Le Carnage weekend to Normandy

[-Ralph-]

Russ, F4ll3n,

I need to be in Leeds on the 26th, but have told work I must be away by 4pm. I'll have the bike all packed in the garage and my bike gear ready to change into, so I arrive home in the car and leave on the bike within 10 minutes. Still leaving Leeds at 4pm, I certainly won't be leaving home before 6:30pm and that's if the M1 is running smooth.

Check in closes at 10:15pm and it's 2hrs 30 mins to Portsmouth, so there is only 1hr 15 contingency there assuming a 6:30pm departure.

I wouldn't want to be responsible for anybody else missing the ferry. Also given that I'm not exactly giving myself hours to spare I won't be hanging about getting down to Portsmouth, and I'll only stop once at most. It's entirely possible that the M1 gets snarled up on my way back from Leeds and I don't leave home until 8pm in which case I'll be doing Portsmouth non-stop at the ton all the way or missing the ferry.

I'll leave it up to you guys if you want to ride down with me or not. If so best to meet at Northampton Services (M1 J15a) at 6:45 - 7pm, and if by 7:15pm I haven't turned up, you two guys go without me.

[F4LL3N]

Russ - I am ok with that plan if you are?

[rusty76]

Sounds like Col is planning the canonball run. Don't fancy that. I'll just meet with Phil et al wherever he suggested.

[F4LL3N]

Ah ok looks like I'm riding alone lol

[-Ralph-]

Fairy muff Russ, I wouldn't fancy making a rush journey of it on a naked bike either. Lets just ride separately.

If any of you guys stop anywhere thats visible from the road, leave a bike parked somewhere obvious so I dont ride straight past you.

Phil, are the campsite up to date on numbers?

[F4LL3N]

Are we still meeting up on route somewhere? If so do we know where and what sort of time?

[Specialone]

Campsite is up to date on numbers, but a week before I'll contact them again to confirm, if theres a problem it gives me plenty of time to sort something else out.

Gaz, we will be leaving brum no later than 6pm, so can meet you en route before the A34, m40 services? if you like, which I'd imagine will be about 6.45-7pm.

Rus, we can figure out a good place to hook up with you.

[F4LL3N]

That sounds good mate, I'd appreciate that =)

[christian1000]

Well the givi rack is on, had to make some new brackets to mount indicators, and I've done a trail pack. I'm officially ready to go....think I might have let the excitement get the better of me and jumped the gun a bit haha.

What time is the planned meet at services on M40 before A34?

[Specialone]

I'm guessing 6.45pm ish at the services mate.


From the m40 services to Portsmouth is approx 93 miles so should pi55 that in 90 mins.

[christian1000]

excellent,

The ish part sounds like a good coffee drinking window :D

[Specialone]

excellent,

The ish part sounds like a good coffee drinking window :D

I've got the wife on the back and she'll need a quick stop midway anyway, coffee is a good excuse. :)

[F4LL3N]

Just to clarify - that the services at Jct. 10 on the M40? If so, I can take the A43 straight there.

[Specialone]

Just to clarify - that the services at Jct. 10 on the M40? If so, I can take the A43 straight there.

Nope, jct 9, it's where it meets the A34, just shoot down the m40 one junction.

[F4LL3N]

Cool thanks, glad I checked !

[metalhead19]

Nope, jct 9, it's where it meets the A34, just shoot down the m40 one junction.

Im confused, the services are at Jct 10 but the A34 is Jct 9. So is the plan to meet at Jct 10 services or off the road somewhere at Jct 9? :confused:

[Specialone]

Sorry chaps, it seems there's some confusion.

When I typed in a few weeks ago about services a34/m40 it put a flag on jct 9 but you're right i think services are at jct 10, so really it don't matter but might be easier to see each other if on the actual services, so 10 is fine with me, we can all blast down 1 jct then :)

[-Ralph-]

Just for clarity, the motorway services at J10 are called 'Cherwell Valley Services'. They are at the bottom of the A43 which comes down from the M1 at Northampton. You then drop down one junction to J9 to pick up the A34

[F4LL3N]

Lol so I was right the first time :) OK cool, Cherwell Valley Services it is

[rusty76]

finally started to get some things sorted

Just changed the gearing on the tuono (2 teeth less on the rear). Might even see 30mpg now...

[metalhead19]

It's getting closer :D

[Dave20046]

grrr still a bike a bike to service and luggage solution to find yet!

+breakdown

been working all day and evening this week though, hopefully have chance to get something done next week!

