Thursday 9 September 2010

For the car lovers out there

My visitors have now left, and although they spent quite a bit of time on their own while I applied a few coats of paint to the gates, it was wonderful to see them again and when we did have time together, it was quality time, as they say! 

I am now catching up with all the tomatoes, figs, quinces, etc which have been multiplying and ripening in the garden, before I return to painting the gates with yet more coats of paint. The paint comes from Finland and costs an eye-watering amount, but is supposed to last 10 years in the sun. Painting only once every 10 years should occupy less time than more frequent applications, but it seems to me that I will be spending the same amount of time now, putting on lots more coats, as the paint is so thin!

I have masses to update you all on, but until I have the time, I thought that for the car lovers out there, this car blog would give me a chance to get my act together again over the next few days.
I saw this at the Bric-a-Brac on Sunday and no, it was not for sale!

This one we saw in Angouleme where my visitors and I spent the day on Tuesday.

If you are near Angouleme between the 17th and 19th  September, that will be an interesting weekend. We watched them putting up the barriers while we were there for this special occasion.
Angouleme's "Circuit des Remparts" attracts hundreds of cars and drivers from across the world each year.  Many of the cars are historic, among them Bugatti, Riley and former Le Mans racers.  It is a difficult circuit, as it is in the centre of town.  It is the only historic circuit in France and one of  only two in Europe.  The other is in Monaco, so probably very exclusive!!!

The route has not changed since the races began in 1939, with 10 participants.  The race came to a halt during the war years, only starting up again in 1947.  New rules a few years later, meant that French street racing had to stop, but in the early eighties, a passionate team managed to get the circuit up and running again.

Over 300 cars are expected for the weekend, but the festivities always  begin calmly with the Concours d'Elegance, held on the Champs au Mars square on Friday evening.  We will see 30 cars including the Alfa 6C Zagato, the De Dion Bouton and the cabriolet Delage taking part in the gala event.

Friday 17 September - 21h00. Concours d'Elegance.

Saturday 18 September -  08h30 Start of the International Rally in the Charente - Esplanade Chais Magelis.

Sunday 19 September - 08h00 Practice for the Circuit des Remparts
and 14h00 - 18h00  Circuit des Remparts race.

I would love to go and see this event, but it is one which I think will have to wait until Nigel has moved to France and we can go together.  I find Angouleme a difficult town to drive in (a lot of the centre is old, narrow and twisty), with one way streets where I least expect them, and at a time like this, there will be be many roads closed off, so getting lost would not be difficult, even with satnav!!  As I seldom go there, usually only with visitors, I do not know the town very well.

For further information and an excellent video go to http://www.circuit-des-remparts.com/

38 comments:

  1. My stars! Those cars all look bug eyed!

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  2. It sounds like a fun event. I don't like that kind of traffic either. Sounds like some of the most awesome vehicles. Hope you are having a good day. I bet you are painting too. That's a lot of coats of paint.

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  3. Marjie, I love the old Citroen 2CV but you are right they are a bit bug eyed LOL. Diane

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  4. Becca I have been in the kitchen all day today bottling tomatoes and ‘jamming’ figs. It has been a bit damp outside and not ideal for painting. Hopefully I will be back there tomorrow if all is dry. Diane

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  5. Wow ... thanks for the background to the Circuit des Remparts.

    I'm not really into cars but who cannot but appreciate these beauties?

    It's a pity you can't attend the event.

    Welcome back to blogland!

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  6. Thanks Graham. I would really love to go, but getting lost on your own is a major problem as I have discovered in the past. When there is no place to read maps, and the Satnav is not able to cope with blocked off roads all over the place it is very difficult :-( Diane

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  7. I hope this event will be on our tv, but have not heard it advertised - sometimes even with the modern communication, we are very isolated here on the most western continent.
    Those two cars are the same make, I think. I would enjoy riding in either one.
    What color are you painting the gates - and how many coats do you expect it to take?
    You are truly the epitome of fall - preparing for winter.

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  8. Those cars have the "eyes" of the Volkswagon Beetle :-). Racing must be a popular sport and pastime in France. I love to hear your descriptions of the events. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  9. Mya the two cars are French, Citroen 2CV's, a very popular car here and there are many still on the road. Not sure if the race will be on world TV but I would guess I may be able to find it on one of the French channels. I hope so anyway.

