Time flies so fast! It feels like just a few months ago that we returned from Grindelwald, yet here we are already planning our trip for the 2024 edition!
It’s been an incredibly busy year for us. We’re very happy that our travel business is thriving! And we continue to enjoy traveling ourselves as much as possible — since last Grindelwald, we’ve been on the road a lot!
We’ve been chatting with our squadron friends, assuming they’ll come to Grindelwald. But it turns out Chas and Mario are planning an amazing trip to Nordkapp starting at the end of August. This fantastic journey will last nearly a month, so unfortunately, both Chas and Mario will miss Grindelwald because of the dates.
As for Steve, yes, he’s coming to Grindelwald this year (he missed last time). However, since he’s very busy, he’ll only join for the minimum number of days. His plan is to leave on Wednesday the 29th, driving straight from Montignac-de-Lauzun to Grindelwald in one day, carrying spares in his pickup and towing the trailer with his 3-Wheeler.
Ana Maria and I decide to do the same: we’ll attend only for the essential days this year! But since we’re coming from Madrid, we’ll need to spend at least one night on the way to Switzerland. We really enjoy meeting so many friends in Grindelwald, and the area is fantastic for lots of activities beyond just driving the 3-Wheeler! Still, we need to be at the office as much as possible this year.
Ana Maria is always looking for new places to visit and stay, but we both know we have a challenge: the Land Rover with the trailer forms an almost 10-meter-long convoy! Parking isn’t easy anywhere. We also don’t want to deviate too much from the fastest route. That’s why we decide to spend the night again on our way to Switzerland at Varetz, at the Castel Novel.
The place is very convenient, as it’s halfway between Madrid and Grindelwald and doesn’t require much deviation from the main motorway on the fastest route. Plus, it offers a very reasonable price and has a huge car park where we can leave the Land Rover and trailer without unhitching. On top of that, it’s a beautiful spot!
This year, we’re trying something different for the trip to Switzerland: since motorway restaurant food is usually expensive and of poor quality, and we still have plenty of food in our fridge at home, we’ve decided to prepare sandwiches and salads for our stops along the way.
The day before leaving, we cook some tasty fillings for sandwiches and salads and pack everything into our handy portable cool box.
Some sodas and chips complete the menu, and we’re all set! No need to stop at any restaurant on our way to Grindelwald — we’ll just find a nice, comfortable rest area to enjoy our sandwiches.
Also, the day before departure, we perform the usual checks: tire pressure on all three vehicles — Land Rover, trailer, and Morgan — fill both the Land Rover and the Morgan with fresh gasoline, check oil and other fluid levels, and so on.
We properly tension the ratchet straps securing the 3-Wheeler in the trailer, check the trailer’s rearview camera and lights, and most of our luggage is already packed in the Land Rover’s boot. We’re ready to go!
Day 1 – August 27th: Madrid to Varetz
Take-off day! We wake up early, feed and kiss goodbye our lovely cat, who doesn’t feel very comfortable with cuddles this time of the morning…
We head downstairs to the garage to start the engine and hitch the trailer to the Land Rover. I have to say, I’m really in love with this new Defender. Normally, I’m not a big fan of electronics in cars, but the features this machine offers for hitching and towing are simply amazing.
The Land Rover Advanced Tow Assist is a masterpiece. When you hitch your trailer for the first time, you enter all its parameters — the number of axles, their distance from the tow ball, the trailer’s dimensions, and so on.
Once you enter this data into the system, the car remembers the trailer’s parameters. Every time you hook it up, the computer automatically recognizes the trailer and adjusts all the vehicle’s electronics — brakes, electronic stability control, throttle sensitivity, radar cruise control settings, and more — to optimize driving while towing.
It also makes hitching really easy. Once you deploy the electric tow ball and select towing mode while reversing, the rearview camera screen shows the exact position of the tow ball, so you can perfectly align it under the trailer’s coupler every time. It even does an upper zoom view when you’re near the coupling!
This Advanced Tow Assist is a huge help when reversing with the trailer. You still need skill and experience to get it right, but when you’re backing up from a straightforward position, using the knob on the dashboard to steer the trailer exactly where you want feels like playing an easy video game.
With all these features, hitching the trailer in the garage is quick and easy. But let me mention another fantastic feature I absolutely love in this car: the Clearsight rearview mirror!
What is that? It’s actually a rearview camera mounted on top of the Defender, integrated into the GPS antenna at the back. The best way to explain how it works is simply by watching this next video.
It’s a useful feature when your boot is packed full of luggage, blocking your back view. But it becomes even better when you’re towing a trailer like ours! Since our trailer sits slightly lower than the Defender — which is quite a tall vehicle at 197 cm — the ClearSight interior rear view mirror camera can see over the trailer and show you the traffic behind. And that’s really cool.
Because of the trailer’s length, we adjust the Clearsight camera to include a small portion of the trailer roof. This means you won’t see the very first vehicle right behind you if it’s very close, like in city traffic, since the trailer blocks the view. However, you can see the second vehicle and beyond, which is perfect for driving on roads and motorways where cars rarely follow that close.
But just in case a reckless driver gets too close, we also have the trailer’s rearview camera showing a live feed of what’s immediately behind us. With these two systems and screens, we have full, continuous visibility of everything happening behind us. True peace of mind.
It’s going to be a long day. But we’re fresh and comfortable in the fantastic Land Rover Defender.
Same route as last year! We take the A-1 motorway, passing Burgos and Vitoria, then cross the Spanish-French border at Irun. From there, we continue north on the A63 to Bordeaux, and then head east on the A89 to Varetz.
We make our first stop just before crossing the French border to refuel and enjoy some of the delicious sandwiches we prepared yesterday.
Our second stop is at a rest area, where we use the restroom and stretch our legs—no need to refuel again.
I’m still amazed by the Defender’s efficiency! It’s a 2.4-ton vehicle, permanent 4×4, with huge tires and a 400hp six-cylinder petrol engine—yes, petrol, not diesel! And it’s a pure petrol engine with no hybrid system. Pulling our 1,300kg trailer at a steady 100 km/h with incredible ease, its fuel consumption stays below 13 l/100 km (22 mpg). Not bad at all for such a heavy convoy!
We arrive at Castel Novel at dawn and park the convoy right in front of the main entrance.
The room we are given this year is huge, spanning two floors. On the main floor, there’s a large bed, wardrobes, a spacious worktable, and two comfortable armchairs.
That alone would have been more than enough. But upstairs, there’s a single bed, additional wardrobes, a medium-sized worktable, and a spacious bathroom.
We talk to Steve, who is leaving Montignac-de-Lauzun very early tomorrow. He’ll take the same route we’re following, so we agree to meet on the motorway.
We plan to leave early as well, since we still have a long way to Grindelwald, but not quite as early as Steve. That way, he’ll have time to catch up with us, and we should meet somewhere around the motorway junction.
We switch on our laptops and get back to work. True holidays are a thing of the past, but that’s fine when you own the business. At least we can work from anywhere, anytime, as long as we have internet access! In fact, Ana Maria spends most of the time working on her laptop while I drive. Focused on our screens, we lose track of time and soon realize it’s too late to go down to the hotel dining room for dinner. But that’s okay—we still have some sandwiches left. So, we each eat one and finally head to bed to rest.
Day 2 – August 28th: Varetz to Grindelwald
The Castel Novel is incredibly quiet at night. Being a large castle nestled deep in the woods, far from any roads, the only sounds are the occasional creaks of old wood. We sleep very well and wake up early, planning to arrive in Grindelwald before 16:00, when the office closes for registering and collecting the apartment keys.
It’s so early that the front desk is still closed. We have no choice but to leave the room key—one of those modern magnetic cards—at the front door and send the hotel a message to let them know.
