The tour proper started today. We were greeted with a lineup of 12 new Porsches, parked proudly outside the hotel in Casino Square, 10 for the tourists and 2 for the quides. For the Porsche folk amongst you the cars were mainly new series 991 911's with a few 981 Boxsters and some 997 C4's. If that means nothing to you then each couple had a very beautiful new Porsche to drive for the next five days.
We were allocated a grey 991 Carrera S with PDK double clutch transmission. Wow I was in heaven until the reality struck of having to pilot this very expensive car with the steering wheel on the wrong side through the perilously narrow streets of Monte Carlo and beyond into the treacherous passes of the Maritime Alps. Now I was nervous but with little time to spare we squeezed our luggage in and set off in a group of five cars behind our tour leader,Torsten, in his Boxster.
Communication was by Walkie Talkie. Rigid protocols were established at the beginning and the rule was radio silence from the tourist unless there was a problem. Torsten skillfully called our way through the tight streets of Monte Carlo. We were encouraged (required) to drive very close to one another meaning almost bumper to bumper which helped to exclude the exuberant but polite locals from interrupting our convoy. Police everywhere were keen to do business particularly at the numerous pedestrian cross walks.
We quickly rose above Monaco and soon found ourselves on the high mountain passes first the Col de Braus to Sospel and then to the top of the intimidating Col de Turini (of rally Monte Carlo fame) for lunch. These narrow mountain passes with their never ending hairpin bends and being separated from breathtaking drops by knee high stone walls were taken at very high speed. The speed surprised me but this is the european way particularly when you are upholding the honor of Porsche. In Australia our pace would not have been tolerated. We would be branded irresponsible by the general public and the Police would have us jailed. In Europe you use skill and concentration and drivers respect one another moving to aid progress not employ blocking tactics which cause so much rage in Aus. God I love driving in this enlightened place!
I was very pleased with my pace and even more pleased that Helen was in the spirit of the event enjoying the excitement and the speed and taking a never ending steam of photos and videos.
The car was magnificent with even more pace than my 996 series 1 GT 3 The bank vault like rigidity, the turn in, the grip and the electronic aids ( which we were not allowed to fully deactivate) were seamlessly combined to make this the best road car I have ever experienced.
We pressed on usually at undiminished pace with a some breathers to allow the group to catch up and arrived late afternoon at our hotel, the sublime Le Chateau St Marin located high above the old town of Vence with a choice of magnificent views either over the the Bays of Nice and Antibes or the green hills of Provence.

Le Chateau St Martin was simply sublime. The environment was calm and welcoming the reception rooms spacious and the gardens were a magnificent sanctuary. And then there were the beautifully designed rooms and the food was exceptional. Accommodation does not get better (as was proved later!)