Mas du Clos - driving back up the circuit in convoy for lunch.

Having produced the designs for the Le Sept t-shirts, stickers and paper work, Tessa and i were very kindly offered the chance to join the Le Sept crowd for a track day of our choice. It made a very worthwhile extention to our Bordeaux Blat holiday, with the British GP sandwiched in the middle!

We chose to do Mas du Clos - we had heard so much about it, and enjoyed Andy Murphy's on board shots taken on a previous Le Sept.

Well - it was everything people say about it and more - a stunning circuit, immaculately kept and presented. A change in relief, sweeping banked turns and tight hairpins make it a great circuit to drive on.

A session of instruction from Austin Kinsella - one of the Le Sept instructors - was fantastic. More detail in the 'Track' section, but Austin's guidance was a real help, both in lines around the track and car set up. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone as an instructor who is calm, confidence inspiring and bloody quick - Tessa and I had the pleasure of being driven around a very wet Snetterton in an R500 and a Radical a few months ago by Austin.

Looking back down the main straight towards the up hill first corner.

Parked up for food - almost 50 sevens!

On the left is a view straight onto the track, on the right an amazing collection of Bugatti pedal cars.

The view from out table! It must be a great place to watch a race from - you could reach out and touch the cars as they pass under the windows.

The track sweeps away from the food hall and back down to the main straight.

Back down again after eating.

During actual track time you peel around the off-camber corner on the left here, back towards the main building where we had just eaten.

This view gives some idea of the sweeping nature of the track.

It was at this point during track time that I understeered off onto the grass on the right at some considerable speed! Managed to rejoin the track before spoiling the perfect gravel trap! Sorry Steve!

The paddock area. Note the good side of the instructors TVR is shown.... those there will understand!

Tessa with Tony P after a couple of laps in the novice session. Big thanks to Tony - she really enjoyed  the track again.

View from the Hotel de Dryads, the base for the Mas du Clos track day and location of the last evening meal. All the rooms look out over the golf course and pool.

The last meal on Friday night. I think the main course arrived at about midnight! Tessa and I are both very grateful to everyone for making us feel welcome as we tagged onto the end of what sounded like an amazing holiday. It was a great taster of Le Sept and will no doubt cause us to start saving in order to take part in the whole event next year.

The final shot from our summer holiday, looking back over the channel towards the UK just before returning on the ferry. A huge thanks to all who helped make our holiday. Particular thanks to Hugh and Kay, sandy and Roger, Steve, Mark, Barbara, Geoff and Austin and all the other Seveners on the Bordeaux Blat and Le Sept.