Saturday 30 June 2012
Thursday 21 June 2012
Next project ....?
Followers of all things Funbus and those who know him are fully aware of the mechanical genius that is the mighty Bish.
Well he has a dream car - the famous Citreon Pony.
One was spotted on our recent travels and has planted a thought in his head that will germinate I am sure into a new project.
Watch this space ......
Well he has a dream car - the famous Citreon Pony.
One was spotted on our recent travels and has planted a thought in his head that will germinate I am sure into a new project.
Watch this space ......
We like Dieppe ...
So we come to the end of another escapade but rest assured the journey continues.
Friday evening was a grand affair as we barbied and dined on fine victuals washed down with some rather splendid vin rouge. Mr Hodgson's boys made sure of an exciting few hours in our chosen watering hole that was rather full of English, Germans, French, Dutch, Spanish Welsh and an Italian or 2. You have to hand it to the round ball game that it does give all cultures and creeds a common interest and vocabulary. Anyway as pints were only 2 euros and ricard readily to hand you will understand when I say we slept rather well!.
Saturday in the Vendee was wet and so a leisurely pack up and petite dejeuner in town saw us vacate La Tranche sur Mer at 1pm and off we zoomed with Dieppe as our destination.
The bus behaved itself and after an hour or 2 the sun broke through. A nice little run throughout the afternoon saw us just outside of Rouen (an hour from Dieppe) at around 6. Well dear reader be wary of complacency. It will bite you on the bum when you least expect it! We got lost! The shame of it - especially as Bish was driving and I was so say navigating!! Instead of meandering to Dieppe we were in fact hurtling towards Paris....Bish was not happy. Eventually we were able to find our way back to and through Rouen and got to Dieppe at 8.15. Somewhat dispirited we reflected however that we had seen parts of the country not normally viewed by tourists.
Our despondency soon turned to joy when we parked the bus in the local Aire and walked into the delightful harbour that is Dieppe once you get away from the industrial bits!
Bars and small Bistros create a rather attractive horsehoe around the harbour edge and rest assured we had a good look at most. Ultimately settling on a curry to round off the trip - alls well that ends well, I say.
Anyway, the rest as they say is history - we caught the 5.30 ferry and we were safely ensconsed at casa Bishop and casa Smith respectively in good time for lunch.
Here are a few snaps of the bus and us in action .....
Friday evening was a grand affair as we barbied and dined on fine victuals washed down with some rather splendid vin rouge. Mr Hodgson's boys made sure of an exciting few hours in our chosen watering hole that was rather full of English, Germans, French, Dutch, Spanish Welsh and an Italian or 2. You have to hand it to the round ball game that it does give all cultures and creeds a common interest and vocabulary. Anyway as pints were only 2 euros and ricard readily to hand you will understand when I say we slept rather well!.
Saturday in the Vendee was wet and so a leisurely pack up and petite dejeuner in town saw us vacate La Tranche sur Mer at 1pm and off we zoomed with Dieppe as our destination.
The bus behaved itself and after an hour or 2 the sun broke through. A nice little run throughout the afternoon saw us just outside of Rouen (an hour from Dieppe) at around 6. Well dear reader be wary of complacency. It will bite you on the bum when you least expect it! We got lost! The shame of it - especially as Bish was driving and I was so say navigating!! Instead of meandering to Dieppe we were in fact hurtling towards Paris....Bish was not happy. Eventually we were able to find our way back to and through Rouen and got to Dieppe at 8.15. Somewhat dispirited we reflected however that we had seen parts of the country not normally viewed by tourists.
Our despondency soon turned to joy when we parked the bus in the local Aire and walked into the delightful harbour that is Dieppe once you get away from the industrial bits!
Bars and small Bistros create a rather attractive horsehoe around the harbour edge and rest assured we had a good look at most. Ultimately settling on a curry to round off the trip - alls well that ends well, I say.
Anyway, the rest as they say is history - we caught the 5.30 ferry and we were safely ensconsed at casa Bishop and casa Smith respectively in good time for lunch.
Here are a few snaps of the bus and us in action .....
Monday 18 June 2012
Questions answered ......
OK - 2 intellectual challenges have been posed whilst we have been in the land of the Gaul.
The connection between Dr Strangelove and Richard the Lion Heart is the VENDEE. Richard's mum (Eleanor) lived there as did a rather important french politician - Monsieur Clemanceau (affectionately nicknamed 'le Tigre' because of his heavy stance against the Germans after WWI). Well le Tigre said that 'War was too important to be left to Generals' - a famous line used in Dr Strangelove.
With regard the film challenge set by Mikey .... the answer is Marlon Brando and Robert de Niro who both played Don Corleone...
The connection between Dr Strangelove and Richard the Lion Heart is the VENDEE. Richard's mum (Eleanor) lived there as did a rather important french politician - Monsieur Clemanceau (affectionately nicknamed 'le Tigre' because of his heavy stance against the Germans after WWI). Well le Tigre said that 'War was too important to be left to Generals' - a famous line used in Dr Strangelove.
With regard the film challenge set by Mikey .... the answer is Marlon Brando and Robert de Niro who both played Don Corleone...
Friday 15 June 2012
Dont you just love Friday ...
So...an early start and fine breakfast of eggs, jambon, salami, croissants, pain du raisin, orange, cafe, bread and healthy melon (phew) then off cycling along the coast towards L'aiguillon sur mer. A 25km jaunt to a delightful village that suffered badly in the recent storms with 29 souls losing their lives 28th Feb 2010 - respects were paid.
