The 'Excelsior' left the harbor at 03.00 AM, three hours later than planned but considering the chaos at the harbor customs, police, immigration and loading procedure not a real surprise. The shipping company GNV knows that of course because we reached Barcelona after 30 hours (in stead of the planned 36 hours). We had a cabin and spent this time mainly with sleeping, eating and reading. In Barcelona we stopped for a few hours to visit the 'Sagrada Familia. Last time we were here was about 25 years ago and I have to say, they really made some progress indeed. Another seven years and the cathedral will be finished. From Barcelona we drove in the late afternoon and evening to a small medieval village in France named Viviers. We stayed our last night in a small hostel next to the cathedral. We were just in time to get a pizza in the only (open) restaurant in the village. For the first time in a long time accompanied with a good glass of wine. Cheers. The last day we drove almost 1000 kilometer to Langeweg, our home. First a lot of rain but north of Lyon the weather dried up. The exhaust getting louder and louder, the drive shaft rumbling and shaking and also the water-pump was starting to make more and more nasty noises. But we made it. About eight o'clock in the evening we were back home in a dark and cold Netherlands. The kids and the dog were all very happy to see us all again. The cat decided that evening to dive in the gutter. Welcome home! Next day I checked and cleaned the CX and found even an African stowaway under the chair! (Not good for the cat anymore) After 22 months, more than 20000 kilometers, 20 countries and 27 borders is the CX back home. The last three weeks we drove 5850 km and used 535 liters gas, average price 1 euro for a liter. The old lady is a bit tired now, limping, bleeding and leaking, the skin is faded and blistered. She can now rest for a few months. Next spring we will pamper her, heal her and prepare her body and guts for the next trip starting July 2020, the Atlantic Pacific Ocean Drive from Hamburg to Vladivostok. With my sun Pieter we will be team 95. Another great adventure and another 20000 kilometer or so ....
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Kees and Bien A limousine, a grand lady but also a tough winning rally car in the 1977 -1979 editions of the Rally du Senegal and winning! |