That was the week that was

On 10 June 1944 German troops surrounded the town of Oradour sur Glane and corralled the inhabitants into the square. The women & children were taken to the church and the men to various parts of the town. At 4pm, on a pre-determined signal, the entire population was murdered save six who escaped. In a matter of minutes, 642 men, women and children perished. The youngest was just a few days old. The whole town of 328 buildings was then systematically set fire to.

Oradour stands today much as it did after the Germans left and is a memorial to the town and to the suffering of all those who shared a similar fate at the hands of the German army in the second war. Oradour was not the only town to have witnessed these massacres but it does stand testimony to the outrage. It is a place that one should visit just once in a lifetime.

There is an excellent exhibition which sets the historical mood for the events leading up to the 10 June; the rise of the Nazi movement, the annexation of Northern France, the Resistance and the reprisals, such as the one at Oradour, for attacks by the Resistance. You then go out into the town.

Here I had a bit of a quandary; it seemed ghoulish to take photographs, somehow inappropriate. Yet I know that the right photo can say so much more than words, especially when like me I’m not so eloquent. I found I only took half a dozen shots which mattered, unlike my usual trigger happy self. The rest of the time, Amanda and I wandered through the ruins of the buildings, trying to comprehend it all. The church was the worst part of it all, where the women and children were taken and only one survived. Yet having said all that, the town felt like a stage set, almost waiting for the director to shout action on a scene. It wasn’t until you got to the monument in the cemetery and saw the faces of the victims on the tombs and their names on the walls that it became tangible and real.

It is incomprehensible to imagine that anyone could be party to such atrocity and Oradour was preserved as a memorial to the people of the town and as a reminder that such things should not happen again. Unfortunately in this world, it does. What is it in the mind of mankind that these things did and still do happen and how can any individual reconcile themselves to such actions? I, for one, will never understand.

Go to http://www.oradour.info/ if you want to know more and how the town rebuilt itself, literally from the ashes.

So, from the sombre to the rest of the week’s news.

It’s hot. Finally after a week of cold, stormy weather, the sun has arrived and it’s lovely out. So much so that we’re indoors for the shade. Can’t win!

Amanda had another trip to the doctor this week and came away loaded with inhalers and steroids. Hell, she’ll be throwing me over her shoulder before long! They do however seem to be doing the trick and she’s a lot better and obviously a lot happier. So am I, it’s all been a bit of a worry.

We haven’t really done anything of note over the past few days, some walking, cycling for me, the odd trip out, usually to get some cycling bits for my little trip. We did go into Limoges, primarily to see the Cathedral and the museum. We parked by the old bridge at the foot of the cathedral walls and had a wander around the lovely gardens there. Unfortunately, the

two buildings of destination were both closed for major restoration, so we were stymied on that score. So we went in search of lunch, which we found in the old merchant’s quarter in the shadow of the Cathedral. There we discovered a large Irish pub (they crop up everywhere!) which we refused to go into, followed by a charming French restaurant which we did go into. And what a find. A very small affair, simple and buzzing with atmosphere from the local residents having their lunch. Always a good sign! We sat for ten minutes or so, no menus on the table, then the owner came up and set down a chalkboard on an easle for us to see. There were four dishes and four deserts, which he proceeded to describe in detail, telling us that it was all fresh and made “a la maison”. We chose a superb quiche Provencal followed by crème brule. The meal was simple, beautifully cooked and the ambience just brilliant. Our host was charming. It couldn’t have been better. A real gem of a find.

Limoges was less so. After the Cathedral quarter it was just another city so we didn’t stay long. We also found having to stare at the ground rather than around us in order to avoid all the dog poo somewhat galling. It was everywhere, and not just in the back streets. I saw one lovely young lady with a very nice bearing to her walk nearly come a right cropper when she slipped in some she didn’t see. I was tempted to say “I just did that” but she might have rubbed my nose in it. I know, it’s an old joke, and tenuous in the extreme, but I couldn’t resist.

