Two months to go.
This morning, I re-confirmed our bookings at both hotels.
1.Wapping
2. NeilDD
3. Ianjnk
4. RTosser
5. Homer1968
6. Stuart Daniels (via another site)
7. Peter (friend of Stuart Daniels, via another site)
8. Robin
9. Denz0
10. North London Cookie
11. dxtans (Mr and Mrs) (double)
12. Alleycam (Mr and Mrs) (double)
13. Giles (Mr and Mrs) (double)
13 bikes - 16 bods
I have secured ALL our rooms, in St Omer for the first night and in Vianden, with my credit card, in good faith that everyone is coming and is going to turn up on the day. It's obvious to anyone that we are taking a lot of rooms at a busy time of year.
I have asked the Ibis hotel at St Omer to reserve us the whole of the undercover area by the main gate. Several of you are going over early, please try to make sure we have got it and try to leave enough space for us all to get in. We will obviously have to be careful not to get boxed in by other bikers not connected with us (some are not the brightest shillings in the box, believe it or not) as it screws up our departure. Let's try to be sensible. It's a popular enough hotel, particularly at Easter. I will be very surprised if we are the only guests there.
In all probability we will not all get our bikes into the garage at Vianden, I will see what I can do. It's a quiet town, so I am more than happy to leave my bike outside. Similarly in St Omer too, if push comes to shove.
It would be handy to know who is crossing over on what train, not least as you can look out for fellow Tossers. At the moment I am still booked out on the 18:36 train on the Thursday. Depending on how things go at work I may well try to get myself onto an earlier train, as I suspect the office will be closing early. WATCH THIS SPACE.
Anyway, if those bods going over earlier want to go out and get something to eat before the rest of us (or me) trundles into view, don't hesitate. Most people know there is a decent selection of bars and restaurants down on the main square, two minutes walk from the Ibis. Nobody need starve. Just gang up with your fellow Tossers and find nose bag, is my suggestion.
We have a good sized group which is great. It will though slow fuel, coffee and lunch stops. I am still planning to stop in Chimay on the way out, for lunch. It might well be an idea to break the group in half to ride / have lunch etc and / or if anyone wants to do their own thing I won't be offended. Similarly on the days out when we are in Vianden.
I have roughed out GPS routes, there back and with suggestions for the days out, which I will circulate to everyone.
I think it would be polite to have at least one evening meal at our host hotel in Vianden, all together. The restaurant (as fellows have been before know) is OK and not a bad price, on a par with the rest of the town, for sure. But again, if bods want to do their own stuff, it's fine with me.
It's a decent schlep on the way back to Calais from Vianden (longer than the way down) but we have done it several times. It does though mean we need to get cracking, preferably a bit before 09:00 if possible.
More nearer the time. Any problems, questions or ideas.... Sing up!
Richard