Mission 7 – The Home Straight
Start Point: Hilton, Antwerp
Finish Point: Calais Ferry Terminal
Mileage: 126
I get down to the underground car park, and there’s a distinct smell of rubber
going on in the car park. Dave’s apparently suffered from some wheel-spin
issues, but the car park authorities aren’t seeing the funny side. Marry this
to the fact that we can’t locate the exit ticket, and we’re in a right pickle.
Help is at hand: Peter and Chris pull up alongside in the Monaro, and we decide
on a daring nose-to-tail exit strategy, which is performed quickly and
flawlessly!
We’re away, but coming out of Antwerp, the traffic’s atrocious. We’re seriously
concerned we’ll miss the ferry. Eventually, things open up, and we’re away.
We eventually get to the ferry port and witness fully 30 Gendarmerie on
motorcycles parked in the ferry terminal. Panic stations? No: they’re coming
over to Blighty to assist in the Tour de France!!
Onto the ferry, photo opportunity in full priest kit with the Gendarmerie!
Everyone knackered, but stories / photos / video of the previous nights exploits
are everywhere. Rough crossing: a struggle to keep lunch down.
In Dover, a crescendo of car horns and revving engines hail the opening of the
ferry. We pull in for fuel, and decide to drive in convoy all the way back to
Surrey. Our cameras are now full of Cannonballers – we pull some great footage
here. The M25 never disappoints, and we experience a slight delay on the way
back to the hotel. We eventually roll in. We’ve made it. Knackered.
We somehow sustain the energy to do it all again at the Black Tie event that
evening – much high jinks ensue – Patrick makes the mistake of falling asleep
in reception, and a Boxster and Aston get decorated in tree branches and
traffic cones!
We rise the next morning with post-Cannonball Run blues. While we have a journey
today, for the first time in a week we know exactly where it is – no mystery or
excitement. Everyone we meet seems to be feeling the same, and as cars pull
away on their own journeys home, there’s a real sense of loss.
Still, there’s talk of a reunion later in the year, and next year is definitely
on the cards. Until next time…..