[F4LL3N]

Oh yeah b/d cover! Mmm

[rusty76]

Dave,
Let me know what u do for breakdown cover.

[Dave20046]

someone's already done something (ralph?) I remember thinking of following suit..will check that out and some other things and let you know.

[Specialone]

Chaps, if you can afford it, get an annual policy, a one trip deal is ~£20, an annual one is ~£60 but can pay monthly for about £6 and will cover you over here too not just for 4 days in France.

Bike sure offered me one for £50 if I bought it with the policy.

[-Ralph-]

I used Mondial Assistance via europebreakdowncover.co.uk was 20 quid for the 4 days, but I already have all my other breakdown cover needs sorted

[rusty76]

I used Mondial Assistance via europebreakdowncover.co.uk was 20 quid for the 4 days, but I already have all my other breakdown cover needs sorted

I'm in the same boat, so it's short-term euro cover I need

[F4LL3N]

Just wondering, what are you lot doing about food/what are you bringing? I don't want to pack too much but at the same time don't want to starve ! I have a small solid fuel stove but thats about it.

[Specialone]

Just wondering, what are you lot doing about food/what are you bringing? I don't want to pack too much but at the same time don't want to starve ! I have a small solid fuel stove but thats about it.

I wouldn't take any food mate tbh, we can get everything there, only thing we are taking are some nescafe all in one coffee sachets.

[-Ralph-]

The only food or drink I'm taking will be in a hip flask!! ;-)

Once there I'm going to rely on disposable BBQ and stuff I can cook with a burner and mess tin, such as pasta.

I will take some basics such as coffee, salt and pepper.

[F4LL3N]

Fair play, cheers mate makes my life easier

[Specialone]

Damn it, that nail in my rear tyre that RD noticed last week has penetrated the tyre, I checked the pressure this morning before going on a ride and it was 30psi so topped it up and put some spit on the nail and it was bubbling :(

It's not a big leak but its something I need to sort before France.

[Specialone]

Right guys, wife has just asked how many on this trip are meeting at our house?
Before the somerset trip last summer she done us some food before we set off.

So, anybody is welcome but we need to know numbers so we can get some food in, it will probably be hotdogs and maybe chips etc, nothing fancy but enough to keep us going to the ferry.

Obviously if you cant get there until late then its probably not practical, probably do food for around 4-4.30 ish id guess, so it gives us plenty of time to clean up and get ready.

[MisterTommyH]

I'm coming to yours, but not sure what time.

Maybe get me a hot dog and if I'm late I'm sure between you, Dan and Dave it wont go to waste. ;-)

[rusty76]

Whereabouts r u Phil?

[Specialone]

Whereabouts r u Phil?


Castle bromwich

[rusty76]

Castle bromwich

OK, that's cool for me, straight down the 42

[Nick_69]

How much money is everyone taking. I was think of taking 50 euro in cash and putting most things on the credit card. Is this enough or do u guys think I need more

[danf1234]

Right guys, wife has just asked how many on this trip are meeting at our house?
Before the somerset trip last summer she done us some food before we set off.

So, anybody is welcome but we need to know numbers so we can get some food in, it will probably be hotdogs and maybe chips etc, nothing fancy but enough to keep us going to the ferry.

Obviously if you cant get there until late then its probably not practical, probably do food for around 4-4.30 ish id guess, so it gives us plenty of time to clean up and get ready.

You know my predicament mate, all I can is let you know as soon as I know anything more.

[Specialone]

How much money is everyone taking. I was think of taking 50 euro in cash and putting most things on the credit card. Is this enough or do u guys think I need more

I don't wanna use my cards in France if I can help it so we are taking €300.

[metalhead19]

I don't wanna use my cards in France if I can help it so we are taking €300.

:smt119 I was thinking €120-150max

[Specialone]

:smt119 I was thinking €120-150max

Possibly, but there is two of us remember.

I'm expecting to use £100 worth of fuel, €30 on campsite, then it's just food, drinks and if we need to pay in any attractions.

Tbh, i could do with spending as little as possible too but not to the point where it spoils my weekend, so a balance is fine for me.

Can't wait now, it's getting close :)

[metalhead19]

Possibly, but there is two of us remember.

I'm expecting to use £100 worth of fuel, €30 on campsite, then it's just food, drinks and if we need to pay in any attractions.

Tbh, i could do with spending as little as possible too but not to the point where it spoils my weekend, so a balance is fine for me.

