Van blanc

Ooh she’s had a shock these past few months.

Bought new by Chester Zoo in 2007 and used to move supplies around their site. For the nine years until 2016 her average journey length was about ¼ of a mile.

Now a veteran of trans-Manche travel, horse box moods, temperatures above 20͒ and possibly the tranquility that comes from not being within earshot of wild animals knocking seven bells out of each other every night. Things have taken their toll.

Like all great vans, she has delivered in spades, been taken for granted, ignored, relied upon, stretched beyond her limits and only occasionally whimpered for attention. I was always a massive fan but now she’s ready for some love.

Ralphe le mechanician examined the front tyres and with some understatement proclaimed their replacement “Neccessaire.”

The neccessaire stage was passed quite a few miles back but there were jobs to do at the time and she couldn’t be spared so this pair of boots have been run into the ground.

One wet drive to Angouleme with the traction control wide awake, heart in mouth at every bend and loads of skittering sideways on the autoroute was exciting, but not fun.

“What would monsieur prefere? Plus chere, moin chere, medium?”

Tried to get him to fit Continental (German) replacements but got ‘a look’ and was told quite firmly that the Kleber brand is an excellent option for this type of vehicle.

Fine.

Memories of occupation living long in this region or just national pride in product selection? (Kleber are a French company.) Would I behave differently in his position? - I doubt it.

Also got him to fit the new front wheel bearing so now all is calm and peaceful at the cruise and the trip north to home at the end of the month should be a lightly laden joy for us both.

The back loaded appropriately with only, vin.