Sunday August 1 1998
Departure from Apeldoorn at 12.10 hours.
Once arrived in Velp, we were welcomed by the whole family: Wilhelmien, my mother, Wilhelmien, my sister, Arlette and Bart, sister and brother-in-law and Yves and Yvonne, brother and daughter-in-law, a photographer from the local newspaper and two grandchildren.
After the photo session we gave our mother the first book, as well as a printed t-shirt and a programme. After a short lunch, we are always a bit late, we hit the road to Brussels. Yves and Yvonne, Elisabeth and our son Irian driving behind the Bugatti. On the road there was a lot of traffic, so it was hard to keep on driving steady. It goes without saying that we had a lot of attention: people drive beside you, not paying attention, and nearly bump into the crash barrier, or they drive very slowly in front of you in order to get a good look at the car driving behind them. Very annoying, although understandable.

At the Belgium border, just after Breda, we suddenly ended up in a traffic jam. Afterwards it turned out that an accident had happened. Luckily we could get past it quite quickly. The police had already arrived. Two cars collided with each other, and one of them was total loss. No further problems since then. Just a lot of traffic at Antwerpen and Brussels. But what are you to say: it was Saturday afternoon.

After checking into the hotel, we visited uncle Henk, the brother of Wilhelmien. He will be our guide here in Brussels and shall, according to the programme, lead us along the interesting milestones of Wilhelmien's past together with our cousin Bribri. Bribri got this name, because she was very small at birth (bird Colibri). In the evening we wanted (by normal car) to eat somewhere. We drove beside parked cars and then suddenly a door swung open, resulting in a broken outside mirror. The guy had not spotted us and was totally perplexed that that mirror was broken and crushed as he did not have any damage at all.

Sunday August 2 1998, Brussels
We got out of bed reasonably early. The hotel is located under the take off route from the airport, so very noisy (this would not be permitted in The Netherlands). Further the hotel is located by a ring road, which is a race circuit at night, which means that we did not sleep very well. Tilly, my sister, joins the group. She came very early from Hoofddorp to join us for the coming days. Uncle Henk and Bribri are there as well to serve as guides. Departure from the hotel at approx. 09.15 hours.

First we drove to the house where our mother came into the world, then the city hall of Schaarbeek, the "Meisjeshuis" (domestic science school) and finally to Rhode (Viooltjeslaan) were mum and dad lived with 5 children from 1932 till 1953.
From there we went via Waterloo to the highway, direction Luxembourg, to make up for lost time. We really wanted to have a drink, so during our ride on the highway we tried with gesturing to make some things clear. But everything went differently than we expected. Nearby an exit for a petrol station with restaurant, the Bugatti caught up, then joined the traffic to exit the highway. We tried to pass as well, but we could not get off the highway as a truck obstructed us. We stopped at the next parking place and phoned them. Meanwhile they filled up and we would see them passing by. So be it.

After Namur we exited the highway and picked up the planned route. Close to the exit stood the Bugatti and Jos to bring us to his place to have a lunch there. At 16.00 hours we went with them as guides to Martelange where we said goodbye to Jos and Frida Wuyts. At 16.30 hours we drove to Luxembourg, the final destination of our first stage. In accordance with our schedule, we arrived at 18.00 hours. The route Martelange-Luxembourg (N4) is nowadays a straight road. Mum told us that in the early days this road was a twisting road through all the villages.

Monday August 3 1998, Strassbourg
After a noisy night at our hotel in the red-light district and a garbage truck passing by, we slept quite well from approximately 06.00 hours. The evening before we walked in the rain through the city. Luckily this was the first time we had rain. Liege and Antwerpen are nearly washed away, but as said before, luckily we have not experienced any rain during our ride so far.
My sister Til left early this morning, because her father-in-law deceased. Yves and Yvonne shall accompany us instead of her. The next obstacle we had to clear away was our parking garage where the car-park attendant would not take any money and we had to see to it that we had enough small change to pay for this parking place. After this tussle (it took about half an hour), we finally left at 09.45 hours to set off to Frisange, which is a very beautiful and peaceful route. We did not notice anything of the industry city Thionville while driving on the secondary road, as all factories are located at the highway nowadays. From here we drove to Metz. It is a great problem to follow the old route without ending up the highway. Via the suburb of Metz we finally set off to Chateau Salins. Here we stopped for half an hour and rested in the sun. At that moment, it was raining quite heavily in Strassbourg. Via Sarrenbourg, where we had our afternoon stop, we drove to Phalsbourg. There some members of the Enth. Bugatti Alsace were waiting for us with a Bugatti 1926, a MG 1930 and a traction avant of Citroen. After a drink of welcome we met the crew of the local television. They will film while on the road and interview us at the Orangerie in Strassbourg. Driving behind each other with three cars, that can be done, but with nine cars it is quite difficult. If you hesitate at a traffic light, you loose the group in front of you and then you are on you own. We waited for the rest of the group every time, so we all arrived at the Orangerie simultaneously.

Mum and the television crew went to the spot as on the old photo and took an interview of her. The only thing what was really different from then was a stone which was removed recently.
After this and a short walk we drove to the hotel by roundabout route. The current hotel Maison Rouge is the second hotel of the same owner. The early Maison Rouge (nearby the cathedral) has been pulled down to make place for an office. The name Maison Rouge was kept in honour. In the city a lot of streets were broken up, in order to maintain the tramlines efficiently during the holiday season. At the hotel we had a drink with the organisers and watched the report on the local television. After dinner, nearby the water, we went to bed. Tomorrow we will have a walk through Petit France and have a good, admiring look at the astronomical clock work in the cathedral.

Tuesday August 4 1998, Strassbourg
Today it is Til's birthday. Very unfortunate, as she is with her family. Tomorrow her father-in-law will be buried.
I am not sure if it is because of the pimps or the pneumatic drills working at the tramlines, but we did not had a very restful night. At 06.00 hours it was very moistly. We enjoyed our delicious breakfast and photos of our mum and an interview were taken meanwhile. Around 09.45 Henri and René arrived to find the places as shown on the old photos and they succeeded. All four spots are still there. Of course some things have changed, but not worth mentioning. After sight seeing around we had a cup of coffee in the restaurant of Henri's friend and then we went to the cathedral. We did not liked to see the fuss around the clock work. Precisely 12.30 hours some dolls started to move and a cock crowed three times. Quite impressing if you think of the fact that this was made in the year 1500 and still things do move. We passed the same restaurant at the return road and ate delicious pizza's. Meanwhile it is 14.00 hours, time to set off to Molsheim, but because we were invited, we first drink champagne on the 13th floor of an office and had good view of the environment. A bit too late, but now really heading to Molsheim. Once arrived (with some street break ups), straight to Col du Donon accompanied by a replica BUG type 37 and a Triumph. Without any problems we climbed up the mountains. The modern cars have a hard time to follow us with all these sharp bends. On top we enjoyed a cup of tea. The sun refused to work and the Bugatti team decided to change their clothes to rains suits. Luckily all for nothing, it even got better. Via a shorter route than planned, because we were a bit late again, we found Wangen, a very small village with two town gates.
Later than foreseen (mum wanted to change clothes), we were received at the Hostellerie and had a red-carpet welcome. Some stately photos were taken and with champagne and cocktail biscuits we spent the remaining time. Mum is offered a drawing by Paul Kestler. Mother's book is signed diligent and I even sell two books. Bart and Arlette (my sister) arrive 19.30 hours by motorcycle. In Luxembourg the rain was very severe, but not here! About 22.00 hours we parked the Bug at René's and had a meal with the family at the Cheval Blanc. This time we all slept very well.

