Roadster Adventure Diary

[GIDDLEPIN]

CORFU 2008 A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER

9 TOYOTA MR2 ROADSTERS …15..PEOPLE...SATURDAY 26th APRIL to SUNDAY 11 MAY 2008

Nigel & Carol, Les & Anne, Tim & Hannah, Jason & Adelle, Stu & Ele, Ed & Ad, Mike , Steve and Chris

WARNING!

If you are bored easily or have a low attention span this article is not for you  If however you are a died in the wool Roadster user and abuser then I’m sure you will love it

The adventure started when I read a post on MR2 Roadster Owners Club about a proposed road trip to Corfu. One of the members (user name Agni) Nathan, had made an incredible offer of free accommodation using the many villas of his company Agni Travel as places for Roadster Owners Club members to stay.

The more I read through the article the more I wanted to go so after careful consideration and giving myself a good five minutes to think things over I confirmed our intentions to join the trip.

From the time of packing to our return Anne (Devil-ish) kept a diary of the events so below is a detailed-ish story of our fabulous trip (with embellishments from me ;) ).

Sat 26 April

Today we packed the car - its surprising what you can get in a roadster if you try hard enough. We laid everything out necessary for the journey then attempted to place them in the “Tardis” lockers, I say Tardis because as most of you know this car is not blessed with vast amounts of luggage space, so “small on the outside, big on the inside is definitely the case.

Packing was done this early to allow for any thinning out that might be needed, fortunately all was secured with space to spare (for a couple of hankies )

Sun 27 April

Was a long day……sighs, waiting for Monday to come round so we went out for lunch just to fill in some time - Nandos yummy .

Mon 28 April

9.30am all ready to go. Just take a few snaps and we is ready for the off……………..

10.10am we’re off. Stopped once for coffee break and on to Nyregis’s to stay for night. Chris & Tony welcomed us at 16.00pm. Shortly after Jason and Adelle joined us and we had a lovely Chinese for supper, unfortunately we over ordered and couldn’t eat it all.

Tues 29 April

Up at 8.30am, lovely shower to wake us up and a fabulous breakfast…Great start for the day. 10.30am ready to set off on our adventure.. wheeeeeeeee!.

10.30am setting off for ferry at Dover. 11.00am met up with other roadsters in queue for the ferry where we met some familiar and some new faces.

After boarding the ferry it was decided we should all meet in the bar (where else) this gave us time to chat about the journey ahead and grab a bit of lunch.…Stu was playing on his computer already, I think he was checking out the route again although I thought we were going to Corfu and not Dallas with a girl called Debbie?

Anne took the opportunity to visit the duty free and buy some perfume (hope she didn’t spend the full five pounds?)

15.50pm arrived in Dunkerque - put the tops down on the cars and headed for Auchan supermarket (took some finding!) several cars went past and back a lot of times!!. We bought stuff like sweets and cakes for the journey.

Started journey proper at 16.30pm and it was raining.tops up - sighs. 17.00pm first of the many stops for petrol. Just outside Lille at 17.30pm and we hit a traffic jam….damn rush hour!!!. 18.00pm realised we aint got Nigel with us anymore…oh dear. We now enter Belgium. 19.53pm Luxemburg. 20.45pm Petrol again and fag break for those gaspin…gradually getting dark now. Went through tolls (first of many)

At 21.45 and again at 22.00pm and filled up with last lot of petrol for day (These stops were not because we were all empty but just to top up after a break) On to Strasbourg, Finally got to F1 hotel and couldn’t get in grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Was supposed to work entry on credit card and reservation numbers but no. Very nice man came and rescued us and let us in and gave us our room passes. Rooms were basic with bed and sink and TV, loos and showers were separate. Bed at 22.00pm zzzzzzzz

Wed 30 April

Up tooooo early at 5.00am out to car by 5.30am…Steve was last!

6.10am everyone together and ready for the off. 7.15am the Black forest area, very picturesque - its been glorious weather all the way, tops down! Went through our first tunnel and a strange phenomenon took place……the drivers seemed to slow down, drop into second gear, then scream up to the rev limiter before changing gear, it could possibly have something to do with the awesome sound reflected in the confined space I suppose .