We start the engine at 6:36 a.m. and check the WhatsApp conversation with Steve. He shared his real-time location when he left Montignac-de-Lauzun at 4:38 a.m.! He’s already passed Varetz but isn’t far ahead. We’ll catch up with him soon on the motorway.
The motorway is completely empty. We make smooth and relaxed progress with no traffic, enjoying the sunrise.
We’re not far from Steve. As we continue on the motorway, we gradually catch up to him. Around 9:30, we agree to stop for refueling and share a big hug. We chat about the route ahead to Grindelwald before getting back on the motorway.
We pass Lyon and approach the Swiss border. I need to stop for the restroom again, but Steve keeps going—his bladder seems more resilient than ours. We figure we’ll catch up with him later. We’re driving at about the same speed, maybe Ana María and I a bit faster.
The real advantage comes when the motorway goes uphill — our 400hp engine wakes up and our convoy climbs more easily than Steve’s Toyota Hilux with its modest 150hp diesel engine. We’re convinced we’ll catch up. But surprisingly, we don’t — and it’s all because of a rookie customs officer at the Swiss border. Keep reading if you want to hear about this ridiculous episode…
We arrive at the Swiss border near Geneva, happy and driving calmly. We enter the lane for vehicles with trailers and caravans. In previous years, we’ve never been stopped at the border. But this time, completely at random, a young customs officer signals us to pull over.
No problem. We have nothing to hide. All vehicles have their Swiss motorway vignettes, insurance, permits, and up-to-date technical inspections.
The officer politely asks where we’re coming from with a Spanish car and where we’re headed. Easy answer: we’re coming from Spain and going to Grindelwald to meet friends and enjoy the Bernese Alps.
Then he asks what’s in the trailer. Again, an easy answer: a small car that we’ll be driving around Grindelwald and the mountain passes. He asks us to open the trailer so he can inspect it and see the Morgan’s paperwork. But the moment he sees the car, things start to go wrong.
The poor, clueless man — putting it mildly — gets nervous and asks if it’s a race car or a collector’s item. Again, the simple answer: no, it isn’t. It’s a normal car, just with three wheels. I explain that it’s a modern vehicle, manufactured in December 2019, first registered in 2020, with proper license plates, and that I can drive it just like the Land Rover or any other road-legal vehicle with all the insurance and paperwork in order. Easy to understand — if your brain works properly…
But his two neurons short-circuit. He says he needs to call his lieutenant, who’s having lunch, to ask what to do. Wait… What?!? Clearly, he’s a rookie and not very bright…
I don’t understand his hesitation, so I ask him what the problem is. Again, I try to explain it’s just a normal car, like any other. Just like the people coming through with motorcycles on trailers — for example, I point out a couple of cars with trailers loaded with motorcycles, and another with a Smart currently crossing the border.
He just shrugs and calls his lieutenant, who seems pretty annoyed that this rookie interrupted his lunch…
I can’t hear their conversation, so I have no idea what nonsense he’s telling his lieutenant. But finally, he comes back triumphantly and tells me that his lieutenant said we need to fill out a declaration form for the entry of a vintage racing vehicle.
The situation is surreal. I challenge him, telling him he is mistaken — that it’s neither a vintage car nor a racing car. I insist it has, as he could clearly see, a regular license plate, and all its insurance and registration papers were in order. But he simply can’t grasp that… In the end, despite our protests, we are forced to sign a Kafkaesque document declaring that we are bringing a racing vintage vehicle into Switzerland — one that, according to the paperwork, is not allowed on public roads, only on racetracks or for private events.
In the end, I sign the document — but not before writing on it, right in front of the rookie, that I do not agree with its contents and pointing out all the mistakes this lunatic had made.
The most frustrating part is that the document requires a stamp again at the border when we leave Switzerland. So, we must remember to stop once more on our way back home.
Keep in mind, my words here are “light and relatively calm,” but I can assure you, at the time, my feelings were much closer to delivering a Bud Spencer-style epic slap than the kind smile I showed to the poor customs officer.
After wasting a whole hour — and with plenty of images of Bud Spencer slapping that customs officer flashing through my mind — we finally get back on the road. We hope no more surprises come our way and that we’ll reach Grindelwald before 16:00, when the office handing out apartment keys closes.
We drive along the beautiful shores of Lake Leman, pass through Bern, and then head towards Thun. Luckily, traffic stays smooth, and we don’t lose any more time. Ana Maria has a bit of fun with the situation and snaps a few pictures of my grumpy face…
We quickly recover our spirits and good mood when we see a clear, unmistakable sign on the road: Switzerland warmly welcomes the Speedy Marmots! It’s just what we needed — a little reminder that the adventure is still on, and good times are ahead.
We drive along the shimmering waters of Lake Thun, approaching the charming town of Interlaken. We’re almost there! Glancing at the clock, it’s clear we’ll make it to Grindelwald before the office closes.
I’m starting to relax, almost forgetting the Swiss customs debacle, but Ana Maria keeps snapping pictures of my “grumpy face.” Maybe those Bud Spencer punches are still echoing in my mind…
We reach Interlaken, then Wilderswil, and take the left turn toward Grindelwald. The anticipation builds with every kilometer. And then, there it is — the Mittelhorn, the majestic first peak greeting us as we approach the Grindelwald valley. A breathtaking welcome that instantly lifts our spirits.
Knowing exactly where to park the 10-meter convoy this time around makes the whole arrival process much quicker. We swiftly unload the 3-Wheeler and tuck it safely away in the building’s inside garage. Then, we move the trailer to the farther parking spot reserved for the coming days.
Back at the apartment, we’re happy to find it matches the comfort and cleanliness of last year’s place. It’s not quite as spacious or posh — last year’s had two bedrooms and a stunning balcony overlooking the main street — but this one is perfectly situated in the heart of the village, in the same building. Being so close to everything makes up for the size difference.
The apartment’s 42m² is more than enough for the two of us. After unpacking and a quick shower, we cross the street to the Kreuz & Post terrace. The familiar buzz of the event is already alive — many fellow 3-Wheeler pilots are relaxing there, savoring cold beers and sharing stories. It feels great to be back.
It’s wonderful to reconnect with many familiar faces and meet some new ones too. After savoring our drinks on the terrace, we all head upstairs to the main dining room, where Laurens and Rineke have thoughtfully arranged the welcome dinner.
The buffet-style meal is delicious, and the lively conversations flow effortlessly. The Moroccan Tour project sparks a lot of curiosity and excitement among the group — clearly, it’s a trip that’s capturing imaginations. We definitely need to get that proposal finalized soon!
Tired but content, we return to the apartment for a well-deserved night’s rest, ready for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 3 – August 29th: first day of the Jungfrau-Treffen
The day dawned with splendid sunshine — not a cloud in the sky and even warm. It feels almost unbelievable, as the weather in this area is notoriously unpredictable year-round; we’ve even seen heavy snowfall here in August. We’re all hoping for good weather over the next few days, but we haven’t forgotten to pack our raincoats. You never know around here — the weather can change dramatically in an instant!
This year, we gather at the upper entrance of the Sportzentrum. It’s a great spot, as it’s opened exclusively for us, so we don’t share the space with other vehicles or buses. Once again, it seems we have a large turnout, nearly filling the entire area with our 3-Wheelers.
The reason we didn’t meet at the usual large parking lot in front of the Kreuz & Post and Bernerhof hotels this time is because a giant tent has been set up there. Apparently, there’s going to be a big party in Grindelwald these days. Besides the tent, which can hold hundreds of people, several beer stands and food trucks are set up nearby. Laurens tells us it’s the Oberländisches Trychlertreffen. What is that?