Wednesday August 5 1998, Besançon
We all had a very good night rest. About 08.30 hours we had breakfast with 8 persons in hotel Bugatti and picked up the Bugatti at René's place. His girlfriend drove back with me. Up till now we had quite a lot of leakage at the oil pump. The overpressure regulator was leaking. On the spot we took the whole apart and wrapped teflon tape around the screw thread of the pressure regulator to avoid further leakage. It appeared to be a very successful solution. We removed oil at the left side of the car and then also the leakage of oil on the muffler stopped. We left the hotel at 10.10 hours and drove to the Bugatti factory. The entrance is nowadays located at the backside. We were not allowed in, but instead we took some photos in front of this entrance. Afterwards we set off to Colmar. At the first coming roundabout we turned and visited the Chateau St. Jean, the country house of Bugatti. This building still has no destination. Building apartments lead to nothing and now they try to make a hotel of it. Very likely it will be one too much for a small city like Molsheim.

After this detour and some photos we go further, as really planned, to Colmar our next stop. Mainly we drove on the main road, passed some villages and finally arrived in the town centre of Colmar. A photographer of the local newspaper was waiting for us since 10.30 hours and therefore missed another appointment. The reception in the Theehuis, a Bugatti fan, was overwhelming. This gentleman, his mother and a help served us with tea and coffee with fruit-cake and aniseed cookies. Mum was the central figure in this happening. She is offered a jar of jam and from Henri we received a drawing of a Bugattti in front of Petit France as well as some posters of the local Bugatti festival planned the 4^th and 5^th of September. Henri said goodbye. The boss bought a book and about 12.30 hours we also said goodbye to him. The lunch was planned in Belfort and although we drove through it, we decided to eat something outside the city. The first spot we found was a big parking lot, but it was closed. We took this opportunity to lubricate the clutch of the Bugatti (wet clutch). The bonnet was used as "room 100" (very practical). At 15.00 hours a stop in Isles sur Doubs was finally made. Due to the late point of time, we had tea with pie. Luckily there was just enough baguette to make 6 ham sandwiches and sat down to enjoy the abundance of the sun. About 16.00 hours we hit the road to the final destination of this day, Besançon. Following "centre" and driving via "prohibited roads" we arrived at the hotel, which is located at a very narrow street whereas also other traffic has to pass. With a lot of effort we loaded our luggage and brought the cars to a parking place at 250 meters distance from the hotel. Tonight we will have dinner in the city. Tomorrow we set off to Annecy.

Thursday August 6 1998, Besançon

The diner we had the night before was delicious! With 8 persons we ate in a fish restaurant and even some season delicacies were available (squid) on the menu. We sat outside and at 22.00 hours it became a bit chilly. On the back road mum sprinted away: "in this way I will become warm". She would not had done this one week ago. She really revives, is more vital, even without her afternoon nap.

Sévrier (Annecy)

The departure from Besançon was half an hour later than foreseen. We had to pick up the car from the garage at 300 metres distance, drove a roundabout route through the city, packed the car and finally drove via the ring road to Bourg and Bresse. In Bourg we took the tourist route to Nantua over Ceyériat at the Gorges de l'Ain where we took photos of the environment. We passed the Citadel, which is a fortress built on a high cliff at the entrance of the city. We already had a look at it yesterday during dinner. We stopped several times to refill, stretch the legs and, of course, potty stops. In Nantua we passed "Hotel de France", a place where they wanted to stop in 1938, but did not do (reason unknown). At that time they drove from Strassbourg straight on to Annecy (it was very warm). The restaurant looked very neat and expensive. The local culinary speciality is "quenelle de broche sauce Nantua". This hotel still has the same owner as from 1937. He is 90 and his wife is 83. What a pity that they did not visited this hotel that time. The restaurant appeared to be more expensive than we could permit. After a drink we were offered a rather costly menu, but the food was excellent. Only at 15.45 hours we continued our route. Past Mons we stopped at the bank of the small river Usses. Nice cold water to paddle in. If we had a fishing rod, we definitely would have caught some trout. As planned we arrived at 18.00 hours at the hotel. The last part through Annecy was very busy and warm. Standing in a traffic jam, you could feel the sun burning on your face. We split the rooms. Two rooms in hotel "Riant Port" and four rooms in "Le Lac Blue". Mans, Taco and the children did not arrived yet, but they had to come from Biarritz (where they spent holidays) and through whole France. Luckily they were already present when we (Bart, Arlette, Elisabeth and Jacques) arrived at our "home" hotel before dinner. At 19.45 hours we sat down at the table and could choose between a cheese fondue or potatoes with ham, bacon and cheese which all was cooked in an oven. Irian, Jacques and Elisabeth took the cheese fondue. Unfortunately the fondue was too hot and not thick enough, so it was nearly impossible to eat. What a pity, the other dish looked so tasty… As dessert we had orange ice cream (a Coupe de la Monde left over?) with some fruit. At the opposite side of the lake, you could see the sun shining on the top of the mountains. The tops coloured from white to red and finally they disappeared in the darkness of the night. We also disappeared .. to bed. Tomorrow is the big day...

Friday August 7 1998

What a beautiful weather! A complete blue sky just like yesterday. Today it is mum's birthday. Hip, hip, hurray! We received a lot of post with congratulations. Mum was the centre point. It was very noisy. We went for a sail on the "lac" with a motorised rowing boat (2 boats with 6 persons). The water temperature was 22° C. It was very peaceful. My sister Tilly, her husband Piet Hein and their son Philip were there as well. In the afternoon we sat at the lake side and even swam in the lake. Mum rested for the first time. Tonight we will have dinner "au bord du lac". No fireworks, no "traverse du lac au nage". Now we are with 15 persons!

After extensively saying goodbye to our brother and sister (with kids in tow), who returned to Holland, we self set off to Val d'Isère. Again the weather promised to be beautiful. At 09.00 hours it was already very warm. Luckily we could have breakfast in the shadow. Meanwhile it was 10.40 hours. This Saturday the guards had to change, so it was extra busy for the hotel. After 300 metres we already ended up in a traffic jam, as we wanted to drive via the lake to the south. In one of the villages an inhabitant gave directions to go via the main road in order to hurry up a little. So we did and passed 50 cars. Finally the road became 4 lanes and from then we could drive through quite well. Close to Albertville we ended up in a full stop, and in the burning sun we moved at a snail's pace inch forward. We drove 30 Km in one hour. To protect ourselves against the sun, we used an umbrella. After the first traffic light and several forks, the bustle decreased largely. The Renault, without us noticing it, had a breakdown. The gas pedal stopped working. Irian managed to push the between stave back in place. Later we recovered the whole with extra iron wire at the first place we could stop. In Moutiers we drove through the city street in order to find a nice bistro. There we stopped for our lunch and sold a programme to the inhabitants of Nanua who saw us standing by the road and now sat with us at the table. A nice memory they said. At 14.00 hours on the road to Bourg. Fortunately it was not so busy anymore, but it still was very warm. Through Bourg to Val d'Isère and there was a lot of traffic again heading to the North. Just when we had to climb, we stopped and returned at a dubious wood-path and drove back to Bourg. We went to our hotel and regain our strengths under the shower. Irian and I went looking for hotel Terminus and the market square where a fair was located. Afterwards we went up the hill, where they climbed in the early days. Nowadays it is not very pleasant as it became a large ski area with many roads leading to above (Arc). Even a funiculair, which brings you to 1600 metres in 6 minutes, is built. At 19.30 hours we had dinner outside. At 23.00 hours the moon appeared to say that he was present as well. With a lot of traffic noise and a small walk through "Grande Rue" we went to bed.

