Normandy 2001

Jan & Allan Reece


Over a few glasses of wine and lovely meal I somehow managed to talk myself into putting down on paper my memories of my first traction rally!! - so here goes:

Vicki and Sue had gone to great lengths to ensure that things went to plan and their sun dance the week before had obviously worked a treat - it did not stop shining. It is difficult to highlight any specific parts of the rally as it was all so excellent. We arrived at the campsite meet on Friday morning and I was astonished to see all the lovely tractions lined up. What a sight!

First stop was a look out point where we should have been able to see Mont St Michel - sadly it was too misty to see on this first day. Next on to Maison de la Baie for a bit of local history, geography and ecology - excellent. Picnic lunch in the grounds. Tables, chairs and picnic baskets appeared from Tractions. Food was laid out and we all ate. Sampling each others goodies - even down to Francis' oysters which Bernie expertly opened and then sampled. What a good start to a lovely weekend. A trip to Mont St Michel was next followed by a barbecue at Sue and Peter's lovely house. Seeing the tractions parked in his orchard (after he had pruned the apple trees a bit). The French Mayors coming with their bottles of Calvados and Brenda's Eau de Vie finished off the evening a treat.

Meeting the next day on the hill at St Michel de Montjoie, we couldn't see Mont St Michel because of the morning mist. We toured the granite museum, then all drove south in convoy to the Museum of Apples and Pears. A picnic stop with cidre bouché - excellent stuff. The evening meal was at an old mill, and how they managed the menu for the price we paid I will never know. Another excellent evening spent with new friends.

The meeting the next day was again on the hill at St Michel de Montjoie, and again it was misty, but this time Peter had his special telescope and we all managed to see Mont St Michel, even the Mayor. A drive throught the wilds of Normandy with tractions in front and tractions behind is something I will always remember about this trip. We had lunch at the top of a hill with a wonderful view and great company. Cidre bouché and crêpes, what more could you ask. Christian Dior's house right at the edge of the sea was our destination today. Beautiful place with a lovely quite garden - until the tractionists got there - then it was full of laughter and enjoyment. The meal that night was in another old mill, and once again value for money did not come into it. Sadly our traction had developed a dreadful noise, but the boys listened, diagnosed and arranged to fix it in the morning. Sure enough at neuf heures our car was in pieces and being fixed with the help of a local French traction owner - or so he thought. An hour and a piece of beer can later we were up and running. First stop super marché for the vin, and then our goodbyes, and we were off for the Tunnel Sous Manche and England.

I came to the rally with a certain amount of trepidation as this was a first. We had only bought the traction about six weeks ago, and had just a couple of runs out with it. I should not have worried - the club members are all so supportive and friendly. We can't wait to go on the next one.

A local hot tip we picked up from the Mayor - rub your windscreen with your onions to stop it freezing in the winter. Very many thanks to Vicki and Martin and Sue and Peter for a fantastic trip.
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Last update: 10 Oct 01	Contact us