On Wednesday we went to the big market at Piegut-Pluviers. We were told it was one of those must see things so off we went. We arrived, parked up and wandered into the town and there were some market stalls. Looks promising! Then there were some more, then more again. The whole of the main street, at a guess about half a mile was given over to the market and some side streets besides. There was all sorts there, regional producers, haberdashery, a couple selling English cheese (not doing too much trade it has to be said – but then in the face of very stiff competition!), fishmongers, stalls selling every bit of a duck imaginable (eek). It was almost overwhelming, but a riot of colour, noise and bustle. Absolutely brilliant. As were the prices. Boy oh boy. Now, we have come to realise that France is no longer a cheap place to live. Food prices are greater than in the UK as are most household goods etc. But there seemed to be a premium on the goods sold at this market. Whether it has a reputation for being a tourist market and therefore prices are adjusted accordingly I don’t know, but you really had to shop carefully! That didn’t stop us spending a king’s ransom on cheese (including a four-year-old Cantal that most Brits would have thrown out as manky and is totally divine) as well as some strawberries de la region. I also got Amanda’s birthday present from an British couple who live in their Bedford motorhome and tour the markets selling Thai jewellery. We hope to catch up with them in the near future for a meal or some such. Nice couple. It got me to thinking about doing something similar with the things I can get in Nepal, especially from my friend Tenzin, who makes wicked bags! Might just give it a bit more thought. Could be fun and that’s what this life is all about! Plus the fact it would mean a shopping trip to Kathmandu!! J

Today we went to visit my parents for lunch at their caravan. Mum made a great pasta dish, accompanied by lots of delicious, crispy baguette bread. As we began to eat we became aware of a menacing presence – the hens were on the rampage. I was mugged for my bread, Mum’s bread disappeared from her plate in a daring smash and grab raid. Vigilance was the only weapon; nothing scared these monsters from their persuit of bakery products. At one point we gave them a piece away from the van and it was comical watching them squabble and run away with it in turn. It kept them away from the table in the meantime!

OK, time to light the BBQ for supper, so that’s it for now. Don’t know when the next post will be as I am off on my cycling odyssey to catch up with Andy. The route is planned and I’m scheduling about a week to get to the Spanish border (about 550km). I have a tent and all the trappings, the bike’s ready to go and so am I – mostly. It’s been a while since I rode properly and I’ve never done a tour so we’ll have to see what happens. I am really looking forward to it though and I know I’ll be going through some superb countryside. I have my journal and camera, so I can do a full report when I get back! In the meantime, Amanda and I will have to write separate logs! I think she’s looking forward to having some time off from me!

Cheers for now

New Photos

Click on the link right and go to Calais to Parc Verger album!

Lazy days in France

It’s an overcast but warm day at Parc Verger and I’ve just finished a good Clive Cussler yarn, The Navigator, during the course of another lazy morning. We both slept really well last night and feel like death warmed up as a result. Odd how it works like that isn’t it? Amanda is possibly a little better, but this chest infection is a brute. It, and the subsequent anti-biotics, have completely wiped her out and she has coughed so much that she’s hurt herself. I suspect we’ll be going back to the doctor again on Monday and just ask her to delve a little deeper into it. This infection started on the 1st May, so it’s been around just a wee bit too long for a normal infection I think. Obviously, Amanda wants it cleared as she’s fed up of feeling poorly, we want to get out and about and explore and she wants to have some wine. The antibiotics say no!

Andy took himself off yesterday to make his way down to Spain. I was supposed to go with him, but I wasn’t leaving Amanda when she’s like this. We had a message from him that he’d reached Figeac, a town we know quite well, and was camped by the riverside. I’ll catch up with him once Amanda’s better; I’m even considering cycling to meet up with him, which would be novel. I reckon I could do it in a week or so and it’d be an adventure. Especially for my backside! Saddle soreness, here I come!

We are very settled here at Parc Verger. We have a great view, spend a lot of time outside on our bikes and walking. There is an old railway line that runs just below the site. It has been turned into a leisure trail for walkers and cyclists, running from Oradour-sur-Vayres to Chalus, which is a distance of about 15km. Being an old railway line it’s essentially flat and being traffic free is a great place to amble and cycle. We can get to shops easily and quickly at both places. Chalus is a large village/small town and lies on the N21, which used to be one of the major arteries until the motorway was built. It is a typical French town with a good array of shops and grocery stores, bars and restaurants plus a ruined castle for good measure. Photos to follow. I forgot to take my camera last time I went in! Oradour is smaller, very quaint with a lovely old church. It’s undergoing a make-over at the moment and the main route though is closed whilst they re-do all the pavements and roads. I’m sure it’ll be nice once it’s finished, but the townsfolk are dismayed at how long the project is taking. Apparently, it should have been finished by now. Things move slowly here.