Sunday August 9 1998, Bourg-St. Maurice

Today we had a rest day. Mans, Taco and the children wanted to visit "Grand Motte" at 3600 metres in the mountains. Mum, Bert an Irian went as well. They had a nice, cool day. Arlette, Elisabeth and I went up the "Arc", first with the funiculair and afterwards with an elevator up to 2100 meters. From there we walked back to the funiculair. There we saw parachutes taking off and hanging along the mountain slope using updraft. Despite it was early (nice and cool), it became too warm soon. At 1600 metres we ate pancakes as lunch and returned to our hotel by funiculair. We were out of energy. The others returned about 17.00 hours. The last part to the hotel warmed them up. Mum took a rest.

About 18.00 hours we drove with the Bugatti up the Arc to see of we could find the old spots as shown on the old photographs. We did not succeed. Nowadays there are too many trees and the pastures or are shut down or are inhabited. The dinner was very tasteful and we drank a delicious wine (Grépy). Mans and Arlette saw the opportunity, by getting the service so far, that they could taste every cake the hotel offered and which is made by themselves. There were so many cakes to trade among ourselves, that we ended up with whole portions. Absolutely delicious! Lemon cake, cheese cake with blueberries, cherries, whipped cream, sorts of chocolate cake, etc. More than 10 different flavours. After coffee and tea we all went to bed. We could not see or smell any cake anymore, even not the next day…..

Mans, Taco and the kids stood up early to return to home, their holidays are finished. It seemed to be like the song "10 little Negroes". Now only three are left. For us this day became the stage of the mountains, but first we had an interview with a reporter of the local newspaper. I gave the lady of the house a programme. That was the reason of this rendezvous. She was so enthusiast, that she bought a book of 1938 as well. Meanwhile we filled up. The director of the tourist information office of Arc came to say goodbye and gave us presents like t-shirts, a few caps and ball pens. Finally we drove away at 09.30 hours. The first 10 Km were flat and warm, but then it started to rise. We geared from the 4^th to the 3^rd and then to the 2^nd. With a speed of 50 we drove up the mountains and through tunnels. This till Val d'Isère. Our first coffee stop. A very busy city. They are making a canal underneath the main road where the river flows through. Further there was a (tourist) market. Half an hour later we hit the road again to the Col. Beautiful panoramas. They forgot to place crash barriers. One steering fault and you definitely fall into the valley, 500 metres below. This col is opened since 1937, one year for the original journey. We climbed up to 2770 metres and arrived at the col. On a mountain slope with remains of snow, some mountaineers practised climbing up the mountain covered with ice. Very odd, as you could walk around it. After lunch we drove downhill with the same speed as we got up. It could have been possible to drive much faster if the road was better and crash barriers were placed. Once beneath it is still 15 Km to Lanslebourg, our final destination this day. Meanwhile it became at least 30° C. We stay in a simple, neat hotel located at a trough road. This afternoon we will act as tourists, buy postcards, etc.

Just before our departure: Bart and Arlette are the following "little Negroes" leaving us. By motor, first through Italy and Switzerland, then via Germany back to home. Now only two are left. Our investigation to the hotel where dad and mum stayed in the early days was not successful. They slept in a hotel nearby the water. In those days three hotel were there. One of them disappeared during the war and our hotel came in place, not half as big.

Today we will, for the first time, deviate from the old route. Because of a breakdown of the car that time, they were forced to stay in Bourg St. Maurice. As the Bugatti runs very smoothly now, we will make the journey to Avignon too. Just as planned. At St. Etienne we will follow the old route again. We left as scheduled and it became warm very quick. The environment here was beautiful as well. After a while the road was broken up near the mountains, as they are making a tunnel for a highway. Also because of other reasons we could not drive very fast. A "lady car" drove in front of us (steered by a man?) and it refused to drive faster than 40 e.g. 60 Km/hour. So it slowed down our tour and a sparkplug of the Bugatti went to greasy. The surrounding was not that interesting as well and it was too warm in the car. Before we arrived in Aiquebelle it was a boring ride. Still we arrived just as planned in Aiquebelle (11.30 hours) and had lunch. At 14.00 hours we set off to Grenoble. There was a traffic diversion, but we did not took that route. That is the reason we could drive steady. It was not busy on the road. It took some time in Grenoble to find our hotel. The hotel was very cool, even in our room we could adjust the temperature like we wanted it to be.

This time no "little negroes" who disappear. We are still with the four of us.

Grenoble-Avignon. First we only see mountains at our left hand side, then from Vallence Mountains on the other banks of the Rhône. Luckily it was not so crowded there, but still very warm. We had lunch with friends as planned. 5 Km before during video shootings a water hose of the Renault cracked, which effected in no cooling-water. We drove further and with assistance of Jan, our friend the camping owner, towed the car and replaced with a similar hose. Water in it and everything is working properly. Because it was detected immediately there was no further damage. The Bugatti's total mileage counter was not counting anymore for a few time. We tried to repair this over there as well, but that has not really succeeded. The little springs which keep the counter wheels at there place are fully worn-out. We'll try it again later.

Mirmande-Marsamare via the D57 a road accrossing a pass of 850 meters. We raced over it and then through Montélimar. The old route through the town is pleasant, although there are a lot of "speed ramps" now.

Montelimar-Orange is very peaceful. Orange itself is an interesting town. We will visit it again an other time. In Avignon we had to search a short time for the hotel inside of the city walls. Some roads are so narrow that only one car can drive through them. We ate in a large square under plane trees. Here are a great many people out and about until 12 o'clock midnight. Despite the late hour it is still very warm. The lowering thunderstorm has not reached us, it is staying dry. This night we started out of our sleep because of a couple of vandals were smashing the garbage bags at a wall in front of the hotel. A lot of noise from the breaking glass. Everything has been cleaned, almost noiseless, the next morning..

Today we visit Mont Ventoux (rest day?). Beneath a clear blue sky we have a "petit dejeuner" in the city and did some shopping. Then on our way to Mt. Ventoux. It's still hot so we leave at 9.50. Because of the one way traffic you're sure to drive through half of the city before finally getting outside the walls. After that via the N7 and D942 on our way to Carpentras. The heath struck us at once. Then from Carpentras to Bédoin, where we parked the car in a vineyard. In the streets we are instantly addressed by locals: "…do you see that white line and memorial stone? That is the starting point of the time trial per car. The hill climb of Mt. Ventoux". In the village we drank tea and did some shopping for a spontaneous picnic. Then via the southern slope up the mountain with beautiful hairpin curves. Lots of climbing. Everywhere you meet courageous cyclists who try it on their own. First between trees and later at the top a completely bald mountain consisting of solely yellow/white rocks. The characteristic colour of Mt. Ventoux. We drove up the mountain in 45 minutes, from 200 to 1912 metres. Cyclists take about two and a half hour. At 1912 metres we are amongst hordes of tourists and triumphant cyclists who have made it. Henry from Strassbourg, known from previous episodes, would meet us in Carpentras. This went wrong because he was too late and we hadn't made a firm agreement. To be sure he'd see us, he took the northern slope, parks his car at the top and…sees us just arriving! What a timing! Again, lots of pictures are taken from and by us. Much attention. A little higher we enjoyed the view and pleasant temperature of 19 degrees. Eventually, we went down again along the northern slope, very steep, but hardly as beautiful because of the lack of bald stones and nice view. Halfway down picnic under some trees. Warm but pleasant. Here we waited for Henry. With three cars further down the mountain till CaRPENTRAS. The Bugatti Brescia of Henry is here in revision. As often with these kind of workplaces, one can see a variety of cars and machineries. Very impressive.

