Essex Blat of France 2014 Now July 24th - 27th

[Pistol Pete]

That could work, except I'll be in the wrong one of my cars

Just take the westfield to le mans - sorted :)

[SootySport]

 

 That could work, except I'll be in the wrong one of my cars

Oh dear.  decisions, decisions,  what will Mark do next?

[KugaWestie]

go on Gary

 

Very tempting!

[Pistol Pete]

Non Essex members are welcome .

[bquansah]

Very very tempting indeed! Will keep this in my mind, got the bug now. Do you have any timeframes when one has to commit?

[Pistol Pete]

not really, you will just need to be able to book the tunnel and hotels.

will be working on hotels and crossing times shortly and post details.

[bquansah]

Great! Will keep an eye

[Pistol Pete]

Date Change for this Trip.

 

 

Just a heads up, I have decided to put this back to July to avoid Le Mans. New dates will be 24th - 27th July, don't normally like changing dates but hope that this is early enough notice for everyone who was interested.

[XTR2Turbo]

those dates look good for me.

 

Might also be good to divert to one of the battle areas if time allows.

 

Please add me to the list.

 

Thanks

 

David

[Pistol Pete]

Good to have you along David.

 

I will investigate the battle field areas and see what I can do.

[Mark (smokey mow)]

I will investigate the battle field areas and see what I can do.

my French geography isn't great but the route from Reims to Calais should take us past the Battle Fields and memorial at Vimy Ridge

http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/others/vimy.html

[Pistol Pete]

We have 200 miles to do on the last day to get to Calais, Arras (and Vimy) is approx 130 miles from Reims and on route. So as long as we make good progress then one of the battle fields would make an ideal lunch stop providing we can get some food nearby on a Sunday.

 

My initials thoughts are:

 

leave at 8:30

70 miles to Coffee at 10:30

60 miles to lunch at 12:15 at Arras/Vimy

leave at 2:30pm to cover final 70 miles and catch 5:30pm or 6pm train home.

 

It will only be a flying visit and looks like you could spend lot longer there, any comments welcome.

[Boombang]

b*******, may be in Spain from the 26th.  If that changes I can always come on down with you guys last minute.

[SootySport]

2 and a bit hours is no time at all to visit Arras and the surrounding area.  The town is very welcoming and you can spend all of this time just having lunch and a walk round the town square.  I think Battlefield visiting is best left to a another more dedicated tour.

[XTR2Turbo]

I think it is worth visiting one of the memorials if you have never been - even just for an hour.