For breakfast, we nip down to the bakery in Champagnac-la-Riviere. It’s a five minute cycle down the hill, and about ten back. Believe you me, you are ready for a croissant and coffee by the time you get to the top of the hill again! As yet we have eaten out only once, which was OK but a bit expensive for what we got. We have yet to do some extensive research in that area! The bakery is just the opposite and it’s all too easy to gorge on the delicious things that lie in wicker baskets just tempting you!

We have a hire car now, a little Fiat Punto. It’s funny, I drive a big left hand drive RV without thinking twice about it, but driving the little LHD car feels just plain ODD! Still not quite used to it. I also have a tendency to want to drive on the left, which is a habit I’ve never had before and one I hope to get out of quickly! All very bizarre. Maybe I’m just getting old?

Bob and Di, who own Parc Verger, are just lovely. Wandering around in their RV looking for somewhere to retire, they found a patch of scrub woodland and decided to make a dedicated RV park. They’ve done an amazing job and are, as I write, beavering away at extending the site to create another 17 pitches. They have been clearing the land of stones, sods and bits of wood and just today are sowing grass seed. Not only that, we have not been anywhere else where we have been given such a warm, friendly and helpful welcome. Bob and Di can’t do enough for you and it has to be said that it is more like being with friends than anything else. We were given a welcome bottle of wine on arrival, which was very much appreciated.

Last night a Dutch couple asked if they could camp. Now as yet, there are no sanitary facilities (everyone relies on their own in their vehicles) but Bob and Di found a porta-potti and sorted things out for this tired couple and settled them under the gazebo near reception. And gave them a bottle of wine. Di also ran Amanda into Oradour to the doctor when we didn’t have a car. Like I said, they couldn’t be more generous and helpful and it makes staying here even more of a joy.

Well, just as I was about to go out on my bike, it started to rain. Great for the grass seed, not so for cycling. Will probably just go through for some groceries instead and to get something for pooch. He's getting a lot of ticks, which we don't want. Poor wee lad.

Catching up

I'm a little bit behind with the blog at the moment as we're having such a fine time exploring the area, cycling and generally lazing about. This part of Limousin is beautiful (Google Chapagnac-la-Riviere), the locals are friendly and the weather is kind. There's not much else to tell in words and as yet I have no photos, so this is the least interesting post yet. Promise to do better, but I am off with Andy tomorrow on a jaunt down to Spain, so may well not get much done for a while.

Latest on the car front. Yesterday, the repairing garage said that Mazda may not uphold the warranty claim on the gearbox or engine. Eek! Rang supplying dealer, spoke to the chap that sold it to us and he said, leave it with me. Today he informed me all was in hand and that the car was going back to them to sort out. I cannot praise PV Dobson at Levens, Kendal highly enough!

This is going to be short as I've a horrible feeling this may not post, there are odd messages appearing on screen - never a good sign.

Off for a glass of red. Ciao

In France

At last! We are in La Belle France at the end of our second day’s travel to Parc Verger.
We are in a place called Viegne which is just South of Tours and Andy and I have just got a bit damp walking into the village/town for a nosy round. It started to rain! Had a mare of an end to the day yesterday. The main route around Rouen has a tunnel which doesn’t allow LPG, so the signs say. I took it to mean my fixed gas tank so came off that road to avoid it. Ended up having to go through Rouen, which was busy, badly signed and full of restrictions on the roads we wanted to go on. Finally managed to escape but ended up on a route which took us in a very roundabout way to the camping. It was, as a bonus, very pretty. Unfortunately, I didn’t handle trying to negotiate my way through Rouen and drive the RV in the chaotic traffic and road system well and had a bit of a blow up. Wasn’t desperately happy with myself afterwards as you can imagine. Amanda hasn’t made comment. Rouen was one of those places that you couldn’t pull over and stop to work out a route so we had to go around and around trying to find a sign that vaguely pointed us in the direction that we wanted to go. Not easy.

We finally got to the camping at Bourg Achard and squeezed Floozie on. Not totally ideal for RVs but manageable. Discovered a new, blue go-faster stripe on the rear quarter, so obviously just caught something going through Rouen, probably a bollard. Anyway, a drop of T-Cut later and it’s all gone. It all kinda knocks your confidence when that sort of thing happens and I’m still quite fragile as it is at the moment, despite the recent improvements. Don’t take the knocks well yet.