We are being invited to come to a vineyard in the direction of Bédoin. This part of the route driven twice. We arrive at "Le Croix des Pins"; a viniculteur (winegrower) who sells his own wine. The family gives us a warm welcome and we get a taste of white, rosé and red wines. Delicious. Mum is offered a large bottle of red wine and we a poster of a racing driver. Al together we stay for over one and a half hour, comfortable under the pergola of grapevines. Wind is getting up and the sky in the north is like ink. Just for a while we admire the 1920 Morgan three wheel car from the owner. He was one of the men who arranged the white line in Bédoin as starting point for the motorised time trial. We say goodbye to everyone and go on home. Henry has to go even further to Toulon which is his holiday place. Our drive ends in Avignon under a black sky out of where only three drops fall. We drove a 160 Km. after all, and that on a "rest day"! We had to wait long for our dinner at the Vietnamese restaurant, but it was worth while waiting!

After a real French breakfast, this time at the hotel, made everything ready for the journey back to St. Etienne. We have a clear blue sky with a lot of wind. No rain has fallen last night. On the one hand that is a pity, on the other hand we have no trouble now with all the sand coming down with the rain.

We have started to practice to load the Bugatti with all our things. This will be very difficult. We have to leave the computer and all the rest of the electronics. They will take too much space. So it's hand wtitten journals for the rest of the time. Luckily Mum's full luggage fits easily in the Bugatti. Tomorrow is the moment of truth when the last "little Negro" will leave us. Elisabeth and Irian are going home then as well.

Again we raced through Avignon to leave town and then, according to the route, on the way to Chateauneuf du Pape. Here in this Rhone area there are very much vineyards. From there via some smaller roads finally to the right banks of the Rhone and then northwards to Tournon. Magnificent views and a road with a lot of bends and slopes in it. It remains somewhat windy and it is less warm through that. Only 33° C.

Just before Tournon we stopped for lunch. The simple meal was so extensive that at the evening we will have no appetite.

At 14.00 hours further via Tournon into the hills on our way to St. Etienne. We have to go over the "Col de la Republique". This one is 1161 meters high.

To prevent that we will drive in St. Etienne too early we rest at a peaceful parking place, for about 1 hour. An Englishman in a French camper, which he had bought recently, buttonholed us and asks to look at his engine shortly. During the stop after climbing it has been boiling and so it had spit out halve a litre of water. We could reassure him and later on we have added some water to fill up the loss. In the mean time his French wife has been chatting pleasantly with us. Then over the pass starting the descent to St.Etienne. Luckily it is not so steep. You drive in St. Etienne directly. It is also situated very hilly itself. Once again the hotel was difficult to find because of the one-way-traffic roads. The houses are very close to each other so there are no large roads for "two-way-traffic".

When we arrived at the hotel we were welcomed very friendly. Hotel Continental was called "Le Cheval Blanc" (the white horse) in former years. Contrary to the hotel at the opposite of the street: "Le Cheval Noir" (the black horse). This hotel, more than 120 years old, had a stable for at least 4 horses, a hay and straw loft and at the little inner court there are still cobble stones. Nowadays everybody is asking the owner of the hotel if it belongs to the famous Continental chain. Than he answers proudly: "No, we run this hotel with the two of us".

We ate quietly in town, found the old hotel and then gone to bed. Everybody is tired. Besides the wind has fallen. Still the sky is bright blue.

Now we are alone. No other "Negros" accompaniing us any more. This means that we are busy for at least one hour to select our things and indead only take that with us we need most. The printer on which we quickly printed something to send home for internet is said goodbye, as well as some other essential needs like shoes and extra coats. After a touching farewell of everyone: Elisabeth, Irian and hotel owner, we all went our way. The total of driven kilometers from Apeldoorn up till now is: 2,162 (measured with a modern car).

Departure at 11 o'clock, very late but we don't have to drive so much. Today it is St. Marie (the 15^th of August, Maria for Ascention), a national holiday in France. On the departure we have greased the clutch again ("wet clutch") and set and tuned up the starter. We see a very small leak at the bottom of the radiator. Luckily it will dry along. Still we have to take care more.

First the route was very flat with straight roads. Once in the more mountainous area the character of the scenery changes entirely and is very beautiful. In Noirétables, a very mountainous village, we stop for lunch. We choose just an inconspicuous restaurant/bar intending to eat a sandwich at the bar. It resulted in a full meal (So Royal. Quotation of the book) so at the evening we will have not really any appetite left. The dish concists of: ¼ of "Macon en pichet", 1 bottle of "Beaujolais" (decanter with white wine and then 1 bottle "Beaujolais" with 2 persons at the "Coq au vin".

Dish before starter: "Assiette Nétrablaise" (ham, cervelat and pâté).

Starter: "Darne de Saumon à la russe" (French beans-carrots-salad, egg, large shrimps (2) with a piece of salmon).

Main Course: "Coq au vin avec champignons & carotte" (Cock legs in whine with mushrooms and pieces of carrot).

In between: "Plateau de Fromages" (cheese dish, to choose yourself)

Dessert: "Bavarois aux poires et au rhum" ( Bavarois with pears and rum)

When we leave from the restaurant we hear bagpipes. Indead there is a celebration. More festivities will follow. Than the siren of the fire department sounds. The people are still sitting aside but the parades disappeared at once. We easily get out of the village. There is no traffic at all. Is has been re-routed by gendarmes at the outside. Luckily we may leave and follow our route. Still we are under a ever getting warmer sun. Furtheron at a parking place in the shadow we take our first siesta. After 1 hour we go further to Clermont Ferrand. It is still getting warmer and certainly in the streets of Clermont Ferrand. Luckily I had studied well the postcard in the book, because suddenly we stand under the bridge in Royat. The hotel is found very quickly at a upgoing through traffic road. The car may we put in the "cour". An inner court of 6x6 meters. Royat is a thermal health resort. Very hilly. The "Grotte du chien" is still there. Tomorrow more about it. Tonight display of fireworks from the roof of the casino. Hotel Regina still not found.

This has to be a rest day again. We get up nicely late under a thin cloudy sky. Today it will not be really warm. After breakfast searching for the old hotels. They are easy to find. Now these are residences. Still majestically buildings. You can imagine that they were expensive in those days.

Than by foot with Mum down the hill, through the thermae to the "Grotte du Chien".

(Explanation)

Royat is situated at a plane of fracture of volcanic ground. Through these cracks water and gasses are coming up. That is why this is a health resort. From one of these cracks carbon dioxide comes up and ends accidentally in a cave of 10 by 10 meters. Carbon dioxide is much heavier than our air and therefore it stays on the bottom of the cave. Sometimes up to 1.50 meters high dependent on the barometric pressure. When your going down in that cave you won't notice anything until you lean down. Dogs, who live much lower to the ground, have immediately problems with it and will find it difficult to breathe. "A little bench deep into the cave, meant for the mother-in-law, has not helped up to now. The mother-in-law was always too healthy to sit down and so she survived every attempt to get rid of her". So our visit to the cave. A video explanation of the origin of the thermae also belongs to the guided tour.

In 1938 there was only the cave with the well from which carbon dioxide was pulled up in a bucket to pour it over a burning candle than which will go out of course. Now the house is the entrance and you can buy plaster reliefs there.

Easily go back to the hotel. Nicely rested until a quarter to two. Then we have started the Bugatti and on our way to the Puy. To get there we had to climb from Royat up to the bottom of the Puy. The car was not really liking it. With croissants and pied de pommes ("apple foot" ® apple turnover) and extra drinks we'd like to have a picnic on our way. What a pity, we still may not go up the Puy, only after 6 o'clock p.m. We decide to go for a ride in the neighbourhood and ending up in a forest on a stump for a late lunch. After that we go further down the Puy by which we have a nice view to the mountain. Around 4 o'clock p.m. we have tea in Mazaye. This restaurant is in the middle of nowhere. Still many people with old-timers visit it, as we can see on the pictures the owner is showing us. We also help a driver whose car cannot start. His battery has broken down and that is not fixed instantly. In the meantime the sun has been disappeared and just above us a rain cloud arises. Therefrom some big drops fall out. Enough to put up the little cap of the car. After 2 km we put it down again. It is dry over there. Around 6 o'clock p.m. we are back at the Puy. Now we may go up. Also this time the engine is too cold and we do not have any speed enough to start the climb with a high speed. We muddle along with 20 km per hour up to the mountain. From 600 to 1400 meters. All this with a gradient of 12%. After 15 minutes we are above. What a nice view! The rain cloud under which we have sat earlier is still there on the same place and floats away slowly.

