129 Road trip

[jjrodger]

I have just returned from my annual holiday with the SL in France. As usual, my wife and I motored down to the Dordogne (place called Mareuil this time, 30miles or thereabouts north of Perigeux), taking three days for the outbound trip. En route we passed through Le Mans where, after a pretty decent lunch for 15Euros, I drove those parts of the Circuit des 24 Heures as remain the public road. In particular this means the Mulsanne straight, right at the Mulsanne corner, through the tight-ish Indianapolis left hander, and then tight right at Arnarge. Half way through the Porsche curves, the track disappears off the public road to the right. It was very disappointing: very little to see. I forgot my camera, so no photos; but there was nothing much photogenic anyway.

The return journey I completed in a single day. 475miles from Mareuil to Calais took 6hours (including a 20minute fuel stop). This was not bad given that the first hour was on back roads (only 50miles covered in that time) and the second hour was on the RN10. The autoroute started at Poitiers. As ever, one is able to sustain big licks for long periods of time, albeit the Gendamerie is getting strict. From Poitiers to Calais I was able to sustain 100+mph; between Le Mans and Alencon (only 40miles) my average speed was 115mph; fastest seen was 150 (my wife timed a flying kilometre at 14seconds); then a quick run through England (roof down) from Folkestone to Northumberland in a little over 4hours. The total distance was about 850miles (I haven't checked); on the road time was about 10hours; unfortunately delays at the Channel Tunnel meant a 13hour door to door time.

It is wonderful to use the car for proper Grand Touring. Here are three photographs taken with a borrowed camera:

Outside our rented abode:


And from a distance:


Finally, in the shadow of the Chateau de Mareuil:

[nt-j]

Just curious, did you manage to work out your M.P.G. ?
Could be interesting at that average speed.

[jjrodger]

Originally Posted by nt-j

Just curious, did you manage to work out your M.P.G. ?
Could be interesting at that average speed.

I didn't work it out, but I used about two and a half tanks in each direction. I find sustained high speed touring gives better mpg than my daily commute. I'd be surprised if it were worse than 22mpg.

Back of an envelope calculation: 2.5 tanks is roughly about 45 imperial gallons; over roughly 850miles; giving roughly 19mpg; I suspect a proper calculation would show a slightly better result.

You also have to add toll costs : about 50Euros in each direction.

The new autoroute between Rouen and Tours (A28?) shaves at least 100miles and one fuel stop off the journey.