Through the Chunnel and escape

[tc4332]

This weekend, 1st & 2nd October 2016 I am attending a wedding near Maastricht in Holland. I'll be on my own, 'cos speedlimiter is already committed to something else. I've used the train many times with a full size coach but this will be a first for me with a car. Somebody once mentioned that the train is a bit tight for the 8s so I'm taking vaseline and a shoe horn just in case.
Plan is to leave Wigan as soon after midnight as possible on Friday morning to catch the 05:40 train off Folkestone, need to book in before 05:20. Hope to arrive Valkenburg by lunchtime.
Visit a British War Graves Cemetery in nearby Brunsum Saturday morning.
Wedding in V'burg Saturday afternoon, dancing etc. late into the night.
Sunday morning visit the American Cemetery at Maargraten and depart the area at lunchtime to catch the 18:30 train off Calais.
Hope to be back in Wigan before midnight. Better be I'm working Monday/Tuesday.

Wednesday 5th we are flying to Gran Canaria for a week of lazing. Daughter's Birthday prezzie to us both.

[tonupkid]

That's one hell of an itinerary Ray. Hope it all goes like clockwork and you both enjoy a well earned rest in the Canaries

[Johnmed]

Indeed, a busy few days for you. So sorry to hear speed limiter can't make the journey

I've been on the Chunnel recently with the 8. Didn't kerb it once, but it IS definitely a tight squeeze. (We got as far as Perpignan before I kerbed the thing)

Hope it all goes well for you. Enjoy.

[Delboy]

Jesus, at the age of 42 i wouldn't even dream of a schedule like that but somehow I have every confidence in you Ray.

Have a good un man

[pete-p]

It sounds like you'll need that week in Gran Canaria after that! Have a safe journey Ray.

[Turbo Tony]

Whoa... That's a dedication to leisure activities!

Have a great time

[tc4332]

OK Chaps and Chapesses, another new word, I've done the first bit, safe and sound in the hotel. I know I cheated. I used to do it for a living, but it is much easier when driving a big coach.
Left home at 23:00 Thursday night and arrived Folkestone just after 03:00. Went straight to Tesco to tank up 'cos the agency card doesn't work overhere, and the pumps were broken. Drove back to Ashford and the Tesco pumps were working fine until I took the gun out of the holster when it said that I had chosen the wrong fuel. How did it know that? It worked at our local before I set off. Went to the other one in Ashford, I guess they knew I was on the way, 'cos all the pumps were coned off and padlocked. Bummer.
By this time it was getting close to train departure so I bit the bullet and tanked at the Shell motorway services, good job I get a special price with the card.
Virtually an event free drive to Maastricht via France, Belgium (Brussels) and into Holand. Bit of traffic on Brussels Ring, lost about five minutes otherwise no holdups. Made one comfort stop after Brussels for twenty minutes.
The only spoiler, didn't affect me but gives us all a bad name, was about nine UK reg vehicles of assorted breed (NO Audis) with extremely loud exhausts driving at about twice the speed limit through the morning rush hour. I am a boring old spoilsport, am I not?
Car washed and polished, vaacumed out and ready for tomorrow.

[Johnmed]

Flippin' hell Ray. No mucking about with you is there. Good effort. Enjoy

[tc4332]

Thanks John.
Had a coffee with the groom when I arrived. The hotel just happens to be one of the ones he owns.
And the bride keeps texting me.
They now know that I am in town.
Think I'll have a power nap now.

[mattylondon]

Nice one Ray! Sometimes it's a bit easier doing a long distance journey without the speed limiter... your choice of music, volume, air con / window down...

Reminds me of a time when I was driving to Ukraine alone. Managed to cross Poland in under 9 hours with just a 10 min stop for fuel, and that was before the new A4 road.