Can't wait now, it's getting close :)

Hmmm yeh ok, maybe i need to take abit more as i dont plan on spending anything on card, and well given the way i ride il probably easily spend that much on fuel too! :rolleyes:

[Dave20046]

Plonking everythin on la credit card!

I'm down for appearing at your if that's alright Phil*





*there's food I'm showing up whether wanted or not, at the very least I may get some bin action

[Specialone]

Plonking everythin on la credit card!

I'm down for appearing at your if that's alright Phil*
*there's food I'm showing up whether wanted or not, at the very least I may get some bin action

Tbh, I assumed you'd be first down to come :)

[Specialone]

What did we decide on the breathalyser situation? Was col gonna order a bulk of them and we all split the cost?

[-Ralph-]

What did we decide on the breathalyser situation? Was col gonna order a bulk of them and we all split the cost?

I'll get on it, broadband access restored!

[-Ralph-]

Oh! And my meeting for next thursday is cancelled! Wahhooo! :)

[-Ralph-]

I'm guessing 6.45pm ish at the services mate.


From the m40 services to Portsmouth is approx 93 miles so should pi55 that in 90 mins.

6:45, I'll be there.

[rusty76]

6:45, I'll be there.

What you doing with regards meeting now then? Phil's or M1?

[-Ralph-]

6:45 at Cherwell Valley Services on the M40 if I've understood it right??

[Specialone]

What did we decide on the breathalyser situation? Was col gonna order a bulk of them and we all split the cost?

I'll get on it, broadband access restored!

Is this true?

Comes in on July 1st. All vehicles except mopeds. You have to have at least one working (unused) tester with the vehicle, note that the limit is lower than in the UK anyway.

They must be French approved. They are sold in pairs, supermarkets have them (or will have anyway), a couple of Euros a pair apparently. The ferries will have them, probably at something of a premium but may be convenient.

Prosecutions won't come in until later in the year for not carrying, but I'd bet there'll be some spot checks going on near the ferry terminals in July, so save the hassle and get a pair.

......the French, bless 'em.


If it is we dont need to bother do we?

[-Ralph-]

If it is we dont need to bother do we?

That's good enough for me! The supplier that did the packs of 20 is having stock issues anyway, due to the number of people buying them for their holidays, so I was going to have to ask people to buy their own anyway.

[F4LL3N]

Really? Breathalysers?

[-Ralph-]

Really? Breathalysers?

Two words mate - 'The French!'

[Dave20046]

For Frances sake,I'm required in a meeting on the 1st... at work at the min so can't check ,could anyone tell me what time we're landing back in the UK on the first?

[F4LL3N]

For Frances sake,I'm required in a meeting on the 1st... at work at the min so can't check ,could anyone tell me what time we're landing back in the UK on the first?

I thought we got back late on the 30th?

[-Ralph-]

We land on the 30th mate, it's a much faster ferry on the way back, an hour of that is time gained with the change in time zone, but as for the rest quite why that is we haven't figured out. You should be home and in bed by the early hours of Tuesday morning.

[Dave20046]

Sweet .cheers guys.nice bit of good news for once

[-Ralph-]

ANOTHER change of plan!! :roll:

Does my work pay me enough to keep screwing around with my personal life??

I now have a meeting in Birmingham next Thursday - Phil, can you add me to the list for food at your house please?

I'm going to ride to my mothers in the morning, garage the luggage loaded bike, change into my suit, nick her car, go to my meeting, go back to my mothers, change into bike gear, collect bike from garage, ride to Phils.

[Specialone]

Sure can mate :)

[Dave20046]

ANOTHER change of plan!! :roll:

Does my work pay me enough to keep screwing around with my personal life??

I now have a meeting in Birmingham next Thursday - Phil, can you add me to the list for food at your house please?

I'm going to ride to my mothers in the morning, garage the luggage loaded bike, change into my suit, nick her car, go to my meeting, go back to my mothers, change into bike gear, collect bike from garage, ride to Phils.

I've just got back from the office! :(....ordered me top box though :)

[ravingdavis]

I'm looking forward to this weekend, I'm going out on a spending spree to buy a new tent and other camping bits a pieces. Just a week. woohoo!

[Specialone]

Me too mate, I'm going out shortly to get my puncture repaired, yes the one you spotted lol.

Just gotta get clair some waterproofs and we are pretty much set :)

Dave, I can highly recommend the vango banshee 300 tent, the one I had in Somerset, 2.4 kgs so nice and small.