The Oberland Trychler refers to a group participating in a centuries-old Swiss Alpine tradition, particularly prominent in the Hasli region of the Bernese Oberland. They are known for parading through villages while rhythmically swinging large cowbells — called Trycheln — to ward off evil spirits and celebrate local folklore. Great news — not only for the wonderful atmosphere in the village, but also because they drive away the evil spirits! Hopefully, that means fewer breakdowns for us this year!
This year, we can spot three Super 3s among us. Laurens tells us they expect a couple more to join in the coming days. It’s great to see this new version of the Morgan 3-Wheeler. Despite the obvious style differences between our so-called “Five-Speeders” and the new Super 3, both models look stunning and attract a lot of attention.
We’re happy to meet more friends, some of whom missed last night’s welcome dinner. It’s always exciting to see so many 3-Wheelers gathered and to check out the new modifications made to some of the cars this year.
The route planned for this morning is a classic of the Jungfrau-Treffen event. Laurens and Rineke always choose a series of beautiful roads along the northern shore of Lake Thun for this first day. Meadows and dense forests combine to make it an amazing visual experience. This is probably the Speedy Marmots’ favorite day, as the roads are clear, with very little traffic, fun to drive, and the views are stunning. A truly refreshing drive through the breathtaking Swiss alpine scenery.
After the usual kisses, hugs, and catching up, we climb into our cockpits and start the engines. We’re ready to go! The first day of the Jungfrau–Treffen has officially begun!
We leave town with tourists and locals cheering the fabulous Morgan squadron, warming up our engines as we roll down toward Interlaken.
As usual, there are some roadworks underway between Grindelwald and Wilderswil. The Swiss take advantage of the few months of sunshine and warm temperatures in this region to repair their roads, which, due to the harsh winters, often deteriorate rapidly.
Once in Interlaken, we take the road along the north shore of Lake Thun. This lake and the surrounding roads are among the most beautiful we’ve ever driven, and we never tire of this route. What a stunning road — and what a masterpiece of engineering, carving tunnels and passages into the alpine rock to keep the road so close to the water.
One of the things we love most about the Jungfrau-Treffen is that you’re driving on beautiful roads from the moment you start your engine. You don’t have to leave a busy city or deal with heavy traffic — you get to enjoy the drive from the very first minute.
After passing Sigriswil, we turn uphill toward Heiligenschwendi. The views over Lake Thun grow more and more impressive as we climb.
The road uphill is steep and has plenty of curves. The fun behind the wheel is guaranteed.
After reaching the top of the road, we enter an incredible plateau, featuring the gentle, peaceful valleys one imagines in Switzerland — endless green meadows alternating with dense forests.
We arrive at our lunch stop a little after noon. Another classic we repeat every year: the Gasthaus Siehen. Spacious parking, good food, reasonable prices… we like the place.
It’s also a great opportunity to see all our 3-Wheelers parked together, with no one else around but us. We love inspecting each other’s cars and taking pictures here.
It’s also a good moment to fix little issues on some cars. Our dear friend Steve – M3W Services – never rests!
After this light lunch — we appreciate that Laurens and Rineke chose a light menu to avoid heavy digestion during the afternoon drive — it’s time to jump back into our Morgans and head back to Grindelwald via more fantastic country roads.
We’re driving towards Lake Thun but keep on the high side of its shore, passing by and only driving downhill to reach Interlaken from Habkern.
Everyone is having a great time on these roads, and the squadron makes good progress toward Interlaken at a brisk pace. Meadows and gentle curves stretch out beneath a relentless sun. I don’t think we’ve ever experienced so much sun and heat at this time of year in Switzerland. But coming from Madrid, with its stifling summer temperatures over 40°C, we don’t complain — in fact, we even find it quite pleasant.
We drive fast but must slow down from time to time because we cross villages…
Or because we find some cyclists on the narrow roads…
Or because there might be cats crossing…
The Swiss roads, with their wooden bridges and traditional alpine wooden houses, are truly charming. We find this so relaxing and peaceful that we’re always tempted to buy a country house in the area.
As we approach Lake Thun, the route chosen by Laurens and Rineke becomes narrower and more winding, leading us into a lush, unexpectedly beautiful forested area.
Everyone is running smoothly until an orange 3-Wheeler slows down — it seems to have lost power. It’s Claude, a good friend from Mulhouse. The engine of his orange rocket has simply stopped.
All the vehicles behind him pass by, as the rule is simple: if someone breaks down, you don’t stop unless you have — or believe you have — the skills and tools to help. Steve is among us, and he’s by far the one with the most knowledge and experience to solve any problem. On top of that, he carries a generous supply of tools and spare parts with him.
Claude is pushing his car in search of a shady spot — the sun is still strong, and it’s far too hot to work on a car without cover. The Speedy Marmots stop to help and wait with him until Steve arrives. Then, suddenly, Claude tries again and the car starts as if nothing had happened, so we set off once more.
But not for long. A few kilometers later, his car stops again. This time, we’re under the trees in a very narrow stretch of road. We push the car to a safer place beneath the shade of the pines, and I start looking for the cause of the problem.
Steve catches up with us. My diagnosis: a fuel pump failure. Claude’s car still has the original pump, not a Walbro, and when he turns the key, the pump doesn’t buzz properly. We check the fuel pressure — it’s low and a bit erratic.
Steve agrees it’s likely a fuel pump failure, and we quickly set to work replacing the entire fuel pump assembly with a new one fitted with a Walbro pump that he carries in his 3-Wheeler.
After a quick change — less than 10 minutes, since we both know exactly how to do it — we’re ready to try starting the car again. The new Walbro pump buzzes perfectly, but something’s still wrong: the engine refuses to fire up.
New diagnosis? The crank position sensor might not be working properly, which means the spark plugs aren’t igniting the engine. We check this and bingo! No spark. Both Steve and I carry a spare crank position sensor. It’s an unusual precaution — in my case, probably because I’m paranoid, and in Steve’s case, because he’s the magician of M3W Services.
Changing the crank position sensor isn’t particularly complicated, but releasing the connector and fitting the new sensor’s cable into it isn’t so easy. On the side of the road, it’s simple enough to make a quick temporary connection, but if you want to remove the entire old sensor assembly — cable, connector, and all — and replace it with the new one, you need time. You also need a cold engine and exhaust headers to avoid burning your fingers and forearms here and there.
So, Steve carries out a temporary replacement first, mainly to confirm that this is indeed the problem. We turn the ignition on… the Walbro pump buzzes as it should… ignition and… the engine starts and purrs perfectly! Job done!
The little happy group celebrates, and we climb back into our cockpits.
A crank position sensor failure is relatively rare — I’d never seen one in all these years. But there’s always a first time! We feel sorry for Claude, since he’s the one who suffered it, but the good news is that he’s back on the road and running perfectly.
We set off again, following Steve. He’s carrying the “Follow Me” sign that Laurens and Rineke put on the cars equipped with a navigation system loaded with the route. Unfortunately, Steve’s GPS doesn’t seem willing to cooperate, and we end up getting a little lost…
We finally find the correct path and go downhill towards Interlaken. The views over Lake Thun are amazing. And the day is getting fresher, so we’re enjoying the drive a lot.
When we reach Interlaken, we spot a couple of 3-Wheelers stopped at the Galileo Roundabout, right in the city center near the train station. We pull over and ask if there’s a problem — and there is. Thomas and Rosa have suffered a regulator failure. Surprisingly, Steve has run out of regulators; he’s not carrying one at the moment. Luckily, we have a spare to save the day!
Changing a regulator isn’t particularly difficult, but it can be fiddly due to the cable routing. In our case, when we took our 3-Wheeler to M3W Services, I asked Steve to modify the regulator wiring by installing quick connectors suitable for high amperage. The spare I carry also has these quick connectors, so replacing ours is quick and easy. However, its cables are shorter than usual.
