Leaf Sprung Land Rover Forum

Drew 5292 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject: Latest Leafer Road-trip.

Just sat in a bar in Calais, with Sebastien ( Satanas of this parish), chokin' back a beer and some trough, before we leap on a ferry to England to collect his latest purchase...another interesting one.
Kindly being given shelter by Scruff and Becca tonight.
Updates as and when, plus photos when I'm back in reality on Saturday morning.
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Drew 5292

1978 S3 88" 'Tommy'
Sankey trailer 'Amazing Journey' (Tubless firewood bitch.)

'We will either find a way, or make one.'- Hannibal.

Mr Scruff · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:16 pm Post subject:

C U L8R
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Bugeye · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Another one! Shocked

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1968 109 SIIA SW bug eye 'Bugeye'
1982 109 SIII SW Stage One 'Whale'

strang · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Is this the Shoreland that you are collecting? if not, tell us more......
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Gromit · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:

Mothers hide your daughters! The frogs are coming.

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Bugeye · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

Sebastien is indeed probably the craziest Frenchman alive. Laughing

Take care, have good fun and piccies... Wink

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1968 109 SIIA SW bug eye 'Bugeye'
1982 109 SIII SW Stage One 'Whale'

Jérôme Caz. · Newbie Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

one more happy trip !
waiting for piccies too

Jérôme

Rich_P · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Which one's Drew again? I only say this because the chap on the right looks like he's a good match for Drew's online persona! Laughing

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-Rich.

landyboy · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

Call in on way home if you have time!
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Series 1 is the only way forward

Mr Scruff · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

Our heroes rocked up at 2am after a unscheduled stop at South Minns, both are on top form Smile

They are currently en route to Rocky Mountain at Grantham and then onwards on Sebastian's buying spree Laughing

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Dents are like scratches with a better story

climbingchris · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

really hoping it's that centaur that Blanchards had up for sale
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Phil Gregson; the 5th Emergency Service et La Gayer de tout Les Gayeurs.

www.themorgans.info/expedition/index.php

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alwaysseries2 · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject:

I bet it's an ambulance.
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1959 Series2 EX- RAF
1964 Series 2a EX-ARMY

Don't be a twat, its pure hp not bhp!

Mr Scruff · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:39 pm Post subject:

Nope!
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Dents are like scratches with a better story

DaveH · Kiss my PTO hole Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 6119

Drew 5292 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject:

OK! Here's the big update.

So it wasn't a complete 'Leafer' road-trip, as the actual driving was done in a very early 110 V8; so early, it was one of the number which were used for publicity n'that, especially in Europe (hence the LHDness of it).

It started last Tuesday afternoon, when Sebastien met me at Chalons-en-Champagne railway station. Manly hugs and kisses commensurate with honest French friendship and we were off in the direction of Calais, with Sebastien's rather desirable trailer in-tow.
Landed in the port town at @19:00, parked-up and went for some nosebag. It was at this point that I decided to take Scruff up on his offer of a welcome, should we drop in. That our landing was tied-in with actually staying there was news to he and Bec, but they rose to the challenge admirably.
Off the tug at Dover, with me taking the wheel for a spell whilst Dastardly got some Z's.
Diverted through Folkestone, and it was when we re-joined the M20 that the battery light came on. However, with temp staying good, no dimming lights and no excruciating sound of knackered belt slapping about, I reckoned we were in capital trim to plough-on. Sebastien on the other hand, who had woken-up as we roared through the Dartford Tunnel, reckoned otherwise. But persuading him that Thurrock services were too far from the carriageway (first fib), I suggested we continued in the actually fine running motor until the next services (S. Mimms) which were only ten mins away (second fib).
So nature called and as we were heading up the A1(M) to Scruff's, the BP station at Mimms junction was the obvious place, with all its light, should we need to get on our backs. Bizarrely though, the battery light went out before we stopped...Strange fruit.
Post-piss, the motor booted up in signal form and we headed up to our night's digs, arriving there at @02:00, so cold that our heart rates were in the sub-20's.

