France Mini-Meet is on! 6th-8th September 2013
 

Haven't seen any postings or read anything about any mini type meets in France, and was wondering if this may have been considered/abandonned due to lack of interest/---- whatever? What sort of level of interest is required to make this a runner etc.? Is France just a dead duck ( it sometimes feels like it and I live here!). Be interested to hear the thoughts of experienced members and organisers alike.


Well, after three pages of a good story, we finally come to the punch line:- We're organised!. (where would we be without t'internet ?) follow the link:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...th-8th-65869-4

Pongo those mini 'meets' have no real structure- per se- more like an invitation to like minded (allegedly!) folk & friends to meet up, have a brew over a BBQ, tell lots of lies (!) and go to sleep under canvas!

good point about France though

What about a good spot near Bardonecchia? yes I know it's just in Italy but the local food if good, stock up before simple trail , can make BBQ, fresh water from the mountain - where the Stella is held each year
Nice spot
The road between Grenoble and Briancon is fabulous

As I suspected Bertrand, it's the same sort of normal idea that other groups follow, however looking at other postings like the recent Hampshire meet, it appeared that there was a bit more structure to it than just a normal get together to exchange stories over a beer.

Be Interesting to see if i get any more replies. If there is sufficient interest I might be up for organising something which is fairly central so easily accessable from all parts of the Hexagon.

Nice idea to come down to the Italian border, It was on my list for this Autumn, but now postponed for a year or so due to unforseen visitors:frown:

hi Pongo

Great idea !
We are central too and not far from you. (we can also accomodate in our area in a small village with all facilities and free camping in my backgarden !!)
so if you need any help just ask. We can also provide travel hints as we just back of a big Tour of the american continent. (Alaska to Ushuaia 66 629 km on our GS)
I might know others long travellers that might be interrested in join in.
are you planning this for 2013 ?
Laurent & Carole

I haven't planned anything at the moment, I was waiting to see if anything had already been organised that I'd not seen, and also thought it would be good to test the reaction of other members to see if there was any merit in organising something. A few years ago I attended a get together of the Royal Enfield (UK) Club at a place called St Julien le Petit in the parc naturel de Millevache in the Limousin, on the shores of Lac Vassiviere. It seems to be a popular place for this type of get together, with excellent camping/lodgings,bar and restaurant facilities, great roads of mixed type for all to enjoy, and nice scenery. It's also almost smack in the middle of France.

I can't do anything this year, as I'm tied up with visitors for another three weeks, and then I'm off to the Asturias and Picos in Northern Spain with the tent for two weeks+. I don't fancy organising anything for the winter months, especially if we have the weather like last year.:freezing:

late... as usual...

sorry.

A meet, sounds like a good idea, always a good idea but as usual life is complicated by work & wife & small children & unforseen family "problems".

I'd do my damndest to get to a meet, but it'd have to be out of season as between march & end october I work 6 days a week...

probably why I usually ride alone...doh

I will say Hi now then, as I was there on my little red Enfield :)

This years rally was near Albertville on the rn90 near ish to the road to mont Blanc.

regards

Yes, a hexagon meeting does sounds great. I live in the Bourgogne.
Would be up for a meet someday.

just a thought re "where"

how about Vesdun, widely accepted as the geographical centre of France & as far as I can make out fairly central to those who've posted here (+/- 200 km?)

don't know where Bertrand is based...bier

The 'brilliant' idea is in post #2 :Beach:

nice place, too far for me in a week end though :(

Also late to answer, I missed these posts.:(

I'd also be happy to join a Mini Meet in France, coming from Switzerland (though I'm Spanish). The region in Central France sounds really good for anyone to join. My proposal would be the Auvergne with all the volcans in that area.

btw, Millevaches is where the sidecars met this year, looks like it was damn cold... LES 1000 VACHES VUES DES AIRS 9 12 12 9H30 CULARIS GOPRO - YouTube (meeting seen from the air)

Hopefully, see you soon in a French Mini Meeting!

