True, think we were lucky with the weather, but we love the outdoors and are going to be tripping up there again next year as well.
I took loads of photos and was going to do a travel blog about our trip up there , but can I heck as get the photos on the site... followed instructions as well...tried it on chrome and I/explorer but cant get to grips with it..... (but that's another topic I know).
Have to admit if we could travel to the Sun next year we would choose that option but 2015 will be a UK based holiday for us hence liking the Scotland idea. If the Kaper heads for sunnier climbs we'll probably head to Cornwall instead of Scotland in the hope that some time in the future there might be a Kaledonian Kaper that we can participate in...
Keep trying to upload the photos timmm , we all struggled at first but you'll get there...
________________________________________________________________________________ Steve, Jo TigerLily and Carra the Child lovin' Golden Cocker
timmm
Cabin : Business Location : holmfirth Posts : 746 Join date : 2014-05-15
Not been to Cornwall before but know plenty on here have so will be looking for pointers too should that be our holiday destination (pending the conclusion of the Kaper vote)...
Anyone else going to submit a vote for Scotland or La France?
________________________________________________________________________________ Steve, Jo TigerLily and Carra the Child lovin' Golden Cocker
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: KOMBI Kaper 2015 Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:05 am
Poll has now closed - many thanks for your input on this.
Looks like the 2015 will be heading south once more into the sunshine!
We'll certainly do a run up to Scotland at some point so hopefully those who wanted to ride along on that one will be able to make it. For now, I'll look into the options for the summer run in 2015.
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
Subject: Re: KOMBI Kaper 2015 Sun Oct 26, 2014 5:03 pm
Sure it'll be a blast guys...We'll hold fire on a Scotland trip and start planning a road trip down to Cornwall in the beautiful English summer..Beleive me if we could make France next year we would.. Great trip last year and we'll be aboard again in the future..
________________________________________________________________________________ Steve, Jo TigerLily and Carra the Child lovin' Golden Cocker
I've been thinking about the 2015 trip, after some discussions with Tim and others at the Halloween Bash. We're definitely up for a trip to France - come hell or high water we're off to the Ile de Re next year - hopefully as part of a Forum Kaper but if not we'll try and tag this venue on to wherever the Kaper Krew decide to go.
What we won't be doing is driving straight on to Spain from there. It's about 400 miles and when we drove from Espelette last year it was boring enough on the motorway and that was only 160 miles.
It's 250 miles to Portsmouth for us, then 210 miles to the Ile de Re, so 460 miles before we start our holiday. To have a week, then have to drive another 400 miles would be a trip too far for us, especially as we may only get two weeks in total (unless I can persuade Gabbie to look after Boz for 3...)
We both need some sun and R&R in 2015 and can't wait to book our summer holiday. If it involves the Kombi Kaper that will be a massive bonus!
I'll have some of this please: FRANCE 2012
________________________________________________________________________________ Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder
Blog: C13MPR
Finalist in the Caravan Club Caravanner of the Year Competition 2016
Star Kombi Winner 2015
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
I've had an email from our agent today. She's concerned that the ferry back from Bilbao is getting booked up already so needs to know if we're wanting to hold some slots.
The summary of this trip is as follows:
29th July Ferry Portsmouth to St. Malo 4 hour drive plus stops to Ile de Re. About 220 miles. 5 nights at Ile de Re, France. Then Tuesday 4th August convoy down to Spain for 7 nights at the Noja site. This would be a long day - a 5.5 hour drive plus stops. About 350 miles. Return Ferry 11th August Bilbao to Portsmouth.
Noja will not guarantee us all being pitched together - seems the norm for Spanish sites.
The costs are:
2 people + campervan = £1453.30 4 people + campervan = £1733.70
The 2 campsites involved are:
Ile de Re
Noja - Northern Spain
Please give this some consideration and reply if you are interested in this trip. Replies in the next 48 hours would be great so I can tell if this is a goer or not. Thanks.
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
I'll respond first then. We're definitely up for the Ile de Re part of the trip and would like to be in the Ferry with you all to travel down to the island in convoy.
Five nights is nowhere near long enough, though, for us on the island, so we'd then let you all move on and would switch to another site near St Martin for the rest of our stay and make our own way back.
I'm pretty sure that you're being optimistic in thinking you can drive to Noja in 5.5 hours, Tim. 350 miles at 70mph is 5 hours and there's no way you can sustain that pace, particularly for those with trailers or Sunny with his Ariba. Add in a few stops and I reckon it's nearer 7-8 hours travelling.
________________________________________________________________________________ Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder
Blog: C13MPR
Finalist in the Caravan Club Caravanner of the Year Competition 2016
I'll go next & have to agree with Abs. We'd love to do Ile de Re but don't want the drive to Spain. Far too much driving with the children for us I'm afraid.
Happyhouse
Cabin : Exec 007 Location : New Forest, Hampshire Posts : 256 Join date : 2011-10-02
hi we love il de re and also believe that 5 days is not enough, it is beautiful. we would be happy to spend a week or even two there. we would also be happy to spend a week there followed by the second week at another french campsite. on reflection, the long trip down to spain is not ideal for us, especially if we end up being pitched apart. the best bit is being a whole group of friends camping together, enjoying constant banter and laughter. PIMMS OCLOCK! all of that is lost if we are spread across a campsite.
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
We wouldn't want to do a long slog in one day. Spain is out for us unless we split the journey, which some wouldn't have time for. We'll try to fit in with the consensus, although we might possibly set off earlier or come back later so that we can wend a more leisurely route.
Happyhouse
Cabin : Exec 007 Location : New Forest, Hampshire Posts : 256 Join date : 2011-10-02
We would be happy to return to la foret for the second week, best of both worlds. Equally happy to spend 2 weeks on ile de re if that's the popular choice. As long as there is sunshine we are happy
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
Subject: Re: KOMBI Kaper 2015 Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:06 am
Ok a question for those who've been to the Ile de Re - would 2 weeks on the island be entertaining enough for those who don't like to sunbathe/sit around all the time?
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
Subject: Re: KOMBI Kaper 2015 Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:00 am
I certainly don't like to sunbathe all the time and, actually, I'm not a massive fan of beaches but the island has plenty of them.
I suggest you take a look here, Tim: Ile de Re
I guess it depends what you want to do - from a cruising in the vans point of view it's ideal - lots of small villages, each with its own identity and all within easy driving distance.
Cycling is excellent with a series of bike tracks right round the island.
There are oyster beds, and opportunity for sea fishing, sailboarding, and other water sports - see What to Do
There's a massive lighthouse at the North of the island and usually a travelling circus at one of the villages.
La Rochelle is reachable by a frequent bus service or you could go in the vans (although there'd be the toll to pay on the bridge back).
Talking of the bridge - you get to drive over here:
Saint Martin de Re, the main town, is a World Heritage centre - more info here: St Martin. It's full of quirky shops, harbourside restaurants and, of course, home to Les Anes en Culotte
I don't think you'd get bored, Tim.
________________________________________________________________________________ Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder
Blog: C13MPR
Finalist in the Caravan Club Caravanner of the Year Competition 2016
Star Kombi Winner 2015
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
Are there any other campsites on ile de 're to choose from? If select sites are linked to eurocamp then we may have more choice. Would be good to be closer to st Martin for the cyclists
Happyhouse
Cabin : Exec 007 Location : New Forest, Hampshire Posts : 256 Join date : 2011-10-02
