Halow is a wonderful charity that supports young people aged 16+ with a learning disability, on their journey into adult life. Halow’s support helps them build relationships, become part of the community, find meaningful employment and have a home of their own.
Fundraising should be fun so Halow and their supporters took our 2cv’s on a trip to France! After a fine send off from some young people and Halow staff, we took the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo overnight and at 8.30am took to the roads of France for a long 386km drive to Le Mans.
Many of the participants dressed the part in French themed dress and beret’s and we headed for Loheac to visit the Manoir de L’Automobile, one of the finest museums in Europe dedicated to the history of the automobile. From there we headed to Saint Goueno and the ‘course de cote’ where the 2cv’s took on a 15km time challenge which had to be driven in a certain time, at a certain speed.
In Illifaut, the Boulangerie Patisserie, had delicious fresh Baguettes and coffee waiting for us before we headed for Le Chartres sur le Loir, about 45km south of Le Mans, and Hotel de France, which was for many years the secret ‘hideaway of choice’ for some of the greatest drivers competing in the Le Mans 24-hour race. With four-poster beds and rooms named after famous racing drivers, it is not to be missed!!
That night the hotel treated us to a wonderful feast and there were speeches and prize giving.
Sunday began with croissant and coffee and we set off towards Caen on a 255km country route, via Le Mans, and drove a section of the Le Mans circuit and the Mulsanne Straight.
Lunch was at Pegasus Bridge before catching the ferry back to Portsmouth and 2cv HQ.
We hope Halow and their supporters enjoyed the ride. The 2cv’s certainly did!