Amanda is still struggling with the really nasty chest infection. She’s had nearly a week’s worth of antibiotics and steroids (they’ll put hairs on her chest!) but is still coughing badly. She thinks it’s loosening up but had a bad night last night when she awoke from a nightmare (probably me!) to feel she couldn’t breathe and had a bit of a panic attack. She had to get up for an hour or so to recover. I slept through the whole episode. Bless her, even though she was scared she didn’t wake me. I do like to think she would if it got worse!!

Stuck to the motorways today. Easy, quiet, smooth and worth every cent of the toll charge. Stopped for diesel and LPG along the way which was a combined total of €434. Fuel in France is not much cheaper than over at home now, especially with the Euro being so strong. I paid 1.45l which is about £1.10 I guess. Came as a bit of a shock to the wallet. There were loads of motorbikes from all over Europe heading South at one point. Spoke to French chap who was washing his helmet visor next to me as filled Floozie2 and he told me that there was a bike motorcycle Grands Prix at Le Mans this weekend, hence the proliferation of ‘motos’ There were a lot British bikes heading down.

Latest on the car front. Had a call from Nyetimber on Wednesday morning to say the gearbox was fixed. Hurrah! Unfortunately, they then found a knock on the engine when they took it out for a test drive. They reckon the big end bearings are damaged, so couldn’t let it go out. It was going to be weeks before it would be ready. It seems the gearbox failing has transmitted through to the engine. Oh dear. We said we’d leave it with them and get off. Still not heard anything and I forgot today is Friday and didn’t ring them, so will have to on Monday if I don’t hear anything. Obviously, we are now very concerned about towing this Mazda and have to think carefully about what we are going to do next. Do we give it back or trailer it? Don’t want to do that as it would mean a fairly big trailer. So give it back and get a different car that will tow behind the m/home. We see plenty. Or buy a very small car (Smart?) and a very small trailer, one that would be easier to store when we are on site. Decisions, decisions. We’ll see what Mazda have to say in due course.

Anyway, about to go to a lovely looking bistro in town for dinner. Time to get the bolly out. Should get this sent tomorrow from Parc Verger!

And indeed I have. Lovely day's drive on the country roads, super countryside and villages - real France. Happily camped up at Parc Verger after a really warm welcome and looking forward to a good night's sleep. Will try and post some piccie tomorrow.

Good News

Finally spoke to a delightful girl called Zoe, who without very much ado authorised a hire car in France for us. Why I couldn't have had that kind of service from the so called customer service depatment I don't know. The garage, Nyetimeber, as always couldn't have been more helpful. when I rang Robin this mornign to tell him what we'd organised, he tells me that the parts arrived yesterday and the car will be ready tomorrow. Even he was amazed as he'd been quoted 5 working days; they arrived in one! So we're back to plan A(1)a(c). We'll be taking our own car after all. Really good news. We just have everything crossed that the same doesn't happen again. Eeek.

So, ferries to re-book, Parc Verger to re-book and get the m/home ready to go. Should sail Thursday. Phew. Mind you, not sure the weather is as good over there as it is here but the compensation is good red wine and food and cheese and bread and.......... drool. It's been fun to be here but the feet are itching.

Still stuck in Worthing

But hey, the weather is gorgeous!

Spoke to Mazda customer service this morning only to discover that they haven't quite got a handle on the meaning of the words 'customer' and 'service'. I was told in no uncertain terms to deal with the garage, who in turn ask me to ring customer services. Hmm. Anyway, upshot is, we want to get into France this week and the car won't be ready for another two if we're lucky. So we're chasing a hire car in France for at least a few weeks, then I can come back and collect the Mazda in July. That's the earliest I can do so as Andy and I will be embarking on our much planned trip together, and I don't see why I should have to forfeit that through no fault of my own. Tried to talk to our contact at the garage - day off. So spoke to someone else who spoke to someone else and hopefully, that someone will be ringing me today to let me know what's happening. The chap at the garage seemed to think the news would be good. We'll see.
Have to say, I've been pretty relaxed about all this up until now, but the timescale is getting out of hand and Mazda's idea of customer service is pretty appaling. It's a shame as the repairing garage is doing as a good a job as they can whilst being ham-stringed by Mazda. They certainly couldn't have been more helpful in the circumstances. Still waiting for that call though. Give it a bit longer and I'll be back on the phone!!

