Avignon clutch capers
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During the summer of '89, my band toured France in a 1971 Leyland Tiger Cub coach. Having successfully busked our way around Brittany, the lure of playing in Provence found us heading south, where the clutch-plate decided to give out just on the industrial outskirts of Avignon. In a country where the sight of any British vehicle is rare, we despaired of getting ourselves back without getting ourselves deliberately deported. For the next few days the band busked for our bread, and, being unable to find ground suitable to set our tents upon, we slept in abandoned dumper trucks. Anyone not directly involved in musical duties scouted around for the elusive clutch-plate, going as far as Marseilles - all, need I add, without success.
Eventually, one of us suggested we try the scrap-yard we had broken down outside. The owner bade us follow him to his little shed-cum-office, where he kept hundreds of parts, neatly done up in jiffy bags. After some rooting around, he triumphantly produced a bag labelled 'Leyland Tiger Cub - 1971'! We were, with some difficulty, able to replace said clutch-plate and, because of a sheared bolt on the gear-box, managed to limp home with little difficulty.
Date submitted:Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:31 +0000Coincidence ID:5779
