Col De Tende pass

OK what can we say, OOPS that wasn't such a good idea. After reaching the entrance to the Col De Tende tunnel we had six hours to spare before having to arrive at the check point in Monte Carlo. We had answered all our Italian Job questions correctly so thought it would be fun to go over the old pass rather than use the tunnel. WHAT A MISTAKE.

After two and a half hours going up a track that lets face it you probably wouldn't take a tractor we made it to the top, lets say for arguments sake almost 9000 ft. Only to find a goat Herder that informed us it would now take a further three hours to get down the other side. Just to put this into perspective we were higher than the black run ski lifts.

Phil and I had to get out and place rocks into some of the craters just so that we could get the car over.
as we had to have our answers handed in in Monte Carlo by five PM but had no chance we finally at four thirty got a phone signal and phoned our answers through. Thanks Paul for letting us do that.

We eventually reach a tarmac road after some 40 kilometers and four & half hours of off roading in our little Astra diesel. Good job you decided to fit the sump guard Phil.


We finally made it to Monte Carlo two hours after the check only to find the town had been shut of for a Iron man competition. However we did manage to go around the F1 circuit but in reverse and with our own detour added.

The finish was then in Nice so it was a short drive down the coast to a restaurant where the presentation was held. Just to let those who are interested we did come joint second.
Hope to see you all on Tuesday we have got a 1100 mile drive home now so probably won't get to put anything else on, so thanks for following our little story hope we have helped the Air Ambulance with the donations made by you the public in backing us.