Friday 4 September 2009

A Long Day Ahead

When you read this, we will probably be in Tours, sorting out our driving licences.

That's right - it's time to renew our licences, and as we no longer have a UK address, it's more convenient for us to change over the having a French Licence. This is a big step. We have downloaded and completed the application forms and are hoping all we have to do is arrived at the Prefecture with the forms, some money, and passport photos then not wait TOO long - because we have a train to catch.

The train will take us to Paris Montparnasse, from where we will schlep across town to Gare du Lyon to catch another train to Nemours.

We would like to introduce you to Célestine. She is a Paris built 1953 Citroen Traction Avant 11B who will be living with us for the foreseeable future. Hopefully she will be installed in her new home by 8.00 tonight, but we may stay the night somewhere. Driving at the speed limit it's at least a 4 hour drive home, and the speed limit (90kmh) may be a bit hasty for us on our first trip. Unlike the Renault, which is cruising at 2000rpm for 90kmh, Célestine will be revving quite hard for the same result, and until we are used to her little ways (all ladies of a certain age have little ways) we want to take it easy.

Excited?? Moi??

Simon

10 comments:

Jean said...

Simon, how exciting. Hope you're planning to make another video.
Good luck and have a glorious trip back.

Abbeysmum said...

Congratulations, what an exciting day for you both,she is indeed something special.
We can't wait to "play Ladies" .
How did she come by such an appropriate name ? how very fitting for the beautiful "Grande Dame"

chm said...

My antennae told me about Célestine a while back, but I didn't give up the secret. Congratulations! The Traction Avant and the 2CV were by far the best cars in the whole world. Revolutionary, too!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I am green with envy obviously.

Sadly my great love in car marques, Alvis, did not make a go of their traction avant, which was produced at the same time. There was a lack of finance and a the UK market was not as receptive. Their cars did have all-synchro gearboxes however.

I have to agree that for sheer glamour for a mass-produced car of the size, the Traction Avant wins.

John

Paulita said...

Okay all this car talk is way above my head, but I can sing a few bars of "Cruella de Ville" from the movie 101 Dalmations, cause that's what the car reminds me of.

Bengt said...

Have you, multilingual chaps, got this adress?

http://www.b11klubben.se/

The Beaver said...

Célestine - quelle jolie nom.
So you must be in heaven :-) Congratulations for the new member of your "court"

Autolycus said...

How exciting - a chance to play Maigret at last.

And knows, perhaps you could make a business out of it, like these people near my home:

http://www.enavant.co.uk/

P.S. the word verification word is "jigmacap", which no doubt you feel like doing at the moment.

Carolyn said...

Unbelievably swank. She is a real beauty. Congratulations.

Simon said...

Thanks one and all. We're totally over the moon in love here. (Well I am, and Susan indulges me :¬))

Big Célestine post coming up later in the week, with photos.

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