Wednesday morn, and after a cheeky breakfast with Bec and Kev we went in search of Rocky Mountain at Grantham.
Now there may be a few bits of tasteless bling being sold via this firm, but I am here to tell you that their sole UK agent, Martin Hogan is a rather decent chap who deserves our custom. He had Sebastien's earlier in the year, when he bought 34 (yes! 34) sets of parabolics from him. A courteous 'Hello!' was Sebastien's reason for wanting to swing by.
After a cup of tea, Martin took us down to Witham's at nearby Colsterworth, where Sebastien was getting the vapours over tanks n'that. We were well-received there by a certain Jon Dearden, one of their sales agents, who, despite knowing it was only a tourist visit, was happy to give us his time.
With these two bits of excellent customer service out of the way, myself and my companion headed West, (stopping for lunch outside Melton Mowbray) in the direction of Anchor Supplies at Ripley, where Sebastien hoped to buy an early 127 V8, which I was to drive back to France. Unfortunately, the guv'nor there had promised it to a Dutch chap, who hadn't actually given a date for going there, nor indeed a deposit of any kind. Despite this and in face of Sebastien offering the asking price, the boss felt honour-bound to hold it...Fair play! A few bits bought and it was on to Matlock to collect the object of the trip..The 2b 109 former fire engine (with pukka HIAB).
Arriving at the vendor's, we were told the vehicle was a few miles away in a field, which didn't generate positive feelings for attempting to load it up in the rain and dark. However, arriving at the spot, it was soon towed out onto a road and lay-by, under light. Loading was a doddle and the vendor was happy to let us leave it on his drive back in town, whilst we nobbed up to Oldham (trailerless) to stay at my brother's for the night.
So we hit Oldham at @21:00, grabbing fish and chips for four, which we washed down with two bottles of celebratory champagne and heavy laughs to 'Family Guy'.

Thursday was busy, with first a run into Manchester to meet Joskin (of this parish), who had three wheels for Sebastien. It was then over to Huddersfield to meet a former owner of the 2b, an absolute gentleman of a chap in the truest sense of the word. He actually first registered the motor when it came out of airport service in '93 and he had some history on the motor. He was overjoyed that Sebastien is going to go some way to restoring the motor and was pretty pleased with the bottle of bubbles that were handed to him.
It was then over to Ossett, to the great and mighty palace of the Cake One. He had graciously paused in his eating of Genoa and Battenberg for a while, to go and collect a 2a wing from Blanchard's on Sebastien's behalf. Tea was drunk and a single biscuit (each) given, then we were M1-ing it South in the direction of Matlock, to collect the 2b.
Coupled-up, pictures taken and we were off again (briefly halting at Anchor to see of they'd changed their minds on the 127...No!), with Dover on out minds and a 22:40 ferry.
Slightly late for the boat, so we ended-up on the next, which was 00:10. No problem...An opportunity for a cheeky drink and some arty moon/2b shots.
Now strangely enough (and this flies smack in the face of the fact that I know somebody in pretty-much every major town and city in the UK), I don't actually know anybody in Calais, which meant it was the first motel we could find when we disembarked. It turned out to be a perfectly reasonable type, with the kind of bed which I could easily sleep for a week in...which included a bed of nails, the tiredness I was feeling at that point.

Friday morning saw us take in ballast in the form of croissants and coffee in the hotel diner, then it was an otherwise uneventful trip down to Sebastien's home, with the 110 towing the 3-tonne Leafer in fine (but predictably thirsty) style. When I finally got to espy his ever expanding collection of vehicles other than simply Land-Rovers, the legendary 'Shorland' was my main vehicle focus.
However, my real interest was on the time, with my train being at 17:16, only 3/4 of an hour after we arrived. In contrast, Sebastien was intent on getting the 2b into steam. I gave him a bit of grace, as despite me having had noisy tyres and a V8 as a soundtrack to the road-trip, I really did want to hear the non-standard for the fire-engine V8 (it had a 6-pot originally) boom into life, as a perfect note on-which to end the mission.
Oil checked and a new battery on and the engine turned in fine trim...It just wouldn't spark.
"It's ten-to, Sebastien!"
"Just one moment, mon ami." Screwdriver here...Spanner there.
It was 17:00 by the time we left his home, which is a bit out of town. So with end-of-day traffic in our road, the inevitable happened...I missed my train, which was a regional one. Sebastien immediately offered to run me up to Paris, but suggested we just nip in the station first.
"Give me your ticket please, Drew." said our man, as I stood looking at the departure board, an activity during which I spotted a TGV train which left the station 3/4 hr after the other, yet arrived at the same time.
Sebastien returned a moment-or-so later and handed me my ticket. He'd paid for the train passage in the first place, but had now covered a supplement which allowed me on the later train...in first class!!! What a geezer!
We said our good-bye's as I boarded the train, with he taking pictures to the last, adding to a travelogue of what Sebastien sees as yet another great adventure in life.

