Archived Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

[zedster4]

Hi Guy's,

Just so that I keep everybody up to date would you mind PMing me a convenient email address? I will then set up a distribution list for us just in case you don't pop over to .org your hopefully get the latest information.

Bazza

 

[Mint]

Hi Guys

Sorry all but I'm afraid the coach trips are a no-no for us, Pauline does not do coaches. Pauline + coach = sick

I think we misunderstood the trip, we thought the plan was to cruise the battlefield(s) rather than just to and from the hotel.

We appreciate all of the planning that has gone into the trip and don't expect you to change the plans for us, but as we can't join in with the coach trips (and all the banter and info) I think the best thing for us to do is to cancel. Sorry it is at such a late stage in the planning.

If the consensus changes (doesn't look like it will with the replies from Richard & Mike) and the coach trips are cancelled in favour of cruising the battlefields please count us back in.

Sorry again guys but see you at Meguiar's on the 2nd Feb.

Dave

 

[reddyzeddygo]

Hi Bazza.
Karen and I are of the same view as Richard and Mary, so are happy to do both coach trips and are looking forward to the whole experience.

 

[zedster4]

Hi guy’s

It’s about time a put an update to our planned adventures. It all starts on Friday 29th March with a leisurely drive down to our hotel in Lens for a four night Anglo French adventure

Saturday is a do our own thing day but we have planned for a drive down to Compiégne, the site of the signing of the Armistice, taking in the French Countryside and Cuisine in a laid back drive, with an occasional shopping stop on route

Sunday starts our two planned coach tips with a specialist guide to the battle fields including :car)

The Somme:
• The Thiepval memorial with a short walk down a track to the site of The Leipzig Redoubt- a major German strongpoint
• Newfoundland Park- a preserved section of the battlefield
• Serre and The Sheffield Memorial Park- the northern pals battalions attacked from here
• The sunken lane where The Lancashire Fusiliers were filmed just before the 1 July attack
• The Lochnagar mine crater
• The tank memorial at Pozieres
• The Devonshire Cemetery
• The Ulster Tower

I think that will take care of Sunday and we’ll end it with a nice meal a few drinks and then early to bed ready for the next days highlights :inbed

So onto Monday and a early start travelling up to Ypres in Belgium for our second guided coach trip, highlights include
• Tyne Cot
• The Menin Gate and the Last Post ceremony at 8pm
• Hill 60
• Essex Farm with a visit to an advanced dressing station and the inspiration of the poem In Flanders Field
• Vancouver Corner was the site of the first gas attack
• Some excavated trenches and a bunker at Hooge
• Some excavated trenches at Boesinge where we can see dug out entrances
• The German cemetery at Langemark
So, another busy day and back to the Hotel for drinks and a well earned rest izza)

Tuesday sees us making our back to the tunnel crossing and back to dear old blighty. All in all it’s going to be a great trip and I’m counting down the days :ymhug:

Bazza

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Booked our room at Ashford now! Not long to go, only 25 days and we will be tunnelling under Le Manche to France #:-s \m/

M & S

 

[reddyzeddygo]

Booked our room at Ashford now! Not long to go, only 25 days and we will be tunnelling under Le Manche to France #:-s \m/

M & S

Excellent! We're all at the Hotel in Ashford night before departure, so the EAC Expeditionary Force partying can start early :-bd

 

[zedster4]

Booked our room at Ashford now! Not long to go, only 25 days and we will be tunnelling under Le Manche to France #:-s \m/

M & S

Excellent! We're all at the Hotel in Ashford night before departure, so the EAC Expeditionary Force partying can start early :-bd

I'm the only one not booked a room yet, the only price I could get was £71

Bazza

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

You're not on your own there, Barry, We've just paid £69, when I asked them what would I get for my extra £30, as my colleagues had booked for £39! I was told "nothing", I felt like saying, I'll have a couple of towels then

Don't leave it too long, Barry, from what I understand you could be paying £85 tomorrow!!!

Mike

 

[MaryMac]

Can't believe that with only three days till we go,. the darling children at playgroup have given me a rotten cold. Not only that but my voice keeps coming and going. Richard is obviously not too bothered about that!! Hopefully will feel a lot better by thursday. Are we all getting excited?

 

[badman gee]

Can't believe that with only three days till we go,. the darling children at playgroup have given me a rotten cold. Not only that but my voice keeps coming and going. Richard is obviously not too bothered about that!! Hopefully will feel a lot better by thursday. Are we all getting excited?

Not excited, heart broken we can't make it!

Have a great safe trip people.

See you soon :ymhug: :x

 

[Brian4]

Have a great trip all of you. We expect loads of photo's as well.

Bring on some warmth in the air at least.

 

[Macca]

It's come round so quick. Weather forecast looks dry but freezing, best wrap up well then...

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Yes Richard, a few things to remember to take with you:- Mary! Passport, Liberty Bodice c/w rubber buttons! or failing that Thermal underwear, shovel, torch, flask of hot tea, sandwiches, French Phrase book, Roll of black electricians tape or Headlight deflectors, Wellies and wait for it, CAMERA!!!!

Not long to go now, you will enjoy it!!!

À bientôt.

M&S

 

[Macca]

Well that's me finished work for 11 days and the adventure in France starts tomorrow....

 

[bessieblue]

Have a great trip guys & girls, hope the weather improves for you, see you all soon .

 

[reddyzeddygo]

Well that's me finished work for 11 days and the adventure in France starts tomorrow....

Yep, Karen finished work this afternoon, so we're all ready for the off. See you all at the hotel tomorrow pm!

 

[Macca]

Well that's me finished work for 11 days and the adventure in France starts tomorrow....

Yep, Karen finished work this afternoon, so we're all ready for the off. See you all at the hotel tomorrow pm!

Mary doesn't finish until 3:15pm tomorrow... so we won't be at the hotel until at least 7:30pm...

 

[zedster4]

Just one more day for me. On a training course tomorrow and then I think I should start thinking about packing, oh, got to wash the car first LOL. Been praying the last couple of days my shore throat doesn't turn into something more, but at least it feels a bit better tonight. Sorry I'm not coming down to the hotel but £71 for one person, and no breakfast, was taking the pi** so I'll be driving down in the morning.
Plan on getting to the Hotel to meet you circa 8:00am, let me know if you think it should be a bit earlier.

Bazza

 

[z3cade]

Have a good one guys!! Take plenty of pics for us! Have a save journey

All the best, Liam & Caroline

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Just finishing last minute packing. Will not leave work tomorrow until 5pm, Sandy is finishing at 4.30pm, so don't expect to be at the hotel much before 9pm. Just at the moment feeling really tired, Looking forward to the weekend and being with friends, :ymhug: should be a really great Zedding Easter.
'Look out Frenchies, we're a commin' :ymparty: \m/ \/