A strong cafe noir in the middle of an exceptional local market selling the finest looking fish, meat and legumes I have ever seen - why dont we live like this?? I spotted a rather fetching fishermans smock - ably modelled by a couple of swarthy looking salty sea dogs - I need to get one!
Weather was on the hot side and we are lobstered up having made it to the beach but waves were exceedingly aggresive and too much sand found its way into the shorty wetsuits to be comfortable so we decided on adjourning to the nearest bar.
we have now dined of the finest salad, fish and steak and are now setting forth to watch the mighty Hodgson boys wup the Swedish upstarts. Beer at half price in the local hostelry we have found and pastis on tap (happy days!) heres hoping for an emphatic win.
A strong cafe noir in the middle of an exceptional local market selling the finest looking fish, meat and legumes I have ever seen - why dont we live like this?? I spotted a rather fetching fishermans smock - ably modelled by a couple of swarthy looking salty sea dogs - I need to get one!
Weather was on the hot side and we are lobstered up having made it to the beach but waves were exceedingly aggresive and too much sand found its way into the shorty wetsuits to be comfortable so we decided on adjourning to the nearest bar.
we have now dined of the finest salad, fish and steak and are now setting forth to watch the mighty Hodgson boys wup the Swedish upstarts. Beer at half price in the local hostelry we have found and pastis on tap (happy days!) heres hoping for an emphatic win.
Rouen (again)
Smith male heir has pointed out that Richard the Lionheart is buried at Rouen.
He also posed us this Q:
what 2 actors got academy awards for playing the same character in 2 different films?
He also posed us this Q:
what 2 actors got academy awards for playing the same character in 2 different films?
Thursday 14 June 2012
Rouen
Responding to a request for intelligent information about the town of Rouen. The illustrious Mr Jefford (an honoury funbusee) provided the following insightful observations...:
Now you're really scraping the barrel. Capital of Haute Normandie . Twinned with Norwich & Gdansk. Birthplace of Francois Hollande. And David Trezeguet footballer. When I was at uni my friend Gerard the French Assistant was a.Trotskyist from Rouen and I met him there and we got really pissed. Nothing new then.
Now you're really scraping the barrel. Capital of Haute Normandie . Twinned with Norwich & Gdansk. Birthplace of Francois Hollande. And David Trezeguet footballer. When I was at uni my friend Gerard the French Assistant was a.Trotskyist from Rouen and I met him there and we got really pissed. Nothing new then.
Of Richard the Lion Heart and Dr Strangelove ...
Well mon Amis' ...we are expereriencing a bit of a heat wave here at the Vendee. The gods have smiled favourably upon the mighty bus and in recognition of its spritual home has given it and us a very warm welcome - suffice to say we are rather red and a little sore!
yesterday we reminded oyurselves why we do this - waves were steady and somewhat aggresive making boarding easy and fun. The beer, ricard and wine a further reminder as to what we have been missing.
Today we have adopted a leisurely pace and cycled to the beach returning for soup de Poisson, oysters and a rather cheeky rose. Fish on the Barby tonight with a rather robust Bordeaux and cocktails ...
Anyway - a challenge for a discerning readers and followers who like mental stimulus. Our challenge to you is what connects Richard the lion heart and Dr Strangelove....we know, but do you???
yesterday we reminded oyurselves why we do this - waves were steady and somewhat aggresive making boarding easy and fun. The beer, ricard and wine a further reminder as to what we have been missing.
Today we have adopted a leisurely pace and cycled to the beach returning for soup de Poisson, oysters and a rather cheeky rose. Fish on the Barby tonight with a rather robust Bordeaux and cocktails ...
Anyway - a challenge for a discerning readers and followers who like mental stimulus. Our challenge to you is what connects Richard the lion heart and Dr Strangelove....we know, but do you???
Wednesday 13 June 2012
La Baie D'aunis
Bonjour mon amis'. We have arrived safe and sound at La Tranche Sur La Mer. The awning is up and the mighty bus is gently relaxing after its spectacular hercluean effort of crossing the vast expanse of Northern France in just over 6 hours. Cruising at an impressive 75 mph without the slightest hiccup. What a mechanical wizard Le Bish is.
Now planning our first splash in the Atlantic - high tide at our spritual home is in one hour.....
Now planning our first splash in the Atlantic - high tide at our spritual home is in one hour.....
Tuesday 12 June 2012
I can hear it calling ...
The next adventure begins when we set off for Newhaven tonight and the overnight ferry to Dieppe. The bus is looking good and spirits are high. All we need is less rain and cloud and then the living would be easy (..note the 'Summertime' reference). As it is we will be content with whatever nature throws at us ...bring it on!
Monday 11 June 2012
Wednesday 6 June 2012
Engineers report
After a poor outing to Belgium due to engine malfunction (poor acceleration and top speed of only 75), as well as damp interior conditions (fortunately only on 3 Fleeces Ralfie), I can now report the Funbus is back up to Warp factor minus10 and is dry inside.
The carb been stripped down and cleaned (Bish's legendary mechanic skills have not left him).
The roof joint has been re-sealed by Smithy (always known to be good with a joint and squeezing his tube until it pops out of the end).
The carb been stripped down and cleaned (Bish's legendary mechanic skills have not left him).
The roof joint has been re-sealed by Smithy (always known to be good with a joint and squeezing his tube until it pops out of the end).
A few pics from De Panne
Funbus in special livery
(now removed)
The new awning
Green Park Camping
(Not known for it's abundance of facilities but a good location for the bars)
AJ esq.
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