We're certainly enjoying this summer weather; we've not been out of shorts and sandles for 10 days. Great. we're off to get supplies this afternoon, before heading to the doctors. amanda seems to have a chest infection that needs scotching with antibiotics. We did go to one in Ferring last Friday, she filled out a form, sat for a while before being told they couldn't see her as she was staying outside of their catchment area. I tell you, how daft is that? She's effectively on holiday, does it matter where she's staying? If we stuck by that rule, the nearest doctor to the site could see her in a fortnight's time. A fortnight!!!! Anyway, we're going back to the same open surgery as Friday and this time we'll put my Aunt's address in the all important box. They can't quibble with that, she lives five minute's walk away! What a bloody state some elements of this country are in.

Rant over, life's too good to get caught up in all the merde. Oh yes, I'm learning fast!

Still having a great time with the family and playing with the kids. Yes, me, playing with the kids. They're good kids, especially Katie who's an all-action girl and even at the age of two has men wrapped around her little finger! She's a delight. Olly is quieter, more studious but quite chatty. It'll be shame to leave them behind but we won't leave it so long before we visit again.

Time for lunch, so better skip on. Oh by the way, we came third in the pub quiz last night, one place down from last week with having one man down (Andy). Still, got a bottle of wine for our trouble. Yummy!

Fish supper

Forgot to mention, went down to the beach at Goring this morning to get some fish caught this morning just off-shore. Sea bass, wild for th price of farmed, absolutely superb. Just cooking it now! I mean, that's what food is all about, locally caught, sustainable, fresh. Heaven on a plate!

A terrific week

This is my second attempt at writing this blog entry! I usually write everything up in Word, then copy and paste when on line. Only last time I didn’t, wrote lots of lovely news and put in pretty pictures, and just as I was about to send it, lost my connection. Due to the way the internet works on this site, I lost everything. DOH! So I’ve got to start again – in Word this time.

We’ve had a cracking week, helped no end by the glorious weather! I don’t know what it’s been like with you but Worthing has been gorgeous, almost wall to wall blue skies and sunshine and temperatures into the mid 20C at times. Even today, with the breeze we have, it's hot. A marked difference to a week ago, when although it looked nice, it was so, so cold. Now, we are in shorts and t-shirts and loving every minute of it. Even Amanda, who’s none too keen on being too hot is enjoying the weather, although keeping out of the sun so as not to burn. She does so readily, which is a pity as it means she has to be covered up most of the time.

We have spent a great deal of time with family. My aunt and cousin live here, so we’ve had meals, walks and talks over the past week. We seldom see each other; it would be fair to say that we haven’t spent this much time together since we were kids and we holidayed together, so it’s been nice. My brother Andy came down in his camper too as he’s coming out to France with us (when we eventually get Paulo back – more on that later) and we’ve been taking a bit of a trip down memory lane. Thing is, we used to come down here to Worthing when we were kids. Our Nan (Mum’s mum) lived here as did our Great Aunt May and we both have vivid childhood memories of playing here and going down to the sea. Nan and May passed away in time, but as a family we bought a caravan in Ferring and continued to have long summer holidays here. I remember my first crush happened here with a girl called Jo when I was a painfully shy 15 year old and totally clueless to the ways of life and love. Needless to say, the opportunity passed me by! Still the crush was nice and she was great fun to be around.

Andy and I have visited old haunts; Worthing Pier with the “slot ‘oles” (Amusement arcade), the East promenade where there was an oval boating pond, where little two-man plastic boats with tiny petrol engines could be steered around in a clockwise fashion. Andy remembered ( a much better memory than me) tat Aunt May and I broke down once when the steering broke and we had to be rescued. sadly it is derelict now and the pool of water empty. What we thought of as kids to be this endlessly deep lake was actually only about three feet deep!

It’s been good to reminisce and be childlike again. It is so easy to lose sight of the playful, carefree child inside when living as an adult in this modern day world ( especially if, like me, you tend not to be able to cope with the modern world) and to recapture the feelings of childhood and enjoy the fun is refreshing, instructive and life affirming. It has really bolstered my mood. Amanda has enjoyed seeing the places and hearing the stories and Andy has a wicked sense of humour and tells stories with panache. He trundled off today, making his way to Dover via a few places on the way and we’ll catch up with him later.