But Thomas and Rosa’s car doesn’t have this modification, so their cables follow the standard route and lack the quick connectors. Because of this, replacing their damaged rectifier with ours is more difficult than usual. First, Steve has to remove the quick connectors from our spare regulator and perform a meticulous job to connect the wiring. It’s not easy, but he manages to do it fairly quickly.
After all this repair work, Thomas and Rosa’s battery has regained a bit of “juice” — just enough to fire up the engine again! Now the voltmeter shows a healthy charging voltage, and the battery recharges on the way back to Grindelwald, which is still 22 km away.
It’s been a long day for us, with two stops to help Steve with repairs. We have little time left to shower and get ready for the trip to the Schreckfeld restaurant, perched at 1956 meters.
We love this road. Being a private road, closed to regular traffic, it feels truly genuine and raw. We climb via the Grosse Scheidegg Pass, savoring every twist and turn of this tiny, narrow path. The sky darkens, and it starts to drizzle a little.
On the way up, we have a surprise: one of the three Super 3s in the group has stopped! It’s Oliver’s. We pull over to check if we can help—and take the opportunity to put on our raincoats as the drizzle turns into more serious rain.
The Super 3 seems to be having electrical problems. Battery? Unfortunately, none of us know much about these new machines. They’re supposed to be far more reliable than our classic five-speeders, but judging by last year’s experience and now this, the statistics don’t look promising. With a heavy heart, we continue driving up to the restaurant.
And then a second surprise. Another Super 3 is down! Jean-Philippe’s grey rocket is stopped almost at the top. That’s really surprising… Some witnesses say he got big flames coming out of the exhaust, like the fuel mixture was not working right at all. It seems it’s not the first case at high altitudes. Maybe a misreading sensor? Again, we have no choice but to keep driving towards the restaurant.
On the last few kilometers of the road—though it’s really more of a dirt track—we find ourselves surrounded by curious cows. It’s always a fun tradition: every year we come up here, the local cows seem to gather along the path, watching us pass by with genuine curiosity.
We finally reach our destination. The rain has stopped, and we’re all hoping it stays dry until we get back to the apartment. But in these mountains, at this altitude, the weather is always a bit of a lottery!
Settling on the terrace, we enjoy some light appetizers while soaking in the fresh alpine air. Soon enough, it’s time for the classic highlight: a delicious cheese fondue, warming us up from the inside as the evening sets in.
We have excellent company at our table — many French friends who share our passion for adventure. The conversation naturally drifts to future trips we dream of, with Morocco still a hot topic that excites everyone.
After dinner, under the cloak of night, we carefully drive back downhill in our cars, relieved to reach the safe tarmac roads of Grindelwald. It’s been an intense day full of surprises and camaraderie, and we collapse into bed utterly exhausted, ready for a well-deserved rest.
Day 4 – August 30th: second day of the Jungfrau-Treffen
It’s another beautiful morning. Despite the light rain that fell yesterday evening as we drove to dinner, the sun is back today, and we’re expecting yet another warm, sunny day.
Just like yesterday, we gather at the entrance of the Sportzentrum. This time, though, there’s less space available — part of the main area has been taken over by additional food trucks, and a small stage is being assembled. It seems there will be live music during this weekend’s festivities, which should be fun.
Still, we manage to fill the place with our 3-Wheelers, much to the delight of the passing tourists.
Everybody is here. All mechanical and electrical issues seem to be resolved, and we’re glad to see the Super 3s back this morning. When the problem is mechanical, it’s usually easier to track down. But when it’s an elusive electrical gremlin, finding and fixing it is a completely different story!
But we’re still missing Terry Maloy. Where is he? A quick check on WhatsApp reveals the answer: he’s had a breakdown just minutes ago on his way to join us. A fuel leak — the cap of the fuel filter had come loose. Luckily, he manages to find it and put it back in place. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the squadron’s departure, so he’ll have to catch up with us later.
We quickly go over today’s planned route — another classic day of the Jungfrau-Treffen. We’ll head towards Thun along the southern shore of the lake, then enter from the western side, a well-known area for the veterans of this event.
Right on schedule, we fire up the engines and set off for another great day of driving! Roadworks on the way out of Grindelwald force us to wait in line for a while, until the workers finally open the traffic on our side.
The roadwork delays are long enough that many drivers choose to switch off their engines. After all, the big air-cooled S&S V-Twin doesn’t appreciate sitting still in traffic for too long — even if you’ve got the Urban Cooling kit with its fan blowing air over the cylinders.
Driving in and out of the Grindelwald valley, we might not always pay close attention to the scenery — after all, it’s the same road we take every day to come and go. But if you stop to think about it, this stretch between Interlaken and Grindelwald is among the finest roads anywhere, and quite possibly the one with the most breathtaking views.
Especially when you’re heading towards Grindelwald, as the majestic peaks of the Mittelhorn, Schreckhorn, Eiger, and Jungfrau reveal themselves one by one, growing larger and more imposing with every kilometer you drive.
We skirt the shores of Lake Thun and soon turn onto the inland country roads. We love being here, of course, but on this second day, the routes we take in this area are not quite our favorites. Still beautiful, yes, but they don’t quite match the magic of yesterday’s landscapes. Just our personal opinion.
The landscape here feels more open, with wide green meadows and traditional alpine wooden houses. One of the great perks of being here at this time of year is that every garden is in full bloom, and the balconies are adorned with vibrant, overflowing flower boxes.
Dahlias, roses, sunflowers, calla lilies… the variety is astonishing.
We’re driving fast, enjoying the roads for almost an hour. Curves, hills, forests, meadows… the scenery is as fantastic as ever.
But, as is often the case when you’re part of a big squadron of 3-Wheelers, guess what? Of course — another breakdown.
This time, it happens right at the front. We can’t yet see or tell who’s in trouble, but the whole squadron has come to a halt. We switch off the engines and walk up and down the line, trying to gather news about which car has broken down and why we’re stopped. And then it makes sense — the one in trouble is Laurens!
While we wait for Steve’s diagnosis, leadership of the squadron is temporarily passed on, and we fire up the engines again to continue towards our lunch stop.
We keep driving, savoring every curve and the glorious weather. Though we remain concerned about Laurens, the breathtaking scenery keeps a big smile on our faces.
Time passes, the engine purrs, and we’re happy, immersed in this idyllic countryside. Then, on a gentle uphill stretch, the engine suddenly dies. What the heck? I pull over, still trying to restart it, but we lose all momentum and come to a complete halt. How can this be happening?
We signal the others to keep going. But Thomas and Rosa stay with us for a while. We calmly begin the basic checks. The Walbro pump buzzes. The battery is fully charged, showing a healthy 12.4 V with the engine off. I can neither smell nor see any fuel—no leaks, no pressure loss. We remove the hood and check the inertia switch, as we know this kill switch has failed in one or two cars. But it’s not the problem.
Maybe it’s the timing belt? It’s the first reason that comes to my mind now. It’s time to open our tool bags, quickly take off the badge bar, and open the timing belt cover. We convince Thomas and Rosa to leave for the lunch place, as they can’t help us now.
The job is done relatively quickly and… the timing belt is in perfect condition. What could it be? That’s worrying. I try to start it again and… it roars to life as if nothing had happened. Now I’m worried! How did it just come back to life without any warning? It must be something electric — and those are the problems nobody wants. They might be simple to fix, but first, you must find them… and that’s the tricky part.
Steve just appears, catching up as fast as he can, because he stayed behind helping Laurens with his breakdown. It turns out his breakdown is more serious than expected. A valve rocker has snapped at the head with the nut. We’ve never seen anything like it. No spares are on hand. The good news, though, is that the engine itself isn’t damaged — It’s just a matter of tracking down the spare part. But the car can’t run anymore.
