Apple in Europe 08 to 16 February 2003

DK and Apple went on holiday to France and Belgium in February 2003, and met with fellow MINI owners in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Armed with a GPS navigation system, DK and Apple braved the streets of Paris. They arrived just before 11:00h on Sunday and found the restaurant near the Arc de Triomphe where they would meet MINI owners arno and cfnb of Club Nouvelle MINI for lunch. Seeing that there were still another 2 hours to lunch, DK decided to show Apple to the Parisians. This was a BIG mistake since they got hopelessly lost when the GPS system failed to cope with so many rapid re-routing requests, and died. (OK, so this was not entirely the fault of the GPS.) Luckily, GPS navigation resumed after a few re-boots and a much-needed rest, and DK arrived at the restaurant only an hour late. THANK YOU arno and cfnb for waiting so kindly for DK and Apple! After a short meal, the 3 MINIs convoyed out of Paris into Versailles for some photo opportunities. (Click here for details.)

After Paris, DK and Apple went to Sancerre for a week-long French language course at Coeur de France. The proprietor of the language school, Gérard, has the first MINI in the region, and it was quite a sight to see 2 MINIs together when they went in convoy for a wine tasting trip in Chervignol. After Sancerre, DK and Apple went Belgium via Paris. Another bad mistake: DK and Apple got lost trying to navigate around Paris during the Friday evening rush hour. There was nothing the GPS system could do when the driver refused to follow its instructions!

On Saturday, DK and Apple met more fellow MINI owners in Hermalle-sous-Argenteau (little late due to yet another mishap ... again, not following instructions of the GPS system). Click here for more information about the meet, on MINI2, here for information on Club Nouvelle MINI, here for information on New MINI IG, and here for information on MIXED MINI CLUB. The meeting consisted of a challenge and a run around the area - which has great roads and scenery. DK thoroughly enjoyed it, but Apple's suspension did not! Apple did not participate in the challenge since it was difficult (without her favourite navigator) to read the road book, despite JNS513's expert preparation. It was a relief that there was not a prize for the longest time taken, otherwise it would have gone to the group without navigators! It was a great opportunity to make new friends and to renew old acquaintances. Thanks (in no particular order) to xoura (Laurent), Morty, quicksilver, Cooper i Do, JNS513, Hein, Keevan, and to all the others who made the meeting a truly memorable one. Thanks also to xoura for DK's present!

Click here for a few pictures from DK and Apple's very enjoyable holiday!

A MINI is not just a car - it is a way of life!