Esteban

Hi estabangc, I Did a couple of 2 day trips to the Auvergne area this autumn, superbe area for biking & again fairly central. Vesdun (where i mentioned) is, just, in the Auvergne, but the better biking areas are further south in the Puy de Dome south & west of Clermont Ferrrand.

a 1/2 days run from me,picking Pat (Ta all the way) up on the way (Hi Pat! long time no see, sorry mate :innocent:.)

There's an excellent "auberge de jeunesse" in Mont Dor, used it twice with bike groups.

Would the southern contingeant come thus far north?

Well I suppose a gathering of more than one person is a meeting, and now there seems to be a bit of interest ( +6). I'm thinking that I may be able to organise a campsite location with one of my club members ( Bike Club France • Portal) near (east) Limoges. Would this be a suitable location? reasonably central. I 'll do some research and come back with some ideas.

east of limoges is good for me. I'm also a member at BCFR, but not very active...:oops2:

East of Limoge is good for me also.. however The Royal Association is holding their Annual Rally May 9th-12th. at Le Vivarais Vanosc. If you want to piggy back onto it.

Would also be interested depending on dates and other commitments.

Limoges or the Auvergne would suit me.

looks like "east of limoges" is ok with most... you still up for some research & ideas?

Have been in touch with someone I know through another forum, who has a campsite smack in the middle of France, about 75k NE Limoges. Unfortunately I don't think he has facilities for ad hoc camping, as his site is mainly for fixed rented accommodation, which is probably a little over ''budget'' for what perhaps we have in mind. Am waiting for an answer to a few questions.

cool, it's a start anyway. I've just been looking at "gite de groupe" in the area but not found much to be honest, a few campsites though...bier

Any news on date or exact place (area already chosen)? Time to start a poll?

We just had a baby, so commitments get to be harder, but will do my best to join you! But please, not the same date of HU Germany meeting! ;)

See you,

Esteban

Well I'm up for a little ride out.
I'm in the Charente 16.

Dog

Hello all,

Well it looks as though there is quite a bit of interest to try and get something together. My apologies for not following up on this thread for a while, I've been far too busy doing my 3 months annual work to keep the wolf from the door. My first attempts at finding a suitable venue have come to nothing unfortunately, however something has come up which could be very interesting which is about 20 kms to the West of Limoges and is a B'n'B /Camping run for motorcyclists, with bar and catering. I will be staying with them in early April, so will discuss the possibilities. As it's probably a bit late to organise a spring event ( i'm away in the U.k. anyway from mid April for a few weeks) I am thinking of a late summer event with BBq. Be good to know if those interested would be up for something in late August/ Early September.

Hope you are all enjoying the beginning of the early spring sunshine.

Hi guys,

I'm in.... if you dont mind a 4 wheeler coming (LC), or I'll dust off the bike and come on the Africa Twin..

cheers
Matthew
Gent Belgium...

great!


Not so great, the chances of me getting a week end of before mid september are , unless I manage to change job before then, absolutely ZERO & I already have commitments for the end of sept now. sorry.

I would be if it hadn't just started snowing again...doh

Hi folks, I just spotted this post :blushing: and thought I'd chime in! :) (Otherwise known as redeem myself...)

Anything we can do to help out, or you can just go ahead and do it, up to you - either way, we're all for it!

Pongo, thanks for pushing this on, any questions just email me!

Thanks Grant much appreciated. I am trying to spend more time on this, and luckily I have a lot of very good contacts in France through my position as a moderator for Bike Club France (wwwBikeClubFrance.com). I have just come up with something else which is in one of the most spectacular parts of South West France ( Rocamadour), and am currently talking to the biking owners. Hope to put up a suggestion within the next month.

Hey Pongo thanks for the link to the BCF, I've just joined.
Rocamadour is a fantastic place, I went there last year.


Dog

What about Aveyron?? Camping Les Tours, St Amans Des Cots
 

Hi guys

We've been following this thread with great interest as we work on a campsite from May to mid September in the Midi Pyrenees, Aveyron.