We quickly close the timing belt cover, stow all the tools, put the hood back on, and continue towards the lunch spot, hoping to get there without further trouble.
But on our way we find another 3-Wheeler on the side of the road. A German couple, attending this event for the first time this year, are standing by their car.
They explain what happened, and this time the symptoms are unmistakable: they’ve lost the Centa rollers. A quick look through the inspection hole confirms the diagnosis. Unfortunately, they haven’t done the Centa modification that allows the rollers to be changed quickly and easily without removing the engine. Bad luck. They’ll need to be towed back to Germany, so they call road assistance for a flatbed truck. We feel sorry for them, but there’s nothing we can do, so we jump back into our cars and continue on to lunch.
We’re the last to arrive at the lunch spot. Laurens is there too. With the help of an extendable magnet, he managed to recover the snapped nut. What a strange breakdown! Our Morgans never fail to surprise us with the most unexpected quirks…
We need to eat quickly, having arrived much later than everyone else, and we don’t want to miss the post-lunch departure. After paying, we return to our car, hoping it will start without any issues. Once you’ve experienced a breakdown like the one we had, you can’t help but stay tense, always half-expecting it to happen again… No problem now. Our Morgan starts at first try and behaves as if nothing ever happened.
This afternoon we’re heading back to Grindelwald on known roads. A very similar path than the one we did this morning.
We sweep downhill along a broad road that winds through the forest. It’s a quick, exhilarating stretch, but it keeps us on our toes—hairpins appear without warning, demanding firm braking and precise steering. We’re grinning all the way; this is the kind of road we live for!
We roll out of the hills and onto the plains approaching Thun, where the roads flatten and the pace eases. But just as we’re crossing Riggisberg, the engine quits on us again. I’d been half-expecting this since the incident this morning. We coast to a stop right in front of a motorcycle shop. Moments later, Steve pulls in behind us — he’d been driving just a few cars back.
Since we’ve been mulling over possible causes for this morning’s stoppage, we dive straight into the usual checks, then go straight for our leading suspect: the crank position sensor. It would be an incredible coincidence to suffer the same failure Claude had just yesterday — so rare! But when Steve hooks up the spark tester, the verdict is immediate. There it is. Statistically incredible.
Steve removes the faulty crank position sensor, and I hand him my spare. A quick sensor swap, turn of the key — the engine roars back to life. We’re on our way again! Total “pit stop” less than 20min. Not bad at all.
We’re now driving with a touch of urgency, hoping not to get back to Grindelwald too late. But then a message pops up from Chris Golding: he’s ahead of us with Julian, who’s stranded with a dead battery — the culprit, a failed rectifier. We reach them quickly and pull over to see what can be done.
The Speedy Marmots are out of action this time — our spare rectifier went to Thomas and Rosa yesterday, so we’ve got nothing left to offer. With Steve on the scene, and with all the necessary tools and well-versed in mechanics and electrics, our presence won’t add much. So, with a heavy heart but trying to be practical, Chris and us decide to press on towards Grindelwald.
We roll back into Grindelwald without a hitch, arriving at 18:05 — just in time to meet the others at the rendezvous point. The departure for Männlichen is set for 18:15!
Steve and Julian won’t make it in time to climb with us to the 2,222 meters up to the restaurant. We hope they’ll have the spirit to catch up later. So after a quick round of greetings and chatter, we’re ready to go.
The final stretch to Männlichen is normally reserved for supply and maintenance vehicles, much like the road we took yesterday to reach the Schreckfeld restaurant. Tonight, however, we have a special permit — courtesy of Laurens and Rineke’s excellent contacts and masterful organization of the event.
The disciplined squadron makes its way uphill, slowing now and then to cross electrified fences — the kind set up to keep the cows from wandering out of their pastures. Each pause is brief, and soon the hum of engines echoes once more through the alpine slopes.
The view over Grindelwald’s valley is nothing short of breathtaking, growing more dramatic with every meter we climb. The narrow road winds upward in graceful curves, each turn revealing a panorama more striking than the last.
We finally reach the end of the road and park the Morgans. Ana María and I take out our blanket and thick coats, getting them ready for the return trip. We know from experience that it’s always bitterly cold up here, and after stepping out of the restaurant following a hearty dinner, you’ll be grateful to wrap yourself in warm clothes and blankets.
The whole gang enjoys a delicious dinner. The Berghaus Männlichen restaurant is always a guarantee of a good meal — cold, refreshing beers, classic Swiss recipes, and, of course, the very best company.
When we step outside after dinner, the sky is a canvas of stars, perfectly clear with not a cloud in sight. Far below, the valley glimmers faintly in the darkness. The air is crisp and cold, but thankfully, there’s no sign of rain.
So we wrap ourselves in coats and blankets, start the engine, and begin our slow descent back to Grindelwald. Along the way, we keep a careful eye on the electrified barriers. If you’re not wearing gloves or don’t handle the poles properly, you might be in for an unpleasant electric surprise.
We’re delighted with our LED headlamps — the difference from the old halogens is enormous. Whenever we switch to high beam, the road ahead is lit by an impressively bright and far-reaching beam. Night driving in the Morgan is no longer a challenge.
Back in the village, Ana María and I head straight to bed. It’s been a long day, packed with emotions and marked by two unexpected, unpleasant breakdowns. Tonight, we’ll sleep like logs.
Day 5 – August 31st: third day of the Jungfrau-Treffen
Last day of the Jungfrau-Treffen! And once again, we wake to glorious sunshine. The regular participants remark on how lucky we’ve been with the weather this year — probably the best edition yet in terms of perfect skies and pleasant temperatures.
Today is Saturday, and the village is buzzing — more crowded than on any other day of the week. On top of that, our parking area is being gradually “invaded” by beer stands and various other vehicles setting up for Grindelwald’s weekend festivities.
We manage to squeeze the Morgans into place, though it’s trickier than on previous days — not just because of the festival preparations, but also because today attracts the largest number of one-day participants to the Jungfrau-Treffen.
Why is that? Well, first, because it’s Saturday — the perfect chance for those who couldn’t take time off during the past two days to finally join us. And second, because today’s route is the crown jewel of the event: we’ll tackle the most iconic and spectacular mountain passes of the Bernese Alps. First the Sustenpass, then a short stretch of the Oberalp where we’ll stop for lunch, followed by the legendary Furka, and finally the mighty Grimsel. A breathtaking, awe-inspiring itinerary — truly the best of the best if you love driving.
The debate among the “veterans” about this day is always the same — and not for the first time. We all agree: the route is simply magnificent. But the day… well, that’s where opinions split. Because it’s Saturday, and Saturday comes with its own double edge. It’s our Yin & Yang, our angel-and-devil day. Let me explain why.
We completely understand and respect Laurens and Rineke’s decision to schedule the best itinerary for Saturday — it attracts the largest number of participants for the reasons mentioned earlier. But, at the same time, being a Saturday means that the mountain passes we’re about to cross will be far more crowded than on any other day of the week. Cars, motorcycles, cyclists… everyone wants to enjoy this route on their days off.
And so, the roads fill up. We have no problem with the fast cars, but we do dislike the reckless motorcyclists, the painfully slow camper vans, and — well — the cyclists. I have nothing against cyclists personally, but on a day like this they can create very dangerous situations. In fact, it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to stop because of an accident. Thankfully, never one involving a member of our squadron — but yes, unfortunately, involving others.
We all agree that we’d enjoy these roads much more if we drive them on Thursday or Friday. But we’re not the ones making the decisions — only offering suggestions. Debate aside, we’re genuinely happy and grateful to be here, and we line up for departure right on schedule!
This morning, we’re supposed to follow the northern shore of Lake Brienz to the town that gives the lake its name, then continue on to Innertkirchen before climbing the Sustenpass. From there, we’ll take the Oberalp from Andermatt to reach the Alp Hïtta restaurant, where a well-earned lunch awaits us.
