The bitch is back - Viscount Central 14

Trips in Europe, 1993/4, by Tony Dale

It was in early 1993 that Burnley and Pendle decided to offer coaching duties with Viscount Central, their coaching arm, on a seasonal basis, to Main diagram bus drivers.

I had already done a certain amount of coaching duties, including an excursion to Norwich with 14, but I decided that, at that time, I wanted more coaching work. Various family situations at that time played a large part in my decision, but I wanted to spend as much time abroad as possible.

I was duly accepted onto the coaching panel, in early 1993, and just before Easter 1993, I was asked by my boss, Paul Marney, if I fancied a trip across the water?

What a silly question!

So it came about that I was linked with 14s regular driver, Phil Pearson. I have to admit that he taught me all I knew about Continental driving.

That Easter trip, 4 days duration, was on the "unofficial" twin town trip from Clitheroe, Lancashire, to Rivesaltes, near Perpignan.

And so, Phil and I took one of the company cars down to a designated public house at Dover, where the shuttle driver, Keith, was due to meet us. I have to admit that I was very hyper at this time.

At last, we were off to the docks, Phil driving. Me alongside him on the bench seat at a lower level to the passengers. I was trying to take everything in, for future reference.

After boarding P&O's Pride of Calais, we settled down to a good supper, aware that most of our passengers were in the bar! An hour later, I watched the French coast approaching, and soon we were in Calais Harbour. After my first meeting with the douaniers, French Customs, we were off on the right, Phil promising to take me past the first peage (toll) en route to Aire de Sur Somme on the A26, our first crew change.

After there, where I stocked up, at his suggestion, with cigs and espresso coffee, he retired to the bunk half way up the stars, below the passenger compartment floor level. I had the "graveyard shift", 0200 to 0600, which would get us down as far as Lyon. Fortunately, I had several nocturnal passengers chatting for most of the time. I was surprised that for the whole time on the A26, I saw no more that 3 or 4 cars, all English by the headlight alignment. More traffic on joining the A35, with northern European coaches and traffic joining us.

At last, Lyon came into sight, together with Phil, as my stint ended.

As ever the conscientious tutor, Phil took me through Lyon, rather that on the recently opened bypass. I slept quite well after this, and awoke to French sunshine down towards Valence and then Orange.

This would be our last driving change, so Phil stayed with me as we took the Cote de Roussillon towards Perpignan. At last, after many toilet stops, as the bus toilets were overflowing, we turned off the A8 towards Rivesaltes.

It was strange taking roundabouts and junctions the wrong way round, but within 5 kilometres, we were in the Town Square.

Old friend met old friends, and somewhat bemused, as it was Phil's first trip there, we were told that the local bar had the honour of lodging and feeding us. I still have a wallet, presented to me, from L'Hotel Robinson.

And so ends day one.