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MGTC to Malta
  • Peter Sprot

MGTC to Malta

The plan is to drive to the south of France then ferries to Corsica Sardinia and Sicily then finally Malta arriving early July. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 19, 2023
    Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Suffolk UK to Peronne France

    June 19, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    This is the end of a long tiring day driving Bluebelle first on the busiest motorways in the UK then into France via the Eurotunnel train and because of say nav errors several hours on the French A1 motorway. It's a new sat nav yet it has complete towns missing. Our destination of Péronne being one of them. Nevertheless the car behaved faultlessly despite being pushed quite hard for its 77 years.
    We are at a farmhouse hotel not far from Péronne. It is really beautiful.
    We have taken photos from our walk around town which would have been longer if I was not so tired after 9 hours driving. My ears are buzzing from the wind noise, I must think of a way to stop that.
    We ended the day with a really fantastic meal in the restaurant recommended by our host.
    Now it's time to have a quick look at the map then sleep. I'll check the car over in the morning.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Just outside Dijon

    June 20, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Another long day. We had a late start as I was talking to Garmin about my new sat nav. It came with lifetime euro map updates but not with maps which I didn't realise I must buy and put on a SD card which I also don't have. Sod it we are using Google maps on our phones.
    For the last two hours we came off the toll motorway when rain started quite heavy and into nice but bumpy B roads. Up and down big hills with many hairpin bends. Exhausting but great fun. Take a look at the photo of how I must dress when it rains. Water comes in from the top of the windscreen and also the side if it is windy.
    After 7 hours on the road I'm tired so a short walk around this village was enough. Mandy did a quick painting. I will post a photo of it.
    Tomorrow I haven't a clue where we will end up. We will look in the morning.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Thundery weather

    June 21, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    This is why we never book hotels until lunchtime on the day.
    We set off in sunshine from just outside Dijon at ten and by mid day it clouded and as we were deciding on going a far as Grenoble the sky darkened so I stopped and put up the hood again and sure enough it began to rain quite hard which is not fun on a motorway so we stopped and booked a hotel 1.5km from where we were. What we didn't realise was it was to the other side of the motorway so it took 35 minutes to reach it. However it is worth it as it is a lovely old chateaux. As I parked the car we heard thunder. Now two hours later it is sunny. Mandy is painting while I checked the car. 650 miles so far, it has used next to no oil and the oil is very clean. Water level is also good. We cruise at about 50mph 80kph and so far we have overtaken one truck and as we passed Mandy said I think there is something wrong with that truck!
    Tonight we will walk to a nearby pizza restaurant and tomorrow it will be either Grenoble or Montelimar or if it rains hard somewhere else. Mandys painting is attached.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Avignon South of France

    June 22, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Another memorable day.
    It started near Macon in quite heavy rain so the hood was up and the headlights on. The motorways are never nice in rain. After a couple of hours the rain stopped for about an hour so we had a break and a coffee.
    I have a battery isolator under the dash in easy reach so I tend to use it a lot. As I switched it on and started the engine there was a loud bang from under the dashboard. I said what was that noise and before Mandy has time to answer smoke started pouring out from under the dash. So much that I couldn't see the foot well. I reached under and switched off the breaker which stopped the engine and whatever was smoking. We both got out of the car and the car parked next to us drove off in a hurry. When the smoke cleared enough to see I noticed the device I wired in the provide 2 USB sockets was just a melted lump of plastic. Strange that the fuse didn't blow. I unplugged it and threw it in the bin, walked into the shop and bought a USB sockets which plugs into a cigarette lighter socket. That is spare because the Garmin sat nav was unknowingly supplied with no euro maps. So problem solved but the car is still smelly tonight.
    If that wasn't enough we then drive into a horrendous thunder storm. All the traffic slowed right down as lightning flashed around us and the rain was so heavy the motorway was like a lake.
    It cleared for the last half hour into Avignon. I was pleased to reach the hotel which overlooks the river Rhône just by the bridge.
    We walked into town and to the papal palace which is huge. It was once a fortress then a palace used in the 14th and 15th century to house the Pope. I'll attach photos. It is one of the largest and most important medieval gothic buildings in Europe.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot
    1
    James bond and me came on this road

    Toulon

    June 23, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    As I write we are in a queue to get on the ferry to Corsica. It's a big ferry and will sail overnight. We don't have any accommodate booked for tomorrow night.
    Today's journey was in sunshine but the very strong wind made it hard to keep our little light weight car in a straight line.
    We arrived in Toulon in plenty time to get food to eat in the ferry and also for Mandy to go for a swim in the sea.
    This morning I put the first oil in the car, about a cup full. I lowered the tyre pressure a bit which helped stop it wandering around the road so readily.
    I put new king pins and added a servo to the brakes for this trip so the rubbish brakes are not quite so rubbish.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Corsica MG = Mountain Goat

    June 24, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    The ferry was a comfortable 11 hour overnight crossing, the sea was calm.
    Off by 07.10 and in cafe having petit dejeuner by 07.30 then we were off into the mountains and to the centre of Corsica for a morning of spectacular views and tight twisty roads. This is motorcycle heaven and there are quite a few enjoying themselves.
    By mid day it was hot but our little car didn't mind. She got hot climbing the mountains in second gear then cooled very quickly on the way down.
    At 1pm we found a hotel, checked in and jumped in the swimming pool which was the beginning of a well earned lazy afternoon. As you would guess Mandy made a painting which I'll attach. I checked the car which was fine.
    Tomorrow we head south towards Bonifacio which is where we may or may not get a ferry to Sardinia.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Off road in Corsica then Sardinia.