We wondered if you'd consider our site and our help for the mini meet. Early to mid September the campsite is empty, its in the middle of some great biking roads on/off. The campsite staff/management are pretty laid back and we know them well as this will be our 4th year working on this campsite.

Its a beautiful campsite right on the Lac Du Selves.

Let us know if we can help with this. We'd love to meet some fellow adventure bikers in France as straight after we finish our contract we are heading down western Africa.

Regards

Gemma and Mark

Gemma and Mark, that sounds VERY interesting!

Can you give us an idea of the facilities, presentation room, food etc? How many people could they accommodate? Is it possible to have a section that's just for HU, separate from the madding crowd? Webpage?

thanks, Grant

Agreed, already sent PM asking for details of potential out of season costs etc.

Apologies for late reply
 

Hi all

Firstly sorry for our silence... we're in South East Asia and haven't been online very much. In Bangkok now and flying home to UK on Wednesday.

Pongo, I'll send a PM with more details on.... but in brief...

We've worked on the campsite for 3 years and can say with confidence that in September it will be very quiet - with few campers (last September it was empty).

The site has lots of camping pitches - and charges per pitch rather than per tent. Most pitches are large enough for 2 or 3 small tents (and motorbikes). Sure there would be plenty of room for all who want to join the fun.....

There is a restaurant/bar and small shop on site. I'm sure something could be arranged to have presentations in the bar.

The site is owned by a french company - Village Centre - this is their website

Campsite im Aveyron - Les Tours - Village Center

Although owned by a company the management are very easy going and relaxed - we know them well after 3 years working on the site so can help with any communication with them. And if you had an idea of how many people to expect they could be ready with food etc... in the bar and the shop.

We are back on the campsite from 5 May so can help iron out more details then.

Any other questions we'll be on line regularly from now on.

Thanks

Gemma and Mark

Hi you two, and thanks for the P.M. I've been away also, ( nothing as exotic as scoots in Laos though!) and away again tomorrow for a couple of weeks. This all sounds very good, and at least it's somewhere to start the ball rolling if your management team confirm that it's O.K. when you eventually land in France in May, and we get some idea of costs.

I did have a word with a bikers B&B owner ( Limoges area) on Sat night at a party at his place. Brilliant environment, but I think perhaps might be too small and not really geared up for many campers.

Your idea sounds great if you can help, and I'm sure all of us interested will be happy to get more info from you in a month or so.

Thanks.:thumbup1:

Any news from Gemma & Marc?? Can't see any here yet, but perhaps it's too early. I'm back home in France now till the end of June, (it's sunny:Beach: )so anything I can do to help move things along please let me know ( PM is always a good idea).

My local campsite is hosting 26 Brits/Irish this coming weekend for a trail riding trip I organise. We've used them for the last couple of years.

It's a great location in the north Dordogne 40 miles due south from Limoges so whilst it's not overrun with facilities - there is a good restaurant/bar on site and a couple of others in the village (200 metres walk), if it is just a venue that's needed to get this off the ground I'd like to recommend this place.

Very rural riverside location, mobile homes available for those that don't want to camp - let me know if it's any good.

Just up the road from you over the border in the H-Vienne. Site sounds interesting ( Jumilhac?). Sent you a P.M.

Dates in progress!

Subscribe to this thread to keep up-to-date.

Nothing needed to know to attend, just where and when, and show up! :)

All details will be posted when we know more.

Update on Camping Les Tours, St Amans Des Cots
 

Hi guys
Just a quick one as we are having connection problems tonight and will PM Pongo with more details tomorrow.

Just spoke to campsite management today and its totally fine for a HU mini meet on the site in September.

So that's one option open.

More news soon hopefully.

Gemma and Mark

Got the PM thanks, and it's all sounding very good, in fact better than good. Only one hurdle we haven't jumped over so far, and that is costs.

Perhaps we should make a decision to go for the w/end of 6/8th September, the French schools will have started back so the site won't be too full, and the weather should still be reasonable:Beach:.

If Marc and Gemma could come up with some idea of tent pitch costs, caravan costs also if it's hammering down:stormy: that would be good also.

