Vinstock ............the list

[Glutton4...]

You've got an even younger (and newer) pup than Shadow haven't you? I had reservations about having to put him in kennels but I think he'll be fine with Lady to keep him company.

If we could arrange to be there, Oscar would be coming too! There's no way I could bring myself to put my Dog in Kennels.

[Hilary B]

If we could arrange to be there, Oscar would be coming too! There's no way I could bring myself to put my Dog in Kennels.

Shadow's passport doesn't become fully valid until September, if he goes abroad he can't come back to Britain before then. We'd be going to Spain about Vinstock time anyway (to make sure all is well as a minimum). The kennels we use are like a doggy version of Butlins, Gemma loved it (but wished we would go there with her) Lady loves it. I think Shadow will be just as happy, but certainly wouldn't leave him any sooner in the adoption!

[Glutton4...]

Aaaaah - Dog Passport! Whoooooops!

Cheers Hilary, something else to add to my list of things to do!

Love the idea of the 'Doggy Butlins' - Sounds fab. I only have reservations about kennels after helping with 'walkies' as a teenager....

[Hilary B]

It takes at least 7 months to get a dog passport fully functional!

[Glutton4...]

It takes at least 7 months to get a dog passport fully functional!

OK, thanks for that. I intended to phone this morning, then went to work, and promptly forgot.

[bobleponge]

Profuse apologies for the delay, loft conversion, Rome (flippin awesome) and computer problems have all conspired against me.
An update:

Toilets.....check. Arrive on the Thursday night (same time as me back from work)

Big marquee for brews and stuff...... sort of check. Its been verbally agreed, but the monsieur was a touch squiffy when we agreed this. I will be seeing him Saturday to confirm, but as I dont get home until the Thursday evening, it will be all hands to the pumps when peeps arrive to put it up.

Hotels.... alors, the one in the nearest village has just closed down, so there are 2 alternatives.
1 is in La Guerche de Bretagne, about a 15 minute drive from me
Hotel des Sports, in La Guerche (its the PMU for those that know), 0033 2 99 96 22 11
€35 per couple per night, 5 rooms available.
Otherwise there are several hotels in Chateaubriant (25 mins from me) ranging from a Travel Inn stylee up to a proper posh one. If anyone wants these let me know and I will get the numbers to you.

Gites: There are only a couple around that are open that weekend, and one is fully booked (has been since last year apparently).
The available one is La Gandonnais, which sleeps 8 people and for the long weekend is €250. Each room has 2 single beds (no fun allowed in France on holiday clearly) and there is also a click clack downstairs which sleeps 2.

Chambre d'hotes.... tbh I'm struggling. I am going to see someone this afternoon so hopefully I will have news but the only 2 I know of locally have v bad reputations with the people that stayed there, so I dont want to send you goodly folks there.

If Mme P's house hasnt sold by then, there will be a double bedroom available there, and if worst comes to the worst, I have a caravan in the garden, and have some friends who live nearby who have said I can use their caravan in their garage too.


Again, profuse apologies for the delay, but I've been working 25 hours a day trying to finish my loft conversion before going back to work on Tuesday.

[bobleponge]

Ohhh forgot to say..

Tony, would it be possible to speak to the beekeeping bloke, maybe Sunday PM would be the best time as most people will be there or thereabouts by then?
Was thinking of a trip to a maaaahhhhooooossssiiivvvveeeee garden centre on the Saturday, with possibly lunch out, depending on the weather?

[zazen999]

At least you are alive Bob - that's the main thing

[bobleponge]

At least you are alive Bob - that's the main thing

I dont know how to do a "blush, swoon, aw gee thanks" smiley but if I did, thats what I would do.

[Glutton4...]

Welcome back Spongey!


*wanders off sulking coz I can't go...

[TonyF]

Hi Bob

If the Travel Lodge hotel is an Ibis or there's an Ibis or Campanile in Chateaubriant, that would do us fine, if you have the number that's even better.

And the Saturday sounds good, the garden centres here are always fun - Jardiland perhaps?

I'll send a message to the bee bloke to see whether he's still up for it too.

A bientot

[binley100]

ooh a trip to a garden centre .......am liking that......and the bee bloke .

Is there a hypermarket near by where we can stock up on eats and drinks?...

[Nicos]

looking good then! Yey!!!

NB- do be aware that most shops are closed on Sunday and Monday ( a fw exceptions) so make sure you've brought enough food etc to cover those days.
Is there a small shop nearby open Sun am/Mon boble????

Love the idea of garden centre and bees- tis going to be fun!

[bobleponge]

Addition to the gite/chambre d'hote list:
Sue and Les Owens, La Morinais sleeps 5 peeps at a cost of €50 the night, divided by 4/5 peeps thats not too bad.
The Travel Inn stylee is an Etap Hotel in Chateau, phone number is a chain number, 08 92 70 12 57.
The garden centre is an independant one (I think) but its hoooooooge.

For shopping, there is a SuperU in La Guerche open Saturdays and Mondays, but there is a small Ecomarche in the nearest village, Martigne Ferchaud, which opens Sunday mornings.

[TonyF]

Hi Bob

How close is the Owen's place? And do you have a number for them, is that £50 per head per night?

And how many of us are actually going to be there now, I've sort of lost count?