We have a lovely feeling of "Mission Accomplished" tonight having succeeded today in the final part of the ambition we had when restoring Mademoiselle. Today was the "home leg" if you like, of the 20th Anniversary of the twinning between La Chapelle d'Armentieres and Birchington, in which the La Chapelle contingent come to Kent to return the favour from May.

We've done the mini-adventure to Birchington, and the London to Brighton (shakedown) and then the big adventure of the drive down to La Chapelle. Now we are part of the home leg, welcoming the French back to us, meeting their bus first at Quex Park, and then convoying down into town to park the cars up on show in front of the town Library. We are there for the day while the French (and we) are treated to a lovely meal, wine, music, dancing, tree planting, Morris Dancing and even a blessing by a local Reverend.

There's even a fly past by the Battle of Britain Flight, roaring low over head west to east up the Birchington sea side.... OK that might have been something to do with Margate's "Big Event" just up the coast, but it was good for us all the same.

More on this soon, and more pics. We are all tired out - it is surprising how tiring one of those old girls is to drive after the smooth sophistication and relative automation of a modern car.

My pic here is of Bernard, long-time Mayor of La Chapelle, sitting in the car while regaling us with anecdotes of 2CV driving in his student days around the city of Lille