Bulge Trip ????

[Paul]

Bad News Guy's I have just had John on the phone, Jim Manderville has told him that he has had to cancel the trip due to insufficient numbers. They have only ended up with about 16 names which makes it not financially viable for Yorks to arrange the trip.
As you know they generally need 30+ to make it work.
I fully understand the position.

[Neil]

That really is a great shame for all, we can only hope that the numbers are up for next year.
ok i got a week booked off from work and i guess you guys are the same , fancy doing something ? Bovington?

[Paul]

Neil, i still fancy doing something as well, wait a couple of days & we can have a think, I dont know how costly it would be if we went ourselves, you can get a gite in bastogne for around £400 for a week sleeps 5 but you would have a lot of extra ferry, petrol , veh hire etc but we could cost it all up.

[Neil]

Sure thing Paul, Mick might have an idea or two.

[Mick]

Jersey?

[Mick]

I will see what Leger holidays have got on that week. I will ring them today and let you know.

[Mick]

Rang Leger, but there is nothing doing for that week. I will keep thinking.

[Paul]

I've had a look at a few sites on the net as well Mick & cant see anything. There is not a lot of flexibility with the organised ones as well. On some you can get guides when you are there.
The only option would be drive ourselves. Its about 400 miles to Bastogne, same to Normandy & also Arnhem.
Its wether we would want to do that. With 6 of us we would have had £1700 to spend at 350 each. Cost of a 9 seater VW Transporter approx 400 per week (Sure John could arrange with his contacts), Cost of a Gite to sleep 6 around £400 per week, Ferry for car & 5 about £150, fuel on top of that a few hundred i suppose, I Dont know what you think ?

[Mick]

Good work Paul, I guess there are pros and cons to doing it yourself which may work out a bit more expensive. Plus it is a lot of driving about. One of the reasons why I loved our coach trips is that we do not have to do the driving about etc. On the other hand you are not tied to any specific itinerary.

I suppose we need to look at options and get a consensus.

We could do a first world war one around ypres which is a lot less driving. Also take in some V" rocket bases areound Calais etc

Continue looking into Bastogne.

Look into Jersey for a few day, this could be fun also. We could possibly do Bovington if we get a ferry over from Weymouth. I am sure Billy might be able to recommend some cheap digs.

What do you think?

[Neil]

Great work guys, just an idea here
Why not do a 3 day trip to france and cut some of the cost down and maybe hit Bovington on the way home ?. i',m also happy to go with the flow on this guys whatever we do it will be good.

[Billy]

Happy to dig out some info on Jersey for you so you can get an idea of the cost, let me know what dates you might be looking at and if you would be travelling by plane or bringing a car and coming by ferry. There are some good deals on at the moment.

[Mick]

Hi Billy, That's very kind of you. We are just throwing ideas out at the moment to see what might be possible.

hope all is well with you.

[Billy]

Mick, all good thanks. Have you looked at any of these for your trip?

http://www.drttours.co.uk/Pages/BulgeTour.html

http://battlefield-breaks.com/battlefields/bulge.html

http://battlefield-breaks.com/battlefields/battlefields_of_belgium.html

[Mick]

Cheers Billy, I will take a look through these

[Paul]

http://www1.iha.ie/Gite-self-catering/Belgium/Walloon/Province-luxembourg/Leglise/Charming-old-farm/Le-Liteau_62341_3.htm&x=.ukl$pnog47FC7B-ihr5L:7We;

have a look at this site,

[Paul]

Lots on here , check out the routes itinerary

http://www.visitbelgium.com/index.php/bastogne-waterloo

[Mick]

Wow! don't need anymore info than that!

xx

[Mick]

Could not get hold of John last night Paul. he might be down with Mum and Dad?

[Paul]

i dont think he has gone away Mick. That site with the routes & itinerary is really good, basically plans the week. Neil do you fancy that for around the £350 each mark if we can get it all sorted ? it would be for a week sat - sat and we could save a bit on BBQ & buy in food & drink

[Neil]

Guys it looks great, Paul would we be leaving on the 29th May if so thats brilliant.

[Paul]

I think so Neil, if we all agree & it looks good i think we could do the week for the same price, if you want Neil i can pop round & show you the idea, Mick any news from John ??

[Mick]

Spoke to John last night. he is definetly interested and will look out for a good hire deal. However, I don't think he can do a full week. Maybe we shoudl all get together over a beer to talk things through. I could do tomorrow night if that is not too short notice? If ok I will see if John can make it.

[Neil]

Nice to see you again Paul, count me in for the trip it all looks great. I will get myself up the town tomorrow just need to get that bloody card off Mel lol.

[Neil]

Holy cow most important , can i bring some cider with me

[Paul]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_H%C3%BCrtgen_Forest

Neil FYI its 1 and a half hours 121KM from Bastogne

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