8.30am spotted the Alps in the distance. 9.00am and we’re by Bodensee Lake - very pretty.

Stopped to get 10day pass. 10.30am Innsbruck,,,more tunnels and more playing ;) 11.00am yet another petrol and pee stop. 11.50am another toll. 13.00pm another toll….Brenner Pass is now signposted. 15.30pm we are at last on the last leg of journey to Venice 17.00pm joined queue for ferry at last.

[GIDDLEPIN]

18.45pm booked into room on ferry…..shower phew. Out onto deck to watch Venice go by and then down to bar to socialise, eat - waited a long time for that meal!!!! Then back to bar for more socialising……….or bed for those of us who were powfagged

Thur 1 May

Stayed in bed late - up at 10.00am. Bar again…hehe, played UNO for the first time (now UNO addicts ), had lunch from snack bar about 13.30pm back to Uno n drinks

21.40pm docked in mainland Greece where we picked up our Greek friends with two more Roadsters and a MK2 tubby. 22.30pm ready to dock in Corfu, 22.30pm back to cars and 23.00pm on to dry land. Met up with Nathan - now we are 13 cars!!!!

Blatted it (first of many blats!) with many hairpin bends round to our various villas…..arrived at Apolyssies Cottage, unpacked the car, had coffee n bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fri 2 May

Our wedding anniversary….11 years! Got up 8.30am - sunny again! Looked around cottage - views are amazing. Found Jacuzzi, rumpus room, etc….it just goes on and on! Les washed car….no surprise there.

13.00pm went to Agni Taverna for welcome meet. Car park is a bit awkward but we negotiated it ok. The Taverna is on the beach in a very nice location. We all had mezee lunch - shrimps sardines mussels aubergines calamari octopus chips,,,,you name it!! Plenty of drinks too. We went for a drive in convoy and stopped in Kassiopi for milk shakes and icecream, then on to a beach to line up for photo shoot. Then back to our villas…Les chilled (literally) in the jaccussi hehe. Jason and Adelle came to our cottage n we played uno - again with an expensive bottle of wine - well it was our anniversary zzzzzzzzzz

Sat 3 April

9.30am met Jason and a Adelle and made our way for a run out and about…erk hard to find meeting place! It was at Belle Mare Hotel where our Greek friends were staying, when they met us they said "You have your tops down"--------Yes we said, "But it is very sunny"------Yes we said.......and the problem is? (They don't understand that we Brits need to get the sun while we can ;) )

(Taken by the Hotel pool)

10.30am we were all at Nathans Agni Travel where he gave us itineries for the Corfu drive.

We set off on yet another fun convoy taking in the fantastic twisty roads which have a strange surface, not unpleasant but VERY interesting for RWD ;) making it easy to get the back end out at every opportunity, something that was enjoyed by all . Up to a Monastery in the highest point of Corfu - Mount Pantorkrators. Glorious views of Italy Albania Paxus Kefalonia and Lefkas, had a look in the chapel - very atmospheric. We lit candles to the memory of our Mams and Dads. Had a coffee break and the off for more manic driving. Went to sunset beach and lined up for more photo shoots.

[GIDDLEPIN]

After many bends and twists we stopped for lunch, phew. Excellent meal and time for 30min break sunbathing on beach. On to a café on a mountain side with views to die for. . Had icecreams whilst surveying the view.

Driving round and up and wheeeeeeeeeeee. Drove down for photoshoot in the bay but the sun was in the wrong direction…we need to turn the island round. Drove on to stop and taste wine at the roadside and stock up Nigels wine cellar.

Running late by now so drove without stopping and went our separate ways home. Showered and straight out again to Jason and Adelles, several of us met there and we went to local Taverna for meal…Tavern on the Rocks. Home 23.30pm to drink wine on the patio zzzzzzzzzzz

Sun 4 May

Up at 9.00am cooked breakfast while Les got fresh baked bread from supermarket Aphrodite. Went to meet at Agni Taverna for boating day at 11.00am.

12.00noon set off in our speedboats for day. 3 or 4 peeps per boat. Had a lot of fun whipping round each other and sailed along coast past bays to Kassiopi where we moored up for lunch.

