That was until a taxi ride with a very nice driver, with whom we had a very interesting conversation. When the subject turned to classic cars, especially Morris Minors, he mentioned a restaurant near the village of Pamplemousses. He explained that the landlord of the restaurant “chez tante Athalie” also loves vintage cars and has assembled a nice collection of mostly British classics, among them a Morris Minor. We were happy about this information, as a visit to Pamplemousse and its large botanic garden had already been on our list of further visits.
So a few days later we took a bus from our resort to Pamplemousses and spent half a day in the wonderful garden. Leaving it we enquired for the restaurant, and one of the guides showed us a large poster opposite the entrance to the garden, indicating the route to auntie Athalie, but he was astonished that we didn’t want him to call a taxi (Mauritians obviously don’t like walking).
Half an hour later we turned into a lane that leads to an old colonial house, where a sign directed us to the adjacent restaurant.
There we were, and we were overwhelmed about the view that was offered to us in the garden around the restaurant. We were welcomed by a Wolseley 15/50 and a Jaguar XK 150, …
… joined by fintail Mercedes 200.
By the side of the garden was a shelter that gave a basic protection to eight classic cars.
We saw a VW 181, an Austin A40 Somerset, a …
… a Morris Oxford S III, a Singer Gazelle IIIc, a Bedford wrecker, which I believe is based on a Luton or OST lorry, a Triumph Toledo, an MG 1300 and …
… a Vauxhall Cresta.
I finally took a look at the immaculate Jaguar XK 150.
The lawn by the restaurant terrace was decorated by an MG Midget, a rubber bumper MG B, …
… a Mini and a Citroen 7CV.
Near the restaurant entrance a Triumph TR 3 was parked.
We enjoyed a very good and typically Mauritian lunch in the company of beautiful classics, and had a nice chat with the landlord and his wife. We also asked for the Morris Minor, which our taxi driver had mentioned. We were invited to have a look behind the restaurant building.
There was the Moggy, but it was in a very sorry state. Someone had even parked a Range Rover on part of the front end. Obviously the Traveller had been cannibalized for spares needed by some of the other classics. It was a sad view, but to see all the other classics, mostly in immaculate condition, made the visit to tante Athalie well worthwhile.
On our way back to the town we passed another car in a car port which obviously belonged to the landlord’s house and saw another classic, which I first took for an Austin 10 or 12. But at closer look it revealed a Toyota badge on the bonnet. Hadn’t I read somewhere, that the first postwar Toyota was based on an Austin model? Unfortunately we had to walk back to Pamplemousse to catch our bus, the New Year’s party was waiting for us, but I’d loved to enquire about this car.
Anyway, if you happen to come to Mauritius, I can only recommend a visit to the restaurant “Chez Tante Athalie”. It is situated on the main road from Pamplemousses to Flacq, about 2 kms from the town centre and easy to find.
Cheers
Hubert
