IT TOOK more than a volcanic ash cloud to prevent celebrity chef Paul Heathcote from attending a pressing engagement back home.
Paul, owner of Simply Heathcotes at Liverpool’s Beetham Plaza, was enjoying a family holiday in the Portuguese Algarve region when he became stranded, with no flights back home and most ferry services fully booked for up to a week.
When he finally managed to reserve a place for himself and his family on a ferry sailing from Le Havre in Brittany to Portsmouth, he then faced the challenge of how to travel the 3,000km (about 1,850 miles) to get to the ferry terminal.
Faced with demands of up to 2,000 euros by car hire firms trying to capitalise on the situation by making a fast buck, Paul realised it would be cheaper to buy a used car.
After scouring local expat newspapers, Paul bought the car – a 2001 midnight blue Fiat Bravo – unseen and for a fraction of the price he would have had to pay to rent one.
During his dash to France, Paul was stopped three times by police, who were suspicious of the dented and scratched British registered vehicle.
He also had to deal with an infestation by thousands of ants which had nested in the car he bought.
Despite these obstacles, Daily Post cookery columnist Paul and family – wife Gabbi, and two children Georgia, 13, and Sam, 11 – made the Le Havre ferry with an hour to spare.
Writing on his blog, Paul said: “Setting off to drive the full length of Portugal, the full length of Spain and nearly the full length of France in less than two days was not without its problems. I certainly did feel like Jeremy Clarkson, so I am now a proud owner of a Fiat Bravo but I won’t put it up for sale yet.”
Paul finally arrived home in the early hours of Wednesday, after starting his epic journey at noon on Monday and having had only four hours’ sleep.
This gave him enough time to keep the engagement at his London Road restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, where he was hosting a dinner with ex-Coronation Street star turned cheese-maker Sean Wilson, alias Martin Platt.
Speaking after his road trip, Paul said: “It was a bit like being a student again, with a spirit of adventure.
“The car was nicknamed ‘Shifty’ by the kids. It’s still on my driveway at home, and I may end up giving it away for charity.”
BEN HATTON: Page 9; Laura Davis: Page 18; Insurance questions: Pages 18-19