I also like the idea of a something to eat on the friday evening which isn't too involved - a pasta type meal or something as people turn up, and a BBq on the sat night.

I really don't think it's necessary to do too much for this first meet, there will be plenty to talk about, and if the beer tent is well stocked, bierI'm sure we'll all get along fine and find things to do perhaps on the Saturday as well as just chill out and talk :cool4: and maybe explore the area a bit. This is a mini meet after all, not a full blown event.

Hopefully we'll get a few wanting to come along, so the sooner we know what sort of costs are invloved based around the above,the quicker we can start putting formal ideas up. I know it's difficult to calculate costs on an unknown number of attendees, but if we work it out from list price ( off season) on a per head basis, then there won't be any nasty surprises. If we get lots of peeps wanting to come along, we can always ask for a special rate down the line.

Thanks for all your help on this Gemma and Marc, what started out as a simple question some months back, is fast becoming a reality. Hope you can come back soon with some interesting figures.:thumbup1:

Will send through costs tomorrow
 

Hi there

We'll get back with the campsite camping costs/mobile costs tomorrow.


Thanks

Gemma&Mark

Prices/Costs - Camping Les Tours
 

Ok.... here's a full breakdown of site costs.

Camping Emplacement (inc. vehicles, electricity and 2 people.) 19 Euros
Extra people on emplacement 3 Euro per person.

If people are willing to share emplacements then obviously the cost is half. All the emplacements are big enough to share - as long as people don't have absolutely huge tents.

We can co-ordinate this as people arrive. And if we have rough numbers we can book the right number of pitches. Of course - people can simply turn up adhoc too.

I guess most people will prefer to camp but another alternative are 'Eco Tents' and mobile homes that are here on site. These would need to be booked in advance with the campsite. We can help with this and make sure you get a decent spot but the booking would need to be made by the people wanting the accommodation.

Prices are per night per accommodation.
Eco Tent (4 - 5 persons) 41 Euro
Mobile home (4 persons) 52 Euro
Mobile home (4- 6 persons) 57 Euro
Mobile Home (4-6 persons) 62 Euro
Mobile Home (6 persons) 66 Euros
The prices of the mobiles reflect how new the mobile is. Also with all this accommodation some of the beds will be bunk beds/pull out beds.

Campsite bar and restaurant are pretty standard french prices.

But as suggested earlier, if the meet is here, we can provide a communal tent with free tea/coffee, cold beers (at very cheap prices) and potentially some food. If people are interested.

OK guess thats it.

This is our 4th summer on this campsite so we know the site and the local area really well and can recommend some good ride outs.

If there's anything we've missed then please let us know - or if anyone has other questions about the facilities/prices then get in touch....



Thanks

Gemma and Mark

This all looks pretty good to me.

Is there a plan to get something going for this September?

Look forward to seeing more information.

Official announcement coming up in a few days- please bear with us!:thumbup1:

Mini Meet
 

Unfortunately I'll have to miss this one :-( as I will be back in the UK then trying to earn a few beer tokens :funmeterno: and getting the bike sorted.

France Mini-Meet is on! 6th-8th September 2013
 

From the organisers, John Whyman (Pongo) and Mark and Gemma Herron (Gemmasun)

France Mini-Meet
6th-8th September 2013.
Camping Les Tours, St Amant-des-Cots
Aveyron (Dept 12).
GPS:- 44.695017,2.658691.

Travellers are invited to come to France’s first mini-meet on the above date at the above location. As this is the first meet we are testing the water to establish if the formula works and to see how we could expand the event for next Year. (please bear with us!).

The location is an established holiday site with both camping and fixed accommodation. HU members Mark and Gemma Herron( Gemmasun) are on site during the summer and are making arrangements. As the dates are after the main holiday season there will be minimal contact or involvement with other holiday makers. The site has excellent facilities with a lakeside environment.

There is no fixed schedule, so we are hoping that this will be a friendly get together to both meet and exchange experiences and to get ideas for future more formal meetings. There may be a speaker for Saturday afternoon to share recent travel stories, (volunteers welcome), otherwise it’s an opportunity just to relax, chin wag or explore the local area.