    June 25, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We thought the ferry would leave the beautiful port of Bonifacio at 5pm so Mandy suggested an excursion around the lake which powers the hydro electric. We now know the word malvaise means poor as it said as much in the sign at the start of the road which was really a service track running around the lake then up to the dam. It was so steep in both directions I needed first gear and a run at some hills but Bluebelle just took it in her stride and after a good half hour of bouncing around we reached a paved road. Watch the video which doesn't really show how steep it is.
    After that we headed for the ferry which was it turned out left at three thirty and we were in time but we had not booked accommodation.
    Note to self don't book accommodation in a hurry as we ended up at a village which English people would recognise if I said Butlins. I knew it was not going well when they put wrist bands on us.
    However the food is good and the room is comfortable so for one night we can put up with hundreds of noisy kids.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Central Sardinia

    June 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After a night at Club Esse Galura we were looking forward to getting on the road. I will never again stay in a place with the word Club in the title.
    It was easy to set some kind of destination as South was really the obvious way to go. The roads and the scenery are really beautiful. Mandy was photographer and navigator. I'll include a few photos taken in the move when things got in the way of a good photo. 😊
    We are in an Agritourisma house in the middle of Sardinia. To get here we needed to climb and climb in 30+c temperature. We managed because I didn't push Bluebelle. I noticed this morning she is damaged after the shenanigans on the unmade road. The rear plate holding the number plate and light assemble is bent upwards. I'll fix it properly when I get to Malta.
    Speaking of that, I realised there is no ferry to Sicily until Saturday so I'll just have to continue enjoying this lovely island a few more days.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Ula Tirso. Sardinia

    June 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Very little driving today.
    We went to explore the disused old dam about 8km out of town. It was closed to walkers but we can't read Italian so we walked across. The water was high on both side so there must be a new dam further down which we found in Google maps the but it was hydro electric and we couldn't get anywhere near it. The old dam has a cafe dedicated to it on the road which has a drawing of what it looked like. You'll see it in the photos.

    Then we went to the town which is 5 minutes down hill (or ten minutes in second gear going up) which was unspoilt and very pretty. We had cold drinks and I left Mandy near the church and came back to the Agritourisma hotel to check where to go tomorrow At agreed time I returned and parked under a tree while she worked on her painting.

    Back at the hotel Mandy started another painting and I washed the car for the first time since UK then went for a walk around the farm and found two abandoned cars, one of them is a Porsche.
    I've booked tomorrow's hotel which wasn't easy as the one I wanted showed full so I phoned them and they said ok. More about that in tomorrow's post.
    Now we are waiting to go for the evening meal. We have starved since breakfast as yesterday was 3 antipasta then home made pasta then a main course if what we think was veal then home made desert all accompanied with lovely red wine then home made liqueur. I haven't a clue how much it cost. We'll find out in the morning.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Island of Sant Antioco

    June 29, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    This lovely little island off the south west coast of Sardinia is connected by a land bridge. The accommodation called MuMa is an up market hostel and also a museum, if you merged a four star hotel and a hostel this is it. They took one look at this elderly couple with the elderly car and gave us disabled people room which is bigger than most and very comfortable. The facilities are good the breakfast was perfection and there are so many places to eat close by. We are staying until Saturday.
    When we arrived yesterday afternoon the hostel was closed so we went across the island to a beach for a couple of hours. Take a look at the photos. I really like Sant Antioco.

    I've added a couple of photos showing just how much people love either taking photos or sitting in the car or being taken for a short ride. I'm lucky to have such a car in Italy people say Bella Machina beautiful car.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot

    Time in Sant Antioco

    June 30, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Last night in the main square was the first night of a three night food fest with a theme of Spanish speaking countries. Food from Spain, Argentina, Brazil to name but a few. I tried a mixed grill which I had photographed earlier in the day as they set up a huge grill. Take a look at the photo. Mandy had different types of pork. Then we had a fruit salad in a cup. Tonight we both want Paella from a stall from Spain which had two pans of about 1.5 meter diameter. See the photo.
    Today we were sight seeing, I was swimming and chatting with holiday makers while Mandy did a painting from high above the beach then we both when to a sandy beach for more swimming.
    MuMa our accommodate said they are expecting 11 motorcycles this evening. That will be interesting.
    Tomorrow afternoon we move on and get the ferry to Sicily. There will be no signal so the next post will probably be Sunday evening.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot
    Our comfy space on the ferry

    Ferry to Sicily

    July 1, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Last night we went back to the food fest, it was really good take a look at the amazing food on offer. Spot the spelling mistake on the blue boat

    This morning after another filling breakfast we left MuMa hostel the lady gave us a discount and a wooden key ring. One of only 24 made a couple of years ago for 'special guests'. They all liked the car and I took them for a short ride. Nice place nice people.

