Bugsy Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 We are planning a trip to Verdun in May, commencing on the 3rd or 4th, for 4 days. I will be meeting with friends from the UK and we will be staying in Hotels. If you are interested let me know as accomodation has to be booked.Verdun was where the Germans tried to "Bleed the French white" for almost a year. This led to the Somme offensive to alleviate the carnage by taking German forces away from the area. There are walks but they can be several hours long, so a good day is needed to tour the site on foot. A leisurely stroll would seem to be the order of the day. There is also a museum, Tranchee Bayonette (very interesting) forts, destroyed villages and more. Anyone who thinks the French are surrender monkeys should go there and be prepared to eat their words.Also there seem to be some decent roads nearby, we could even pop into zer farzerland on our trip as it is around 60 miles away. Perhaps, also a trip to the old racetrack at Gueux near Reims is planned as it is now part of the road. http://www.gpracing.net192.com/circuits/6.cfm http://www.forix.com/8w/6thgear/reims.html Plus a trip to the "chemin des Dames" mentioned therein which was the front line. Iitineraries are never kept to strictly and each day will umm, unfold like usual.It should also be a bit warmer than today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 [quote user="Bugbear"]Anyone who thinks the French are surrender monkeys should go there and be prepared to eat their words.[/quote]Absolutely. A visit to the Ossuarie should cure that tendency. The Chemin des Dames tour is interesting, too, especially if you can get into any of the remains of the forts. There were a million combined casualties, with about half being killed or died of wounds... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 A visit to the Thiepval memorial is recommended. A very imposing building designed by Edward Luytens on which some 73000 names are engraved on its walls. On most of the graves near it there is just a simple mention 'Known only unto God' and 'Soldat Inconnu' Took my son (24yrs) there last September and he was a little choked by the 'imposeness' of the monument and the futility of war and thought that the 2 at this place went hand in hand.... PS : I know [:)] there is no such word as imposeness but I can't describe the feeling any better.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Thiepval is a very moving place. The names of the dead are engraved on the columns supporting the massive arches. These are set out in order of their regiments and I recall that "our lot" (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) had the largest total of them all. A real lump in the throat moment......Lest we Forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob T Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Would love to join your trip, but we don't pre plan anything. We justgo when the weather looks nice and find hotels where we end up. Can'tbe bothered with trying to stick to deadlines anymore, had too much ofthat when working for the MOD.Nice to open the invite to others on the forum though, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Verdun is 'just down the road' from me in Luxembourg. Lots for you to see and do there, you'll have a great time. If you're taking a day out for trips, not far away there are things to visit like The Maginot Line and the lesser known WestWall which runs parallel on the German side. Also there is Trier in Germany (international heritage site - oldest town in Germany), Mettlach (home to Villeroy& Boch fine china) Beautiful place and good walking country. Metz in France, lots of history, spectacular at night when it is all lit up. And of course Luxembourg - If you're dropping by I'll buy you a beer[B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 Nice area, very interesting historically - We have friends who not only run a bikers B&B but also do bespoke battlefield tours they are of course British if it is of interest for you or anyone for the future here is a link to their website. http://www.bikersbedsfrance.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 22, 2007 Author Share Posted January 22, 2007 Thanks Nomad, Pierre & everyone else.......................................[B][B]Nomad, do you know how many people they can accomodate ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomad Posted January 22, 2007 Share Posted January 22, 2007 not a hundred percent sure they are called Carol and Ian Moore their email is [email protected] if you want to enquire also address and tel no. They are top people.2 Rue de l’Hotel de VilleDun sur MeuseFrance 55110Tel 0033 (0)3 29 83 50 61Mobile 0033 (0)6 33 57 86 50 Regards Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 23, 2007 Author Share Posted January 23, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Lovely-Wendy Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I think they take up to 15 persons max but again not 100%. But as Nomad says they are lovely people [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 Damm, that B&B is booked for the time we want. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for accomodation for five or six people from the 4th May, for 4 nights. In or around Verdun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Well, it's sorted we are going the following week and staying at Ian's B&B. http://www.bikersbedsfrance.co.uk/The revised dates are as follows:Friday 11th May Arrive at Verdun.Tuesday 15th May Depart.Proposed Itinery:Friday , ride out to the B&B in one hit as it's a good 4 hour ride from Calais, 7 hours from here.Saturday, visit the Verdun battlefields Sunday, chill out and a rideout somewhere local Monday, trip to the GUEUX circuit and the "Chemin Des Dames" ridge. return to Verdun B&B Tuesday, ride home. There are just six of us going at the moment so if anyone else fancies, I do need to know reasonably quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Lovely-Wendy Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Good to hear you got it all sorted here are three pictures to help you spot the place ;) first to arrive from a 6,000 mile jaunt to Turkey picture of the monument http://www.tour2cure.co.uk [img]http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk/tour2cure/Image456.jpg[/img]Nomad and I enjoying a cold one on the verander [img]http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk/tour2cure/Image457.jpg[/img]that is Carol in the purple/maroon (or Para Pink to use Nomads description of the colour) top and us ready to get off to the Chunnel.[img]http://www.whereistonynow.co.uk/tour2cure/Image458.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 Thanks Wendy, that looks perfect.......................[:)]Not sure about the skeletal leathers though......................................[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 Wendy - that is a brilliant photoblog, and a marvellous thing to do. It must have been an experience, to say the least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark24 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 bugbear You wouldn’t guess that the guy with the skeletal leathers sells ladies hand bags for a living And is well none for taking fellow riders down dead end roads/dirt tracks even with a gpsis a bit bizarre as he found our house and we our not on any maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 28, 2007 Author Share Posted January 28, 2007 [:D][:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 There are now six of us going and space (B&B) is limited. I need to know very soon if anyone else fancies joining us.It's about a 600 kilometre ride from our house and should take, with stops, about seven or eight hours.To repeat the itinery..............................Friday 11th May Arrive at Verdun.Tuesday 15th May Depart.Friday , ride out to the B&B in one hit as it's a good 4 hour ride from Calais, 7 hours from here.Saturday, visit the Verdun battlefields Sunday, chill out and a rideout somewhere local Monday, trip to the GUEUX circuit and the "Chemin Des Dames" ridge. return to Verdun B&B Tuesday, ride home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 Well, we're starting off tomorrow and the weather forcast is mixed, to say the least. We are planning to take two days to get to Verdun as we fancy a look round the Orlean area.Catch up with everyone when we get back.........................Gary.[IMG]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/Bugbear2/Ready.jpg[/IMG]Everything but the kitchen sink.......[:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Bonne Route, Gary!Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldeagle Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 You dont have to worry Gary, I have already packed the kitchen sing on the wing!! see you in the morning, suns gonna shine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 Hope the trip to the dentist was OK, see you in the morning.......................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 [IMG]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/Bugbear2/Verdun2007.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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