Falco Invasion: France 2009

[Falcomille]

For the dudes that know the area, when is a good time to go there for dry weather and quiet roads? Any specific towns you'd recommend staying in or around?

Sorry Nooj, missed the last bit... regarding towns. Do you want a resort (which will be pretty empty apart from a few Brits, Dutch, Belgian and Germans), or Gites in the country? Camp sites are open then also. Let me know and I'll make some enquiries down here for you. Gites are self-catering, and out-of-season can be quite cheap. There are loads owned by Brits down here so if I have an idea of dates and numbers, I'll ask around. My guess is the area around Narbonne is a great place to base yourself. 10 mins from the coast, about 2hrs from Andorra and Spain, food is excellent and the wine is.. pretty good. It is a good place to base because it is at the junction of the A9 and A61 Autoroutes which means you can get North, South and West pretty quickly, and Millau Bridge is only about 45 mins away.

[Nooj]

Sounds good, a gites somewhere near Narbonne would do nicely, within walking distance of a few food shops, bars and a petrol station. First two weeks in June I reckon.

Getting excited now :D

[Falcomille]

Just posted a request up on an accommodation forum and will let you know what comes in.

[mangocrazy]

I saw the most threatening-coloured sky of my life last may

Yes! We were attempting to re-roof my house in the middle of all that... There were blues and purples and orange and graphite-black all mixed up in the sky near us. Thank god for tarpaulins is all I can say.

The first year of house ownership (2004) I went down to the S of F in early May and we were driving through snow on the Massif Central. It only stopped about 50 miles away from my place. But that is very atypical. The previous year I was with a load of mates in Agde in the first week of May and we had flawless weather.

[Falcomille]

I saw the most threatening-coloured sky of my life last may

Yes! We were attempting to re-roof my house in the middle of all that... There were blues and purples and orange and graphite-black all mixed up in the sky near us. Thank god for tarpaulins is all I can say.

I have a short video clip of an enormous electrical storm roughly over your place last September. About the time that the Herault got blitzed with golf-ball sized hailstones!

[Aladinsaneuk]

I have to be honest - this sounds like a great idea - perhaps use the dates I have and head that way?

if it is off season, so cheap, and warm weather compared to the uk - sounds like it could be a good base for exploring?

[D-Rider]

Yeah - it would be good to combine things ... which would mean using the week that Pete has already booked. Those of us that want 10 days or a fortnight could go down the week before (I say the week before out of pure self interest as I need to keep things within full weeks in June).

So - Main week roughly 21st - 27th or 28th June
Those that want to go early 13th onwards.

Do these dates work for people?

If not we'll think again, do 2 trips with 2 groups or whatever works

[Aladinsaneuk]

nod andy - works for me

when is half term week - that may screw some folks up....

also - we must ensure that there are more falcos - even if just day visitors than the fut fits have....

(must remember not to call them plastic slugs again....)

[D-Rider]

nod andy - works for me

when is half term week - that may screw some folks up....

also - we must ensure that there are more falcos - even if just day visitors than the fut fits have....

(must remember not to call them plastic slugs again....)

Spring Bank Holiday is May 25th this year - so assuming that the "local authority near you" makes that coincide with half term then I guess that most schools will be shut for the last week of May (certainly is in Coventry) ..... well out of the way.

.... you haven't been calling those Aprilia Mobility Scooters for the old and decrepit "plastic slugs" again have you ?
Actually, one of them could be just the thing for Gio ......

[mangocrazy]

I saw the most threatening-coloured sky of my life last may

Yes! We were attempting to re-roof my house in the middle of all that... There were blues and purples and orange and graphite-black all mixed up in the sky near us. Thank god for tarpaulins is all I can say.

I have a short video clip of an enormous electrical storm roughly over your place last September. About the time that the Herault got blitzed with golf-ball sized hailstones!

Excellent stuff - you will have to show me that. Last September I rode my old VFR down to the Herault and arrived in the middle of that storm. It was of truly biblical proportions. I just got into the house before it struck with full force, but I was still drenched. And I discovered some new leaks in the roof...

The evening after I was having a meal in the village bar/restaurant (highly recommended) when nature decided it wanted a replay. Fortunately the outside eating area has a semi-permanent covered construction with roll-down plastic sidewalls. There was frantic activity while this was being done and then we got to watch the storm from the best seats in the house. The best bit was when lightning struck the church tower and the whole steeple glowed orange (I kid you not)...

The golf-ball sized hailstorms completely stripped vines of leaves, fruit, the lot in many villages not far from us, but mercifully we were spared. For some winemakers though, they saw the whole years crop disappear in front of their eyes.

[Falcomille]

Just received this in...

Hi,

Is a village with all facilities within 6 miles of Carcassonne and 1 hour from the coast any good?? It sleeps 8/9 and has a private pool

I have asked for location, pictures and rates and will post them as soon as they arrive

[mangocrazy]

Just received this in...

Hi,

Is a village with all facilities within 6 miles of Carcassonne and 1 hour from the coast any good?? It sleeps 8/9 and has a private pool

I have asked for location, pictures and rates and will post them as soon as they arrive

It must be a very small village if it only sleeps 8/9...

Sorry. I'll get me coat...

[D-Rider]

Just received this in...

Hi,

Is a village with all facilities within 6 miles of Carcassonne and 1 hour from the coast any good?? It sleeps 8/9 and has a private pool

I have asked for location, pictures and rates and will post them as soon as they arrive

OMG just read the book Supulchre by Kate Mosse which is set in Carcassonne and the region.

[Falcomille]

Just received this in...

Hi,

Is a village with all facilities within 6 miles of Carcassonne and 1 hour from the coast any good?? It sleeps 8/9 and has a private pool

I have asked for location, pictures and rates and will post them as soon as they arrive

OMG just read the book Supulchre by Kate Mosse which is set in Carcassonne and the region.

We are also about 80Km from Rennes le Chateau (of DaVinci Code fame (book, not film), and Kate Mosse (author not model) lives in Carcassonne, so there are loads of visual references to her work.

This is a response to the forum request. It's near Bezier (about 20m north of Narbonne) and on the Canal du Midi, which itself is pretty special. Carcassonne is also on the Canal so the road between the two follows the Canal entirely.

Hi, in response to your ad for accommodation in the Narbonne area, we may be of interest as we look after the rentals at residence berges du canal. Prices are 200 euros per week and we can do short breaks and airport transfers. Our location might be a problem though, we're just before Beziers on the Canal.See www.franceandbeyond.co.uk
Regards
Adele & Iain Swann

I'll mention the bikes bit later - tends to put people off - they think we're all gun-toting Outlaws

[Falcomille]

It's only a thought... just been looking at Gio's 2009 GP agenda and 14th June sees GP of Catalunia. Barcelona's only about 2.5 hrs down the A9........ Hmm.