Costs are for accommodation. Your food/drink is entirely to your own budget:

Tent pitch
- €19 night per pitch inclusive of 2 persons, electricity and parking.
Xtra person €3 per night.
(Pitches are sufficiently large enough to accommodate two tents if you're happy sharing to keep costs down).

Fixed accomodation if required:-
Eco Tent (4 - 5 persons) 41 Euro
Mobile home (4 persons) 52 Euro
Mobile home (4- 6 persons) 57 Euro
Mobile Home (4-6 persons) 62 Euro
Mobile Home (6 persons) 66 Euros

There is a restaurant/bar and shop on site and other shops with in very easy reach for provisions of your choice/budget for the BBQ on Sat night.

An easy meal (Bolognese/salad or similar) will be available on the Friday night @€5 a head, and BBQ equipment will be made available for anyone who wishes to use/get involved on Saturday night at the lakeside. (Please bring your own Spork and plate and something to sit on!)

Plan:
Arrival:- Fri afternoon/evening- food available and drinks.
Saturday:- Lazy morning , local rides, lunch out, whatever!!
Tea time speaker. ( Volunteers welcome! and time TBD)
BBq evening, drinks and general jollity.
Sunday:- Breakfast and ideas exchanges for 2014.

Please could interested persons either post up or contact Gemmasun by PM as soon as possible so that we get an idea of likely numbers before the end of June. (If you'd like to share a pitch or book fixed accommodation, please advise on your PM/post)

Look forward to seeing you there!

John, Mark, Gemma

Just PM'd Gemmasun to book for the Saturday night. Unfortunately can't make on the Friday.

Look forward to meeting everyone there.

oh poo!

like I said in post N°6 & N°25, 1st half of sept is a no go for me.:(

n'eer mind Hope you all have fun.bier

I'm going to try and make it but I won't know until nearer the time. Looks like a great spot for a lazy weekend though.

Hope you can make it
 

Let us know nearer the time.

Looking forward to meeting all of you fellow HUers.

Gemma and Mark

O.K. so where is everybody hiding?? Be good to get a show of hands, even from the 'not sure yet' contingent. Further enticement is on the cards in the form of some words of wisdom on short trip planning at a time to be arranged during the meet. Can't promise anything with the weather (yet!) but hopefully it will be:Beach: and not:rain: One thing is for sure, it won't be:freezing:. and there should be plenty of bier and banter.

see posts 46, 25 & 6.:(

Well, I landed in France yesterday, so I'm much closer now. First thing I ate, chocolate croissant, yum.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

steve and Janet
 

as the new kids on the block (we start our trip from London in about 2 weeks) hopefully we'll get over for this meet. hope to see you there.

Can't confirm but will try to be there.

99% shure that I come!
 

I'm at Iceland right now. I go back home (Montpellier/South of France) at the end of August. If my travelplan dosn't change I will be there.

Hi there, I know it's late in the day but I've only just found this tread.
Is their room for one more?

Room for more....
 

Definitely room for more.. look forward to seeing youbeer

Jaffa
 

Ill try to make it. I will be in Germany so well see:scooter:

Hello. I've only just joined HU. Is there still room for 1 more? I'll arrive on the friday evening if you've got space. Hope it'll be ok, look forward to meeting everyone.

Welcome!

And no problem, just get yourself there! :scooter:

The timing for this meet is perfect for my European riding vacation this year. Doing the British Isles this year, and Saint-Amans-des-Cots is on the way from Frankfurt to Calais - well, with motorcycle geography it is :biggrin: .
So count me in!
Traveling solo with a tent, so if anybody going would like to share a camp spot, let me know. Economisé de neuf Euro: c'est assez pour quelques bières bier

Welcome to H.U. and look forward to seeing you in a few weeks time.bier

Another 2 to add to the "hopefully" list please..!

