Hope I've got this diagnosis right: the screws in the bell housing were ever so slightly loose and oil was leaking through.
Matt came up with bell housing with no screws. Everything was cleaned up and put back together. Long job.
We went to a local character pub and enjoyed a nice dinner with Matt and his wife.
It's not easy trying to sleep in a small complex of noisy, light industrial businesses. We managed, but were woken up early.
Noel is helping Matt. They have taken out the gearbox and are running the engine to try to discover where the leak is coming from.
No luck so far!
After many hours on the road, including some breaks, we arrived at the Eurotunnel checkin about 7:30pm. It was still 29°! Noel and I were quite exhausted.
At the self checkin, we were offered an earlier journey of 20:40 which we took gladly. It was surprising as the lineup of cars and chaos was incredible. Maybe they were just trying to process vehicles as they arrived to get rid of them! They were running five trains an hour, but all a bit late.
While we waited in our designated line, we had a quick and delicious cold meal I had purchased earlier in the day. The crossing was uneventful.
We arrived at Folkestone an hour earlier because of the one hour time difference. However, it was definitely cooler and dark.
Robin had given us instructions on where we might park up overnight as we were arriving too late to get into a campsite. However, when we got there, because it was much earlier than the original plan of midnight, the car park was full and there were people everywhere and it didn't feel safe.
We considered our options, called our mechanic Matt King and he said he would come and let us in so we could camp outside his workshop, which we have done before. An hour later, we were there. By midnight we were showered and tucked up in bed. Very long day!
One of the people we met at Villars told us that you can still see the remains of the circuit which started in the late 1920's. So you can imagine that Noel wanted to go if possible.
I had altered the Eurotunnel bookings. The only crossing I could get for the next 2 days was 23:50 that night, so we had plenty of time. (The end of school holidays in UK so everyone headed home.) It was going to be a long day!
As we got closer to Reims, I used my phone again to guide us to Gueux. As we approached, we realised that we were driving down the main straight. Noel got very excited. On the left, the grandstand and the pits on the right. They are apparently planning some restoration, raising money through car events.
We parked next to the pits and Noel had a walk around.
From my point of view, I was sorry we didnt have half a day to visit the neighbouring Champagne area and pick up some souvenirs!
After a lovely breakfast at the hotel and goodbyes to our team mates, we settled back in the motorhome and drove off. As we went down the mountain and through all the major hairpin bends, Noel reminisced about the hillclimb.
By the time we had done the 10k to Ollon, smoke was pouring out of he brakes and we had to pull over. Then drove off gently to get air through them.
We were pleased to be back on the flat and then the lovely motorways.
Through border security without stopping. They were busy searching some other cars! Then the beautiful drive to Besancon.
By the time we arrived it was 3pm and 36 degrees. We were very hot and exhausted. Our SATNAV took us the wrong way through a very narrow part of town. We almost got stuck. Grateful once again to have my phone, which got us back to where we needed to go and our campsite.
A shame we had no time or energy to look around, as the old city looks really interesting. However, lots of washing to do and we want to leave early tomorrow.
Tonight our hotel hosted a beautiful evening and dinner on the terrace. Weather perfect. All the Scots wore kilts or something tartan. Drinks on the terrace followed by a lovely dinner. One of the lovely staff took group photos on everyone's camera. Speeches were made. Presentations of thanks to the Hotel and to Vern and Copper. Funny stories told, jokes laughed at. The hotel poured us all a Japanese whisky to finish the evening
It was great! Rather sorry that it's over. We have met some quirky, entertaining people who we really like. This is the kind of weekend we could enjoy more often. Thanks everyone!
In spite of trying once again to fix the oil leak, Noel's run up the hill Sunday morning was his last. The leak was as bad as ever. Vern following Noel, said when he went round hairpins, it leaked and when he straightened up it didn't. There doesn't seem to be an answer.
We have decided to alter our French holiday plans and get back to the UK. If we are lucky we will have 5 working days until Goodwood. Noel has arranged to put it on a rolling road with the back off so we hopefully can see what is going on. We must get this fixed!
When we loaded the car into the trailer, we noticed that neither the motorhome nor the engine had power. The battery levels were reading 9.7 and 4.6 respectively. Vern came back with some chargers and started us up again and we allowed the engine to run for some time before pointing it downhill. Readings both now over 13. No idea how a new motorhome can do that. Hope it goes tomorrow when we want to leave!
The hill climb organisers put on a wonderful dinner for all the participants on Saturday night.
It was in the sports centre, "just walk up behind the Club Med Hotel" we were told. Of course, in Switzerland, you are either walking up hill or down. In this case, up hill, up steps, up paths and up more steps. We were all exhausted by the time we got there!
However, the food was wonderful and we had fun company. Walking back down in the dark was a challenge too but at least it was cooler.
Rather nice that quite by accident, Noel is parked next to Howden Ganley's old McLaren. It motivates us to come up with some answers!
He made it up the hill without incident - except for the oil leak. Part of what he did worked, but oil is still leaking badly. Mainly the right rear.
Our team mates gather round and give their opinion. One thing for sure, we cannot run at Goodwood like this.
Noel and I discuss once more cutting our European part of the trip short so we can get back to England and try and find a solution.
Up at the crack of dawn. Drivers briefing at 8:15 in Ollon. The hill climb starts at 9:30 (in theory). Charlotte and I walk down to the top of the run, where all the vehicles will assemble when they finish.
Cars are supposed to start in numerical number, but as various numbers arrive, it seems to us like a free for all. We are told by some of the drivers that he who is ready goes. It must be very confusing for the commentators!
By 12:30, there are hundreds of vehicles in the paddock at the top. It is spectacular!
The office was not easy to find. Up there, left, right and behind there...
We worked out where we would go after for a cold drink!
I'm not quite sure how it happened but we are part of the Scottish Team here in Villar-sur-Ollon in Switzerland. There are about 18 drivers and wives with some children as well.
The Historic Ollon-Villars Hill Climb takes place every four years. Motor racing is forbidden in Switzerland but because this is an historic event, for some reason it is allowed. So you see how lucky we are!
Getting organized in 30° heat, in very tight circumstances is quite an achievement. About 1:30, all our team drove or coasted down the mountain to the startline at Ollon. We have a small parking area allotted to us, so all the cars are tightly packed in no particular order. Even within our team, there are a huge variety of cars.
There are several bars and restaurants around and we lost a few of our number to them as the afternoon wore on.
Scutineering was a cursory affair: open the bonnet; does it go? Good! Signing in was similar. What size polo do you want? We also got a large starting number - 58 which meant we had to cover up Noel's 73.
We are worried about the start as it is on a bend, uphill and Noel's clutch will not cope with a repeated stop/start. We are hoping that we will go as a team with 15 seconds between so that once started, he just moves up and pauses at the starting line.
At the end of the afternoon, there were cars and motorbikes parked in every available crevice. It will take a lot of organization to extract them quickly in the order they are required!
A welcome shower followed by a great salad/pizza/pasta with our team.
Many thanks to Simon and Charlotte During for running us around.
Bed time!
