Thanks to the efforts of Martyn Pass (he handles the motor sport PR for Audi), we put together a package; flying from Northern Ireland to Gatwick where the Audi in Aruba blue awaited the challenge.

It was a brisk drive to the Kent coast, 35 minutes on Eurotunnel and then the ease and grace of the French motorway system to an overnight favourite stop over, a chateau just some 10 miles outside Verdun. Then the next part of the journey was to head towards Germany and to drive south to a favourite hotel.

Some 20 years had passed since I last paid a visit to one of my favourite European destinations, Germany’s Black Forest. So enroute to the Nurburgring race circuit we stayed at the Wellness Hotel Auerhahn, which is located by the side of the beautiful Lake Schluchsee.

There is a number of ideal training possibilities for many sports in both summer and winter time. During summer, the Schluchsee offers recreation and fun to all water enthusiasts. You can decide between sunbathing, swimming, sailing, surfing, diving or fishing.

In winter time, close by is the Feldberg, one of Germany's best-known skiing areas
and of course there is Nordic walking (this originated in Finland, this is an efficient training method for the whole body).

We borrowed bicycles from the hotel (free of charge) and enjoyed a gentle run to the small town of Schluchsee. There are numerous walking opportunities and at the back of the hotel is a railway halts, leaving you the chance to explore even more. However this hotel is so good, it is difficult to leave its many facilities; by the way I had better mention, there are two golf courses within easy reach.

Now to something very special about this hotel; the food. The quality, variety and service are all truly outstanding. I spoke to some guests who had returned and they simply stated that this was the best hotel in this area of the Black Forest. Certainly we intend to return to the Wellness Hotel Auerhahn at some date in the not too distant future.

After a few days of relaxation we drove North to the Nurburgring. Slightly disappointed on arrival - it resembled a building site; next year it hosts a Grand Prix, so it has to look its best.

In no way did it detract from a very enjoyable race meeting. The sight and sound of the Le Mans cars is something to cherish. Not so lucky for Audi, a sound trouncing from Peugeot, but several weeks later revenge was sweet at Silverstone as Audi triumphed, taking the honours after a great season of racing.

On the eve of the six-hour Nurburgring race, there was time to have a meal with two of the Audi works drivers Allan McNish and Dindo Capello; both were forecasting a tough race with the Peugeots. The French were still smarting after having suffered defeat at the hands of Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours. For Peugeot to win this classic it would really be the jewel in the crown.

Staying at a hotel near the circuit, the decision was made to move nearly Monday and break the journey to the French coast with an overnight in Belgium and in the Venice of the North- Bruges.

The final hop was to the coast and the return journey through the tunnel to hand back the A4 at Gatwick.

On reflection, the new Audi A4 for me is a totally satisfying saloon, roomy but above all the combination of the 2.7 litre diesel engine and the superb transmission make this every inch a driver’s car.

This one in particular had a number of options, including Sat Nav Plus, chunky 17 inch alloys, mobile phone preparation, multi-function steering wheel and Audi hill-hold assist.

Finally the A4 attracted a lot of attention both on motorways and indeed in the Nurburgring paddock as passers by noted with curiosity the NI sticker on the boot lid. They must have wondered “where on Earth does this Audi reside?”