Short stroll to café for burgers and fries and desert to die for - fresh fruit icecream and cream yummy. Joined by our Greek friends, Nathan and his daughter (by boat too). Back to boats for more fun.

Sped on to Tim and Hans villa where we moored up and had punch and chilled and swam in the sea (well a few of us did)

then back to boats for ride back to Taverna Agni. Home to shower for the evening. Down hill to Taverna Anthi for meal n drinks with 13 others. Selection assortment for starters and then chosen dishes to follow with wine of course. Back up the hill n bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mon 5May

Chill day. Started day off with bacon n scrambled eggs. Went to sort washing while Les washed the car again! 11.00am went ti Taverna Agni to join Jason and Adelle for day. Jason was working in the back of the taverna on his lap top..he was cold!! We were sunbathing out front and very hot!! So we had to drink beers of course to keep cool. We had a gut bustin lunch…Jason got sardines starter n he got a mountain of them - we had to help him eat them! Then we has steak in sauce n chips, was very good.. We wrote comments in the guest book so they will remember us being there. Then back to the sunbathing and we were joined by Ele. - we actually went in the sea too!!! 17.30pm we were joined by the crew and we convoyed off through Corfu town to a place with a view over Corfu airport….had coffee of course while we were there then yet another photo shot.

Homeward bound then we left others to go to Taverna Anthi to eat….we came home for soup n sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Tues 6May

Woke up to a cloudy morning, it even rained just a little. Chilled till 11.00am then Went to Taverna Agni to meet them there and had a brekkie snack…me chips n Les omlette. Then on to a bbq lunch meeting at Taverna Anthi. Group meet again!!! Nathan came too. We had wonderful food - so much meat we couldn’t eat it all n drinks abounded. Excellent company as always then Stu did a quiz………was all about MR2s (no surprise there) we sucked hehe, Nathan got a special brandy for him, Nigel (his Dad?) and Les (erm his???) !!!!!! Then on to Jason n Adelles for a uno fest. We were joined by Chris, Stu n Ele. Les didn’t win this time, honour went to Stu. Then a quick change and all down to a Tavern which Nigel recommended.

[GIDDLEPIN]

(BBQ Meal)

(Fellow wine drinker Nige)

(Room for more food on the evening)

Had an excellent meal as usual - no disappointment there then. The owner gave us magazines and asked us to send a write up on the holiday so he could add it to the next edition. Home to bed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wed 7May

10.30am we went down to Agni Travel and met the others to give a great big plant to the staff to say thanks for all their hard work arranging our holiday. We paid our fees for the ferry at the same time. Then we went all to Agni Taverna to give a big bouquet of flowers to Nathans wife to say thanks for letting Nathan spend so much time with us, at the same time said our goodbyes to the staff there. Then we went to Aphrodite supermarket to get provisions for our homewards journey, came back to the villa and had brunch. Then we packed the car - sighs and said a fond farewell to our villa .:(

14.00pm went to Stu and Elle’x villa down the hill and chilled, even swam in the infinity pool.

6.00pm down to Nigels villa for a farewell bbq, also we were staying there the last night. 17.00pm uno, crisps, wine, beer and swimming or in Les's case..Bombing!!

17.50pm Nathan arrived. We had a BIG bbq….I mean massive…..loads and loads of charcoal was involved hehe.

(Ed & Ad prepare the Brazier BBQ)

We all presented Nathan with a model MR2 to say thank you for his and Agni Travels fantastic hospitality at 19.00pm - was very emotional

Then we continued with the bbq. We had chicken, lamb, pork and sausages burning nicely - with sauces etc - oh and drinks did I mention the drinks?? . Then back to the uno!! Nathan decided (with a bit of persuasion) that he wants to turbo his car…….we may be back at end of September to help him…hehe. Back to the uno and Jason won.

Thur 8May

Up at 4.00am. Packing the last items in the car and quick breakfast then off for the ferry. 5.30am we is queing at the ferry and 7.30am boarded, 7.45am we have a room. Chill…………. 13.00pm shower n out and about, Had a meal - very expensive and not very good, then back to playing uno again. 15.30 us gals started typing about the holiday on the laptop. Chilled with beer and uno till bed zzzzzzzzzzzz

Fri 9May

Up at 8.00am, brekkie n pack. Watched Venice float by.

