Slow Fleet – Mercedes 500SE June 2015 Road Trip Part 2

Latest Costs: £0
Miles this period: 1109

The Picardie region is quite large, spanning most of the top of France, going from the coast to Belgium, I think. It’s quite varied too but the little bit near Laon is particularly nice, with the views from the Cathedral towers particularly stunning.

Other things of interest, and French peculiarities were observed and appreciated, with the village vending machine being the best example I have ever seen. No chocolate bars or canned drinks to be found, and pretty good value when you think one of those lockers stuffed with home grown food was 3 Euros…

Some of the nearby villages contained different monuments and things of interest, such as Septmonts (pronounced Sements) having what’s left of a fairy tale type castle and fantastic grounds. The tour took in Longpont with it’s famous, but closed Abbey. I rather liked the house going over the road in the village centre. Note in both places the obviously free parking.

A trip to this region wouldn’t be complete without a day in Reims (pronounced Ranz) to see their stunning cathedral and the old Merc was given an undignified break in the park and ride car park whilst the colourful trams were used. Nowhere really to park centrally, and the cost is so low it makes sense to do it. One other thing that must be seen is the motor museum, a little walk out of the centre, but an Aladdin’s cave of unusual and some unique vehicles. Inexpensive and a rather nice way to spend a couple of hours late afternoon.

Oh, and it had a Matra too…

But, one of the most significant historic monuments was sought on the return to the Gite. The wonder of this ancient site had to be seen to be believed and longer was lost wandering the remains of such an impertinent site than was spent in the museum. It also meant dinner was eaten at 10pm…

The old Reims-Geuex circuit doesn’t exist in it’s 1954 season incarnation, the dual carriage way took out some of the old D road on the Noth side away from the pits, but you can see some the old rails, showing what was once on the grand prix calendar is now in a field and essentially a farm track. Naturally Jalopy investigated and drove some of it at Thillois, much to the bemusement of other motorists and the farmer…

I cannot convey how hauntingly beautiful the site was, even to non motorsports enthusiasts, the faded decor with the old advertisements, to the old towers and fuel depot. Some of it is blocked off and you cannot sit in the grandstand any longer, the structure is compromised with the steel reinforcements looking corroded and sections of concrete coming away from them. You can climb into the old control tower and pit garages though. This is one place you really have to go and see, Jalopy made a good impression with a couple of guys driving a Bugatti Type 36 going past a couple of times to have a look, getting a nod of approval from both driver and passenger.

Of course another trip to Laon on the Thursday evening to walk around some more and have dinner out, a first this trip. Spot the appropriate ancient monument sign by the Merc….

This was followed by another trip on the following and final day before leaving France. Parking in the bigger car park near to the city wall and the old unfinished fortress before wandering around some more and later having the subterranean tour under that very fortress.

Many historic vehicles were arriving, many British, for the Circuit de Laon. An annual classic car rally where up to 700 cars were expected to descend upon the town. Some were already there and had been there a while. Riding the Poma, the funicular railway to the low town we met some British Morgan drivers who were joining and staying near the station for the event.

Which is why I thought it strange that the poor old Merc was targeted for some petty vandalism.

The rear star was torn off, all four valve caps were missing and GB sticker had been pulled at. I also think the perpetrator may have had a dog…

It’s unusual, and may have been a British hating Frenchman, there are a few still, but it is not a good reflection on the French as they have always been really nice. Still, talking with the nice people in the tourist information office I was told that I must go to the police. So I grabbed another opportunity to practice my French and headed down. At 8pm I was stood in the Commissariat de Police talking to a really helpful officer who couldn’t believe it had happened. Neither could his colleagues, and they took it incredibly seriously. I filled out a deposition and left knowing that they were mounting a nationwide man-hunt for the criminal and would bring him to justice, seriously. I was impressed by their attitude and willingness to do something about it, we exchanged interesting descriptivve names for the individual, in French whish seemed to amuse him as much as me. I did hope that this cretin didn’t decide to attack some of the other cla$$ics present.

The Saturday was a sad departure, but a nice trip up to a village near Arras to see some friends and collect a painting (don’t ask). Then on to the ferry with a rather pleasant and relaxing crossing, with a lenghty view of the white cliffs as the parking space was still occupied. And the run home was largely uneventful, although more hassle than in France, where I managed to get £99.50 worth of fuel in the car having covered 384 miles for 80 odd litres. I make that about 22 mpg. Not bad really.

Simon