Normandy Landings, 16-19 September 2016

[Sir Nick]

Just browsing:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/chateau-francois-d-o.en-gb.html?label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaFCIAQGYAS64AQzIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuoAgM;sid=e67faf7b2fcfb71eb374fae9850fc6c0;dcid=4;all_sr_blocks=29380004_91919118_0_2_0;checkin=2016-09-16;checkout=2016-09-18;dest_id=-1422401;dest_type=city;dist=0;highlighted_blocks=29380004_91919118_0_2_0;room1=A;sb_price_type=total;srfid=367268da7a850114fdfaf4c656a1584044b46907X2;type=total;ucfs=1&

or

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/la-cremaillere-le-gytan.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaFCIAQGYAS64AQzIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuoAgM;sid=e67faf7b2fcfb71eb374fae9850fc6c0;dcid=4;all_sr_blocks=7998101_93068091_0_2_0;checkin=2016-09-16;checkout=2016-09-18;dest_id=-1422401;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=1;group_children=0;highlighted_blocks=7998101_93068091_0_2_0;no_rooms=1;room1=A;sb_price_type=total;srfid=8fa4999f9f8d0b10725d312f189eb368c6905f8bX1;type=total;ucfs=1&

[julian]

I spent a fortune on the Pyrenees/ west coast of France trip. The hotels you have highlighted Nick are really expensive. Not sure if for example Deauville is too close to arrival port, but I have stayed there before, lovely seaside resort, secure parking, centre of town, Steve has stayed there also. Plenty going on, good place.

Just checked, £100 a night. Not trying to sell this one but using as an example. Plenty of choices in seaside resorts or pretty French towns, I don't want to be stuck in chateaus in the middle of nowhere.

Thoughts?

I need to keep cost down without compromise.

Julian

[Sir Nick]

Good point Julian. I've not been along that coast so I don't mind where we stay.

[Steve Gibson]

Deauville is a bit close to Le Havre, yes. We should venture further along. I was going to try and rig it so that we can spend Saturday night as far west as is feasible. Other than that, I haven't really thought about it. I'll take a look at options tonight.

[julian]

No problem, great hotels on that coast and in land if we loop around at reasonable prices.

Julian

[Steve Gibson]

Hotel for all nights:

http://www.lesvillasdarromanches.co.uk

On the D-Day coastline and will be a good base to allow us to do some run-outs, too.

[julian]

Booked direct with hotel, much cheaper than Booking.com.

Julian

[Steve Gibson]

[quote="julian"]
Booked direct with hotel, much cheaper than Booking.com.

Julian
[/quote]

I just called booking.com, under their Best Price Guarantee terms they should match the hotel's price. I'm waiting for a response on my booking...

All sorted out.

[autobackup]

After finally resolving some personal and timing issues I have decided to book up for this trip - with your kind permission(s) of course!!

Unfortunately I shall be joining you 'sans my Atom' as I shall be using my UK 'daily driver' as currently my Atom is resident in Cyprus!

I will at least 'try' to keep up? 

My main problem is that I have an immovable medical appointment in London at 16.00 on 15/09/16 so I will definitely not have enough time to get back to Newbury by train and then drive down to Portsmouth in time to catch the evening sailing to Dieppe!

Instead I have booked the early ferry on Friday 16th morniong from Pompey to Caen (ETA 15.00) returning on the early ferry on Monday 19th morning from Caen back to Pompey as I am hoping to return to Cyprus on Tuesday 20th's morning flight!

I have booked with the Hotel Les Villas D'Arromanches direct!

[Steve Gibson]

You'll be very welcome, Paul. I guess we'll see you Friday evening at the hotel. We'll be there about 5pm. Roughly same time as you.

[julian]

Great to have you onboard. I guess as there will be no issues with luggage as we are basing ourselves at one hotel you will be able to passenger with us and forget the daily drive. Weather permitting that is, if wet we will all want to dive in with you!

Nick, have you booked up?

Regards

Julian

[Sir Nick]

Yep all booked Julian.  Look forward to seeing you in France Paul.

N

[autobackup]

Julian

Thanks for the very kind thought re passengering but it's probably not really practical as all my wet weather gear and helmet will still be in Cyprus and, as this for me is a very short 'flying visit' to the UK (just 6 days), it is simply not worth the effort of humping it all back to the UK with me only to return with it all to Cyprus just a few of days later!

However I will bring an anorak, baseball cap and my poly-carbonate sunglasses   

Looking forward to meeting up with you all!

Regards

Paul

[Steve Gibson]

Paul,

Given that these are the D-Day beaches, it's mandatory that you fly a national flag from your vehicle. To be identified as a liberator.

[autobackup]

Steve

Unfortunately my British Bulldog has just died and my taxidermist tells me that he cannot possibly get him 'stuffed' in time for this trip so I could only fly a national flag at half-mast - unfortunately my 'half-mast' appears to be missing!   



Additionally I'm not sure of the pet passport requirements? 

Even to fly a national flag at half-mast I would need prior sight of your BNP, UKIP or English football fan club membership card!! 

Finally - no way am I coming dressed up as an American WWII aircraft!! 

Paul