Four cleaned and preened MG F’s made it to the delightful town of Larochette, deep in the heart of the Luxemburg countryside, but only three made it to the start the next morning as one navigator was suddenly sick and had to fly home (now recovered I'm pleased to say). It was a great expense and worry though. For two nights we stayed at the historic Hotel de la Poste - Wood panelled, rickety stair case and atmospheric. General Patten, the pearl handled six gun carrying cigar smoking USA General, stayed here in 1945. High above Larochette the obligatory castle kept watch and church bells rang in the quiet evening. Two memorable dinners eaten in a couple of excellent establishments.

Next morning after briefing we convoyed into old Luxemburg town which started life in several kilometres of cliff tunnels but now ancient buildings and narrow cobbled stone streets welcome visitors. A charming place to spend a few hours. The following road run took us through rolling countryside, villages and forest. The weather was not kind. Rain, then more rain. We took lunch in one of many roadside cafés.

Then for the three remaining MGFs the long trek to Sweden began on the Monday. Those of you familiar with European touring will know of the pleasure to be gained just soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying fast modern roads through stunning scenery, then the evenings spent recounting the days delights. Cochem in Germany, our first stop, is situated by the river. This lovely town beckons German nationals but we think due to the economic situation, was practically deserted. An evening stroll and a night cap saw the day draw to a close. Then it was on to Hamelin of Pied Piper fame. The town gives itself over to the fable. Rat and children's footsteps painted on the paths draw one into its many hidden treasures. An old fashioned toy shop with tin toy reproductions had me spell bound and grandchildren featured heavily in the purchases we made.

Adrian, the MGCC MGF Register's International co-ordinator, had researched and booked the hotels and the overnight stay in Grossknetton was exceptional being situated in a four hundred year old converted farm house with an ornamental lake and tree studded surroundings. Again we were the only party staying but even so the restaurant and staff provided a memorable dinner taken in front of a huge fire place. German beer is always a treat. The locally based MGF register member Herbie joined us for the evening. Next morning we meandered along secondary roads and then joined busy motorways steadily making for Malmo in Sweden and at one point passed ten miles of crawling lorries creeping along the inside lane. No overtaking, six to six. Imagine that? On arrival in Sweden we were met by several Swedish club members who immediately took us on a Malmo city tour before guiding us to our brand new three month old hotel. This one is a modern idea,  with all rooms having cooking facilities rather like a five storey motel. Different. Dinner was down town overlooking the square.

Thursday was spent touring Helsingborg and surrounding districts. Local club members Hakan and Eva Britt live nearby and so we were invited for the evening to their home for a traditional all fish Swedish BBQ. The Schnapps came out many times and each time a Swedish song was sung. An enchanting custom. Friday dawned clear and Hakan told us of a surprise he had for the group. We duly met up to rendezvous with several Swedish 'F drivers. In the distance we could hear the roar of race car engines giving some clue as to the surprise in store. A short time later we arrived at the entrance to a provincial motoring circuit called Knutstorp where we took pride of place above the track on the grass banking.

Picko Troberg, a National Motor racing sportsman, brought four MG ZRs over from the MG factory in England some time ago and now has a team of trainee mechanics and young drivers campaigning them to great effect. We were invited guests to the corporate marquee for an excellent lunch with the sonorous roar of race engines to accompany it. Go Karts preceded the ZRs and defied belief, their speed being so fast. ‘Kaiser’ Compressors sponsor Pico so he is able to use the hideously expensive ‘Ohlins’ shock absorber which costs more than the car he informed us. The cars, apart from the tuning and set up are in standard trim

You can imagine our reluctance to resume the journey north from Knutstorp. We stopped on route at the tourist town of Vaversunda on the shore of Lake Vattern an eighty mile long twenty mile wide expanse of shimmering inland sea. Our destination of the delightful town of Vadstena was founded around 1379 when an Abbey was built and it became a place of pilgrimage and an important market town. The impressive 16th century castle with moat, now home to many moored yachts, was set to be the venue for the MG International dinner later in the weekend. MGs are remarkable in the fact that they can be seen in so many countries and there must surely be half of those produced since 1929 still in existence. There were some fine examples parked here in front of the old King's country residence where we were now housed in the hotel Starby. Polishing and unpacking kept us all busy before retiring for the evening to the bar and dining room. The road run next morning was explained in several languages, before we set off to be enchanted with the surrounding farm land, villages and historic places of interest. Lunch was taken on the lawn beneath lovely old trees on a farm half way.

We dressed for dinner and made our way to the baronial interior of the castle banqueting hall, kept as it was from ancient times, but just before this another surprise awaited the two hundred guests. We walked along a path to the lake shore to await the arrival of a lone Spitfire, just for us. Soon the low growl of the familiar Merlin twelve cylinder engine of the plane could be heard approaching over the lake. A ten minute low level display then ensued before it dipped its wings and retreated over the lake for another engagement. Wonderful. Adrian made an excellent speech on behalf of the present Brits and a beautiful dinner was presented. Talking to our friendly hosts made for an interesting evening.

We left Vadsena late next morning for the long journey home, this time not via the wonderful Oresund 21 kilometre bridge between Denmark and Sweden, but we did traverse the causeway in Holland that keeps the mighty North sea at bay, thirty kilometres in length. A couple more hotels and then the Norfolk Line ferry saw us back in England having covered three and a half thousand miles door to door. Not a journey for the faint hearted...
 

Dave & Carole Walker