<p>Update: Day 6. The return! We left Valencia nice and ealy arriving at the French border at 14.00. We had been talking about getting up to Calais for the evening and whilst time was passing we began to regret booking the hotel, we simply had not understood just how big France is when you drive it from bottom to top, we were driving at a steady 80 mph, but the distances just did not seem to come down. We got lost in Lyon for 15 minutes, just as it started to rain, which seemed to dampen both our moods as our thoughts started to turn to home and the people that were waiting for us. We finally rolled into Calais at 04.30 back to the Ibis hotel, at the Tunnel just where we started, 5 countries, 7 days and 3200 miles later.</p> <p>Update: Day 5. Scrapping Day! Everyone who was scrapping their car was meeting at the scrap yard to complete the paperwork and get &euro;150. As we were driving the beast back with us we had a relaxing morning by the pool. We arranged to meet some Ramshacklers in the afternoon to go Karting, and a pleasant 4 hours was spent karting, drinking water and sodas whilst reliving our favourite parts of the rally.</p> <p>Update: Day 4 (Monday) The final day! we left early in convoy following the coast road, avoiding the toll roads to Figuaries. There were lots of beautiful sandy bays with the Med rolling in up the sands. We travelled 30ks in the first 90 minutes, it was truely spectacular scenery but then sense (and the Rally Bible!) broke through, and we headed for the A7 south for the 400 miles that would see us at the Rally's end. Lunch was a quick stop just outside of Barcelona with Tarragona following swiftly in the baking sun. The further south we got the hotter and hotter it became, with Valencia swealtering in a 30 degree heat, when we arrived at 18.30 (we were informed that the temperature the day before was 42 degrees).</p> <p>Update: Day 3 (Sunday) We decided to wear the body suits, which was a bad idea, as after about 30 secs they were soaked. They caused some hilarity with our fellow Ramshacklers and some of the italian Police. Monaco called, and after a quick 15 minute blat down the A10 we were there, overlooking the most original track in Formula 1. You can drive about 90% of the track, and so we were off over the start finish line, round the first bend into the straight leading up to Casino Square, I was very suprised at just how steep this was, we drove through Casino square at an amazing 30mph marvelling at just how close F1 cars obviously get to the buildings as it's so tight. downhill from Casino square and into the Mirabou 180 degree hairpin, F1 do it at 60, we did it at a more sedate 20mph then two 90 degree rights into the tunnel. The beast sounded just great in the tunnel, so good, we just had to get windows down and put out foot down, the throaty roar from the beast drew amiring glances from on lookers. Then it was out of the tunnel in to the new Chicane complex, this is where the track goes off of the road and onto the promenade right next harbour. When F1 does this bit they are about 12 inches from the water's edge, back onto the road and into the famous swiming pool complex, round the bend behind the Cafe de Grand Prix, where a couple of years ago Shumacher parked his car on the Apex stopping the qualifying session to get pole and the right into the start finish straight and back over the line. After driving Monoaco imagining that we were Hamilton and Button ( you can guess who was who) we headed back to the A10 for the 300 mile drive to Perpigan.</p> <p>Update: Day 2 (Saturday).A very early start enabled us to be outside a tyre place just outside of Annecy which was open from 07.30 onwards Monday to Friday, we realised that today was Saturday after about 20 minutes, its amazing how quickly you can lose track of the days! We went literally round the corner to First Stop, the French equivalent of Kwik Fit. After some language issues, and 20 Malrborough we had one guy knocking out the dent in the wheel and the tyres sorted. We were only 30 minutes late for the rally and soon caught up with a convoy of cars and the Alps beckoned...... We entered Italy over the Col de la St Bernard, very pretty, which led us to Courmyeur on the slopes of Mont Blanc. the temperature rose as Turin came into focus ( thank god for air conditioning!) and then disappeared into the distance as we approached Genova. We then chucked a right, along the Autostrada des Fiories keeping the coast on our left, until we reached San Remo.</p> <p>Update: Day 1( Friday). Calais to Annecy. Rain; rain,and nore rain. The amphibious abilities of the Celica were tested to the full. Slight issue with a pothole damaging front wheel; meaning a very early start at the local tyre centre just outside of Annecy. Last year we terrorised Europe dressed as Nuns and raised &pound;1200 for Cancer Research. This year we return competing in the Ramshackle Rally as SUPERHEROS!!</p> <p>Captain Pyro and De Frost will be driving from Calais to Valencia (and back!!) introducing housewives to the virtues of Pyrolytic cleaning and frost free refridgeration. The journey of 3400 miles will be in our trusted 16yr old Toyota Celica, bought for &pound;150.00.</p> <p>Once again we are supporting a very worthy charity, The National Autistic Society. As the father of an autistic young person this charity is extremely close to Captain Pyro's kryptonite heart. Autism affects over 2 million people in the UK on a daily basis, and 1 in 100 children are born with autism, for which there is no cure.</p> <p>The National Autistic Society provides educational training and social support helping those that are affected, to live their life with dignity and independance.</p> <p>You can follow us on our adventures as we " Blaze a trail accross Europe" on this site. Thank you for supporting us once again and wish us luck!</p> <p><em>Captain Pyro (Mike Kinder) &amp; De Frost (Stuart Frost)</em></p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>