On our journey we met friends old and new, saw some pleasant countryside and some desirable motors. We got cold and wet and endured some real eye-drooping tiredness. But altogether it was as fine a few days as I can remember ever having enjoyed in a Land-Rover and they will forever be the benchmark of similar experiences for me.

If you ever get the opportunity to spend even a short period of time in the company of Sebastien, I strongly recommend it...Land-Rovers apart, he will enhance your life. I have known him for a couple of years now and I am all the richer for it and consider him as true a friend as one could want.

Mark on the Drew-o-meter:

Off the scale!
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Drew 5292

1978 S3 88" 'Tommy'
Sankey trailer 'Amazing Journey' (Tubless firewood bitch.)

'We will either find a way, or make one.'- Hannibal.

Gromit · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:10 am Post subject:

Great story, Drew!

Sorry if I'm to nosy, but as I understand, Sebastien has a ever growing collection of vehicles (I even saw a Hanomag cropsprayer) and the place to store them all. What does he do for a living? (I think I want his job Wink

)
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strang · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:33 am Post subject:

Great story! but what about some pictures, everyone tells a story and that!

You should have dropped in to see me too, I work in Huddersfield, was the chap who had the 2b connected with the Land Rover centre at all?
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Bugeye · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

Peter Knowles · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

Great story,

Now I'm itching for a trip.
How I wish it would be as interesting as across the channel and back.
You lot have it good.

Cheers
Peter

strang · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

climbingchris · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

Can't believe you practically drove past my house twice and I didn't even know it.
I'm about 20mins from Matlock.
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Phil Gregson; the 5th Emergency Service et La Gayer de tout Les Gayeurs.

www.themorgans.info/expedition/index.php

LAST FEW FORUM STICKERS STILL AVAILABLE - Vinny has them - All Gone

Mathieu · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

Brilliant story,Drew! Cool

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Drew 5292 · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject:

Concerning the absence of pics.

As I said in the topic which Parksy kicked-off on this adventure, the quality of my photography could be equally gained by sketching on bog-roll with a fountain pen.
I only had my iPhone with me, which takes OK snaps for a phone. However, it doesn't matter what equipment I use, I've come to the conclusion I'm crap...period. I get more pleasure from observing somebody else's efforts.
But surely, my scribbled words paint beautiful pictures anyway? Very Happy

Sebastien's fleet...He's actually a little bit cagey about the true extent of his Land-Roverage being known; reckoning folk may get a bit huffy with a French chap taking all these desirable motors from the UK. I can't see why they would, to be honest. It's an honourable nod of respect to the marque, more than anything.
However, what I can say is that as well as his Massey Ferguson tractor and two Unimogs, which he uses in his farming life, he has eight or nine old French 'Simca' cars and 'numerous' Land-Rovers.
He also pilots a Smart car as his knockabout motor and is currently taking care of a great US school bus and Parksy's FC.

As for slipping past Climber's house. It did cross my mind that Pilsley ain't that far from Matlock and I honestly reckon you'd get on famously with Sebastien. However, it was all deadlines and gassing it royal...Sorry, pal Embarassed

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Drew 5292

1978 S3 88" 'Tommy'
Sankey trailer 'Amazing Journey' (Tubless firewood bitch.)

'We will either find a way, or make one.'- Hannibal.

DasLandRoverMan · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject:

A farmer eh?

I know all about poor farmers Laughing

Seriously though, he seems a rather eccentric chap. Almost British you might say. I'd be very interested to meet him.
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parksyafw · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:16 am Post subject:

The pics are here:
http://ollr.10.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=13788
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Ex-80", 86", 109", Ex-Rangey 2 door, Ex-Rangey Ambi, Ex-RHD 101, LHD 101
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Mr Scruff · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

He is a star - and does a mean line in Champers. It went down a treat, thanks chaps Very Happy

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Dents are like scratches with a better story

1959 S2 · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

DREW

gripper · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

you went past loads of us, i've been over in grantham loads recently too, maybe you could put up a post before you go next time so folks could meet up if there's time?
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