Blog : Uncategorized

Clue Locations: Murol, Paulhaguet, Loudes, Ruoms, Pont St Esprit

Day 3 started off with a little ‘quiz’ to warm up the brain, we had to write as many Walt Disney Movies as possible in 5 minutes – suddenly the brain freezes over and all I can think of is Daffy Duck!

After our brain warm up, and a bit of map folding, we were given our set of clues to map out our days driving, Team Balderdash and ourselves were super confident and left the rest of the group still figuring out the clues and we set out on our way! unfortunately we went extra 80 miles because we got the first destination wrong, however, we had the most amazing drive to Riom es Montagnes! We had a very quick coffee and drove back up to Murol where we were meant to be!!
Today was all about ‘the loo’! When we finally got the opportunity to go to ‘the little girls room’ it was actually the clue we required (Not the best loo in France!) But we found the clue!

For many of our fellow rally competitors today was like an episode of ‘Wife Swap’/’Car Swap’! Nigel Elliot and Stephen Warnes in the Ferrari 355 very kindly invited Neil Ginnis and Jenson Nixon to drive their car for the day. I think that this was the most amazing gesture and the two boys were just so excited. They both said that this was an opportunity of a life time and one they will never forget.

David Hall and Nigel Hurst in the BMW M3 EVO also had a ‘wife swap ‘with Simon Webster and Graham in the Audi R8. Graham and David drove the Audi R8, David was highly excited about going in the R8 (Or maybe having an afternoon away from Nigel I am not sure!!) Whilst Simon and Nigel had an afternoon together in the BMW M3 EVO, I am sure Simon enjoyed this and appreciated his car even more by the end of the day!!
The driving today was fantastic, a day filled with Gorges and lovely windy roads, Alan and I also managed to master the clues today (with a little help from our friends!)

Today I got the opportunity to take some video footage, we had a most enjoyable drive behind a Citreon Bread van, that took corners sideways, possibly the most incrediable driving we have come across and I am looking forward to downloading this onto Youtube! I think Jeremy Clarkson would interested on how the car handled the roads!

Everyone had rather a long day – however once again a great supper to finish the day relaying the tales of the day and great banter between the teams.

Amboise – Mont Dore

Clue location: Valencay, Crozant, Ahun, Crocq, La Bourboule
The driving today was absolutely fantastic, from straight long roads to tight windy roads. The Clues however equally challenging as day 1! Perfect roads for a Lamborghini! The first clue took us to Valencay once we had worked out that the signs for the gardens had differing numbers, we re-fueled (much needed) and headed off on a long drive to Crozant, we were travelling behind Simon and Graham in the Audi R8 Spider (I am assuming they were using a Sat Nav because the roads we went on weren’t on my map! We even went through a residential housing estate! If you are an estate agent it may have been interesting!

However, eventually it took us to the next location Crosant, Alan and I came up with a great answer to the Clue (but obviously for another rally entirely!) We had a tremendous lunch and carried on to clue number 3, which was in another garden in Ahun, I wandered around the garden, looking at old stones, not sure what to find, however my driver Alan found the clue on the back of a padlock! (because we all go around looking on padlocks don’t we! Brilliant!) Quick Coffee and moved ‘swiftly’ onto Crocq which took us to a tower at the top of the hill. Finally we reached La Bourbelle quite a touristy ski resort near Mont Dore, There was a very excited tourist who was kitted out in a bright orange base ball cap and matching orange fleece, he nearly passed out to find an orange Lamborghini arrive! To our delight the clue in Bourbelle was really straightforward so that meant we could stop for a quick well deserved beer before heading to the hotel for our next task.
The evening task to gain extra points for the teams– from past experience it is a well known fact that I was not great at Art or Science at School, tonight confirmed this. Our aim was to make an I’effel Tower from Straws, Plastercine, tooth picks, blue tac and a pack of the biggest playing cards I have ever seen. We made a prototype for ours, with the theory maybe ‘less is more’ Alan was the Project Manager I just threaded cocktail sticks through straws! ‘Interesting’ needless to say we didn’t score extra points in this challenge. The effort each team put in was incredible. The top 3 awarded extra points to the final score, Sarah and Phil – (The HP’s) were in third place, Geoff and Chris Blackstone – (Equipe Pierre Noire) came a very well deserved Second, the competition was won by Gary Taylor and Mike Nolan – (It’s an Evo Adventure) who must have gone to Art College because they seem to have come up trumps on all the creative events!
Another day comes to an end and the scoresheets are handed out to once again a bit more huffing and puffing! But tomorrow a new day and a new challenge Mont Gore to Avignon

St Malo – Amboise

Clue locations:- Combourg, Bouloire, Chateau Renault
Hotel: Logis – Amboise

The ‘competition’ started at the Royal Yacht, the cars contending with the French Market opposite, so the line up looked more like a car auction than a car rally!. For those who had already found Chip’s first clue (which was hidden in the registration pack!) Were donned with Black Crowns, some better the others admittedly! I obviously didn’t watch Blue Peter the day they made crowns!

Chip always likes to keep us entertained on the boat! This year he came up with a ‘cheat proof’ Word Search..to find 70 Trees! Some still managed a reason to Google to further their ‘tree knowledge!’ I do feel very sorry for Heidi who had to score our work – She looked slightly cross eyed by the end and probably doesn’t want to see a tree name ever again!

We arrive en France! The first clue was close to St Malo at Combourg – After a lot of wafting around, people started to get the idea of the Clue,(What time is it in SW1) (We did) We found Big Ben, however even though my Driver Alan is excellent at Driving a Lamborghini, he can’t tell the time – our answer was 12:25 – the actual answer 5:00pm! Close but not enough!

Clue two was cancelled so Alan and I took the Lamboghini out on the open road avoiding motorways and Le Mans – Had a stunning drive which took us to Clue 3 at Bouloire where we needed refreshments (aka a beer for me!) and walked straight into the Clue! Fantastic off we go!
Final Clue of the day in Chateaux Renault – totally confused everyone, Alan and I certainly didn’t get it right, but hey we can’t tell the time so there is no hope!

We arrived at Mosnes to a fantastic hotel, some of our fellow drivers had frowns on their faces with disappointment of their days school boy errors! But After a drink, lovely supper discussing antics of the day, soon all forgotten, because another day tomorrow!

The launch for this year’s rally has been confirmed for 4th March, 6.30pm at Grand Jersey. A chance to meet Chip, our organiser and ask any questions you have. There will be a free drink for all and canapes courtesy of our sponsors. We look forward to seeing you there!

This year’s rally is welcoming two wheeled teams. If you’re a biker and have a friend you’ll be able to clue chase and ride through the French countryside to Monaco with the Rally Cars..!

It’s not that difficult to raise your sponsorship. You could sell sticker space on your car, organise an event or meal, a cakesale or many other inventive methods. Here’s our fundraising pack for your perusal..

Check out a rally from a time when Men were men and BMWs still had round back lights…

Monaco Rally 1967

We’re getting a lot of buzz over the 2011 rally with lots of enquiries every day. We’re pleased that we’ve already got a good number of teams signed up, both the familiar faces of galleryrally veterans and new teams too. Almost a third of places have been taken already so if you’re joining us get your deposits in!