30mins of driving round as the place was a total Maze. The chalet was nice and I soon had the beer in the fridge and the 34 unloaded and washed and polished. I washed down my throat with the now ice cool beer ahhh heaven.... pure heaven..
Friday night was a Beer and chat Fest, but food was calling me first. So the choice was Pasta, Pasta or Pasta *hum?* decisions decisions? So Pasta it was and all you can eat *yum yum* after 3 plate full's. I thought this stuff is never gonna fill me but as the Beer was included and help yourself *wink* 2 drinks included only 2...... yeah right!!! It's inability to fill me was more than compensated for..
Mike Hughes joined us, and told us of his horror story journey, Mike had stayed to watch the world cup and so had to journey alone to DeHaan. His 34 died on the busy French highway. As Mike knows his Rod as we all know our own, he never lifted the bonnet/hood as his probs are always electrical. So he was straight into the relays, swapping them and checking live's etc etc all to no avail. A friendly breakdown truck stopped and offered a tow, Mike refused and soldiered on. An hour or so later the guy returned and insisted Mike be towed as it was illegal to stay so long broken down on the highway. After a very long journey out into the middle of nowhere the tow truck eventually stopped at its destination. The guy made Mike sign a form and took 450 Euro's off him about £300 for the privilege, Mike tried in vain to get a multi tester and was tearing his hair out as he was lost as how to sort his 34, when as if it was a sign from the great Rodder in the the sky!!!!!.... he thought open the engine bay! He doesn't know why.. as the fault is never there is it!!! and low and behold with shouts of pure relieve he found an earth wire connected to his headers had broken. After a quick fix he was mobile £300 lighter and a lesson wiser but he was mobile and had just arrived at the Sun Parks Holiday site as the restaurant was closing. I had another Beer from the help yourself pumps I think that was just my 2nd one wasn't it ;>)... The meals were now just a distant memory and the now bustling Bar across the way looked like the place to be so my wife and I toddled over there and left Mike to his plate of Pasta delight! Deur 1/2ltr Stella Artois Mercie the woman behind the bar looked blank at me, then spouted back at me" two large beers?" Er Yes please *doh* Yar in Belgium not Bloody France ya Numpty I said to myself ;>) Hey ya live and learn knew I should of listened at school. After a few more scoops I was at the bar and Mike Hughes (Beauty Flamed 34) said hey Howard (Howard Bolton) do ya know Dave Holmes he said he did and I had heard of Howard as he was the Guy who did all the hard work organising the European Rod runs before Steve Marley took over. What a friendly open guy he was, he just chatted away and told me some great stories and some news but I have to keep it secret at least not write it on here, but if it happens it will be the biggest thing Uk Rodders will ever do *shhhhhh* Man I have said to much already *don't tell anyone* ;>) I shouted my misses to come and join us, but she had a bag on. I had left her for 40mins all on her own *whoops* it was time to leave.... and it was a very, very peaceful walk back to our chalet :>) and no bedroom aerobics for me .... *Damn Rodders* Ha Ha!
Man this is going to be a long story hope you find the time to read it and help me out if I get names events and cars wrong.