Many thanks to Mandy and Mark Stockham who organised the day.

Blast to Bologne
The first task was to gather near Ashford at 8.30 in the morning before blasting down the A20 and M20 to Dover in time to catch the cross-channel ferry to Calais. As French time is an hour ahead the pressure was on to get to Bologne before the French restaurants stopped serving lunch.

Sometimes the 'point-the-camera-backwards-over-one's-head' shots work fine

Dejeuner
Mandy L. came up tops with the recommendation for 'The Welsh Pub' which thankfully was nothing like a Welsh Pub.
(Sorry about not letting on that Salad de Gizzier is duck gizzards)

Left to right: Carol, Paul, Mandy L, Mandy S, Peter, Debbie and Mark

Back on the road
Still heading south, for the redezvous for puddy (aka chockie)

Notre visit au Les Chocolats de Beussent
Dans le Vallée de la Course

Bye bye to Carol and Paul
Carol ate so much chocolate she had to stay behind overnight, so one last picture of the Dacquari Banana

Heading north again
Towards Cap Gris-Nez

One of the times that shooting over the top of the windscreen didn't work

On to Cap Gris-Nez
Cap Grey Nose is the closest point to England. Concrete decorations courtesy of Western Wall GmbH

Peter's lowered suspension is quite obvious in this shot.

The coast in England in the distance, with ferries in the mist and fortifications in the foreground

Race to the Hypermarkets
"Just follow us Mandy, and if we don't spin off the road you will be quite safe."

Six half cases in the footwell (and still room for a nimble passenger) with room for another eight half cases in the boot, plus Calvados. The savings paid for the ferry trip, meal, plus most of the petrol.

A marvellous day was had by all. Many thanks to Mark & Mandy Stockham for all the work.