French Weekender 24th - 27th March 2006

[Becca3003]

Still really hoping i can come on this, need to keep bugging matt i think

[paa100]

Quote: Originally Posted by Becca3003

Still really hoping i can come on this, need to keep bugging matt i think

Leave him at home

[RVW]

£40 not going to be enough Did you see the way Ady was consuming the WINE

As to Matrog well pull your finger out and get committed
I have sent him a pager , a PM, and an email, suggest everyone does the same until he gives in


1. Chris and jax - the Interpreters
2. Paa100 - Epicurean Aficionado
3. RVW - Flag Bearer
4. Mini friz - Rear Gunner
5. Peanut - Cheer Leader

So what are you doing then Beastmaster Leaving your poor new wife to do all the work ehh

[Beastmaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by RVW

So what are you doing then Beastmaster Leaving your poor new wife to do all the work ehh

Cheeky! no i will be working closely with paa100 - he will be ensuring fine food and I will be... er wine tasting - on behalf of the good of the group naturally!

[RVW]

Quote: Originally Posted by Beastmaster

Cheeky! no i will be working closely with paa100 - he will be ensuring fine food and I will be... er wine tasting - on behalf of the good of the group naturally!

Ahh thats alright then I think

[snoupi]

Alas, I cannot attend, but I certainly will be there in spirit! You see, I was born in Avranches, just 15 miles east (by road) from le Mont-Saint-Michel. You have chosen a beautiful area for your run.

Le Mont itself is an historical and architectural marvel, if a bit touristy. You're visiting at the right time of year, though. Shouldn't be too crowded.

I found St. Malo quite touristy. Be sure to visit nearby Dinan. This town survived the bombings of WWII and remains much as it stood in the middle ages. Beautiful.

Will research the dates of the tidal bore in la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel, (a must experience, if the dates coincide.)

Will Post again.

[Beastmaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by snoupi

Alas, I cannot attend, but I certainly will be there in spirit! You see, I was born in Avranches, just 15 miles east (by road) from le Mont-Saint-Michel. You have chosen a beautiful area for your run.

Le Mont itself is an historical and architectural marvel, if a bit touristy. You're visiting at the right time of year, though. Shouldn't be too crowded.

I found St. Malo quite touristy. Be sure to visit nearby Dinan. This town survived the bombings of WWII and remains much as it stood in the middle ages. Beautiful.

Will research the dates of the tidal bore in la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel, (a must experience, if the dates coincide.)

Will Post again.

Thanks for the tips. Dinan is hereby added to our hitlist of places to visit. Please keep us up to date on the tidal bore - for the rest of the chaps and chapettes on the trip it would make a welcome change from Ady The Constant Bore! There that's before any of you lot get that quip in!

as official wine taster for the trip (er... self elected) been looking at a little Calvados tasting mini adventure today...

[snoupi]

Unfortunately, it seems there will not be a mascaret (tidal bore) to view during the tour until the 27th at 6:31 am, and a weak one at that.


I expect the tour will already be wending its way back to le Havre by then. If you think that you might still be interested, you can PM me, and I can supply the directions to some of the best places to view it.

Off to dig up some pics to whet your appetite now.

[Jaffa Racer]

Ady how long is the ferry crossing on the Monday?

[Beastmaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jaffa Racer

Ady how long is the ferry crossing on the Monday?

5.5 hours but it arrives in Portsmouth at 21.30 because the hour time difference works in our favour on the way back.

[snoupi]

Here are a few pics I dug up of le mascaret:

This first one, with le Mont-Saint Michel in the background, was taken at le Gué de l'Épine in le Val Saint-Père, just a few hundred metres down the estuary road from the highway you will be traveling.

The tidal bore ranges in height from a few feet to several metres, depending on the position of the sun and moon, weather conditions, and surrounding topography. Legend has it that it arrives at the speed of a galloping horse, but the one we saw seemed to be doing just an easy trot.

Below we see le mascaret as viewed from the bridge over the Sélune River in Pontaubault, (just off the highway.) This bridge is, in itself, an important historical and strategic piece of WWII real estate, and bears a plaque to that effect. Both the Germans and the Allies at various times attempted to destroy this bridge by bombing. The bridge still stands. The town of Pontaubault, however was leveled!

As you can see, kayakers and surfers enjoy taking advantage of the arrival of the tidal bore for a little fun.

Below, viewed also from the bridge in Pontaubault, as le mascaret passes, we get a little better perspective of the power of this phenomenon.


More pics coming of possible places to visit.

[ltlzig]

Reminds me of great cheese, wine, and fresh crusty bread, of romantic strolls along the water, and quaint sidewalk cafes.

[Becca3003]

think you can now add me and Matt to the list we can both get the time off just now need to sort out the rest!

[RVW]

think you can now add me and Matt to the list we can both get the time off just now need to sort out the rest!





Whooppee Good to have you on board.

[Beastmaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Becca3003

think you can now add me and Matt to the list we can both get the time off just now need to sort out the rest!

Great news as soon as you have booked the ferry and the hotel let us know.

This is going to be a fun fun weekend!