The Fridays tour - Normandy 15th-22nd June

[redfalo]

sorry - I should have set this out earlier - apologies, especially to Stephen and Rachel

on Saturday morning, Susie and I will wake up in another chateau, just down the road. We'll leave our luggage and head northwest on the roads north of the D22 to recce the route we'll be taking on the Friday. We'll then head northeast and meet the early ferry at Cherbourg. A car will take the luggage from this ferry, and those staying overnight in Cherbourg to the Chateau Le Mont Epinguet, and, in the mean time, Andrew B, who will be driving up from Tours will pick up the DZ luggage and take it to Le Mont Epinguet. Susie and I will lead the early ferry crew up to Le Mont Epinguet and we'll arrive at about 14.30.

I'll then go to Auchan, which is only about six miles up the N13, with Andrew B and we will pick up pasta, cheese, butter, jam, coffee, milk, fishy bits, broccoli, soap powder, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher powder, bottled water, salt, pepper, olive oil and maybe wine and cider, although the wine and cider may already be at the chateau if Mark, le patron, thinks that the Auchan stuff is not so good.

Andrew B and I will then return to the Chateau LME. I will leave again at about 18.30 and go down to meet the evening ferry crew. I'm hoping that Mark will do the second luggage run, but if he doesn't, I'll prevail on Stephen and Rachel. The Caen crew should arrive sometime in the afternoon. It may be that TMN will want picking up at Valognes, in which case I'll ask the Ws to zip down there - it's only 12km, but with luggage it will seem an awful lot longer.

The evening ferry crew will arrive about 21.30, by which time the catering team will have prepared a big slap-up pasta/fishy feast. We'll eat, and then I'll escort one gite party to their place and Gordon will lead his gite party down past Brix.

If people are driving to the Chateau then they can let me know where they are driving from and I'll give them a route that will avoid the mire...

Sounds like a logistical masterpiece to me, although early afternoon for the Caen team sounds a bit overly optimistic to me.

 

[StuAff]

I seem to remember some people had time to kill in Portsmouth at some point, in which case this could be the answer http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2013/may/30/face-to-face-men-mary-rose

The old version closed some years ago for this new building's construction, but the whole Mary Rose collection has always been fascinating.

Ahem. As I posted in the other thread:

Right, as a decent chunk of us are sticking with the 1600, would anyone like to join me for a social on the Saturday morning/afternoon? Thinking of a ride to a suitable pub 15-20 miles away, lunch, back into town in plenty of time to make the ferry. Plenty of room here to dump bags should it be needed (and only a mile and a half from the ferry port).

Which reminds me, could all those interested let me know (again). Thinking of one of two options: Either as above or, as an alternative, a cultural tour in Leggsian style (Grolsch crate not included).

 

[wanda2010]

Stu, I'm in for the pub ride but happy with either as long as alcohol is included.

 

[CharlieB]

Stu - still up for this, but be gentle, please. I will have loaded panniers, and haven't ridden a bike with panniers in over 20 years. Probably no room for a crate, tho' but.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I'm up for the pub ride too and have been meaning to pick your brains about the area as I still haven't booked a hotel for the night we return and lastminute.com is throwing up all sorts.

 

[StuAff]

As I posted in the other thread, more than enough room here for bags to be stored. And it's only a mile and a half to the ferry port too. There might not be alcohol en route (my favoured stop isn't a pub..) , but there is a pub approximately ninety seconds staggering distance.......
ABV: Ibis or Travelodge probably your best bets.

 

[wanda2010]

Sorted

 

[Andrew Br]

I think Simon's post covers the dishwasher/washing machine issue - all we ordinary mortals need to bring is teabags, as I understand it.

I'm sure that I can make a bit of space in the car to carry an adequate sufficiency of tea-bags on the way out. Coming back we're going to need all of the available space for fermented fruit drinks.

English breakfast, Earl Grey and decaf suit ?

.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I'll probably have peppermint and cinnamon tea with me.

 

[StuAff]

Oh dear....went a bit wrong there recce guys and gals. If only someone had asked me beforehand..
Through the precinct? Big scary roundabout? You clearly missed the underpass between Kingston Crescent and the port for one thing...
Will post an easy, sensible, safe route later on.

 

[dellzeqq]

Oh dear....went a bit wrong there recce guys and gals. If only someone had asked me beforehand..
Through the precinct? Big scary roundabout? You clearly missed the underpass between Kingston Crescent and the port for one thing...
Will post an easy, sensible, safe route later on.

leave this to me, please!

 

[StuAff]

leave this to me, please!

Will do.

 

[Andrew Br]

Thanks Andrew! However, Earl Grey and 'decaf' are just not recognisable as tea I'm afraid; not sure about 'English breakfast'. I'll bring some PG Tips.

You're an ungrateful a fussy lot.
PG Tips for TMN it is and I'll drink the "fancy" teas.
Ohhh, get me.

.

 

[StuartG]

I'll bring some PG Tips.

Loose please!

 

[StuartG]

... the temptation to wash tealeaves down the sink is irresistible. With a teabag it's non-existent.

Oh TMN if I promise to dispose of your leaves in a non-plumbery fashion - will you take pity on me?
Otherwise it will be trying to get through the week on just infested apple juice and vin de pays. It'll be 'ard ..