Saturday 1st November ’09 Calias – London

We left the hotel in Calais in time to take the 8 mile or so journey to the ferry port. Having no official passports we were shepherded into a room where, equipped with our scanned copies of our passports, we were asked to fill in forms before they would let us on the ferry. All very civil and matter of fact, we then joined the queue of Minis readying to board the ferry.
A very nice traditional English breakfast and a look around the on board shop and within no time we were in Dover.
Dover to London took no time at all, but driving through London to the assembly point before the Police escort to Kensington Park was rather interesting. The instructions which were given us were spot on, passing Buckingham Palace on the way was a treat too.
We joined the queue at the assembly point a mile before Kensington Park the finishing point, but found the engine was overheating. After we left it to cool a little and topped the radiator up we were on time for the escort.
A police escort to the finish line where we were greeted with applause by family, friends and public. It was a great finish to a brilliant journey.
That evening we went to the black tie dinner and presentation where we were staying at the Hilton Hotel Edgeware Road. Awards for 1st 2nd and 3rd places along with Oldest Car in the rally, a 1964 Cooper, and Best Dressed Mini, which we won, (voted for by fellow jobbers) were presented.
We had a brilliant time on the job, Mary says she’ll definately do it again, so keep a watch on this website!