Engines on — and there goes the Morgan squadron, roaring out of town. We start with the classic section we drive every day between Grindelwald and Interlaken, then follow the southern shore of Lake Thun. We skip the northern shore, even though it’s undoubtedly more beautiful, because after leaving Grindelwald and passing the roadworks, it makes more sense to head straight for the Sustenpass. The goal: to arrive early and avoid the inevitable Saturday traffic.
Before we even exit the valley and reach Interlaken, the first breakdown of the day strikes — Pedro has a fuel leak. Moments later, Ahmed is down as well. Yesterday his car was misfiring, and Steve tried to ‘clean’ the ECU with his laptop, but it seems the problem is back, likely due to faulty lambda sensors. What a dreadful start to the day. The Oberland Trychler magic is clearly not working for us — the ‘evil spirits’ are still chasing our Morgans!
The rest of the squadron keeps going on. The road to Innertkirchen isn’t too busy yet, and we make good progress toward the town. Along the right side of the road, countless waterfalls cascade down the mountainsides, creating a breathtaking scenery you can only find here, in the heart of the Swiss Bernese Alps.
As expected, we have a large turnout of 3-Wheelers today, and despite the impressive number of participants, the entire squadron keeps moving forward without losing anyone else. Only Pedro, Ahmed, and Steve have stayed behind, sidelined by their breakdowns.
Fortunately, we have no more breakdowns as we arrive to Innertkirchen and deviate left towards the Sustenpass.
We tackle the first gentle stretch of this famous mountain pass with agility and a decent pace, pausing only a couple of times for roadworks.
Automatic traffic lights control these sections, letting vehicles take turns through the single open lane. But with such a large squadron, it’s inevitable — the lights slice us into smaller convoys as we climb.
While we wait for the light to turn green, we watch the traffic coming down. It’s already busy for this time of the morning. As expected, we spot plenty of sports cars, a swarm of motorcyclists, and, mixed among them, a few camper vans and cyclists. Not exactly the ideal combination on a mountain pass where cars and bikes race far faster than the lumbering vans and pedalling cyclists. It’s a ticking time bomb… We have to stay extra alert, never knowing what might be waiting just beyond the next curve.
We continue our climb, and the scenery becomes increasingly breathtaking. What a perfect day! Sunny skies, lush green mountains, waterfalls dotted along the slopes, and a delightfully curvy road—a true driving paradise. And we’re behind the wheel of one of the best vehicles to savor it all! Before reaching the summit, we pause at a spacious area where the whole squadron can regroup, just before the Scheitel tunnel.
It’s been a wonderful drive so far. Happy and relaxed, we wait at this scenic spot for the rest of the participants to catch up with us.
Now we check WhatsApp to see if there are any more breakdowns and to find out where Pedro, Ahmed, and Steve are. Unfortunately, the news isn’t good: they’re stuck a few kilometers behind us, not because of the roadworks, but due to an accident! It seems to be quite serious, as Steve mentions a helicopter coming in to rescue the injured party.
We linger here for a while, regaining some energy and hoping to see Steve and the others catch up once the road reopens. Meanwhile, our swarm of 3-Wheelers attracts a lot of attention, with plenty of curious onlookers walking around the cars, asking questions, and chatting with us.
Downhill, the accident keeps the road blocked. So, we decide to move on and reach the top of the Sustenpass, then enjoy the downhill to Andermatt. The big squadron fires up the engines and hit the road again.
The road is in excellent condition. We must admit, the Swiss are truly outstanding when it comes to maintaining these alpine roads. Winter here is incredibly harsh, and the snow and ice take a heavy toll on the tarmac. Yet, year after year, the roads are repaired so efficiently that it’s nearly impossible to spot a pothole!
Midway to Andermatt from our stop, Claude breaks down again. What a tough year for him — his second breakdown in just three days! He suspects his battery is dead. He shares his location in the WhatsApp group and patiently waits for Steve to catch up, hoping the road will reopen downstream so he can continue.
The main group arrives near Wassen, where the road from the Susten Pass merges with the major motorway leading to Italy through the Gotthard Tunnel. And when we see the motorway, a chill runs down our spines: what a huge traffic jam! The motorway is completely blocked, packed with cars and trucks.
Fortunately, we avoid getting stuck in the motorway traffic jam, as we keep moving — albeit slowly — along the small road running parallel to the motorway, aiming to reach the Andermatt exit as quickly as possible. We arrive at the roundabout just before Andermatt without much delay and drive through the village, searching for the road to the Oberalp, where our uphill journey to the lunch stop awaits.
From there, the Oberalp road is clear, and we can speed up again. Whether it’s the excitement of seeing an open road or the thought of lunch waiting at the top, the squadron roars furiously uphill, tackling the wide curves of the Oberalp with determination and speed.
We quickly reach the turnoff to the Alp Hitta restaurant, passing under the train tracks and arriving at the parking area.
With so many Morgans, we do our best to park efficiently, making the most of the available space. Hungry and tired but happy, we leap out of our beloved machines and rush into the restaurant, eager to enjoy a hearty meal and a refreshing, ice-cold weissbier.
Just a few minutes after the starters arrive on our table, we get a WhatsApp from Pedro, who is with Claude and Steve working on Claude’s problem. His rectifier had failed in an unexpected way: the cable had snapped, likely due to vibrations and being pinched between the mount and a frame bolt. Steve is now fixing the issue to get him back on the road as quickly as possible.
In our 3-Wheelers, vibrations are the cause of most breakdowns. Sometimes the engine shakes so violently that the vibrations spread through the entire frame, affecting every part of the vehicle. Anything that can rub, get pinched, or simply be damaged by the shaking — such as fuel and oil lines, cables, electronic components, and more — will eventually fail and let you down. By sharing our experience and knowledge, we manage to avoid many of the common issues that our beloved machines face. Yet sometimes, a breakdown is simply inevitable.
Feeling a bit sad for those missing this lovely, fresh lunch, we still enjoy our meal, sharing anecdotes and discussing possible future trips. Ana María and I sit with John and Marian, who are clearly excited about the idea of the Moroccan tour—a recurring topic! It’s gratifying to see that, if we ever make it happen, many people are genuinely interested in joining us.
After finishing lunch, we return to our cars, still discussing Claude’s breakdown. John and Marian, who parked their 3-Wheeler side by side with ours, share a tip: the best way to reduce vibrations—and therefore minimize the risk of breakdowns—is to install the M3W Services engine mounts.
I already knew about them, since Steve and Chas had shown me these mounts on Steve’s car and explained their benefits. But until now, I hadn’t seen any car—apart from Steve’s—equipped with them. And John and Marian have them!
We watch their startup and are completely jaw-dropped. The car barely shakes while starting, and the most striking sign of vibration reduction is in their rearview mirrors. With the original engine mounts, the mirrors vibrate so much that you can barely make out what’s behind you unless you hold them with your fingers. But John and Marian’s mirrors remain perfectly still, showing a clear reflection.
OMG, what a huge difference! This is definitely an upgrade we must do — and as soon as possible. What a fantastic improvement.
It’s time to move! We still have the Furka and the Grimsel passes to do on the way back to Grindelwald.
We descend back into Andermatt fairly quickly and cross the village, searching for the exit to the Furka Pass.
As always, when a squadron of 3-Wheelers passes through a town, we’re greeted with cheers and photographed by many onlookers. We never get tired of the wonderful vibes this little, rare car spreads among the crowd.
We speed toward the Furka, with the River Reuss on our right and the railway on our left. In just a few minutes, we reach Realp — and here we go, up to the legendary Furka Pass!
