Grand Départ

Two years ago, Rob and I were pulling off the drive in his TR6, waving goodbye to Evie, and targeting the 10CR 2024. Tonight, I’m driving a borrowed historic 1953 TR2 towards the 2026 edition, Evie alongside. Rob’s adjacent in his TR6. It suddenly all feels very real. Neighbours and TR Register members come by to cheer us on from half seven, and I notch TS2 into gear seventeen minutes later with 90,159 on the clock. This is mile zero.

TS2 heading away down a leafy lane, two up with the hood down, 773 EWO on the plate — The grand départ (credit Sandra, Dorset TR Register)

TS2 quickly comes up to temperature as we begin the long trek East. The trip to the start in Sedan will traverse 6.84°, but for now we are happy to close the forty five miles to Portsmouth. Holding a steady 63 mph along the free-moving parts of the M27, we watch the sun set as we wave goodbye to the New Forest.

Andy at the wheel in a cap, one hand on the rim, the lit rev counter below and the trees going by in a blur — Andy at the wheel, Rob and Mark behind.

The view back over TS2's rear deck at dusk, a car following with headlights on, the sky orange over the heath — Andy at the wheel, Rob and Mark behind.

Queues at the docks saw her struggle on idle, but TS2 wasted no time making friends with a Triumph 2000 and a Stag from Somerset.

TS2's bonnet in the foreground of the night-time ferry queue at Portsmouth, a blue Triumph 2000 ahead of her under the floodlights — Found ourselves a convoy.

Boarding a lower deck, we’re content to let the ferry do the heavy lifting. I head upstairs to watch England recede, then on to our cabin and bed.

Andy and Evie in the ferry queue at night, both in caps, Evie in sunglasses, a red Triumph under the floodlights behind — We’ve got a full tank of gas. It’s dark. And she’s wearing sunglasses.

Tomorrow, we will wake in Caen, and then on…

10cr
ts2
portsmouth

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