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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 12:30:53 GMT
Might be trying Languedoc ourselves for holidays next year. Nippers are getting older, and St-Jean-de-Monts is very much for younger families really, in my ever so humble. Languedoc coast seems a bit more grown up, and weather likely warmer too. I wonder if we'll be going in the E or a replacement?
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Post by Humph on Jul 8, 2019 12:41:24 GMT
Bit further to drive but in the scheme of things no real problem. We've been down that way before with a car and further still into Spain during Westfield days.
We'll leave here in Cheshire about 5 or 6 pm to miss the worst of the traffic, be at Dover in time for a midnight crossing and take a leisurely drive down to arrive mid to late afternoon. There are shorter crossings but I prefer to drive than be on a ship. There are people on ships.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jul 8, 2019 13:35:27 GMT
The Pyrenees were certainly a bit pointy when we went in 2013. We did a walk that took in the Col du Tourmalet, which is reckoned to be about the toughest regular climb on the Tour de France. It was a few weeks after the Tour had passed through, but as we drove up to our starting point, we passed numerous amateur lycranauts trying it for themselves. Heroic or just mad — you be the judge.
On the way down from there, several miles from starting the car, the E220’s fuel computer was reporting 94mpg.
We actually stayed that year in the foothills, near Capvern (whose bakery makes the best pains aux raisins I’ve ever had) where the hills are gentler but still enough to let you know you’ve been in a fight.
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Post by Humph on Jul 8, 2019 13:41:21 GMT
I seem to remember that the mosquitos were pretty damn fit round there too.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 14:35:12 GMT
Bit further to drive but in the scheme of things no real problem. We've been down that way before with a car and further still into Spain during Westfield days. We'll leave here in Cheshire about 5 or 6 pm to miss the worst of the traffic, be at Dover in time for a midnight crossing and take a leisurely drive down to arrive mid to late afternoon. There are shorter crossings but I prefer to drive than be on a ship. There are people on ships. Without sleeping? I couldn't do that. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 14:36:29 GMT
I seem to remember that the mosquitos were pretty damn fit round there too. Oh now that puts me right off. I like Vendee partly because of the lack of bites I've had over the years. |
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Post by Humph on Jul 8, 2019 14:44:49 GMT
Bit further to drive but in the scheme of things no real problem. We've been down that way before with a car and further still into Spain during Westfield days. We'll leave here in Cheshire about 5 or 6 pm to miss the worst of the traffic, be at Dover in time for a midnight crossing and take a leisurely drive down to arrive mid to late afternoon. There are shorter crossings but I prefer to drive than be on a ship. There are people on ships. Without sleeping? I couldn't do that. I'll split the shifts with Mrs H. I find its better to have my eyes closed when she's driving anyway... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 14:52:29 GMT
Without sleeping? I couldn't do that. I'll split the shifts with Mrs H. I find its better to have my eyes closed when she's driving anyway... Oh I see. Well. I prefer a night's sleep, and drive again myself in the morning. Several reasons...
This year we're stopping in Honfleur on Saturday night, then carrying on to destination the day after.
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Post by Humph on Jul 8, 2019 14:55:16 GMT
WDB tried that. Look what happened to him. Nicked his bikes didn't they?
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jul 8, 2019 16:51:35 GMT
Them was Belgians. Whole different kettle of moules. Never had a problem in France.
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Post by Humph on Jul 8, 2019 17:00:07 GMT
Yeah, but to be fair, that was when you had crap sorry, older, bikes, stuffed now...
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 9, 2019 4:02:12 GMT
Them was Belgians. Whole different kettle of moules. Never had a problem in France. Yeah....and them being Belgian they'll now be riding them on the pavement, cutting everyone up, and generally being the worst cyclists in Europe (as we know it). |
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 9, 2019 4:21:32 GMT
We're heading to a different part of France this year, down near Perpignan. Apparently there are some good trails for the bikes. Proximity of the Pyrenees is a bit of a worry though. Steep in parts I gather... If you get chance, take a trip down to Collioure for the day. Somewhat touristique, but a very attractive outing. I once 'inadvertently' scaled the cliffs into French National Commando Training Centre there, and had to walk nonchalantly out past the armed guard at the main entrance; squeeky bum time or what! The most hilly parts of the Pyrenees are over the other (W) side, though they do rise quite quick!y from the Med end. I think riding the Cols du Tourmalet and Aspin would put you off cycling for life. Had a good few years in my formative life climbing in the Pyrenees, but mostly in the high stuff more westerly. |
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 9, 2019 4:41:31 GMT
I seem to remember that the mosquitos were pretty damn fit round there too. A bit of a bane here in Canada. Had a good high walk out above Jasper today (which is why I'm knackered and sitting here with a bottle, posting) Rampant mossies on the way up, had to wear a fleece for protection regardless of the warmth. Finally gave up and applied some foul-smelling repellent (hey, on me, who's going to notice), which worked remarkably well and was able to revert to a t-shirt. Stunning views at 7000 ft, and bear, moose, caribou, mule deer and a bald eagle and chicks were amongst the wildlife seen at close quarters. Viz-a-viz mountain biking and mossies, we were in Whistler for three nights. As a place I found it difficult to like, and also difficult to dislike. An artificial ski village that was bouncing in Summer. They must have sacrificed a whole population of goats (virgins, or whatever) when mountain-biking took off. Whilst there's an awful lot of just 'tourism' you can't move for bikes,, and the number of trails is overwhelming. Reckon Humph would be at home if he could ignore the hoi polloi; enough trails for a fortnight and more, even if the lift fees for the really high ones are a bit steep (pun intended) |
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Post by Humph on Jul 9, 2019 6:26:56 GMT
Whistler was always on my skiing bucket list but somewhere along the way the bucket developed a leak. Maybe one day !
Glad you're enjoying it !
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