The Fridays Tour de Normandie 2015

[StuAff]

Lots of stomach lining foods for a ferry trip of that length I think!

It's only three hours. Did get a bit bouncy last time though.

 

[martint235]

It's only three hours. Did get a bit bouncy last time though.

Dieppe is only 4 hours but look at the damage I managed to do in that time!!

 

[redfalo]

Ship and Castle, Rudmore Square.

@frank9755, this is going to be by far the easiest place for your cat-herding duty needs. Everyone's got to go to the Port anyway, it is two minutes ride (if that) from the car lanes,.

+1 to this. The Ship and Castle ( website, see here one Google Maps) is the by far the best meeting point. (Be aware that a similarly named watering hole is located close to the IOW ferry - prior to Normandy 2013 I spent an hour there wondering where everyone else was.)

We'll be on the Southern Service leaving Victoria 12:04, arriving Fratton 13:54 and then head to the Ship and Castle.

 

[martint235]

Are you ever going to let it go?

Nope. Not until I'm allowed back into France.

 

[srw]

Looking at Frank's plans I suggest he goes straight to the terminal and waits there. For a 4pm departure they'll start check in and passport control about 3.15, and I know how difficult herding you lot can be. I'm aiming for the 1305 (approx) from Guildford, which is the 1230 from London. But there's every chance I'll miss it and be on the next one.

(And I don't want another chance to get lost)

 

[dellzeqq]

There is a bar upstairs at the ferry terminal. If you get carried away in whatever pub bear in mind that Fearless Frank can take the Fabulous Fridays through the Ferry Fence at Free o Five - checkout can begin at least 80 minutes before departure, whatever the website says. So turn up on time and get yourself ticked off the list.

Don't attempt to take a bike in to the ferry terminal. This is classed by one of the guards as a Major Terrorist Alert.

 

[frank9755]

Yes - nice try @StuartG and @redfalo but, sorry, I'm not falling for the pub manoeuvre!
The ticket says we need to be there 90 mins before departure so I will go straight to the car lanes, from whence we check in, at c.2:30. If you are coming, please join me!

 

[StuAff]

On your head be it, Frank......

Naturally, ladies and gentlemen, whether you are travelling on Thursday or Friday, one and all are welcome at my place and don't hesitate to call if you have a last-minute issue. I can't help if you don't get in touch....

 

[ianmac62]

Are you ever going to let it go?

He might let it go; I won't.

 

[frank9755]

Blimy, put him in charge and all of a sudden he is no fun.

Well - given it took the best part of the whole day to get four or five of us out of a pub in Bognor a few weeks ago, would you fancy my chances of getting a couple of dozen people out of one in two minutes flat?

 

[frank9755]

But beer now can beat either!

 

[martint235]

But beer can beat either of those!

I personally would go with your plan and remind people that beer is available on the ferry.

 

[frank9755]

Adrian is only stirring because he's on a different ferry!

 

[martint235]

Adrian is only stirring because he's on a different ferry!

guilty as charged.

Adrian is only stirring cos he's Adrian.

 

[StuartG]

Well - given it took the best part of the whole day to get four or five of us out of a pub in Bognor a few weeks ago,

Not relevant Frank. Rendevous at The Ship has not been a problem for the past two years. And AFAIR no one was the worse for wear on boarding (as opposed to disembarkation).

It is a chance to meet up with everyone in congenial circumstances, chat in comfort. I'm not going to stand around for an extra hour and a half or desert my loaded bike, I'm going to eat. I'll be where you want me at the time of your choosing. If that doesn't include The Ship would it be possible for you to take a two minute diversion and ride past since Frank in the Flesh beats Southern Scheduled Arrival Time by a large margin. We can then follow you in good order to the start line. Everybody happy?