We're currently in the (soggy) Czech Republic, on a slow meander back to the Uk.
Just waiting to confirm dates on a stop in Geneva, if it doesn't clash then we should be able to make it...:thumbup1:

Not long to go now, so looking foward to meeting everyone. Still room for more last minute deciders. Long Range forecast looking excellent for our weekend, sunny with max 26C. ( don't blame me if it rains:innocent:)

2 weeks to go until 1st France HU mini meet
 

Just 2 weeks to go before the France mini meet at Camping Les Tours (12460 St Amans Des Cots, Aveyron) and it's shaping up to be a great weekend.

Looks like there'll be 20 - 25 of us HU'ers gathering here to talk adventure, travel and motorbikes .... still room for more if you're interested.

Plan:

Friday:-

• Arrive afternoon/evening, see Gemma/Mark for pitch allocation.
• We'll be around at campsite entrance all afternoon.

Saturday:-

• Lazy morning , local rides (some good routes available from Mark/Gemma)
• Late afternoon talk by Mark/Gemma - 'From Indian markets to Morroccan carpets:- You can have an independent motorbiking adventure in a month or less....'
• Other speakers welcome - let us know
• Informal Q&A/Message board session for all to join in who want info/advice or can give info/advice:thumbup1:
• BBQ evening, drinks and general jollity.beer

Sunday:- Breakfast and ideas exchanges for 2014

Practicalities/Campsite information

• All campers will be together in great pitches by the lake.
• There'll be a large tent by the lake provided by Mark/Gemma for tea/coffee making - beers - meeting point.
• Toilet blocks are close by pitches.
• Cold beers will be available for a small charge in meeting tent.
• Meal (spaghetti bol... salad.. bread ) will be available Friday night @5Euro per person. Please advise if you want this.
• BBQ evening on Saturday night - BBQ's and charcoal will be provided by Mark/Gemma.
• Campsite shop will be open in the mornings.
• Campsite bar open lunch time and evening.

Looking forward to meeting you all in 2 weeks bier

Gemma, Mark and John

95% I'm not joining you :(, for two main reasons: a) my bike is not ready, needs work to be done to make it roadworthy (solveable); b) my wife is going to Spain that very same weekend for a meeting she planned long ago, very important for her, so I have to stay with the baby.

Being 7 months, she is still too young for anything like that (even if going by car).

So, unless something changes, I'm staying at home...

Wish you great fun, guys, would have loved to join you. Thanks a lot for the organizers and long life to the France (mini)meet!

Esteban

Sorry to hear you can't make it Esteban, and I hope you get more enjoyment from looking after your daughter for a few days. I'm sure this will be the start of a regular meet in France, so will probably be seeing you sometime in the not too distant future.

Thanks Pongo. I hope so to, to be at the 2nd edition, since chances for the 1st edition are getting closer to 100%. No doubt, being with the baby is also great.

I'll push for the next meeting. :D

G'day Paul,

I'm in Vienna at the moment and wondered if you'd like to share a few windy roads on the way to the minimeet ?

Cheers Dave

Hi. I just joined and I would like to come to the meet, but can't confirm yet as I work weekends and would have to see if its poss?
Do i need to book or can I just turn up.

Hi Dave,
Mmm, got me thinking. Am in Salzburg today and thinking of going further South with an idea to hook around the top end of Triglav again. There is a road I would like to do that takes you into Italy.

After that I plan to wander back into Austria and a of wiggly roads.

Have been plying a bunch of eastern European roads with Crusty (Angus and Nicki) who are on their VStrom.

Will send you a pm with contact details.

Paul

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

It helps to let us know, even if it's at the last minute, but yes you can just turn up! :)

Look forward to meeting you Windhorse and Drwnite, thanks for letting us know you are coming.

Hello, i will be with you fgor the mini -meet form 7thmorning to 8th.
Please let me knowhow to reseve :a pitch for camping and for lunch if you organise somethinG
Kind regards

Look forward to meeting you, and welcome to HU!!