After some searching we find the rock on which Mum was photographed 60 years ago. So now we have taken photos as well. What has been changed here for those 60 years? The crowd, you have to pay, the road is broad, the large restaurant above and the parasailers who sail away from the mountain. By the way this last thing is a beautiful view. Around 8 o'clock we go down the mountain in the second gear and with the foot on the brake.

Rest day? After all, yes. We could have left somewhat later at the afternoon, that's all.

After we enjoyed a delicious French breakfast in hotel Chatel for the second time, we packed and at 9.30 a.m. and we are on our way to Limoges. From the hotel again going down the mountain, down around a little roundabout and than again up to the mountain in the direction of the Puy de Dôme. This time we "fly" up, in contradiction to yesterday where we stayed at 20 km per hour. Once we were at the national road, we refuelled and now heading for Pontgiboud instead of up to the Puy de Dôme. That was not possible either because that is only allowed after 6 o'clock p.m. and it was not yet that time.

The national highway goes up and down and has many curves and every now and then even slopes with a gradient of 6 till 8%. In Aubusson we leave the national highway and go into the town. Since it is very hot we drank tea inside and do some shoppings for a picnic. We leave Aubusson through the centre of town and continue our route to Limoges. What catches our attention is the fact that, even though the coniferous forest is still there, it isn't very close to the road anymore. There are a lot of depots for tree-trunks and sawmills.

Something about the sky and the sun: We started with some fleecy clouds but they disappeared and in Aubusson it was really hot. On our picnic-spot there were some cumulus's but still sunny. This time we took a country-road. We even ate some blackberries. Mum took a nap under a tree for half an hour. Afterwards on our route again. In St. Léonard de Nablat our personal cloud is so big that it even produces some firm drops of rain, just like yesterday. We decide to drive on and once we're out of town the road is soak and wet. Fortunately we aren't. The last part to Limoges the cloud keeps hanging above us but no rain. When we enter the town there are road works ahead, for which we have to wait very long.

Once we have passed this we drive directly to the hotel just outside the old centre. And suddenly it starts raining again. But it only lasts for 2 minutes and that's all we got from "above". To get to the centre we take the Bugatti and go down the hill again to the Boulevard Louis Blanc. Here we have a look at some china shops and climb subsequently to the "Place de la Republique". In earlier days the Central Hotel was situated here.

After a "plat de jour" (salmon) I pick up the Bugatti and we squeeze through the one-way streets back to the "place Jourdan" to find the 'Hotel de la Paix'. And indeed, it is still there. The right wing of the building is now used as a bank office. Under a blue sky we get back to the hotel.

Today a son-in-law and a granddaughter have their birthdays. Even more important than our journey. Departure from the "china town" at 9.15 a.m.. Somewhat cloudy sky with a little cold sun. From Limoges you could only reach the N20 via the highway and that is not what we want anyway. Through this we come in Brive-la-Gaillarde via some smaller roads. Beautiful, but very rough and winding. So we arrive at Ségur le Château where a castle is almost standing in the water. A tremendous view. Passing Brive on our way to Terrasson-la-Villedieu where we are invited by acquaintances. The owner himself has been renovating everything in the big house. (There are no pictures of this available for publication). The subject of flying with a helicopter is also brought up and Mum still would love to go on a helicopter flight. Suiting the action to the word and so we are on our way to the helicopter club of Périgord, which is still in the direction of Bergerac. At the age of 85 Mum indeed gets her maiden flight in a helicopter. She is really enjoying herself. After this splendid stopover we're are on our route again. We reach Bergerac at 7 o'clock p.m..

This hotel has two steep stairways and to get into the room you'll have to go 7 steps down again, but it keeps you fit. After a refreshing shower we are trying to find the "Hotel de Londre" where my parents have stayed for a month at the beginning of the war. Nowadays an insurance company is situated in this building. Mum still remembers the balcony where she used to stand. The road actually consists of a slope, which they used to get the Bugatti started by rolling down.

Although a lot has changed in the city, the houses in the old neighbourhood still look just like before. After a great meal and the bad service we go to bed at half past 10.

On our way to the hotel we saw a group of costumed people who were folk dancing to live music. No trace of the Cirano.

6 O'clock p.m., we are in Biarritz for already one hour, but still no trace of the sea. Mum is resting nicely from the high speed driving along the flat and straight roads. Still there are coniferous forests on the way. Less than in former days and further way from the road. At some places you really drive across the old route. Than there the plane trees are on both sides of one of the two lanes.

But first of all the exciting story of this morning in Bergerac: Last night we put up the car at a market square at a forbidden place. The only place that was left yesterday evening. When we got up we rather have a look for it. There were no cars to see at all, even not at the legal places. Between some market booths, almost totally build in, there is the Bugatti. Fostered by the market vendors, but the parking police is not very happy with it. They had already tried to tow it away. Fortunately they did not succeed. Than they gave us a ticket. This was rather successful. Quickly started the car and with the help of everyone over there we steered it out and put at a "legal" place. Since it is only 8 o'clock a.m. you do not yet have to pay there. In the meantime we eat our breakfast and make some video shootings. In a minute it will be eight minutes past nine. At lightning speeded to the parking place to buy a ticket. Glad we did because shortly afterwards the police was doing a check on the parked vehicles. When passing the market booths everybody greets us. Also a policeman with a motorcycle is joining us, and we are chatting nicely with everyone. Or they don't recognise the Bugatti or those were others, no one is mentioning the wrong parking situation. With a loaded wet air because of high mist we leave Bergerac. The ticket is put in the scrapbook temporarily. The first hour it is very cold. Mum has to put on her handgloves and I have to put on my light coat, which has not been used since the climbing of the Col de l'Iseran. First we have to drive 150 km before we arrive at Mont de Marsan. There again we have the familiar 30°C or more with a clear blue sky. What Mum notices is that you could always eat "Huitre" (oysters) in the former years. Now they are not even mentioned at the menu. Mont de Marsan is a quiet village (without tourists). Fortunately the through traffic has not to go through the city anymore. The second part of the trip is successfully but boring.

The rubber band of the mileage/speed indicator drive goes off again. This time it has disappeared totally, so we have to fix a new one. In the "box of tricks" we only have a little peace of 20 cm. We need 80 cm. On our way we bought the necessary in a super market. Now we have to cut it off to the exact length, make a knot in it and ready we are. In former days a pyjamas or an underpants has been demolished to get the needed rubber band.

The story of a modem which is going on a journey.

To take care that the adventures of the pilgrimage will appear in time at the internet, it is necessary to have a connection at the telephone network through a modem so that text finished at a laptop can be send to the central point in The Netherlands together with digital photos. The sooner the messages arrive there, the sooner they can be processed and put at the internet so the whole world can watch or refer to them. In the European Economic Community where the Euro is hanging over our heads as a unity coin, it is not possible to send over digital information with a Dutch modem from France in this same Community. Our well known "pigs nose", the Dutch plug to connect the telephone, is not known at all in foreign countries. The German, Italian and French people all have shares in different plug manufacturers and so they have other models. That is one.

