Dordogne Weekend, 29/30th Aug

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Tue 04 Aug, 2009 19:02

I feel like I'm getting an unduly hard time here.

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Tue 04 Aug, 2009 21:36

spokey wrote:I feel like I'm getting an unduly hard time here.

I'd like to think this is just the start of it..

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 05 Aug, 2009 07:46

Do I need to pack my special extra-pouty face?

dodgyken · Post by **dodgyken** » Tue 18 Aug, 2009 11:12

With the wife packed off to NY for 2 weeks I might be tempted - that is assuming no-one has a problem with a 1989 E34 525 tagging along.

The Navigator · Post by **The Navigator** » Tue 18 Aug, 2009 12:33

Frederic is the only person who can say yes or no re what cars are allowed.
If you're serious, you'll have to be quick.....only 11 days to go

F.Brossaud · Post by **F.Brossaud** » Fri 21 Aug, 2009 17:43

Hi,
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to accept anyone else for the tour because the hotel is now full.

18 cars will be on this Tour, I can tell that you will have some good twisty roads

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Fri 21 Aug, 2009 19:49

Only a few days now before we set off - car is ready - just arranging some wine tastings in Bordeaux region for the rest of our trip after Frederics weekend.
I saw that it is quite warm in the Dordogne.

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Fri 21 Aug, 2009 20:18

Phil wrote: I saw that it is quite warm in the Dordogne.

Nooooo - it's only 30-34 degrees

Zedona · Post by **Zedona** » Sat 22 Aug, 2009 17:36

Larry and Penny will be driving down in the Zed from Couhé (25k south of Poitiers off the N10) on Friday 28th.We will driving across country avoiding major roads.We will be in the car park by the market hall at Couhé at 10.30am if anyone is going that way.Look forward to meeting you all in anycase at Souillac. Hope the weather continues for top down motoring:lol:

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Thu 03 Sep, 2009 20:54

Well, the first thing that I have to say is: "Damn! That Frederic can really arrange a cruise!"

Lynne and I took a gentle bimble down to the starting point in Souillac, stopping off in Tours the night before. It's not often I get to sit in the passenger seat of the Z:

Everywhere we went, there glorious roads:

I was a bit surprised to see this Z1 at the starting point:

It had a big brother!

A lovely lineup started the cruise, along with yummy pastries and OJ:

There was an endless supply of gorgeous scenery:

How to pose for a photo:

How not to pose for a photo:

Our host. Only a Frenchman could get away with yellow trousers!

And our hostess, directing traffic with Gallic flair:

Gouffre de Padirac:

The view from the lunch table:

Happy eaters:

Wasn't too sure about washing my hands with this stuff!

Foie gras, on the hoof:

Sam was really fascinated by the fat ducks:

Rocamadour, en passant:

View from the cruise hotel terrace:

Sunday morning, and the driving gets serious:

View from Saint Cirq Lapopie:

More from Lapopie:

After Sunday lunch, Lynne and I headed out to see some more of France. This was a moment of the SatNav route while doing the Col du Torini:

Frederic had chosen outstanding driving roads and the stopping-off points were all so interesting. This really was one of the best arranged, best-run and st all-round most wonderful cruises I've ever been on. It also goes without saying that the meals were all superb and the company was exceptional.

Can I sign up for next year, please?

Alfie · Post by **Alfie** » Thu 03 Sep, 2009 21:06

It looks wonderful. Thanks foir posting Spokey.

I recognise a lot of those places, but I was driving a 7 seater then, not a Zed.

If I was ever to depart the UK, (shortly after the next General Election maybe?) that area would be high on my list of places to live; such incredible scenery, architecture, weather and lifestyle. Perfect!

Really sorry we couldn't make this tour.

A.

unclemart · Post by **unclemart** » Thu 03 Sep, 2009 21:39

Lovely pictures Spokey

We often stay in St Natheline just outside Sarlat so know the area quite well It looks like you had a wonderful trip

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 08:58

Looks excellent, and I provided the good weather for you even though I was not there

Gio · Post by **Gio** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 10:47

Looks like you all had a good time, fantastic scenery. I must try a holiday around there sometime.

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 11:07

Looks fantastic folks!

Spokey, I love your 'How not to pose for a photograph' quip.

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 14:42

Thanks for posting Spokey...
You can see why a few of us go to the european events now

garyw

PVR · Post by **PVR** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 14:46

Not to mention that you can actually drive relaxed abroad without having to worry about stazi traffic officers everywhere ...

calbens · Post by **calbens** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 15:28

Fab pici's Spokey!

With a bit of luck normality will return by next year, the exchange rate will be acceptable, we'll all be in jobs and petrol will be at 50p a litre

okay maybe not the latter

but either way I'll be keeping a look out for the 2010 cruise.

rgf · Post by **rgf** » Fri 04 Sep, 2009 19:49

I am very envious, it all sounds fantastic.

