So, the second event in September began just 10 days after the Whitwell Getaway. This comprised 11 cars marshalling at Eurotunnel, Folkestone to board the Shuttle prior to starting the three-hour drive across Belgium to Spa. We were split up over several trains, so the usual Aston convoy did not quite come off. The situation was further exacerbated by the traffic and road works around Brussels where I got lost twice!
Our advanced team had arrived in Spa two days before and were thankful for their guidance on the car park beneath the Van Der Valk Hotel. The entrance spiralled downwards and with three inches on each side it was amazing that Aston paintwork did not join that already adorning the walls. The hotel was excellent with all modern conveniences, and we enjoyed a great “first night dinner” together. The next day we left early for the Spa race circuit where we were met by our guide who took us behind the scenes of the track. In the control room and Press facilities it was deathly quiet but not difficult to imagine how it would be on race day. At noon we ventured out on to the track facing the hill that is Eau Rouge. First gear, 7000 rpm, exhausts screaming (in some cases) we followed the TOW TRUCK up onto the Kemmel Straight. A “tow truck” …. we have brought two Vantage F1 Editions to do that job! It was beginning to rain but our “race engineers” left us on the “intermediates”. Round Les Combes on the rumbles, carefully judging the double apex of Pouhon, hard on the brakes at Stavelot feeling the rumbles through the steering, flat out through Blanchimont to the Chicane and on the Start/Finish straight we passed the chequered flag at just over 100kph! Once more round and it was done …! On the way back to Spa we found part of the old, banked circuit, now a 30kph public road but adorned with old signage. It just had to be done, and they did! Three of the group “gave it some welly” and we have the evidence! After that it was back to the underground car park and the bars and restaurants of Spa. A good day out.
On Wednesday before we left Spa we watched armed Belgium troops outside the hotel training for “crowd control”. You would not want to be in a Belgium crowd..! We left for Dinant in our blue and white teams. After a very pleasant drive with the obligatory coffee stop, we arrived at La Merveilluese hotel for four nights. Having played room key gamble where there were winners and losers we met for the traditional refreshments. Evening dinner was at The Casino in Dinant and having managed to get past the security, fraud and identity checks we became fully fledged gamblers with a licence to print (or lose) money! We ate amongst the flashing machines as Ray handed out “free money” to gamble with. Those that did play generally broke even, only one member needing security to walk him back to the hotel (well, not quite!)
On Thursday we drove to Sedan in France and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Fort Hotel, parking within the Fort itself having entered through a very narrow gateway. Evening meal was taken in Dinant which lead to Friday, a “free day”. Activities ranged from driving bateaux electrique on the river, to visiting WWII museums to riding the cable car into Namur.
Saturday, the last full day culminated in dinner on the Le Sax, where we enjoyed an evening cruise up and down The Meuse River. Speeches, gifts and thank you’s over, we were left with the memories of yet another great Area 22 Expedition. Thank you, Andrea, and Ray not forgetting Teresa.
The drive back to Calais was uneventful after which we scattered to the four winds. The unanswered questions remain… where to in 2026, who will organise it? Answers on a post card to the next Area Rep!
I have attached a couple of pictures here but many more will be posted later.
Andrew