    The gates will be green the same as all our shutters and fence. I have done a primer and it looks like it will take 3 coats of green. Time consuming on the side where the frame is getting into all the corners!! Diane

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  10. Mary I won't tell the French that their cars have eyes like a German VW it may not go down very well LOL. Have a good day Diane

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  11. Hope you had good luck at the bric-a-brac. We had a Bugatti car club here a couple weeks ago. Sure are cute little buggers.

    Keep on painting.

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  12. They are the cutest cars... I have always had a soft spot in my heart for them and you have shot some beauties! I think the red one would be a fun country car!

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  13. Well, it's nice to see you back and knowing you had a good "quality" time with your friends!
    The 2CV, although an "oldie" is quite in demand has become a collection item!
    I learned to drive with this car as a kid, so it brings up fond memories of when I got stuck in the mud... and my grand-father had to come and pull the 2CV out with his tractor!!! :))
    Cheers, Diane!!

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  14. I think that would be a wonderful event to go and see Diane. I love all the old cars.

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  15. Diane,
    You know the way to my heart - you ride bikes, you like cars and you love France. LOL very loudly.
    I'm a foundation member of the Citroen Classic Owners Club (owned several Traction Avants in the past) and love historic motor racing.
    Below is a link to a book I published that has financed two flight costs to France. How lucky are we?
    http://www.robroybooks.com.au/
    With Autumn approaching I hope you have still many happy days of pedalling.

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  16. Gaelyn, the Bric-abrac went well, will do a post on it very soon.

    Yep, I will keep painting!!! Diane

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  17. longpastremembered, we have always said we would like a 2CV, but having had old cars in the past, we know how expensive it is to restore and keep them in good condition so I doubt if it will happen. They have become quite expensive anyway now! Diane

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  18. Noushka what a fun car to learn to drive in. I can imagine you were not very popular getting it stuck in the mud. Hee Hee. Diane

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  19. Joan I am really looking forward to the time Nigel is here and we can go and watch. With limited leave he just cannot get here for all the things we would like to do!! Diane

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  20. Leon your book looks very interesting and I love the pictures in the gallery. We don't know much about cars in Australia other than the Porsche 356 guys who we met up with in a visit to Ozz a few years ago. Nigel and I are both 356 and early 911 fans. The last 911 was sold to help finance our house in France. I was very sad to see it go but thankfully I love France so it was for a good cause:-)

    The weather is not too bad for cycling at the moment, a bit cooler but sunny temperatures +- 24C. Diane

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  21. These are the coolest cars ever! :-)

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  22. You are so right JM and still very popular here in France.

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  23. Not only will you get lost there don't forget you guys drive on the wrong side of the road LoL !! anyway that must be a sight with all those old cars :))

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  24. What fun those old 2CV's were we used to have one, once upon a time :)

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  25. It would be fun to take a spin in one of those cars!

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  26. Philip having driven all my life on the left until I came here I now have a problem with it!! Every time I go back to the UK I have to really concentrate, driving on the right is so much more naturel:-) Diane

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  27. Lindy they are great little cars, would not mind one myself but they have got very expensive!! Diane

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  28. You are right Linda, it would be great fun. Diane

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  29. I hope you had a lovely time with your guests! What a great bunch of cars -- I'm going to forward this post to my hubby! :)

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  30. I hope your husband enjoys Faith. Diane

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  31. Thanks Lani, you have a good weekend also. Diane

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  32. Love the cars and it also reminds me of the VW Beetle. Love that red one and it would great for driving over the countryside in your neck of the woods! When do we get to see more pics of your gate? Bet it's looking great!

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  33. Pam the gates are taking a lot of time as I am having to do 4 coats of paint to cover properly. Then I still have to do the hinges etc black to match the shutters. This will also be time consuming and fiddly!! You will I hope see the pictures before I go back to the UK mid March:-) Diane

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  34. Hi Diane .. sorry I have not been over to your blog for a while .. Wow you have some brilliant posts here. Especially about the cars and the races. I would love one of those posters for my husband , He works in Formula 1. How amazing.

    Very happy that you are enjoying my tour, of Paris , it is going to take a while :-) this is just part of one day out. I try to find something new to do everytime, but try to stick to places that are not so touristy . Take care Anne

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  35. Anne if I knew how to get a poster I would but..... Don't suppose your husband is with Williams which is just down the road from our house.

    Looking forward to remainder of your holiday. Diane

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  36. How unbelievable that Diane and I have a house in the same village here in the UK :-)

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  37. Anne as I said earlier, it is a VERY small world!!!! Better let me know what jams you like so I can bring you some. Have masses of fig so hope you like that:-) Diane

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