I might go next year as I've never been to France. The nearest I've been is that in 1978 I took a girl to a French restaurant. She had frogs legs and pigeon breasts - quite a pretty face though.

F.Brossaud · Post by **F.Brossaud** » Sat 05 Sep, 2009 12:19

Hi, Spokey

Thanks for the pictures.
It was a real pleasure to drive with you, we had great fun

Some of my french friend nicknamed you "The Pilot"

I am not sure we'll organize another tour next year because we are pretty busy with our baby and we have moved few months ago to the south of France, close to the Spanish border (close to Andorra duty free country

), it might be too far for british people

Regards

Frederic

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Sat 05 Sep, 2009 14:34

F.Brossaud wrote: it might be too far for british people

Certainly not

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Sat 05 Sep, 2009 16:42

Got home about 30 minutes ago and just checking whats going on. Those pictures are great spokey and couldnt agree more - that was a great weekend. The following week in Bordeaux and the Loire was equally good for Marise and I. Managed to get my 24 bottles of wine in the car as well.

Ken Nugent · Post by **Ken Nugent** » Wed 09 Sep, 2009 12:08

Hi to everyone who took part, hope you all arrived home safely, it was a pleasure meeting you all, what a great weekend with some superb roads and scenery. Thanks Frederic. We hope to meet again, dont know where dont know when, (that's giving my age away!.)

For those who dont know, we stayed with Mike & Heather Fishwick, before and after the balade. If you want a very warm welcome, excellent food lots of good wine and a comfortable bed then give Mike & Heather's B&B a visit. The location and the scenery superb, peaceful roads. Excellent value for money.

Book early because once word gets around you could miss out.

Ken & Linda

spokey · Post by **spokey** » Wed 09 Sep, 2009 14:52

garyw wrote:
F.Brossaud wrote: it might be too far for british people
Certainly not

Not too far for me, either!

Titan · Post by **Titan** » Wed 09 Sep, 2009 18:35

Firstly, a big thank you to Frederic for organising a wonderful weekend.

Secondly, here's a few of our pics - I've tried not to duplicate others already published

The Saturday morning line up

18 Zeds on the road

The line up at Rocamadour

Spokey leaves his car at Padirac

Z1 + Z3 + Z4 = 18

Rocamadour from below

Saturday evening and a busy swimming pool in Cahors

A bridge across the Dordogne on Sunday

Typical valley floor road - mind that wall!

Traffic jam on Market Day

Another bridge across the river

Loads of room

Entering St Cirque Lapopie

Timber frame houses - 14th Century style

Every timber is engraved with a Roman numeral

And another bridge across the river

Sunday afternoon and a quiet swimming pool at Cajarc - the end of a fantastic cruise

Thirdly,

F.Brossaud wrote:......the south of France, close to the Spanish border (close to Andorra duty free country ), it might be too far for british people

I don't think so!
Pity we didn't get blue skies all the time but here's yet another bridge

So when and where is the next one Frederic?

unclemart · Post by **unclemart** » Wed 09 Sep, 2009 20:25

Fantastic pics Titan

it all looked sooo nice
Im not jealous at all........

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Thu 10 Sep, 2009 19:29

Good pictures there Terry - especially as you were behind me and my cars in nearly all of the pictures. Well done mate

It really was a fabulous trip and I sincerely hope there is another one next year.

Post by **Robert T** » Thu 10 Sep, 2009 19:39

Looks fabulous - a little touch of the green-eyed monster here as well. Would love to have joined you, but we had the glamour of Tatton to attend to.

Jonttt, take note of the parking in this pic:

That is how you park a line of zeds.

Cheers R.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Thu 10 Sep, 2009 22:49

Nah they've all parked at a funny angle

and its been photoshopped, there's only 2 cars really

Looks like it was a fantastic trip, I've got 12 months to convince my girlfriend that you don't need a suitcase the size of a container for a few days away

garyw · Post by **garyw** » Fri 11 Sep, 2009 08:29

Jonttt wrote: I've got 12 months to convince my girlfriend that you don't need a suitcase the size of a container for a few days away

Just show her the photos of the weather they had

garyw

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Fri 11 Sep, 2009 09:43

You don't kjnow my girlfriend, thats nowhere near hot enough and there is no beach

100GRA · Post by **100GRA** » Mon 14 Sep, 2009 13:46

It does all sound very good, and my wife and I would definitely be up for something similar in 2010.

We go to France quite a lot in our Zed and very often spend an entire week without seeing another one. It would be good to be part of a group.

As soon as anybody comes up with dates and location, we'll get our diaries out.

kruisn · Post by **kruisn** » Mon 14 Sep, 2009 20:52

Fantastic scenery and good roads, looks like it has to be done again.
Thanks for the excellent photo's. Very satisfying viewing.
VERY GREEN

with NV.

zroadster.net

Dordogne Weekend, 29/30th Aug

Dordogne Weekend

Dordogne Weekend

Dot & Titan's Balade