Further the way how the signal is put on the line is different. A French modem, and the telephone also, should scream, so it will be too loud when used in The Netherlands at the telephone line. On the other hand a Dutch programmed modem should hardly been heard in France. Long lives simplicity. The solution: a French modem. Simple, but how does a Dutchman get a French modem. Just sending, because we were too late to take it with us. The modem is send far ahead to Sevier, where we should stay for 2 days, so nothing could go wrong in collecting the package there. The French Postal Services, well known for their strikes, may send the package via it's "chronopost", a 24 hours service. Since it was send on August 5th, one could calculate when it should be there. So when we arrived on August 6th I made inquiries but ... no package, shit!! My admirers will have to wait some more. On August 7th still nothing, and on the morning of the next Saturday, August 8th, the same result. I was advised to stay until noon cause it still might get there. We didn't stay and the "chronopost" isn't bringing anything either. The following Monday there's an investigation to where the package has gone, cause the postage amount is returned when a package isn't delivered within 48 hours. It appears that the package was already delivered at the hotel on the morning of August 6th. It was accepted and "hidden" carefully. A week later, on Thursday August 13th, the package is noticed and opened. "What a shock this must be for that gentleman who kept on nagging about it". So now the same package had to be send on to a new "meeting-point". Biarritz is suitable for that. It's after the weekend, and we will stay there for 2 days. Called on Saturday: "No the package is still here, we can't just send it on at our own authority". Finally, on Monday, a miracle happens. There is movement in Hotel Riant Port and they not only send the package to the right address, but even in time.

After unpacking the modem, it can finally produce those lovely squeaking and whistling noises when exchanging information between this laptop and the "home front". That is, if you can find a connection for the phone at the hotel room ... So there isn't, but downstairs there is.

What happened yesterday evening: At about 20.00 hour, after arrival in the hotel and the dinner, we went to town by bus. We drove about 700 m and there we walked to the south, passed one of the casinos, direction the aquarium and Port des Pêcheurs. Mum gets tired from walking and I put her on a big stone to rest. When I came back, she says: "I look like a lady who is waiting for a man!!!", and that for her age. The "Rocher de la Vierge" and the aquarium (since 1935) will be found by walking through a tunnel. Quickly I go back to Mum who is still in that "tempting" position. At first we wanted to drink tea on the Place St. Eugenie but we changed our mind when two big black loudspeakers began to make such a big noise in our direction. Then we went a little further on so that the milk wouldn't curdle from the noise. Today we visited smaller places around Biarritz. After what happened with the modem, using the phone line from the hotel for one hour a Xmit 1K, the phone line, our BBS and the modem said bye and I could send 90% of the file. So, no photos till now from the last days. As this hotel has also no elevator and Mum didn't want to get down and up for her breakfast she asks it to her room. After that Jacques goes working on the Bugatti. The kilometre string will be attached (elastic) and the wet clutch will be supplied with oil and petrol. Glad to, because ...(see above). We finally drove off at 11.00.

Today we don't go further than St. Jean de Luz. We were in a traffic jam from Biarritz to St. Jean. Because we couldn't move on, we decided not going anymore; one hour drive for less than 20 km is properly speaking fast. On a dead end of a promenade we luckily found a parking place. However it was a remote corner. Mum is more able to walk than some weeks ago. On the first café we drink a cup of coffee and after that I leave Mum to find the place from the picture of the old diary. Still it was a 700 meters walk but the position is found. Back to Mum and then having our lunch. What we ate is not of your business. Huitre (oysters) is not what we can get. There is hardly sun now, actually the whole morning was no sun; it was even fresh in the shade. We walked back to the car to sit very cosy again in the jam. The intention is to visit the aquarium and the Vierge. However this is impossible, no parking place to find. Even with the assistance of the police who send us away from a bus station but then tells us where probably a parking place can be found. We can't find that place. Finally Mum gets out of the car and Jacques parks his car in front of the hotel (if there is a place). Wow, there is one. Now back to the aquarium where Mum probably knows the way by hart. On that way I took the second photo from the old diary. Without storm now. It's getting dark now and the first drops are falling. It keeps by the few drops. Now we have to make the third photo. View on the Vierge. After that, go to Mum in the aquarium. She already stands outside waiting for me. The aquarium was nice but there was much explanation and she misses her lobsters. They aren't there anymore. However a lot of fossils, so less interesting. We left it and drank tea and ate crepe and pizza on Place Bellevue. Then there were musicians, which was modern and chaotic. There are falling some drops of rain again and everybody rushes inside. However we were under a parasol. It soon gets dry and then we went to our hotel. Mum by bus and I by foot. I'm sooner by the bus stop than she is. I raise my hand up, but the bus drives further with a high speed. 100 m. further the bus stops. When we arrived at the hotel Mum went to bed for a while and I covered the Bugatti. It had been raining here harder so tomorrow we will sit on wet cushions. We are invited to come downstairs for a drink. It's very companionable. We are treated to drink Asti Spumante, kind of fruity sparkling Italian wine. Madame Annie Faget-Marc had read the book about all sorts of wine very good.

The sky is nearly free of clouds when we pack up the car. Breakfast upstairs again and say goodbye afterwards. Instead the planning 09.00 we leave at 10.00. Before we're out of Bayonne (a suburb of Biarritz) we already drove 17 km in one hour. Later on we can drive faster. The N10 is now changed into a motorway. You're not allowed to drive faster than 110 km/hour but crossroads will be avoided as much as possible. In Termes, just before Belin Béliet we leave the motorway and take the old N10, because the motorway becomes speedway. In Belin we give the car petrol and do some shoppings for the picnic. This time under the coniferous trees. The trees are so far from each other that you still feel the sun through the trees. These trees have needles with a length of about 12 cm. It's better not to get a coniferous apple on your head, they are so big. Nearby there are standing twenty beehives. They are standing there for heather honey. The heather however is very dry. After a nap round 14.00 we leave the place. The next mission is to pass Bordeaux through the town centre. Almost to the Garonne where we have to cross that river we succeeded to drive the right direction. In the city there is not much traffic. Also here they don't want the traffic through the city and so on a "moment supreme" they send you to a wrong direction. There are no signs where to go, nothing. We come to a ring road to get over the Garonne. And then we stood in a jam. Luckily we can move on and within one hour we reaches the other side of the city. Then on the road to Blay, where we had a tea-stop. At four o'clock we arrive in Blay in a warm half cloudy air. Blay has a very tall Citadel and there are a lot of tourists. From Blay we come to a small cost road on the way to Royan. Very nice. We're are driving now into a wine district. All wines from Bordeaux. In the meantime the air is becoming dark and the first raindrops begin to fall. Rain clothes on and then further on. The wipers, which we mostly not use, don't work. Coming in Royan we see that it hasn't been raining here yet. We park our car in a common parking place in a park. The hotel owner has brought Mum upstairs with the elevator. Jacques covers the car and we have diner in the hotel. And then it really starts raining. Happily still that fine soft rain. After some minutes it stopped. After dinner we had a walk and then it started to rain again. Fortunately we had our umbrella with us. I think tomorrow I'll try to repair the wiper.