[-Ralph-]

Just gotta get clair some waterproofs and we are pretty much set :)

Does she want to borrow Sandrine's textiles? Size 10.

[-Ralph-]

Yep a visit to go outdoors is on the cards for me this weekend too

[Specialone]

Does she want to borrow Sandrine's textiles? Size 10.

Appreciate the offer mate, but she'd struggle to fit in those lol and she needs some anyway.

[ravingdavis]

Me too mate, I'm going out shortly to get my puncture repaired, yes the one you spotted lol.

Just gotta get clair some waterproofs and we are pretty much set :)

Dave, I can highly recommend the vango banshee 300 tent, the one I had in Somerset, 2.4 kgs so nice and small.

Just as well you didnt pull the nail out of your tyre at Uppingham then heh :)

Just ordered a Vango Banshee 300 off the interwebz so thanks for the recommendation :salut:

[Specialone]

Tyre and visor fixed :)


He showed me the puncture and it was a split and he said he might not get it to work, it did, which is good cos it would've been repaired somewhere else if it didn't.

[christian1000]

Looking at the weather I think I'll leave the leathers at home and take the textiles. Boo, where has the good weather gone!!

[Specialone]

Looking at the weather I think I'll leave the leathers at home and take the textiles. Boo, where has the good weather gone!!

Im taking my leathers, ill just wear my oversuit if its raining.


Just fired of an email to the campsite asking for comfirmation they are expecting us next friday afternoon, hopefully they will reply and thats sorted :)

[danf1234]

I am now a very serious doubt for the this trip as I have had a major change in circumstancies at home. - I have been given custody of my 2 and 4 year from my ex wife.

Please don't underestimate how gutted I am, and I am trying everything humanely possible to be there, but everything has to go through my social worker who is now not at work until Monday.

Gutted is not the word, but the chances are getting slimmer by the hour

[Dave20046]

NCi wanted £35...as an existing customer. Getting well ****ed off with NCi now.
Just bought mine from Mondial for £22.71 from here

http://www.europeanbreakdowncover.com

I found it for £21 with AXA, but I didn't like some of the terms and conditions, and though it covered repatriation it particularly stated that they would choose what happened if you were due to go home before the bike was fixed (i.e. if it was cheaper to pay your travel to go back and get it, than to recover it home, which it almost certainly would be, you're stuffed).

With Mondial they clearly set out that if your vehicle couldn't be repaired before you return home, they will repatriate it, i.e. you will never be asked to leave your bike in France.

Worryingly the quotes coming up as £19 something for me even though I will have but in the same basic info.....hope I've got the right one!

[Dave20046]

I am now a very serious doubt for the this trip as I have had a major change in circumstancies at home. - I have been given custody of my 2 and 4 year from my ex wife.

Please don't underestimate how gutted I am, and I am trying everything humanely possible to be there, but everything has to go through my social worker who is now not at work until Monday.

Gutted is not the word, but the chances are getting slimmer by the hour
:(
That's a shame Dan , but goodluck with everything

[Specialone]

:(
That's a shame Dan , but goodluck with everything

Too right, but now its like the 'car' without the 'nage' :(

[danf1234]

Gutted - That is all!

[metalhead19]

I am now a very serious doubt for the this trip as I have had a major change in circumstancies at home. - I have been given custody of my 2 and 4 year from my ex wife.

Please don't underestimate how gutted I am, and I am trying everything humanely possible to be there, but everything has to go through my social worker who is now not at work until Monday.

Gutted is not the word, but the chances are getting slimmer by the hour

Sucks mate. Hope everything sorts itself out!

[Dave20046]

Gutted - That is all!

:-k
This one can be a rehearsal


:drink::riding:
Carnage 'un' coming up

[-Ralph-]

Gutted you wont be there Dan, but custody of your kids is amazing mate!! Congratulations, it's not too often a Dad wins that battle.

There will be other trips to France with us sad reprobates, but that time with your kids that you wouldn't have if you only saw them weekends, you can never get that back once its gone (my Mum gave up custody of me to my Dad voluntarily when I was 11 and she has long regretted it!)

[Specialone]

Had a reply off the campsite, all confirmed :)

Their office is open 9am until 1500 then 17.00 to 20.00 so we will need to get there between these times for our pass.
The rest of the days i dont think it matters.

[Dave20046]

How's their english Phil?
Just wondering if a lively bonjour fartface upon arrival might have me searching for an alternate campsite

[Specialone]

How's their english Phil?
Just wondering if a lively bonjour fartface upon arrival might have me searching for an alternate campsite

Nope they'll understand that, you WILL be finding us a new site and paying for it if we get kicked out lol

The French aren't as ignorant / stupid as some people think, a lot will understand English in northern France, less so the further south you go.

