Brittany 2013, Euro 'friendly' trip

[goatpants]

AND THIS

[TLS-Moose]

For a first trip is a 4.5 hour hike on the other side of the road a good idea?

The B&B is 175 miles from Cherbourg (Exeter - Birmingham-ish) and you have from late morning 'til tea-time to cover it on roads that will comfortably allow an average of 50mph for time/distance calculations.

As said elswhere, far to far away for me to commit to anything (jeez - I can't commit to this coming weekend!!

[billinom8s]

do we have dates for this yet ?

surley if you put it in your diary now, then you have booked it. just like a holiday. if you commit toit now, you know that that week in september 2013 you are off over the river to play.

[Smiler]

+1

GP, if you want to go and do some of the WW2 stuff theres no reason you cant add on a couple of days to the trip and go exploring! Theres nothing set in stone that we all have to be on the same return ferry
(if you've never visited, the US Cemetary is at Coalville sur Mer...most will only know it from the opening and closing scenes of Saving Private Ryan)

Moosey, if Nick is trying to negotiate with B&B peeps, we'll know for definite dates - get it booked once we know and come with us!!

[Red5]

Yep, that's the idea, book it in ye diary. Will hopefully have more precise dates and prices by the end of this weekend

[Red5]

Latest updates...

I have just been speaking to the Mototaranis B&B and can confirm thety they are prepared to hold the prices for us for next year. So that will be 172Euro's for four nights p/person.

This includes a continental breakast, 3 course evening meal of a main dish, cheese board and desert, not to mention the inclusive wine and beer... All sounds pretty dam good to me!!! Thats 43 Euros a night.

They are asking for £50 deposit from each person by September this year. Then the rest to be paid in Euro's on arrival.

They have room for 11 people and 12 if someone doesn't mind squeezing in. Also knows a place for overflow if we get more than 12.

Basically all the info about the place is on their website ( mototaranis.com)

Date's we are looking at are September 2013. 12th/13th/14/15th/16th or 19th/20th/21st/22nd/23rd.
let me know which you would prefer or if no preference.

Cost of ferry isn't available just yet and they are changing the fast craft crossing from Poole/Cherbourg with a conventional slow ferry which will mean a slightly later easier start when heading out, sails at 830, so prob an hour before, so need to be at Poole about 730,tbc. and return journey leaves Cherbourg 1845 (1745bst) crossing is about 4 hrs.

So a rough over guestimation of cost breaks down as this :

Ferry £100 (minus 10/15%)
B&B 172euros Be a bit cheaper sterling
AA/RAC full euro cover £100
Fuel £200

These estimates are safe estimates ( higher than probably will be) so really you're looking at around £550. Plus any miscelanious/lunch/beer tokens etc.

If you are up for it and want to commit, this really will be a great and easy trip. Just like traveling to anywhere in the UK except you have to cross some water. Also a really easy introduction for a first Euro trip for anyone.

Can you make deposits of £50 via paypal to nickjparkes@hotmail.com and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send it as a 'gift'. You do this when it says what the money is for, click on the tab of 'personal', this opens up some extra options and click on 'gift'.
I will start a definite list. These prices are being held for us until September.

Any questions, PM me, call me, see me at a swb's event.

Nick.

[goatpants]

I might be able to get cheap breakdown cover my mate up the road works for the AA. Will have a word

[billinom8s]

19th/20th/21st/22nd/23rd

for me please

[biggles44]

this sounds really good, the cost is very reasonable i think for what you are getting. Going to have a word with other half, go for green light (fingers crossed) but as it stands i'm a YES

[Red5]

I might be able to get cheap breakdown cover my mate up the road works for the AA. Will have a word

Hey Mr Pants, If that's a goer, maybe a group rate or something. let me know the details if he thinks it's a possibility. Never heard of it before but you can only ask I guess... Thanks.

[Smiler]

Me + Mr are a definite YES!

Nick, the second set of dates are actually better for us ~ fank yooo

[goatpants]

I might be able to get cheap breakdown cover my mate up the road works for the AA. Will have a word

Hey Mr Pants, If that's a goer, maybe a group rate or something. let me know the details if he thinks it's a possibility. Never heard of it before but you can only ask I guess... Thanks.

Well I can get mates rates on normal cover so I don't see why not ;)

[dan90210]

The BBC news has just said new laws in France require all motorists to carry a breathalyzer kit, I assume that will mean bikes too. What about the Hi-vis thing also. Cars must carry a Hi-vis jacket and a hazard sign or something like that, how does that law work for bikes?

[podrick]

Breatherlizers are about £2 from ebay, make sure you get French approved ones,
Jackets need to have an area of reflective material on them, can't remember how much but it's not a lot. Most jackets have enough on them. If you're worried just carry a hi-viz they don't take much room.
As far as I know bikes don't need to carry a warning triangle.

[Red5]

I'll draw up a list of things nearer the time but I've always carried :

Couple of reflective vests, one to wear and one to use in place of a warning triangle.
Travel first aid kit
Spare bulbs

And it is, now, necesity to carry a breathaliser.

One thing to think of to is speed camera detectors. DO NOT BOTHER!!!!
If you do instsist on using a twat nav and it has camera sites or detection on them, turn that function 'OFF'. If found with it, you can be landed with an on the spot fine.