We have been to car races, beach walks and also to the Weald and Downland open air museum. http://www.wealddown.co.uk/ This is just terrific, a collection of historic day-to-day buildings rescued from demolition and rebuilt in spectacular surroundings near the Goodwood estate. For an architecture and history fan such as me, it’s seventh heaven. It also gives you a roots level views of life in 14th-17th century and the social element of the period. We were there nearly six hours and just didn’t get bored.

As for Paulo, he’s a poorly boy. I’ve spoken to the garage (Nyetimber in Bognor Regis) and it appears that the pin bearing disintegrated sending all sorts of shrapnel into the box. All a bit technical; means basically it’s buggered. So the parts are on order, BUT it could run to weeks before they get to the garage as everything is on back order. Obviously not expecting a brand new gearbox to go bang. I should explain that with the new generation MX5 comes a new generation gearbox, so it’s only a year or so old. Anyway, we’ll know better tomorrow what the time scale is. If it runs to more than a week, then we will be looking to get away and have Mazda sort something out for us whilst abroad, then I’ll go back and collect ours when I’ve finished my trip with Andy. Or some such variant. We’ll have to cross each bridge as it comes, but we don’t intend to sacrifice our intended trip and I’d like to continue with my plan to go off with Andy for a few weeks. It would be a shame if I couldn’t, especially as I’d promised to do most of the driving.

There has been an upside to all of this. We have had a saloon car this past week ( a Ford Focus) which has meant the three of us have been able to trip out everywhere. A bit of a bonus. Three in a two seat sports car just doesn't go!

That’s about it for now. We are catching up with Emma, Jamie and the kids on Sunday and heading to another childhood haunt called Brooklands, which is a park with boats and crazy golf and pitch and putt and a mini railway. Should be good fun. Cheers for now and let’s hope this glorious weather holds out. By the way, isn’t it wonderful how the trees have suddenly become all green and everything looks so bright and fresh. It makes you feel so GOOD, doesn’t it?

Thursday, 01 May 2008

Hmm. Bit of a mixed bag of a day. Got off at 10ish having said good bye to everyone and had a really good run. Until about 150 in when suddenly I could hear screeching. Looking in the mirrors I could see tyre smoke coming from Paolo, the MX5. Pulled over straight away and kind hearted chap pulled in and said the rear wheels kept locking. My immediate thought was that the brakes had come on suddenly, so I checked everything – fine. Moved on a bit further, but same again, so pulled over and unhitched the car. Mind, it was a busy road near a roundabout. Perfect – not! Said to Amanda drive behind until we get to a layby and we’ll sort it out. It was at this point we became suspicious that there was something was amiss when he kept going backwards in neutral. And wouldn’t go forwards. So, one buggered gearbox then. Rang Mazda Assistance and they sprang into action and sent an RAC van to tell me what I already knew and that we’d need a flat bed, which I’d already told them. Apart from this little breakdown in communication, we cannot fault the service. Everything was arranged and I rang a dealer in Bognor Regis to take the car in. The chap with the flatbed loaded Paolo up and took him away and we made our way to Angmering to our site. Courtesy car is booked for the morning and then we’ll have a chat with the garage after brunch with my aunt who lives nearby.

I suspect I may have a little battle on my hands with Mazda over a towed vehicle, but when we ordered the car, we made sure that they were happy with the fact it was being A-framed and that the warranty would stand. Watch, as they say, this space.

So, it looks as though we’ll be having a week or so in and around Worthing to enjoy. An unexpected surprise, but we’ll make the most of it and see family and visit childhood haunts. My Nan lived here and we would visit regularly and go the sea and play on the green adjoining. We had a holiday caravan down there for years and I have a lot of very fond memories. Happy times. I’m sure a lot has changed, but one thing that won’t have ( I hope) is the amusement arcade on Worthing Pier. We’ll have a trip down the boards and memory lane with that one! Whilst we’re jaunting about, we’ll see about a trailer for the car. I don’t want this happening again, especially abroad. A trailer was the last thing I wanted to have as they are cumbersome and a pain to deal with. But, I guess we’ll have to go down that route to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Yet another expensive lesson, although this shouldn’t have happened I don’t think. There are hundreds of cars being A-framed, including MX5s, so we have just been desperately unlucky. But could it happen again?