| So you can picture it, a
yellow 2CV on the back of a trailer with 2 of the 4 black
drop-tanks strapped to the sides of the trailer. The 2 big
frames strapped to the top of the 2CV and the 2 biggest
drop-tanks strapped to the roof bars on top of a very old
Peugeot 505 diesel (by the way the drop-tanks do look a bit
like missiles). So all set, but the park had speed ramps
and seeing my old car was loaded up somewhat, the exhaust
hit the speed ramp on the way out and made it blow a little,
but on we go. By the time we got to the M25 the exhaust was
blowing so much it sound like a tank going down the road.
We drove in to London armed with our instructions to the
hotel thinking that they would put us in a cheap hotel, but
they put us in the same hotel that they put all their guests
in (film stars and TV celebrities). It was that sort of
hotel that they have a Doorman (if it was not 1 o’clock in
the morning). So then we pulled up in our old rusty Peugeot,
sounding like a tank with 2 missiles on the roof and a
bright yellow 2CV on the back at 1 o’clock in the morning. I
walked in to book in and said to the hotel manager "Where
can I park, because I am blocking in half a dozen Jaguars
and BMWs?". He looked outside to see what I was driving and
said I think we will park that around the back in the
tradesmen's entrance (somehow I did not think he would like
it parked at the front of the hotel).
So 5am up and out to the studio. They hired a crane to
put the 2CV into the lock. All set up and did my part at
7:45; after they interviewed me they invited me inside to
sit down and be a part of the show; I sat down next to the
James Bond girl (they must have been a bit short of
celebrities that day). And yes after the show they do give
you a big breakfast. A good day was had by all.
When I drove back from London to Frome with car and
trailer fully loaded I was not stopped once by the Police,
do you think that would happen in this day and age?
Back to the business of crossing the channel. BBC TV Top
Gear was going to put one of their presenters in with me on
the crossing. I had the rescue boat lined up so all I needed
was permission from the French to enter French water. Half a
dozen letters going back and forward to the French Harbour
Master I almost got permission but then a ship sank in the
Channel and at low tide a ferry collided and caused a lot of
damage so the French stopped all unnecessary crossing of the
Channel.
What happened to the 2CV boat? I have taken it out once
or twice, but then I had nowhere to store it, so in the end
I had to break it up.
Darren Arthur |
