France/Spain road trip in January

[raynoon]

That is indeed really encouraging news about your treatment Ray and hopefully it will enable you to enjoy Christmas. The planned trip early next year also sounds like a great idea and I would be very tempted to join you in one of my well traveled V6! I so much enjoyed the Challenge earlier this year and 2019 seems like a long time to wait!! With regards, Matthew T.

Matthew your more than welcome, 2x XM’s in convoy would get us a lot of attention indeed and your wealth of knowledge would be valuable and of course an extra set of photos! I’ll keep you posted of plans but basically early Jan as soon as we have the new baby we’re off... first overnight stop just outside Dunkirk hopefully....

Kind Regards
Ray

[raynoon]

That's great news Ray, I hope it continues to keep doing it's amazing job. It's very clever stuff. My Sister is a Therapeutic Radiographer up in Newcastle, so I hear a lot about it, and my Mum had plenty of it when undergoing her treatment. It's amazing at reducing pain, particularly in your bones.

The French trip is a great idea, why not! Nothing better to do in boring old January than a waft through France on CX spheres! If your down by the Milau Viaduct, definitely go over it. Quite stunning.

I really hope things continue to stablise and you get some mobility back.

Hey Russ, How you doing? I’ve done the Millau Bridge before, the barriers are quite substantial and I didn’t get to see much whilst driving. Maybe this time we can explore the surrounding area and see a bit more of the bridge. Either way it should be good fun.

Thanks for your kind words.

Ray

[raynoon]

Another vote for Millau. Pretty spectacular from the small town of Millau too, almost under it.
Just avoid buying too much French fuel; was €1.38/lit back in September, €1.09 in Spain.

I think the fuel is being advertised a bit cheaper than that now, plenty of 2 stroke on standby here too.

Chris what is the tank capacity in litres and expected range for motorway cruising? Mines quite economical for an 2.1 SD auto

[raynoon]

Unfortunately we won't be in France in January (enjoying the warmer weather in New Zealand). Beware that the central parts of France can get very cold, and they tend not to de-ice the minor roads as enthusiastically as in the UK.

Thank you, just point me in the direction of a good breakers yard haha!

I’m looking forward to a bit of cold Weather especially as we climb the Pyrenees, there could be a stop there too if there’s ENOUGH snow!

Enjoy NZ!

Ray

[White Exec]

Hi Ray,

Gib border crossing (delay) takes about 45mins in high summer, usually half that in winter.

XM tanks are 80-litre, so I'd normally expect well over 600 miles on a tankful from ours (34mpg normally, 42 touring) - and 2.1 does better than 2.5 .

If you do run along to Puerto Banus and Gib along the A7, you'll pass within a few km of where we live, so I could meet up with you anywhere along the Costa del Sol easily - even at Gib . . . perhaps drag Matthew that far as well????

I am more than happy for you to park next to my 'exotic' Y4, and there would be absolutely no charge for that. My privilege, in fact .

[raynoon]

Hi Ray,

Gib border crossing (delay) takes about 45mins in high summer, usually half that in winter.

XM tanks are 80-litre, so I'd normally expect well over 600 miles on a tankful from ours (34mpg normally, 42 touring) - and 2.1 does better than 2.5 .

If you do run along to Puerto Banus and Gib along the A7, you'll pass within a few km of where we live, so I could meet up with you anywhere along the Costa del Sol easily - even at Gib . . . perhaps drag Matthew that far as well????

I am more than happy for you to park next to my 'exotic' Y4, and there would be absolutely no charge for that. My privilege, in fact .

Sounds like a plan Chris! May I even push for a ride in a 2.5td, I’ve never been in one!

[Dieselman]

I think the fuel is being advertised a bit cheaper than that now, plenty of 2 stroke on standby here too.

Chris what is the tank capacity in litres and expected range for motorway cruising? Mines quite economical for an 2.1 SD auto

Chips Challenge...see if you can crack 1,000 miles to a tank of diesel.

[raynoon]

This ‘old girl is fairly economical, I will certainly accept your challenge Will!

[Dieselman]

My recommendation would be to fill up once entering France, or further South, then see how far it goes. The UK is now using Winter diesel, which has a lower calorific value.

[Julianw]

Really good to hear you're noticing some benefit, Ray. And what a brilliant plan you have hatched! Having followed the busy routes (including de Soleil) a few times in both summer and winter, but never in a Citroen, it's one of my ambitions too: to head south taking my time and to do it in an XM.

All the better if you and Matthew can turn it into a convoy to remember! I look forward to the pics.

Sent from my BV6000 using Tapatalk