No problem. In short:

The e-Type had a power issue which was fundamentally a result of perished hose/loose jubilee clips affecting the amount of air getting into the engine. In addition brakes were overheating and sticking on, and the exhaust needed some temp repair as it had been “caught’ when loaded onto the train.

Fortunately one of our party (the son of the e-Type’s owner), is a very clever chap. The exhaust “rubber straps” had been broken so he jacked up the box, and using 2 “curtain pole rings” (purloined from our first hotel), fashioned fix. Basically using a pair of grips to hold the rings, and a large stone to hit them into an oval shape he was able to hook the exhaust back into position. The next day at the local garage in Tujetsch the owner couldnt help us as he was booked out, but provided sufficient hoses etc to replace some of those that had developed leaks. All worked well for 2 days but the main fuel hoses ? (braided ones) began to deteriorate.

The Alfa developed a misfire which after we diagnosed it as a fuel issue to no. 4 cylinder we hoped to get fixed at the local garage. Unfortunately he couldnt find the cause so as we were heading for Lucerne the day after we found a garage who specialised in classic cars and told us to come over along with the e-Type (for brakes) Within yards of reaching the garage the clutch went right outside……..a Classic Alfa specialist ! Clutch slave cylinder piston replaced and misfire resolved in 3 hours, The latter was an issue caused by wrong plugs being used ! No real luck with Jag but off we set from Lucerne to Nancy.

Next day Jag was struggling for power but limping along at 50-mph. I was ahead with a very roarty Alfa but we came off the dual carriageway to discuss the e-Type. As the Alfa stopped the slave piston failed again. Suspicion was something in the slave cylinder was “chewing” the piston’s up. Anyway decision made to sort out repatriation.

This is where I could rant but I leave you to form your own opinions:

Alfa - called the AA who agreed that repatriation needed. Low loader arranged to pick him up - this arrived 5.5 hours after the first call. In the intervening period he is advised that a hire car will be arranged so he can drive to Paris C de Gaulle airport, a hotel will be arranged and a flight booked for next day to Bristol, and a hire car then to get him home.After 5 hour drive he got to airport but no call re hotel/flight. Tried calling AA but nothing/no response etc until he gets a call explaining they havent booked a hotel and wont book a flight until they have booked a hotel ! Takes matters into his own hands, gets a hotel room, books an Easy jet at 10.00am the next day and on arrival in Bristol gets an Uber home.

E-Type - Cals RAC at circa 10.15 requesting recovery which is agreed. 5 hours later he is collected and taken to Clackett Lane services on the M25 to await another truck for onward journey. The only issue is THE M25 WAS CLOSED as a result of a major accident the day before. So abandoned at Clackett Lane, RAC will not provide a time estimate for his collection, anyone would be close to getting irritable by now. This lovely man, a very good friend, has the good fortune to be in a position to arrange his own recovery home. He will naturally be seeking redress from the RAC.

Doesn’t instil confidence does it ?