Ditto Pongo, still ironing out the small stuff, tent ect. And getting a few K's n corners in on the new beastie :-)

Dear all,
I've just registered to HU and would like to attend the French Mini-meet on 6/8 September if there is still room for one more.
If so, I would be arriving on the friday evening.
Peter

No problem, there's plenty of room!

Great, looking forward to meeting you there!

France Mini-Meet is on! 6th-8th September 2013
 

Maybe maybe! Try to arrange everything to be there. Which is the very last day to confirm?

Just turn up, but if you can, let us know by Thursday evening. It would help

OMG.. I nearly forgot about this
Count me in as a defo
1 person, 1 small tent, so happy to share.
Will arrive Friday afternoon.....Weather permitting.
Sending off a PM to GMJ now
Oh and count me in for the Spagbol..

Dog

:oops2: Long Range was not very accurate, doh looks like a bit of the wet stuff unfortunately, :stormy: but I'm sure we're not going to let that worry us.

Hi Pongo,
We should definitely be coming.
All being well, we should be back in France today.
Looking forward to it.:thumbup1:.

hello folks,just joined HU heading for France and would like to call by the mini- meet.hope that is ok.leaving scottish borders tomorrow for portsmouth then south.
Iain

Confirmation
 

Hello,
Sure, i will come on Sturday morning( i hope around 10am), I'm also ok for BBQ
and pitch for one tent one person.
I wish us the best for this week end
KR

zac&oliv
 

hello
we will be on friday for 2 with my son and our ural sude car
see you
olivier&zacchary

Working problems..I can't be there

Sorry guys, but I can't make it after all - perhaps next time!

Steve

I'm afraid I won't be there either.
Just received some bad news, my father died a couple of days ago.
So having to return to the UK tomorrow.

Hope you guys have a good time, have a cold one for me hu..

Dog

Condolences
 

So sorry to hear your news.
thanks for letting us know.

Mark and Gemma

Great weekend had by all
 

Thanks to everyone who came along this weekend.

Despite the torrential rain we have had a fantastic weekend.

Brilliant mix of people, bikes, great conversations, good food and a fewbeer

Excellent !!!

I just got back from a very soggy Aveyron. Despite the heavy ( and I mean heavy!) :stormy: rain, soggy tents etc, it could not have been better.

I must firstly say a huge thankyou to Mark and Gemma who put on a brilliant few days, worked damned hard to make everyone feel 'at home', and organised some superb food and a fridge full of beer bier, all put together in the 'meet' tent, where we spent some happy hours listening to travellers tales from a magical ,eclectic mix from all over the planet. In the face of really adverse weather conditions...Mark and Gemma were totally unflappable and made what could have been a miserable situation a really enjoyable few days. They even put a slide show on of their short break trips to India; Vietnam; Laos; Morocco &Thailand and Gemma talked us through how you can have a real adventure for a few weeks/months on a very limited budget.

Over the meet days we had a real mix of people, from all parts of the Globe:- The Netherlands, France; England; Scotland; Hawaii; Tasmania; Darwin (oz); and everyone mucked in, helped and contributed. ( thanks to Roger for bringing the Neufchatel Cheese all the way from Dieppe ( 745KMs), and to all who bought refreshments.

When the rain let up and it was a bit brighter, the setting was superb on the side of the lake.

The biggest thanks must go to everyone who came, enjoyed it, and felt that we should do the same next year. Thanks also to Yvon Bodelot, Touratech's French Importer, for spending two days with us and being enthusiastic and sharing some interesting ideas.

( photos to follow! - when I've managed to crawl out of some very soggy leather trousers!)

Well done Mark and Gemma! Great to hear it went well despite the crap weather.

I look forward to the photos! :rain::stormy:
Great to hear Yvon did make it and had a good time!

thank you to all of you for your warm welcome which helped us to ignore the flood (this is not your your fault Pongo) hope you all safe and dry ,see you soon
somewhere sometime (even in the sunny place for a change)
Roger

We arrived home safely after a rather wet and cold trip.

Thanks very much to Pongo, Gemma and Mark for organising an excellent weekend. It was great to meet everyone and look forward to doing it again at some point.

Charles & Audrey