Page 135 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

We found out that this seemed to be standard practice in Europe at this time for most
heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers. The manufacturer had a share in the local
business, helped to maintain their impeccable standards and provide service second to
none. Needless to say this was far, far in excess of the kind of service available in England
at that time!
(Picture of part of the old part of Rennes.)

aturday saw us off into the city for
shopping. Marcel sat beside me in the
Jaguar, with Ruth, Armelle and Helen in
the rear. All went well until on the journey
home I noticed the road sign showing
120.
As 120 mph showed on the speedometer,
Marcel was apoplectic.
“It’s kilometres not mph,” he spluttered.
From that day to this he has never let me drive him anywhere in anything!

He has been to England several time to stay with us, each time we go out, he has to drive.
Marcel is a cautious driver. I think even he will admit that.

Back to France and it was Easter week end. Sunday was very much and still is the family
day. After a special lunch in the family home we were to spend the afternoon on the coast.
It had been snowing overnight and Marcel produced special studded snow tyres to put on
the front drive wheels of his Citroen GS.
We had a fantastic tour along the
famous north Brittany coast close
to Dinard and visited the actual
castle where Kirk Douglas and
Tony Curtis fought their last battle
in the film “The Vikings”.

(Picture of Fort la Latte.)

The Jaguar had stayed in M.
Hamon’s garage for the day, “in
disgrace”.

Nevertheless, we found out that he had invited several selected friends to come and have
a close look at his “new voiture “, while we had been out. Even today there are relatively
few ‘proper’ Jaguar cars in France.

UNIROYAL
Monday was the day for our meeting with the Uniroyal people. The area representative
duly met up with us and we were introduced to their stocking point owner and showed how
he managed the Uniroyal deliveries in his area.
This was followed by the most amazing lunchtime meal we had ever experienced.
Lunch is the main meal for most French folk. It takes two hours and normally everywhere
closes for this time.
Our meal took five hours. Incredible it may seem but we had heard that the French “live to

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