After a rainy night and some noise from outside (again!) we got up. After breakfast I started to take apart the screen wiper. The electric motor runs but it has no contact with the wipers. One fibre-toothed wheel is worn out. It can't be fixed now. We shall do it without it. I remove all toothed wheels, so that I'll make the screen clean by moving the wipers by hand. While I'm working there are about 10 men to talk to each other and to talk with us. When we finally drive off it is 10.50 First to the beach where we make a small walk. The wind is strong and now and then you see the sun through the clouds. It might be a beautiful day. Back to the car we meet a mechanic who is 80 years old. He has been working in garages when he was 14 and knows the Bugatti very well, especially the racing car. He absolutely wants to hear the car running. With the shortest way we got out of the town. Also here, the speedway was signed and for the rest: find out for yourself. We finally come on the right road. In Agnant we're looking fruitless the old route so that we don't have to go over a new toll bridge. But no chance. You can't have a roadmap on your lap in a Bugatti for finding small streets. We go direction Rochefort. In the meantime the N137 is becoming a highway and so we drive to La Rochelle. Now and then rain, no sun en much wind. We already took some warm clothes on. The screen wipers are going by hand. It works, but that's all I want to say about. In Rochelle I put the car in a parking garage, which is under a circus. The circus for itself is not yet ready. Round the square there are small shops with a passage, which consists of arches from the 12th century. We have our dinner late in the evening. There is still a small portion of mussels. For that reason Mum takes an omelette. She doesn't want to be fat by all that warm dinner, in the afternoon and evening. We Dutch don't do that. For the first time the waiter hears where we come from: "Must be from Belgium". And of course he is right. Several words and the pronunciation are different. coming from La Rochelle we go back on the N137 to Luçon. We come in a traffic jam that contains no more than 15 cars. If we finally past the traffic light after slowing down, in the other direction we see a jam that could be 5 km, waiting for the same traffic light. How lucky we are. In Les Sables we arrive at a quarter past five. We quickly find our hotel in spite of de one-way direction streets. The hotel is in a street, which is slanting in a pedestrian place. That's why we have a lot of people who are interested in a Bugatti. On the parking place there is place for 600 cars. For making two times a round we found finally a place for the Bugatti. Our room is downstairs, so we don't have to take the stairs. But.......when we want our breakfast we have to go to the first floor!!

When I retrace the past about the journey it strikes me that from Les Sables Alex and Wilhelmien has been travelling right across Bretagne to Dinard and then further several days later back to the south to La Baule. They didn't go to Morlaix. The old diary says: "We keep that for the next time". There was no next time however so Morlaix was never visited. To prevent that long distances will be made my route shall be Les Sables d'Olonne, La Baule, Morlaix and Dinard. So the route St. Nazaire and Châteaubriant shall not been taken. We keep that for the next time. There was another reason that we take Les Sables-La Baule. One of our German friends, Ingrid and Hans-Peter, hire a house there and Ingrid was celebrating her birthday the 21st. So we had a good reason to go by. In spite of the short distance to Challans we have to try to be there in time we had agreed.

Before breakfast we took a walk to the beach. With lorries and machines they were trying to make the beach clean again. The floors of the bathhouses are getting raked and everything what's normally on the beach they make it ready for the winter. It looks already very nice. Yesterday evening we also had a walk and a dinner of course. We intended to go to the beach, but we came by the harbour where a lot of restaurants were. In spite of the little raindrops and fresh weather we walked without a coat. Lovely lobsters and oysters what we ate. Now I know how to come to the beach I take Mum with me. It's not further than 300 m. One street up and one street down. The sun is shining now and a lot of people are busy. It's becoming late so I take the Bugatti from the parking place. Back trough the shopping streets to the hotel. Because of the interest in the Bugatti we leave at eleven o'clock instead 10.30. Just before I start the engine a reporter asks me for an interview. She wants something nice and amusement in the paper instead misery. After making photos by the fountain 30 metres further down finally on the road. Getting out of the town goes perfect this time. We make arrears, the sun is shining and we arrive in Challons at ten minutes past twelve. Ingrid and Hans Peter are waiting for us. After an excellent lunch we go and have a look at their house in Vendée, a reclaimed swamp area. At five o'clock we leave, direction La Baule. On the route National I see a petrol station far away and make a quick calculation for taking petrol or not. I don't take the risk and in front of the petrol pump when putting off the engine the electronic fuel starts tot work in vain. So the tank was totally empty. Up to the last drop. Sometimes the sun shows itself, the temperature is not as it was in Avignon and that's why I take my coat on and I cover the radiator so that the engine doesn't cool down too much. Via a tall bridge near St. Nazaire to La Baule. When we arrive there is on both directions a jam. Happily we are on the right way to a small town. From "Rue Clemenceau" to the "Avenue du Marchal". On a corner, we're still in that jam, we see that we are already on the avenue where the hotel is but we passed that house-number. Via a parallel street and a cross over we come to the hotel. This took us altogether 25 minutes. Wasn't that stupid! Now we're sitting in the hotel on the third floor. Fortunately for Mum there is an elevator. Mum is so tired of speaking German that for the first time of this trip she is in bed at 8 o'clock.

La Baule is a real seaside resort. It's very dull. The beach is dirty and the bathhouses are in bad repair. Only the casino and the old hotel Hermitage where they had stayed looks really nice. Further here are only hotels along the beach with now and then an old house among them. La Baule has no centre but only some shopping streets without charm. Tomorrow Mum has to see the beach here. I think we take the car for that.

Breakfast at 08.30. Inspecting the car in the morning I found that it had rained during the night. Now the sun shines and the forecast is optimistic, just half-clouded. Unfortunately the temperature got down 5 degrees. Departure at 09.30. First we visit the old hotel "Hermitage", a very big old-fashioned aristocratic hotel. Mum doesn't know anything about it anymore. From the hotel we walk along the beach. At least 4 km. beach to another village and at the other side of the road hotels, in between an old building. The beach isn't clean, let's say: it's the end of the season. After that we took the direction tot the west to La Roche Bernard. What a nice village is this, it's in a lagoon. On the top of a rock there are standing some cannons to protect the village from the water. At the other side a ruin of a bridge and still higher a new suspension bridge. From here a nice few during the traffic jam because of the painting work. But we have a beautiful view. Near Vannes the rain clouds are coming nearer and at the traffic lights in Locminé it started to rain a little. Further to the north the sun shows itself. It's worth to see this route. So beautiful, picturesque and not too modern.

From Guingamp till Morlaix the Route National is changed into a motorway. Anyhow we drove very gently and enjoy the view. At four o'clock we arrive in Morlaix. The name of the street where our hotel is situated is called: Rue du Mur" what means "Street on the wall". A wall surrounds two sides of the market and parking place and above that against the wall there are houses. So first we had to climb to the hotel and then again we have to go to the second floor (without an elevator) by stairs. Poor Mum. Mum is going to rest for a while and I take the camera with me for visiting the town. After half an hour or so I go back to the hotel and take Mother with me. With a sightseeing train/car they show us the town. In the beginning of the last century (1830) the town hall is built, the harbour in 1855 and at last a railway bridge in 1863. This bridge is built in two layers: one for the pedestrians and 40/50 m. high for the train (now the TGV). The harbour was needed to convey the stones for building the bridge. 9000 people were working for this project. Morlaix is full of old houses from the 15th and 16th century.

This morning I stood up cold; there is a fog. You can't see the houses above and the bridge like we are in a fairy tale, but even different. All together we both slept very good, however ...... Till 2 o'clock this morning some rowdies at motorbikes kept us awake driving rounds at the parking place but then going up and down the streets. Later in the morning there came a broom-wagon for cleaning everything. But the square is rather large, so you'll hear that wagon for a long time. After breakfast (that was downstairs) we pack our luggage. To our surprise the press was invited. With a cup of coffee they get the information they want and pictures are made on the square. Because of this we leave at 10 o'clock. It's still cold, foggy and sad. We go through the village direction Plestin les Grèves. When we arrive at the plateau the fog disappears and the sun is back. On the coast you have a wonderful view over the "Baie de Lannion". Next stop is in Trèguier. Beautiful route along the coast. Actually you need two days to drive the same "green" route quietly. For Trèguier is such a wonderful town with a nice church. The harbour however was not so nice, just practice and they had also yachts. We took the "Parcour des Falaise" along the rocks. It was splendid but it takes too much time. On the way we ate almost on the beach: baguette and cake. Finally we took the highway to move on faster. In St. Brieuc we took some petrol because there was still two litres left. Under a blue sky we went to Dinard. Without any difficulty we found the hotel for tonight. They receive us full of love, for when I made the reservation (at home) they didn't believe that it was all true. When I come with the Bugatti and put the car in front of the hotel they are very enthusiastic: "Your mother in a Bugatti? On that age? For a whole month? Incredible!! What a wonderful surprise". In the hotel is a painting from 1934 seeing the hotel with on the foreground....a Bugatti. We are on the second floor and there is an elevator. In this way Mum is not able to stay in condition. Searching for the old hotel and the places where the pictures were made. Tomorrow morning I could go to Hotel Royal but unfortunately we can't stay here. First Hotel Panorama. After asking it is not further than 300 m. from our hotel. However we have to go down the street and on our way we find the aquarium. It's sad we don't find people who are old enough to remember that hotel. For 35 years there're apartments now. What has happened with the owner we don't know. Her name was Mme Benic. We found the hotel. Mum can't remember it very well. On the pillars at the entrance you see a plate with "HP" engraved (Hotel Panorama). That is correct. To explain the rest the photos and video show it.