9.30am docked and we were finally off on our homewards drive. Round and round and round Venice….erk finally found our way out. As usual it was top down driving all the way , taking in the fantastic views of the Alps and getting more ear drum abuse in the tunnels  We continued to F1 Hotel arriving after midnight.

Saturday 10 May

7am set off again and finally met up with a relieved Nigel, Carol and Stu at Auchan supermarket - they made it! 15.00pm waiting in queue for the ferry. 16.00pm on board and off for England. Chilled on board and had a meal. 17.10pm we were waiting to disembark. 17.15pm English soil. We said our goodbyes to a few of us and set off in convoy (eventually) for Chris and Tonys. Jason, Adelle, Stu, Ele, Chris and us descended for an excellent meal of spag bol and a chat. Then we went our separate ways home.

STATISTICS:

2730 Miles

Oil used….None

Water used…None (did top up when low one morning but was over the level when warm)

Fuel used…..Not a clue, just kept putting it in when needed

Best fuel consumption..50 MPG (after a constant 70 mph on motorways)

HERE ARE THE LINKS TO ALL THE PICTURES WE TOOK.........ENJOY

CARS (218 Images) As it says on the tin, pictures of the cars in various locations etc

SUNSET & SCENERY (144 Images) These pictures don't really do the views justice

SPEEDBOATS (85 Images) Fun and mayhem out in the speedboats.

FISHEYE (20 Images) Weird perspective shots

ANNES PICTURES (108 Images) Pictures of people, places and things taken by Anne

POOL FUN (58 Images) Fun and frolics in the pool at Nigel's villa on our last night

VENICE (53 Images) Again, the pictures don't do it justice

BBQ FUN (18 Images) More of a blacksmiths brazier than a BBQ (not sure whether to cook on it or make horse shoes )

PEOPLE PLACES & THINGS 1 (112 Images) As it says

PEOPLE PLACES & THINGS 2 (103 Images) As it says 2

If you made it this far down the post and have seen all the photographs you have my deepest respect and admiration.........Nice to see you are as sad as me ;)

Looking forwards to the Toc Camping trip now so we can get together once more with our joint club venture.

See you later guys

Les

[dave.m]

eek: it took you as long as FIVE minutes to decide ?

Looks fantastic.

Dave. (very jelous)

[cfc1]

Did you take any pictures? This thread is useless with.... AH!.. you DID take pictures.. LOT'S ans LOT'S of pictures.

Cracking write up which didn't make us the slightest bit jealous.

[Red Yaris 54]

Great write up to a great trip........................Good to see that you got some top down driving in too

[Teddylicious]

What a fantastic read, and i'll admit i'm 100% jealous!! That must of been the most fantastic experience. I wonder if the TOC camping trip will compete?? :D

[cfc1]

Camping will eclipse it ;)

[T600]

I thought you'd squashed someone into the storage compartment when that first picture loaded.

[Calisto]

What a good read...and great piccys.

With the right car I would have joined you in a heartbeat.

Glad everyone arrived home safe and well.

[curriedb]

Les, what a great trip.

I'm sure it took some organising - but it proved well worthwhile!

Enjoyed following your adventures...via the excellent pics.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us...

Dave

[GIDDLEPIN]

Thanks for all of your comments

It must be a popular thread My photobucket has had over 20000 hits since putting the pictures in

Les

[Penelope Pitstop]

that looks amazing..and thanks for posting...Les...did you get loadsa people looking at you all as you were in your convoy????what a great experience,,and flying the flag for the MR2..great stuff...PP.

[Devil-ish]

that looks amazing..and thanks for posting...Les...did you get loadsa people looking at you all as you were in your convoy????what a great experience,,and flying the flag for the MR2..great stuff...PP.

Wherever we went peeps were pointing and saying "oh a british car.......very nice....oh another one.....and an other...hell theres loads of em!" Also many photos were taken as we zoomed by and also wherever we parked up they were coming over to admire all the cars. I think they will be talking about us for a few weeks to come

[T V O R]

Fantastic...

[rockman]

Sounds like it was a awesome adventure with the group mr2's B)

Thanks for putting up the pics Les.

Surprised you managed to get a lot of luggage space ;)

-Rockman