The road twists and turns more as we climb, becoming even more fun. We progress carefully, navigating past numerous sports cars and overtaking some cyclists. We expected this, but it doesn’t diminish the thrill. This is one of the most iconic and enjoyable roads in the Bernese Alps — and arguably one of the most famous in all of Europe — largely thanks to the many films shot here, starting with the classic James Bond movie Goldfinger.
We’re climbing so quickly that when we glance down, we’re struck by just how steep the mountainside is. From above, our Morgans crawling up the slope look like tiny toys scattered dozens of meters below.
The Furka side we’re climbing, coming from Andermatt, is quite narrow in some of its sections. And every time we cross another vehicle we must be extremely careful, pulling as far as possible to our side. Add a few cyclists into the mix, and suddenly this stunning road becomes less thrilling to drive — especially on a busy day like today. You’ll notice that when you’ll see the next video.
Once we pass the Furka, the hairpins and tight curves seem to ease off, and we glide along gentle green hills with torrents of glacial water cascading down from above.
It’s a calm, idyllic landscape — but the calm before the storm.
Up ahead, the Grimsel’s steep road and its majestic hairpins come into view, and our adrenaline surges once more as we approach the descent.
From the top of the Furka the road descends gently and gets much wider with two clear lanes and excellent tarmac. And after a few hundred meters it gets exciting again, with some serious hairpins hinting at what’s ahead. We keep a careful eye on our speed, spotting the Swiss police playing with their laser speed cameras. Unsure of their range, we decide it’s best to roll downhill cautiously.
We get to the bottom of the valley and reach the last two hairpins, and then…. We don’t look ahead — we look up! There it is: the Grimsel! Lower gear, higher revs, and let’s push uphill!
This is every bit as exciting—if not more—than climbing the Furka. Of the three mountain passes we’re tackling today, the Grimsel is, in our opinion, the most thrilling. The rhythm here is faster, with magnificent hairpins and breathtaking views. Watching the squadron of 3-Wheelers attacking the uphill road is a truly spectacular sight.
When we reach the top of the Grimsel, the landscape is simply breathtaking. We cruise past the small Toten Lake before diving down like Stukas toward the Grimsel and Räterichsboden reservoirs.
The sequence of fast hairpins here is pure joy, and the squadron attacks them with speed and agility. An exhilarating driving experience!
After the thrill of racing downhill, we keep up an excellent pace toward Innertkirchen. Luckily, the road is clear of traffic at this time of day, and there are no roadworks to slow us down, so the squadron stays tightly together.
Even the evil spirits that haunted us over the past two days — and again this morning — seem to have fallen asleep, leaving us in peace for the afternoon.
We make it back to Grindelwald without incident and head straight to the apartment. For once, we’re perfectly on schedule, with enough time to enjoy a proper shower, catch up on a few emails, and rest a little before heading out for dinner.
Today it’s the farewell dinner at the restaurant Da Salvi. All participants that are still in Grindelwald head to the place at 19:00 and we all enjoy a really nice dinner, Italian style.
We look back on the day — and on the whole event — while relaxing together, chatting and joking in the usual great atmosphere. Many of us still have a long journey home ahead: the UK, Germany, Spain, and beyond. It’s truly amazing to see how many different people from all over Europe gather here every year.
After the last hugs and kisses with our dear friends, we walk back to the apartment. As we walk, we hear music and the lively buzz of people enjoying themselves in the streets. Of course — it’s the Oberland Trychler! Some of us feel tempted to join the party, but fatigue weighs in and tomorrow promises a very long driving day. Better to retreat and head upstairs to our apartment, where packing and a well-deserved night of rest await.
Ana María and I decided to leave Grindelwald tomorrow, Sunday, instead of Monday — the final day we had the apartment booked. We feel the need to head home as soon as possible, and with no less than two days of driving ahead to reach Madrid, the earlier we start, the better. In fact, the plan has changed after talking with Steve. On our way back we’ll pass through Montignac-de-Lauzun and leave our 3-Wheeler with its trailer there for some well-deserved M3W Services upgrades — the engine mounts at the very least! This detour will add one more day and night to our journey back home, but it’s definitely worth it.
With our minds set on tomorrow’s departure, we begin packing, leaving the bags ready to load into the Land Rover early in the morning. Then, at last, we head to bed for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6 – September 1st: from Grindelwald to Uzerche
The Speedy Marmots wake up early, though without any rush now that we no longer have a fixed departure time. With everything packed, the only task left is to take the apartment’s garbage to the designated containers in the main parking area, next to the huge tent set up for the Oberland Trychler.
Crossing the now-empty tent — waiting for today’s festivities continuation — we spot a couple of the famous cowbells used during the celebration. It must have been quite a spectacle. But while the party was in full swing, we were out on the roads. Maybe next year we’ll catch it?
One last selfie in town before heading to the trailer. Then comes the classic maneuver in the garage: loading the 3-Wheeler, tightening the ratchet straps to secure our little jewel for the long journey, and fastening every zipper and rope. All set! Goodbye, Grindelwald — see you next year!
Yesterday we hadn’t yet decided on today’s destination. I was leaning towards Varetz again — it’s on the way, familiar, and has plenty of space to park our long convoy. But Ana María is always on the lookout for new and charming villages to discover.
She found that in Uzerche there’s a fantastic hotel: the Hôtel Joyet de Maubec. Before booking, we call to check if they can accommodate the convoy. They confirm there’s space, though the trailer needs to be unhitched — not a problem. With that, Ana María makes the reservation while I’m driving, and when she got the confirmation she sets the Land Rover’s navigation to guide us there.
We roll out of Grindelwald’s valley and quickly connect with the Swiss motorway network, heading toward Geneva.
As I drive, Ana María multitasks — checking emails and catching up on some work on her laptop, while also scrolling through the WhatsApp group. It’s full of farewell messages and updates from friends sharing their progress on the long road back home.
As we approach the border, the bad news of the day pops up in the WhatsApp group: Pedro has broken down on his way home. Didier, who was driving just behind him, saw it happen when Pedro’s 3-Wheeler engine suddenly cut out. Apparently, it’s a classic case — a failed fuel pump. Not a surprise as he still has the original one. The good news is that they’re relatively close to home, and road assistance is already on the way to tow the car back to Montreux.
The Speedy Marmots keep rolling towards the Geneva border, where we must stop at customs to officially clear the exit of our so-called “racing vintage vehicle” from the country. We just hope to find reasonable people at the office today. In truth, it doesn’t really matter anymore — the paperwork they made us sign on arrival was absolutely inconsistent with the reality of our 3-Wheeler. But better to have it stamped properly as we leave Switzerland.
We reach the border at exactly 12:37. I slow down, take the lane for vehicles with trailers, and start looking for a customs officer or at least a place to stop the convoy. We crawl forward… but see no one. All the windows and doors are shut tight, the booths abandoned, and there’s not even a spot to park, as the usually available ones are blocked with road cones. I finally manage to squeeze the convoy into a narrow gap to let others pass, and step out of the Land Rover to search for someone — anyone. Nothing. The place is deserted. Maybe it’s because it’s Sunday, maybe because it’s lunchtime… whatever the reason, it feels completely absurd. Annoyed, and knowing we still have five hours of driving ahead, I climb back into the Land Rover and roll on. We cross into France without the slightest problem — no stamps, no checks, and no baboon to stop us for some ridiculous reason.
We just hope this won’t come back to haunt us next time we try to enter Switzerland with the trailer. All it takes is one overzealous customs officer in a bad mood, and we’ll be trapped again in another round of ridiculous paperwork.
Five hours and a couple of stops later, we finally reach Uzerche. Wow! What a surprise — the town is stunning. A proper medieval village, with its perfectly preserved old center perched on the hill, framed by ancient walls and majestic stone buildings. And right in the heart of it, nestled among these centuries-old streets, is our hotel.
