Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

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EnthuZiaZT
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Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

The EAC is organising a Zed Expeditionary Force to visit the First World War Battlefields of France using Z.org as the main site. The trip will start at the Euro tunnel terminal on the Friday 29 March 2013 (English Side). Cruising from the French side to a hotel near the Somme Battlefield. We plan to visit Ypres and Verdun as well.

We plan to stay for four nights returning on Tuesday 2nd April. Those who are interested in joining us, will you please let us know as soon as possible as there are several preparations that need to be made. We will keep this first post of the thread updated with a list of 'Le roulon de voiture de sport' and transfer them to Z.org to keep the list entire.

This is the most ambitious cruise we have organised todate. We do not know this part of France that well, so any experiences of that area would be most welcome.

Because of its complexity, this trip is jointly organised by EnthuZiaZT and Zedster4 (Mike and Barry)

Aside from the battlefields, we hope everyone will have the chance to gorge themselves on French Food and Wine and participate fully, in what we hope will be an interesting and fun event.

Mike & Barry
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Geoff H
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Geoff H »

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Southernboy
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Southernboy »

Brings a lump to my throat...but a smile in my heart....we owe those guys our very lives today.
Regarding the main item of this post, Mike, Barry..if I lived over there, it would be wonderful to accept the invitation. I'll look forward to a good write-up on the trip next year when you guys return. :wave
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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Looks like you all had a memorable time, Geoff, with all the planning involved, a rewarding visit.
Makes you realise how much to all those people went through at that time, just for us.
Southernboy wrote:Brings a lump to my throat...but a smile in my heart....we owe those guys our very lives today.
Regarding the main item of this post, Mike, Barry..if I lived over there, it would be wonderful to accept the invitation. I'll look forward to a good write-up on the trip next year when you guys return. :wave
Will do, Southernboy, It's good to know that you care and even though you are so far away, you are still excited by the news of our trip! It will soon roll round. Tempus Fugit! :D
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Badman gee
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Badman gee »

The rover 75 is looking forward to it mike
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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

EnthuZiaZT wrote:The EAC is organising a Zed Expeditionary Force to visit the First World War Battlefields of France
Should be a photographic memorable event, Mark. 8-)
Will be good weather by then, so no excuse for not bringing the Zed, if you get the window and soft top fixed, you can take advantage of the French :sunny
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Badman gee
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Badman gee »

Will fix it before I sell it, one more summer
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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Badman gee wrote:Will fix it before I sell it, one more summer

:shock: :( Why, We thought it was the love of your life, Mark. Hope you're not going over to the Rover 75 Dark Side forum!!! :wink:
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Badman gee
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Badman gee »

I do love it, but there are other m cars I love
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Badman gee wrote:I do love it, but there are other m cars I love
Such as? Are there other M cars worth having?? :?
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Badman gee
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

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M6, m3 v8
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garyw
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by garyw »

Just done a very similar trip this very weekend!!

The Arras caves were well worth it..
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Some brilliant roads and destinations to go too along with the finest food and drink... :D
Have a great trip, one of my best moments was with Tim when he did a similar event and lit my interest.

garyw
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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Thanks for your interest, Gary, will look into the caves, maybe literally at the time! :)
Haven't actually finalised the itenary yet, so much to see and do, but too little time to do it in!
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Phil
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Phil »

A superb hotel/restaurant in Verdun is le Coq Hardi

http://www.coq-hardi.com/
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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Thanks, Phil, Le Coq is just what we are looking for, a Hotel that is typically French :D
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Ferdinand
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by Ferdinand »

I was there some years ago - always been very interested in history and wanted to the history and happenings end events etc back then into perspective. Indeed a very emotional trip - and we should all remember that we owe our lives to all those brave men and women who fought in both First and Second World War...

I suggest you also go to Bayeux to see the tapestry since it's so close to the other sites you're going - I hope you''ll all have a great trip

I hope you''ll all have a great trip :D

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EnthuZiaZT
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Thanks for your suggestion, Ferdinand, we have also been to see the tapestry about three years ago, it was amazing, like stepping back in time, a real piece of history for England and France, then to see the D Day landing sites along the Normandy coast makes you realise what a sacrifice the soldiers in the forces made :bow

It should be a good trip, several people have but their names down and more are coming back after confirming the dates :)

Mike
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Re: Expedition to the Battlefields of Northern France

Post by EnthuZiaZT »

Hi Guys, :wave At 10.30 yesterday the BmwEF met up and Bazza and myself spent virtually all day planning the Expedition to France. :drive We spent approx. one hour discussing routes, including kilometres & journey times, Toll roads & National routes and Battlefield Trips, then over five hours and several cups of coffee later, finding suitable hotels!!! By which time Bazza’s stomach was convinced that his throat had been cut. :lol:
Bazza is also going to find out if it would cheaper/better, petrol wise, for us all to hire a small bus and guide for the Somme trip as it is a huge Battlefield with so many infamous sites, that we could easily miss, if we attempted it, using only our own knowledge. :rtm: :pc
Ypres and Verdun we can make our own itinerary and day out, with any other places of interest suggested such as local markets, Hyper markets, Shopping Centres or Museums etc. :thumb:

We had difficulty choosing Hotels because of the criteria which was as follows :-
Central to all 3 Battlefield Sites.
Double bedrooms (Not twins)
An internal Restaurant.
And to have somewhere to stroll to in the evening.
Add to that the required number of rooms in the hotel, not to mention whether they were available at the time. :head:

We finally came up with three hotels with varied prices. Not being sure how much everyone is prepared to pay, bearing in mind there will be other expenses such as Ferry Fares and Road Tolls, (Although we will try and use National routes where possible) we have put the website addresses on for your perusal! :)

CAMPANILE AT ST QUENTIN http://www.campanile-saint-quenton.fr --- Louvre Hotels Group
£260 for 4 nights without breakfast and taxes
Pros - Central for all three Battlefield sites
Close to large town centre 5 mins walk away
Situated directly next to a major National Route.
Cons Breakfast extra.
‘Travel Lodge Type’ Hotel.
****************************************************
NOVOTEL LENS NOYELLES AT NOYELLES GODAULT http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-0426-no ... ndex.shtml
Novotels Group
From £188.52 to £319.52 Variety of prices with and without breakfast plus taxes
Pros - Breakfast included.
Range of Prices
Pleasant garden surroundings
Cons Only near two Battlefield Trip sites
Not near Town for evening stroll as on a business park.
****************************************************
HOTEL DU GOLF DE L’AILETTE AT CHAMOUILLE http://www.ailette.fr/an_index.htm ---Independent Hotel.
From £284.37 to £414.14 (Deluxe) without Breakfast and taxes.
Pros - Very scenic, with Lake and beautiful views from the rooms.
Premiere Class Hotel.
Cons - Breakfast and taxes not included.
Higher prices.
In countryside, so not near town for evening stroll.
*****************************************************
All these Hotels have their own free car parking. :bounce:
Prices can be verified on http://www.booking.com

We would urge you to come back to us as quickly as possible, as Hotel rooms for this period, being Easter, are being snapped up rapidly. :thumb:
Mike & Bazza
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