Page 57 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK FOUR Volume 1 "Northcote 1984 to 1998"

CHAPTER TEN

“A “VISA’s” TRIP TO FRANCE”

This must have been in about 1987 as Ruth was by now working as a District Nurse. Ruth
was driving a very economical Citroen car once again. This time a second hand “Visa”,
with four doors and small 1000cc petrol engine.

Citroën Visa picture from the internet, ours was the same model and colour.

THE FIRST PROBLEM
I forget the circumstances that decided we should depart by Dover, it could well have been
the trip straight after our first ever visit to Fresnay sur Sarthe. This was our “annual
holiday” taken at a time when visitors would not be coming to see the horses and Ruth
could get time from her work, so more than likely around the month of May.

I had given the car a once over before leaving and as it was in daily use, could find nothing
that needed attention. However once we had left the A1 southbound and joined the
infernal A14 towards Cambridge the exhaust began to make loud noises.
Just before arriving at the M11 junction, a large piece broke away and began to drag along
the road.
Cambridge seemed the obvious place to seek aid and we duly turned off. An exhaust and
tyre centre was easy to find and within an hour we were on our way again a few pounds
lighter wealth wise!

On finally arriving at Dover we were told that our ferry had gone but if we did not mind
where we went to there was one leaving for Boulogne very soon. We had no particular
plans for this break, so off we went in a slightly different direction.
This ferry seemed to be packed with lorries and very few cars. The catering was superb
and we enjoyed an excellent tray baked steak and kidney pie.

It was late when we did get to France so decided it prudent to seek a modern type hotel
that would be open all night. An IBIS in St. Lo fitted the bill and we “crashed” gratefully into