Reset search
Euroadster ’23
  • Peter Dannock
  • Rob Dannock
  • Peter Dannock
  • Rob Dannock

Euroadster ’23

Combining a desire to travel with a passion for the world's best-selling convertible sports car, my brother and I are embarking on a ten-week journey through the United Kingdom and Europe in a Mazda MX-5. Read more
+9
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 35 - Paris to Toulouse

    July 21, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We had planned for today to be our longest driving day on the trip. We were travelling from Paris to Toulouse. So, we got away at 4.00 am to ensure we beat the Parisien traffic jams.

    Our route took us via Le Mans, so Rob could drive along the Mulsanne Straight. He had a childhood recollection of the road from the Steve McQueen movie, and given today was his birthday, it was well worth the effort to take the detour from the fastest route. Mulsanne Straight is a public road when it is not part of the 24-hour race, and you can recognise the race track from the armco barriers down each side of the road and the two blocked off chicanes. By the time we reached Mulsanne, Rob had a massive smile on his face.

    After leaving Le Mans, we drove on some back roads. The speed limits were much lower, and even though they slowed our progress, it allowed us to drive some nicer roadster roads. The weather also made it a great driving day. As the day dragged on, we cut back to the freeway to make up time to get to Toulouse for dinner.

    We drove 930 kilometres and was on the road for fourteen hours. It was good to get the long drive behind us.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Aeroscopia and Airbus Factory tour

    July 22, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Aeroscopia is a French aerospace museum, located at the north-western edge of Toulouse, in Blagnac. The museum notably hosts two Concorde airliners.

    This is also where took the Airbus tour. We hoped on a bus around the Airbus assembly buildings and got a closer look at the A380 assembly. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any photos on the tour.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23
    2

    Day 36 - Toulouse

    July 22, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Today was a none driving day, and after the long drive yesterday, it is nice to have a rest from driving. Today's plan was to so to the Airbus factory four.

    We headed out earlier to ensure we didn't get caught in traffic, and of course, we were way too early. So, we went looking for a patisserie to buy some crossaints and cane across a community market. The market had a hose variety of foods and other goods, and we found a coffee and croissants. The coffee was, but the croissants were stale. So, on our way back to the car we bought fresh ones from the patisserie.

    The tour of the Airbus factors started at Aeroscopia, the French aerospace museum, located at the north-western edge of Toulouse, in Blagnac. We hoped on a bus around the Airbus assembly buildings and got a closer look at the A380 assembly. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any photos on the tour. Nevertheless, this tour was another bucket list item for Rob, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. After the tour, we spent a good two hours in the museum.

    This afternoon was laundry time, and we found a laundromat in a service station car park. A novel idea, and one that served our needs.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Viaduct de Millau

    July 23, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    The Viaduct de Millau is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Tarn River in southern France. It is the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast reaching a height of 343 meters (1,125 feet) above the base of the structure. The bridge was designed by the French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and the British architect Norman Foster. It was opened in 2004 and has won numerous awards for its innovative design and engineering.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 37 - Toulouse to Valence

    July 23, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 33 °C

    We have now passed the halfway point on our trip. Today, we drove from Toulouse to Valence. As we headed east from Toulouse, we saw a lovely sunrise, which set us up for a great day of driving.

    We took a detour south to drive over the Viaduct de Millau. The Viaduct de Millau is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Tarn River in southern France. It is the tallest bridge in the world, with one mast reaching a height of 343 meters (1,125 feet) above the base of the structure. We first drove the bridge in both directions and then stopped at the viewing point for the bridge. From here, we could also see the town of Millau in the valley, which is bypassed by the bridge.

    The view of the underside of the Viaduct de Millau provides a better idea of its scale and engineering achievement, and it is a massive bridge. We drove over the bridge one more time as we set off to the northeast, so Rob could say he drove over the Viaduct de Millau. At €12.50 for each trip on the bridge, we paid a bit for the privilege.

    On our way to Valence, we drove through Mende, Lagogne and Aubenes. Rob said the mountain descent was like the last toothpaste being squeezed out of the tub, as the road wound down through the valley with two huge mountain ranges on each side. We finally were squeezed out the end into Valence. Another great driving day.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Route Napoléon

    July 24, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Route Napoleon is a scenic road in France that follows the path that Napoleon Bonaparte took on his return from exile in Elba to Grenoble in 1815. It starts in Golfe-Juan, near Cannes, and ends in Grenoble. The road passes through picturesque towns and villages, as well as mountainous terrain and stunning natural landscapes. It has become a popular tourist destination for those seeking a beautiful drive through the French countryside.Read more

  • Euroadster ’23
    GPX

    Day 38 - Valence to Monte Carlo

    July 24, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    A storm was brewing as we left Valence this morning. Thunder and lightning filled the dark sky, and it looked like we might be in for a huge downpour. After refuelling the car, we headed northeast, and fortunately, we eventually outrun the storm.

    It wasn't long before we reached Col du Machine a mountain pass that has sheer cliffs and a road that is cut into the cliffs. The views from the Col du Machine we're stunning. At one point, the road tunnelled through the cliff. It was a good thing there was a rock wall on the edge of the road to prevent us from driving off. Nevertheless, Rob was constantly reminding me to take it easy.

    The next pass was the Col du Rousset. A tunnel starts at the skiing village, and as you come out of the tunnel, one of the most stunning views in France is in front of you. The road there snakes its way down the hill in a drive that seems to take forever.

    The route had an endless number of this and turns. As we got closer to the coast, we drove part of the Route Napoleon, a scenic road in France that follows the path that Napoleon Bonaparte took on his return from exile in Elba to Grenoble in 1815. By the time we reached Cannes, it was 30 degrees and very humid. A stark contrast to the start of our day. It was nice to sip on a cold lemonade when we arrived at our hotel.    Read more

  • Euroadster ’23

    Monaco

    July 25, 2023 in Monaco ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Monaco is a sovereign city-state located on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is the second-smallest country in the world, after Vatican City. Monaco is known for its luxurious lifestyle, upscale casinos, and yacht-lined harbour. It is also famous for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place annually on the Circuit de Monaco. Monaco has a population of approximately 39,000 people and covers an area of only 2.02 square kilometres.Read more