Droitwich to Folkstone.

In addition to this blog written by Ed. His newly retired, and always on holiday compatriot Sue, will be using Polar Steps. This App, in addition to having her account of the trip illustrated with photos, tracks our progress on a map. This is a link to use in your browser or download the Polar Steps app..

https://www.polarsteps.com/EdandSueHelps/2597385-italian-job-2019?s=274c740d-3c3f-4bf6-9049-e587bd2e93c48

Day 1 did not start well.

I washed the van ready for the off, and when I moved it found a larger than usual pool of oil on the floor. I inspected the engine from above and below but could not see where it was coming from. Without the time to wash the engine down with Gunk, I tightened everything above the puddle of oil and it stopped. Hurray!

I decide to put an extra gallon can of oil in the back, just in case.

We set off. Halfway down the M40 we get stuck in traffic caused by an accident for an hour. Once free of this I can feel the nemesis of a flooding carburettor returning so pull onto Beaconsfield services for a coffee and quick repair. All the delays mean we hit the M25 at rush hour and eventually approach Folkestone in the rain. What else could go wrong?

I need to call in at the Truck Stop 24 services to pick up fuel and my toll tags. With limited vision through the windscreen due to the inefficent wipers on the outside, and misting up on the inside, I miss the junction. I come off at the next junction expecting to turn round and retrace my steps, only to find I am at the entrance to the unmaned barriers for the Tunnel just 13 hours too early. Fortunately an employee sees me reversing and appears from behind another barrier. On explaining our predicament he disappears to get an exit ticket. As he returns he sees the Italian job logos and says I have just had an email about you lot. Well that should make tomorrows journey easier, but we will see.

After picking up fuel and toll tags, and a six hour journey, we continue to the Premier Inn to meet up with our friends Jackie and Kevin from Droitwich. It is their first “Job”. At dinner it is great to also meet up with a lot of “Jobbers” from last year.

Off to bed and set the alarm for 7am. I awoke and checked my watch, without putting on glasses. My compatriot stirs and asks the time. Quarter to six I say and then lay waiting for the alarm. After a while I get bored and pick up the phone to start this blog. I must have been looking at my watch upside down and it was 3am. I seem to remember I did something similar last year, so it must be the “Italian Job” effect!