After an excellent lunch we leave for VICHY by way of country roads, which narrow even
more in traversing the villages that dot the countryside. Weather is threatening but it
doesn’t rain 
(and my wipers resume
functioning).
Everywhere we pass, the villagers applaud ("Hey, look at all the Cadillacs!") We go a little faster than suits some of the excursionists, who want to see the landscape at a more leisurely pace.
Near Vichy the roads widen and traffic gets thicker. By 5 p.m. we have gone 80 miles and are at the Montpensier golf course, where a little putting competition has been arranged for us. Most of the participants had never held a golf club, much less holed a ball. A few (should I mention Hervé?) had trouble keeping the ball on the green. Tony was the best of the putters, and I won’t say who was the worst.
A burst of rain ended this pleasant hour and we repaired to the clubhouse, where punch was waiting. A few miles remained to the Marcotel, where we would spend the night. The rest was welcome, especially to Ian Rubrey, who didn’t even come down to dinner, preferring to make up the 48 hours he had gone through with very little sleep.
At dessert the quiz results were announced, and they didn’t offer much to smile about, especially in the field of MoPar history. A provisional ranking was read off, first place going to Hubert. I am ranked next to last, a puzzle because I didn’t even take the quiz, having composed it myself!
The hardiest of the travelers go out after dinner to see Vichy at night, its streets deserted even though it’s Saturday night! After a short ride in Raphaël’s ’58 New Yorker we go back to our rooms, and tiredness makes itself felt. My Imperial has done 560 miles since yesterday morning.
Tomorrow morning, 8:30 departure for the Auvergne.
OTHER PICS (click to enlarge)
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| '54 / '55 Imperial | '60 NY | 62 /61 Imperial & '59 Plymouth | My '57 | At the golf course | It's me ! |
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| Hubert / Zara + organizer's table | Englishmen + Robert Louis / Guy table | "Chrysler France" + Jean Claude / Raphaël / Laurent / JP Armandet / Jack table | "Hubert" table | François / Hervé / Jean / Daniel / "me" table | Bernard family table |
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| from the 5th floor of the hotel | 1962 Imperial LeBaron | ||||