I know it’s late, but it’s time-travel o’clock. Welcome to 2007, a time pre-Twitter and a petrolhead road trip from Aberdeen to the Nurburgring in a Supercharged MX5.

Aberdeen to Dover was done in a day. I recall the Dartford bridge meant my mate Dave (travelling to Dover separately) for in front of me. But I caught him, hotel for the night and ferry in the morning.

Calais, probably in 2020 not the best place to pass through in a convertible, a town of cheap wine shops, was dispatched immediately and we headed for our first overnight in Epernay.

I should add that Dave worked for a wine shop at the time so, aside from cars, our trip involved quite a lot of local plonk. The good stuff. So, apologies, but some of the men are a bit hazy. For example, I’ve absolutely no idea where between Epernay and Colmar this is!

Memories, not men. Although both men were hazy most mornings. Colmar was a recommendation to stay and it is pretty. But we were there en route to the Schlumph collection in Mulhouse. Dave snored like a drain, I tried and failed to sleep in an MX5...

Mulhouse was the Schlumph collection. Famed for the collection of Bugatti’s. In fairness it’s just a massive ex-factory filled with a little bit of everything car wise.

See, a bit of everything!

But for me, without doubt, the main reason to go was to see this, the Bugatti Type 41 Royale. And what a thing it is.

And another place somewhere in France. If you know where do let me know. There always a hill climb track nearby, I think. By this time we’d have been heading via Luxembourg (and the abandoned border posts) towards our ultimate destination...

Which was, of course, Germany (no idea where this pic is taken either). Probably near Ausfhart which must be the biggest city in Germany. It’s even signposted from petrol stations!

We were, of course, popping to Germany for steak on a stone and a TF day at the Nurburgring. We arrived and soaked up some of the sights.

In Germany they drive on the wrong side of the road so, top tip, do what this fella did to keep it in mind.

The car park at the NS was then an amazing place for a petrolhead to hang out. We met in with some fellow Brits and @Northloopforum cronies. We both got some PAX laps as well as our own driving laps.

The little MX5 even got some attention from others while it sat letting the engine and blower cool down.

And, of course, once your laps are used up and you’ve blagged as many PAX laps as you think is reasonable, you can still head off and spectate. There’s something for everyone on-track.

We started to make our way home, another night in Epernay, and the obligatory stop-off at Reims-Gueux, exploring the buildings and the old circuit. It just oozes history.

Back in the ferry and another in-one hit back to Aberdeen great road trip and a car that I still miss to this day. MOT history suggests it’s been cubed now. Shame.