[aliwakeskate]

I am now a very serious doubt for the this trip as I have had a major change in circumstancies at home. - I have been given custody of my 2 and 4 year from my ex wife.

Sorry to hear you can't go as I expect you could do with the break...however, this is fantastic news Dan. I don't know whats been going on but I am very happy for you that you've got your kids :thumbsup:.

I think a weekend carnage II trip could be on the cards around June sometime that could give you enough notice and I'll buy you a cidre :puker: and a lamb swirl :smt110!

[Dave20046]

Nope they'll understand that, you WILL be finding us a new site and paying for it if we get kicked out lol

The French aren't as ignorant / stupid as some people think, a lot will understand English in northern France, less so the further south you go.

The challenge has been set :p

Forgot about the lamb swirls!

[aliwakeskate]

Forgot about the lamb swirls!

Just ask for 'les lamb swirls' in Normandy and you guys will eat like kings ;)

[-Ralph-]

What joke am I missinv with the lamb swirls? And WTF is a lamb swirl anyway??

[Specialone]

What joke am I missinv with the lamb swirls? And WTF is a lamb swirl anyway??

It's from the Somerset weekend last July, we went into the town to get some supplies for a BBQ on the night.

Went into the butchers and they had some minted lamb swirls (basically minted lamb rolled into a swirl) so we bought the tray of them.

Turns out they were crap meat and more fat than meat, very disappointing :(

[-Ralph-]

Looks like the weather may just be forecast to break in time for our arrival in France...

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/FRXX0020

Not going to be terribly warm though, 15 degrees through the day, 8 degrees at night.

[Specialone]

Looks like the weather may just be forecast to break in time for our arrival in France...

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/FRXX0020

Not going to be terribly warm though, 15 degrees through the day, 8 degrees at night.

I'll settle for that, a lack of rain would be nice too :)

[Dave20046]

Picking up my bike tomorrow before work, hoping to find some time to ride it and make sure it's ok - otherwise I'm pretty much set :)


What have people done re. travel insurance?

[ravingdavis]

Picking up my bike tomorrow before work, hoping to find some time to ride it and make sure it's ok - otherwise I'm pretty much set :)


What have people done re. travel insurance?

Work on a Saturday.
Pah

[rusty76]

What have people done re. travel insurance?

Phok all

In fact i've done very little generally

[ravingdavis]

What have people done re. travel insurance?

EHIC card and cross my fingers and hope for the best.

[MisterTommyH]

I have done bugger all.

Should get the bike back tomorrow. Then spend the weekend sorting kit (might have to get a new tent because my pot-noodle carton won't fit me and my luggage inside.

[-Ralph-]

I've got half by list crossed off this evening :)

[Lozzo]

I am now a very serious doubt for the this trip as I have had a major change in circumstancies at home. - I have been given custody of my 2 and 4 year from my ex wife.

Please don't underestimate how gutted I am, and I am trying everything humanely possible to be there, but everything has to go through my social worker who is now not at work until Monday.

Gutted is not the word, but the chances are getting slimmer by the hour

It's times like these that make you really and fully understand the meaning of the word 'priorities'

[-Ralph-]

OK, I've done a bit of research tonight, and found that the problem I keep having with the airbed getting wet underneath my sleeping bag, is not sweat, or me ****ing myself ;-) (bone dry inside the sleeping bag anyway), but is condensation. Warm air leaving the sleeping bag, hitting cold air in the air mattress, then being unventilated it has nowhere to go. I thought it was sleeping against plastic causing me to sweat, so I've tried a duvet between the sleeping bag and air mattress, but the underside of the duvet just got soaked instead.

So, long story short, I've decided to invest in a Therm-a-rest, so I'm not sleeping on a pocket of cold air.

This means I won't have the battery operated pump with me, but TommyH should have a 12v one. If you need a battery operated pump for the ferry, this is the cheapest I've found http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Campingaz-4D-Battery-Operated-Air-Bed-Quick-Pump-/170760402621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27c21cf6bd#ht_500wt_922

[Specialone]

I have a thermo rest mat for when I go camping on my own, not as comfortable as a proper airbed but it's ok and packs small.


Must admit I've never had that condensation problem you mention with our airbed, ours has a flannel/ velour type material on the top so maybe that helps.

[Bluefish]

you not gone yet Lol