4 Days In France - dengie 100MCC

[The Teutonic Tangerine]

So this is the fourth year we have had an early September trip to France. This year we stayed at the Hotel Mercure in Valencienne.

Day one (about 220 miles) meet early (at Rettendon Essex) for a 6.45am departure to Folkstone (stopping for a fuel top up at Maidstone Services on the M20). Check in and then take the 09.20 train to Calais (packed breakfast on the train)

From Calais the route follows the coast road at far as Wissant (very good views of the channel and the white cliffs can be had from this road and the stunning beach at Escalles) Turning inland we travelled minor roads to Wittes for Lunch at the Estaminet De la Melde. (imagine if you can 13 of us with only one French speaker but the other twelve all asking the same questions about the menu over and over again but nobody actually paying attention and you'll get the idea of what the weekend was going to be like - every time we got to a restaurant.

Anyway after a very nice home cooked French style lunch we pushed on again via fairly minor roads to arrive at Valenciannes at about 4.30. Parking was on the pavement opposite the hotel and we suffered no damage (one person even managed to leave their Sat Nav on the bike overnight and it was still there in the morning when he arrived sweating and panicking).

Day two (about 180 miles) saw a ride in the direction of Revin on the edge of the Ardennes region, we got a bit rained on in the valleys but bought food for a picnic which we held at about 2.30pm in Salles near Chimay and another evening of everyone talking at once asking the same questions and not listening went ahead without any planning at all.

Day three (about 172 miles): Again we headed towards the Ardennes region - this was the ride out that I had planned by using Google Maps to find interesting terrain - lakes and Valleys and winding roads alongside rivers. I also look for green bits on the map(forests) the road through these are often interesting and fast. We had Coffee at "Willys Frites" in the town of Willie and lunch in Fumay before returning t Valenciennes for dinner and again see previous comments about talking listening etc. We did ride across the Dam at Froidchapelle the link will give you an aerial view but its worth a look on Google Map Street view. http://images.opt.be/images/elto_big/59223_1.jpg

Day four(about 215 miles): having booked lunch at our favourite homeward stop at the Golden Lion (Au Lion D'Or) at Hardinghen we decided on a motorway and 'Peage' route to save us from having the leave too early. We left the Hotel at 10.00 and had a coffee / fuel stop en-route and arrived for lunch at 12.35. Excellent rustic French style lunch (no stupid questions this time as there was only one choice "take it or leave it" Casserolled local free range chicken with vegetables and cous cous followed by Pear Tart / or chocolate mousse). Leaving Hardinghen about 2.30 pm (not far from Calais) at we ended up on an earlier train, 3.50pm instead of 4.20pm.

90 miles from Folkstone to home for me was 1 hour 40 minutes which included filtering at Dartford and a detour 12 miles from home due to queues on the A12 near Chelmsford.

Total mileage for the weekend for me was 787

Pictures Etc see Dengie 100MCC facebook pages. You don't have to be on facebook to see the pages

https://www.facebook.com/Dengie-100-Mot ... 529170462/

[nab 301]

We did ride across the Dam at Froidchapelle the link will give you an aerial view but its worth a look on Google Map Street view. http://images.opt.be/images/elto_big/59223_1.jpg

You don't have to be on facebook to see the pages

https://www.facebook.com/Dengie-100-Mot ... 529170462/

Looks good

[The Teutonic Tangerine]

Just trying to book for next September - trying to get 10 rooms (ix of doubles and twins) is a real challenge.

[boxerscott]

Just trying to book for next September - trying to get 10 rooms (ix of doubles and twins) is a real challenge.

Someone has to do it! Well done, sounds a good trip. At times I envy the southerners who live close to the chunnel/ports for having a continental weekend on tap!

Chris

[The Teutonic Tangerine]

Just trying to book for next September - trying to get 10 rooms (ix of doubles and twins) is a real challenge.

Someone has to do it! Well done, sounds a good trip. At times I envy the southerners who live close to the chunnel/ports for having a continental weekend on tap!

Chris

Yes we are very lucky in that respect