But as we approach, doubts creep in. Can we really get in there with the trailer? The streets look impossibly narrow, like they were built for horses, not Land Rovers hauling a trailer. I hesitate, imagining us stuck between two stone walls with no way to turn around. Thankfully, the hotel owner comes to the rescue. We call him, and with a calm voice and local expertise, he guides us step by step over the phone through the maze of medieval streets.
The most nerve-wracking moment comes when we approach the main medieval gate leading into the old town. The walls loom high on either side, and the trailer feels enormous as we thread it through the narrow arch. Every centimeter counts, and my heart races — but we make it through without a scratch.
Once inside, relief floods over us. The street leading up to the main square is wider, allowing us to drive with a little more confidence. Cobblestones rattle beneath the tires, but the real worry is behind us.
Once we get to the main square, we see the street that should take us to the hotel. It seems very narrow again. Feasible, but we get down and walk the street to the hotel to check every inch of the path.
But at the end of the street, just by the hotel, the street opens wider, which helps us immensely. Finally, we have enough room to align the convoy properly, ready to maneuver into the parking space.
Once in front of the hotel, the little square feels tiny, with a few cars already parked, but we have just enough room to carefully maneuver the trailer. It’s not an easy task, but the Land Rover’s cameras and electronics make it much more manageable. Inch by inch, we align the trailer, avoiding the walls and neighboring cars, until it finally sits perfectly in place. A deep sigh of relief—mission accomplished!
Relief washes over us — no scratches, no stress — and now we can finally step out, stretch our legs, and admire the charming medieval square surrounding the hotel. Uzerche has already earned our admiration, and we haven’t even unpacked yet.
The hotel is even more beautiful than expected. Perched over the river Vézère, the views are fantastic and incredibly relaxing.
After dropping our bags in the room, we head out to stroll the charming streets of Uzerche. The medieval architecture, quiet alleys, and soft evening light create a magical atmosphere. This town really deserves a visit! We’re so happy that Ana María found this hotel! A little jewel in the middle of France.
Dinner is at a cozy spot recommended by the hotel owner: the restaurant at the hotel Ambroise — one of the few places open on a Sunday night. The food is delicious, the ambiance perfect, and we savor every bite while sharing stories and laughing about the adventures of the past days. A perfect ending to a long but rewarding day on the road.
The walk back to the hotel is pleasant. The medieval streets are quiet at night, and the calm atmosphere helps us digest the big dinner we just enjoyed.
Time for a nice sleep!
Day 7 – September 2nd: from Uzerche to Montignac-de-Lauzun
We had a great sleep and now enjoy breakfast on the hotel terrace.
Afterward, we do a short walk to explore Uzerche. Even though it’s a small town, there are still a few spots we didn’t see yesterday. The town’s layout, with its fortified walls and strategic positioning, reflects its historical significance.
Allow us to write down some history of this town! The origins of Uzerche trace back to the 2nd century BC, when the Gauls established a settlement on high ground surrounded by the river. The town’s strategic location at the intersection of two trade routes contributed to its significance during antiquity. In the 6th century, Visigoths looted and destroyed the town, but it was rebuilt in the 7th century with fortified walls. A notable event in its history is the seven-year siege by Saracens in the 8th century, which ended when the defenders cleverly outwitted their besiegers. This event is commemorated by two bulls on Uzerche’s coat of arms.
In the 10th century, a Benedictine monastery was founded, and the town began to develop around it. The Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre, dating back to around 1030, became a significant religious center. The abbey flourished during the 12th and 13th centuries, attracting pilgrims and dignitaries, including Pope Urban II in 1095. However, the abbey suffered during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century. Despite these challenges, Uzerche continued to thrive and was granted a Royal Assize Court in 1558, solidifying its administrative importance.
The highlights of this beautiful town are many. The 11th-century Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre is renowned for its octagonal bell tower and serves as a testament to Limousin Romanesque art.
It houses relics of two Breton saints, Saint-Leonard and Saint Coronat, venerated by pilgrims on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route.
The Château Pontier, built in the 15th century by the Besse of Peyra family was a royal residence during King Louis XIII’s visit to Uzerche.
The sole surviving gate from the original nine that were part of the town’s defensive walls is the Porte Bécharie. It stands as a reminder of Uzerche’s fortified past.
Another significant building is the Maison de Tayac, a 16th-century mansion featuring a distinctive “pepper-pot” turret and a square tower. It reflects the town’s architectural evolution and noble heritage.
After a very pleasant and refreshing walk, admiring all the historic buildings and landmarks, we return to the hotel and dive into our laptops. We need to catch up on several work projects. We work for at least an hour before packing up and hitting the road again.
We’re not far from Montignac-de-Lauzun—just a little over a couple of hours away. We decide to take the country roads, so we can enjoy the French countryside and pass by more charming villages along the way.
Before leaving, we check the WhatsApp group chat and see that many arrived home safely yesterday. Some are arriving today, while others are still on their way. Little by little, it seems that all participants are reaching home safely.
We can also read that Ahmed had a breakdown near Reims, on his way back to the UK. The good news is that he’s not alone — he’s with Chris and Roger. Thanks to their experience and mechanical knowledge of the 3-Wheeler, and with a spare fuel pump carried by Roger, they replace the faulty pump in less than half an hour. Traveling with experienced people is such a relief!
We leave Uzerche, carefully and slowly maneuvering our long convoy through the narrow streets of the old city.
We arrive in Montignac-de-Lauzun in the late afternoon—just in time to unhitch the trailer at Steve and Annette’s and settle comfortably into the little cottage by the M3W Services garage.
In the evening, we head out for dinner with Steve, Annette, and Chris — Chas is with Mario on his trip to Nordkapp — at a lovely restaurant called Mélange in the village of Saussignac. The place is beautiful, and we enjoy our meal on the terrace, reminiscing about the past days in Grindelwald and dreaming about future trips together.
We return to Steve and Annette’s and go to bed as quickly as possible. Tomorrow we plan to reach Madrid, and it’s going to be a long journey!
Day 8 – September 3rd: from Montignac-de-Lauzun to Madrid
Today will be a very long drive to Madrid, but we’ll be much faster since we’re leaving the trailer with the Morgan 3-Wheeler here in Montignac-de-Lauzun. This also means Ana María can drive, which balances the effort between the two of us.
We say goodbye to our dear friends Steve and Annette and hit the road toward the Spanish border. We decide to take fewer motorways and more country roads. Without the trailer, the journey is just as fast as using the motorway, with the added bonus of enjoying much more beautiful scenery.
It’s 10:30, and Ana María takes the wheel first this morning. We drive along the country roads toward the village of Saint-Justin, where we know an excellent restaurant, Le Cadet de Gascogne, our usual spot for lunch. However, we might arrive well before the usual lunchtime.
After an hour and a half, we arrive in the village and park the Land Rover. It’s the perfect moment to stretch our legs and explore this tiny town. Our first great discovery: a gourmet shop filled with a wide variety of delicious local products.
We can’t resist entering the shop and picking up plenty of local products. The Speedy Marmots have a well-known weakness for good food when traveling.
After our compulsive shopping spree of cheeses, wines, and duck products, we finally arrive at the village’s main square.
What a charming and cozy place! The buildings surrounding the square are beautiful, and it’s definitely a village worth stopping by if you’re in the area.
Saint Justin is a perfect spot to stretch your legs, do a little shopping for local “produits du terroir,” and, of course, enjoy a delicious lunch at Le Cadet de Gascogne.
After a short walk and the mandatory visit to the toilets, we hop back into the Land Rover and continue our journey toward the Spanish border.
There isn’t much more to add about today’s trip home — everything goes perfectly on the road. We arrive in Madrid at 20:30, just in time to unload our luggage and enjoy a well-deserved dinner. Home sweet home!
