Oh No, Not Again! Red Pennant to the recue again and again!

This could almost be, and probably is sequel to last years story about our journey to France called ‘Thank You Red Pennant'

We left home in Mid May and crossed the channel using the Poole – Cherbourg route. A leisurely journey through France saw us arrive at Le Floride, a campsite at Le Barcares on the Mediterranean coast that was to be our base for the next month or so. We set up the caravan and enjoyed a few days of  non driving after our long haul down through France. We rarely do more than 175 miles a day with the caravan on the back, making the journey part of the holiday!

After three or so days we decided we best go shopping as our wine supplies were getting low.  Set off for the local supermarket, Lidl,  at about 4.00pm, and the Freelander does not sound right!  Then the engine management light comes on, and power is reduced – So a quick U turn and back to the caravan.

I feel a case of ‘deja  vu’ coming on.

Sit on a sun lounger, pour a large glass of wine and call the real nights in disguise, ‘Red Pennant’

Soon through to them, and explain that the Freelander needs to be booked into Land Rover Perpignan.  Red Pennant contact them, and then ring me back to say that Land Rover Perpignan do not want the vehicle driven, and as we do not need it they will come and collect it with a big taxi the following morning!   Suited us as the sun was out!

At the duly appointed time the following morning the big taxi turns up! Now the Freelander will not start at all as the battery is flat!  Eventually it starts and departs on the taxi.  Red Pennant ring to say as it is Friday the Freelander will not be looked at until Monday .  Mean while a hire car has been arranged for us so no problem. 

On Monday Red Pennant ring several times to check all is well!  Eventually I get a phone call at 4.30pm to say all is fixed, but as the garage shuts at 5.00pm, I will have to collect it in the morning.. The following morning, I return the hire car and get a taxi to the Land Rover garage, where I collect our now nice shiny Freelander, they have washed it, and tootle back to Le Barcares.  I collect Lizzie and go off to do the shopping, and all works just as it should!    The problem was a blown turbo hose!

Two days later we set off South, keeping as close to the coast as we could, just visiting places we had not been to before and enjoying Coffee in a small restaurant.  Carry on, enjoying the scenery when all of a sudden the Freelander just judders to a halt.  After a few goes it starts again and we head for a small village  where it stops and resolutely refuses to start again!

I put the warning triangles out, yellow vests on and call Red Pennant again!  I am now getting on to first name terms with the wonderful staff there!  They agree to call a breakdown truck, and after half an hour call me back to say it is dinner time, so no truck available for an hour.  Eventually after an hour and a half we get the phone call from Red Pennant to say that the Tow truck is on its way.

Big Taxi turns up and we are winched up! New problem!  Two French Men in the cab so only room for one of us in the front! Lizzie volunteers to travel in the Freelander on the back of the lorry!  Shebgot amazing views of the country side from the Freelander!

After a very gentle ride we arrive at Land Rover Perpignan where it is unloaded and we are told that they will look at it soon!  We are loaded into a very posh Jaguar Taxi, and whisked at very high speed along the peage back to our caravan.  The following morning , Red Pennant are on the phone to say that a hire car is ready for us just down the road!  As it is now Friday we are also told that the Freelander is unlikely to be ready until Monday!

Monday morning dawns and Red Pennant are back on the phone saying that it is a broken fuel pipe and the Dealers are trying to source one!  On Tuesday we get the phone call from Red Pennant to say the garage say the part is unobtainable!  Daily phone calls ensue, and eventually the garage say that they have sourced one, but it has to come down the French supply chain!

A week later Red Pennant seem to be losing patience with the garage, with them telling the garage that I either get my Freelander back in 24 hours or they are repatriating my Freelander to England, and shipping me out another tow vehicle!  Miraculously after 11 days we are told that the Freelander is ready.  I return the hire car and bring the Freelander back to the caravan.

A few days later we clear up and begin what must be the most stressful journey ever as we set off home. Every creak, rattle, whistle or knock, caused fear in Lizzie’s and my minds.. Eventually though we make it to the ferry, and over the ‘oggin’ to home.

The following day the search begins for a new tow car, as we have totally lost confidence in our present one, and we know Red Pennant would never insure us to travel abroad in it again!

So the moral of this tale is quite simple!   If unfortunately you ever break down abroad make sure you have that all embracing insurance cover that is Red Pennant as they look after you every step of the way when things go wrong!

With grateful thanks to Red Pennant for you support, help and assistance!

Ps   Policy for 2016 already taken out!