Day 3 - French Hills and Mountains

Great shot by Pilot Officer Hackers - The full moon over GAP

We are now 790 miles from Roscoff in the French Alps Town of GAP.  Today has been eventful starting at 1000 hours with -17c in Le Puy and Myrtle in real trouble.  At -17c even the best car would have a challenge starting including Myrtle and second time she fired with considerable manual intervention from choke and right foot.

The next problem was human breath with temperature in the car being around -13c breath was freezing on impact with the windscreen and side windows.  For 30 mins the only solution was to park her in the sun and await the temperature to rise.  Those that know Mini’s will know that by today’s standards the heaters and windscreen heaters are ineffective a hairy start to the day.  The only day I wore hat gloves and my coat whilst driving it was so cold.

The journey through the Ardeche and French Alps a mere 200 miles in comparison with previous days was delightful mainly clear roads and many horseshoe bends to take care of.

Myrtle is going well but with three in car with luggage I made an executive decision that on reaching the Coast we need to lose a passenger each day and follow behind by train.  Whilst Myrtle is capable of doing so I do not want to flog her all the way to Rome as the last two days she has had some hectic workforce behind her and frankly she is whacked.  I do want to get her home as well and so decision has been made.

I did our first Radio Exe broadcast today, thanks to Chris Dinnis and I think it went well - what also went well is news that Nick Cockram’s (Dad of James) ELF fundraising ELF raised a splendid 82 quid for the cause so thanks again Nick a splendid effort really appreciate it.

I must admit with 3 people in small MINI and in sub zero temperatures things can be difficult but whatever the drama lets remember Ruby and James and keep attacking.