On the evening of the 16th May 17 Morgans met up at The Seven Stars PH at Stroud on the A3 for dinner before catching the overnight ferry to Le Havre. Over a nightcap in the bar, the cars were divided into groups, the plan being that every crew in each group would take a turn at navigating. Lights burned into the night whilst certain ladies poured over the maps contained in the rally pack!

   Was it Napoleon who said "An Army marches on its stomach"? We were definitely in France, and sure enough, our first stop (organised by Lynne & Simon) was for breakfast at the Hotel La Haye Le Comte in Louviers. We should have arrived by 8.00 am - but the Ferry was late docking and we forgot about the foot and mouth crisis. Do you know how long it takes 17 Morgans, containing 32 individuals, to get through a sheep dip? However, a frantic phone call to the hotel elicited a Gallic shrug of the shoulders "No problem - we will see you when you get "ere". At least an hour later than expected, Morgans were lining up on the lawns of this 16th century manor, before consuming a mega breakfast - which included sausages, eggs, cold meat and cheeses.

   We were late, but the sun had come out, and everyone was in good spirits as we left for Chartres. I had got permission to display the cars all together. On arrival in Chartres, Morgans were converging from all directions but the designated parking area had two enormous coaches parked in it. One moved off swiftly, but the Italian coach driver refused to budge and closed his door with an ominous hiss. I tried everything - but was just met with a stony stare and a response my Italian was not up to translating! Step forward John Rooke, who in impeccable Italian advised the driver that the Mayor of Chartres had arranged special parking for the Morgans, and if he didn't move, he would call a gendarme. At least that is what I think he told him, as the coach started up and roared off. Just at that moment John Crofts car decided to boil over.

    I love France, probably because the French all love Morgans. It is a miracle that there was not a pile up, as cars driving round the roundabout were slowing down to look at the Morgans and creating a traffic jam, and a passer by had rolled his sleeves up and was busy fiddling under John's bonnet!

    Chartres is one of the prettiest towns in France. Winding streets between old gabled houses make a charming setting for Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral - one of the largest cathedrals in France and a key pilgrimage destination which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Group scattered, armed with an illustrated map detailing a walk round the medieval centre. The old town is partly pedestrianised and stretches from the upper town near the cathedral to the lower banks of the Eure, past

    We left Chartres at tea time, for the short drive to Cloyes Sur Loir and our base for the weekend the Hostellerie St. Jacques, a 16th century coaching inn set in a beautiful shady park on the riverside of the Loir. Here we were thoroughly spoilt by the proprietor. The cars were tucked up safe each night behind the locked gates to the courtyard, the proprietor stopped all the traffic in the town each morning, to wave us all on our way, and the accommodation and food was first class.

    The following day we took a scenic route to Le Mans. "Head for Le Vieux Mans (old town), and park in front of the Cathedral St. Julian at Place des Jacobins. Cross the road and walk up to the old medieval centre which can only be explored on foot" - were my instructions. Can you imagine my horror when we turned the corner and found the Place des Jacobins completely covered with market stalls - it was Friday! Morgans scattered in all directions in search of car parking spaces - Ian Hunt's group found themselves parked in a small housing estate! Never mind, everyone eventually found the medieval centre, and some even had time to visit the market and have a coffee before we left Le Vieux Mans, at 12.30 pm for the short drive to the Musee de I'automobile de la Sarthe (home to the Le Mans 24 hour race).

    Today was, for some, the highlight of the weekend. The Museum curator had offered us the Salle Panoramique for a lunch stop, which overlooked the famous race track and he put me in touch with a local caterer. That weekend the 24 hr circuit was hosting the French Motor Cycle Grand Prix and Friday was practice. So, that is how we came to be enjoying a superb buffet lunch, whilst viewing the thrills and spills on the track.

    When lunch finally finished, and the men could be dragged away from the racing, we had a brief introductory talk before we were let loose amongst the exhibits which include a dazzling range of vintage, classic and modern racing cars and motorbikes, including the early designs of Amedee Bollee, an industrialist whose first pioneering car design dated from 1873.

    That day we were joined by Ken and Vivienne in their MG and Vittorio Moreno who had driven up from Genoa to join us - so we were a full complement of 18 Morgans and one MG but we won't dwell on that.

    Saturday dawned bright and sunny, another early start, This time we were off to Beaugency, famous for its 23 arch bridge where we parked along the riverside for a photocall.

    Then it was off to Chambord, where we had been given permission to park close to the Chateau for photographs. On entering the grounds we were met by two lady gendarmes aloft two of the biggest horses I have ever seen and advised to seek further assistance from the genclarmerie which is located within the chateau itself. Leaving Graham fending off a tour guide who was

    What a sight the Morgans made in front of the Chateau and as soon as Mick opened his bonnet, we were surrounded by people! After lunch it was off to Blois for the afternoon. The Hotel de Ville had been most helpful and arranged for us to display the cars in front of the Chateau. We had three hours at leisure to visit the town, the chateau, the maison du vin for wine tasting, a trip round the town in a horse drawn carriage or sit and watch the world go by from a cafe. However, first we had to park the cars. The street map was failing miserably at showing us the way, as we kept pitching up at a no-entry sign. In the end I walked up this one way road to check that it would take us to the square, followed by 19 cars to the applause of people sitting at a nearby cafe. The funniest moment was when a large group of very elderly Italian ladies came out of the Chateau and descended on the Morgans, full of ohs and aaghs. "Speak to Vittorio," I suggested, "he is Italian" the poor man just disappeared from sight in the ensuing melee.

    On the Sunday it was off to the loveliest of the Loire Chateaux - Chenonceau, which is surrounded by elegant formal gardens and built as an elegant bridge with numerous arches across the river. I had been advised that we would not be allowed to park near the Chateau, but on arrival the car park attendant diverted the Morgans off to a discrete safe parking area, Despite pleas from Vivienne that they were one of our party, he made the MG park in the public car park! A scenic drive took us back to the Hostellerie St Jacque via La Charte sur Loire, where we had time to stop at a craft centre; Troo a Troglodyte village and Montoire and Lavardin, a picture book village where we bumped into a classic car rally. We even managed to fit in a visit for a wine tasting.

    Monday morning and our five day break had come to an end, and we had to bid farewell to La Belle France and wend our way back to the Ferry, to cries of "Next year can we come for a week?". So, email anglemog if you want to book a place: 2nd May 2002 overnight ferry to Le Havre, followed by seven nights half board at the Corderie Royal (Chateaux Hotel) in Rochefort sur mer (Charente Maritime), returning 11th May 2002. £415 per person based on two sharing a car and a double/twin room en suite. Detailed itinerary and booking form on request.