By getting up I saw a sky with clouds. In spite of yesterday evening it was a whole blue sky. We went again to Hotel Panorama, for taking pictures now. In the east the sky was still blue and the sun was trying to shine. From Hotel Panorama we went through a gate to the beach. A nice view to see the flood coming. Unfortunately the water already stood to high to find the rock where Mum sat 60 years ago, By studying the road map I easily find the "Boulevard Albert 1st" and I immediately see Hotel Royal what is now a residence of about 80 rooms. On the beach side there is still a façade with Hotel Royal on it. These building looks awfully compared with Hotel Hermitage in La Baule, where the hotel was still in her beauty. Back to the hotel we took our breakfast and after that we left the hotel behind (half an hour too late). We want to look at St. Malo and come to a bridge, which is open. We have to wait for 15 minutes. For we don't know the part of St. Malo of the fortification they let us to ride down so it takes a long time to get there. When we get there with the Bugatti we can't go anywhere. Of course you have to park outside the walls. You can't see much of the houses and the streets so we go back. There are too many tourists. This was a short visit of St. Malo. Via "Dol de Bretagne" we go east. Nice church they have there. With some looking we arrive in Fougères. We have an appointment with Michael Plischke. We'll be there at 12.30. After some time we see each other and we enjoy a nice lunch. In the park behind the town hall we have a beautiful view. We can even admire the greatest fort of Europe, at least they say that. It's so bar away that's too far to walk. Alençon is a 100-km drive, so we choose for a nice route. We take the D33 in stead of the N12. This road is nice and convenient. In Ambrières a tea-break. The clutch will be oiled and then we go further. Lassay, Javron, Villaine, Averton, St. Paul, St. Leonard, St. Ceneri and Alençon. A wonderful piece of nature: woods, nice views, two magnificent valleys in St. Paul and St. Leonard. It looks like England. Arriving in Alençon at 19.30. Terribly late but worth while. We find the hotel with a ride down and this time it's not so bad because now we see almost the whole town, course Alençon is concerning the inner part of the town not big and in the evening, like in Apeldoorn, nobody to be seen. Finally we find a restaurant and have a delicious meal. Coming back to the hotel Mum goes soon to bed and we sit outside with a bottle of "Muscadet". Our room is on the fourth floor. Not good for Mums condition for there is an elevator.

In the morning there are slightly some clouds. Still the room is red by the sun. We choose, as long as there is a Negro, a route who is parallel to the N138. Especially the first part through a wood, the "Foret d'Ecouves" is magnificent. Now and then the weather is really fresh. So we drive till Vimoutiers. We see beautiful castles, views, just like yesterday. Near Vimoutiers we visit Camembert. Yes, the French cheese. We just come on the right moment; real Wild West scenes. You want to know more of it? www.normand.net/delire-cam.01.html. To be brief: The local Tourist Information Office, good for 185 citizens, is on friendly terms with the burgomaster. They sell souvenirs and cheese. This is not the task of a Tourist Inf. Off. The local populations who have those rights are protesting and the burgomaster puts his knife to their throats to get his right. Coming up 15th of September.

After lunch filling up the tank and then to Rouen. This time through a river valley and then on the "Route National". Without marking out a route in France it's hardly impossible to drive a dotted route. Street numbers named on the map are only useful when you're out of town. And you need those signs when you are in the village/town. But we are with three now. Piece by piece we arrive where we want to drive.

Arriving at Rouen 18.00. The last part goes through the petro-chemic region along the shores of the Seine. Because Rouen lies in a valley it stinks almost always. Bâh! There is a lot of traffic and we go slowly to the centre of the town. And again we stop to consult till we see where we are: opposite the hotel. Thanks heaven for we didn't have a map of the town. In contrary to the programme we take Hotel l'Europe near the old market place. Nice little houses in this neighbourhood. Spontaneously we get from the owner of the hotel a "Guide Michelin" from 1938. He has almost a set of the year's numbers. Now finally we can see what prices some hotels ask in those days. The "Hotel de la Poste" they used in 1938 is changed in apartments in 1975. That's what happens with hotels when they can't afford it.

The Bugatti has a nice parking place: the neighbour has a garage and the Bugatti can stay in his workroom for the night till tomorrow-morning 9 o'clock. No problem.

The whole day was sunny and about 20° C., however there was a sharp wind. We have our dinner: good and delicious.

In the morning when we wake up we see a blue sky. After breakfast we are looking for a china shop. But first we say goodbye to Michael. Unfortunately there was not that shop we were looking for. The old "Jeanne d'Arc" church is destroyed during the war. The worthwhile stained glass windows we saved in time. Now they are seen in a modern church now, which is built on the same spot and you can visit it every day, except on Friday morning. Bad luck. Much too late we leave Rouan at 10.30. Under a fresh blue sky from the east on the way to St. Quintin. We have a coffee stop in Marseille and a lunch in Roye. In Crèvecoeur we have to ride down via Froissy. In Guise we have to fill up and in St. Quintin a tea stop. Then looking for the way to Guise. Near 5 o'clock p.m. there are some clouds and the sun is not to be seen. In the meantime we are near the Belgium border. 17.30: Goodbye France, Hello Belgium. Almost the end of the trip. Close to 6 o'clock p.m. we arrive in Hotel "Le Petit Chapitre" in Chimay. The rooms have no numbers but names. We are in a luxurious room with "golden" cocks in the bathroom. It's the "birdroom". Just magnificent.

In 1938 Alex and Wilhelmien were driven straight from Rouen to their house near Brussels. On Whitsuntide they went to Chimay just to go racing. So to go in one way from Rouen to Arnhem it would be too much. That's why the break in Chimay. The car is allowed to stay in a garage from friends. We'll eat in "Le Gourmand" and go to bed.

This is a day to say good-bye

Fortunately the weather is better than yesterday. The wind is lying down. Our program is changed for today. We go to Brussels in the morning instead the afternoon. With the owner of the antique shop who shows me a prospectus about the present Race circuit, we pick up the Bugatti. It stood in his garage for the night. After 50 m. the motor was still not warm. For that reason we make an extra round. We visit a part of the old and new racecourse. The old one is about 11 km. and goes through a street with houses. The new one is 4.5 km just out of the village. New people and new ideas have made it attractive again. We drive the whole old course.

Now we are on the way to Brussels. Till Chive we had no problems with the road or the weather. Then the road became so bad that Mums didn't want to drive on that road any further so we took the highway.

Finally we arrived in Brussels at 12.30, half an hour too late. Just on that moment a Dutch car appears on the corner. It's my family who escorts us to home. But first we visit Mum's brother Henk. After an hour we leave and this time not via Boom but Mechelen. When I take the maximum speed the drive axle turns so fast so that the elastic belt goes off again. So we stop and place a new one. Without any trouble we reaches Velp at half past four. Mum however is glad to be at home. We made it. More than 5000 km we've driven in 29 days.

J. Paul works at Incaa datacom B.V.
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