    I was a little concerned that we have been parking on the very clean pathway near the restaurant and after 3 nights there was no oil under the car. Mandy asked if I have put any in and so far less than a litre has kept it to the full mark.
    On closer inspection there where two drops so that's ok.

    We are on board Grimaldi lines ferry to Sicily and have our name on a list for a cabin. None where available when we booked on Thursday.
    It's a huge ferry which leaves at 5pm and will arrive in Palermo at 5am Sunday.
    This morning we chose to come the more scenic route through the hills as we had plenty time.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot
    Very wet in Palermo at 06.15Mandy's painting while in the ferry

    Agrigento and Nuovo Gibellina

    July 2, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Our ferry from Sardinia docked at 05.15 which meant they woke us up at 04.30 it took an hour to disembark by which time we could drive in daylight.
    I put Agrigento in Google maps and said we should stop about half way and look to breakfast. So for no other reason we went to a café which was open early on a Sunday in Nuovo Gibellina. The cafe manager said the town is famous for its sculptures and gave us a map of where to find over 50 works of art and it is Italy's biggest open air museum. We left the car and went for a walk. It was really nice. The story of the town is that in 1968 there was a huge earthquake which flattened the whole town so it was rebuilt 11km away using quake proof designs and started adding sculptures. I'll add photos of a few. It was an unexpected treat.
    After that we headed closer to Agrigento stopping at a beach side bar for a cool drink and a look at the map to decide where to stop for the evening.
    Thanks to follower Albert for suggesting we stay at San Leone which is lovely.
    Eventually we reach the valley of the temples in Agrigento after Google annoyingly sent us in and out of the main town. The photos speak for themselves. It was built by the Greeks around 5th century BC.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot
    Didn't have any MGsThe lemon with a really hard skin

    Traveling without booking

    July 3, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Breakfast at San Leone was lovely as was the accommodate. It was tranquil and relaxed while we chatted with the owner until there was a loud bang as a lemon dropped from the tree above our head and bounced off the full table without hitting anything. We were given the lemon as a souvenir.

    About a two hour drive in very mixed roads brought us half way to where we get the ferry to Malta on Wednesday evening. In several places we saw fields just off the road on fire. I also spotted an MG garage which sold everything except MGs. We stopped a couple of times to cool in a café on the road.

    The good thing about traveling without booking in advance is that it gives you the flexibility to choose when to stop, we usually decide at lunch time, book and head for wherever it is.
    The down side is when you want to book a ferry. The ferry from Sardinia to Sicily had no cabins left but we did find a great place to sleep. The ferry from southern Sicily to Malta was fully booked for Tuesday evening our preferred time and when I looked on the operators web site last night while we ate our evening meal it said fully booked until Friday so I swapped to Direct Ferries app and tried exactly the same dates. It gave us similar prices and an option to travel on Wednesday evening so I've booked what is by far the most expensive ferry so far for the three hour crossing.
    Until then we will just have to rough it here in Riserva Naturale Orientata Bosco di Santo Pietro.
    See photos.    Read more

  • Peter SprotMGTC to MaltaPeter Sprot
    1A well earned drink

    Malta

    July 5, 2023 in Malta ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After two days at the lovely Tenuta Bellaprima hotel with it's amazing swimming pool we were up at 4am for the two hour drive to Pozzallo. I don't like driving in the dark and to be driving over the Sicilian mountains which often don't have safety barrier and do have sheer drops was disconcerting. However eventually the sun came up enough to see the pot holes coming. We had our jackets on as the mountains where cold.
    We arrived at the port at 6.15 and waited in a queue of cars. Nobody was in the mood to chat so early in the morning.
    The ferry to Malta is a very fast ship taking only one hour and forty five minutes for the 60 mile or 97 km crossing.
    We both shouted 'We did it' as we drove off the boat.

    I've been given the use of a garage which even has electricity very close to my house so Bluebelle is resting inside.

    I photographed the speedo before we started and again today. We have driven 1760 miles or 2830km we used 60 UK gallons or 273 litres of petrol. I used one litre of 20/50 oil. The cheapest petrol by far is here in Malta.
    I had one phone charging device explode spectacularly and two unimportant fuses blow.
    We overtook three trucks, many hundreds over us. All drivers where respectful. Quite literally hundreds of cars and trucks beeped a friendly hello or took photos of Bluebelle as they passed.
    We stayed in nine hotels and one hostel. We used exactly one tube of toothpaste. Mandy painted most days. We were given special gifts from two places we stayed.
    We have thoroughly enjoyed the adventure, even the thunder storms in France.
    Now it is time to wind down, relax and enjoy this beautiful island so this will be the last posting for this trip. We hope you enjoyed following our adventure.    Read more

    Trip end
    July 5, 2023
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