D-day Drive and Dine - the report

[jonathanw]

Jo and Gary

Many thanks for a superbly planned and researched very fast weekend. I will leave the report to somebody more of a wordsmith than myself. I trust everybody got home safe and sound and Gary make sure you get that ankle sorted out.

Best wishes from Marilyn and myself. Will try and post some pictures in the next few days.

 

[garyw]

All troops reported back safely... We've left two in France though acting as spies in the grass []
Thanks for your thoughts on my ankle- its my main task tomorrow!

Many thanks to all those that joined us over the weekend, Jo and me had a great time.
Great to see some newbies out with us.. I sincerely hope you enjoyed your time out with us.
As always time seemed to beat us once again but hopefully it left everyone with a fun packed weekend.. !!

Whilst it was cold it has to be said the weather gods were on our side and the coast looked wonderful under sunshine[]
We could have spent another full day at the sites but hopefully it did do to introduce you to the area..
A great selection of colours on the trip, some of which I hope will make it to print and posted on hear...

Certainly broken some records this weekend, most amount of drivers lost of a convoy was one [] but amazingly that everyone arrived at the correct waypoint- some may say luck, I like to think preparation []

Many thanks to everyones continued support of our register events

garyw

 

[tscaptain]

Again a big thank you to Jo and Gary for putting together a superb weekend. The usual mix of great company, lovely weather, interesting roads (and speeds!), excellent hotel and, for us, a thought-provoking first visit to the D-Day area. The Red Baron had about 200 miles on the clock when we left on Friday and now has over 1400, so is pretty well much run in - certainly the suspension had a good check out on some of the "off piste" roads! What a fantastic car! []
We're looking forward to welcoming some of the group and others to the SW next month for what should be a little less intense weekend on the driving front! Just a few of many photos below.

Alan and Bren

 

[Alex L]

So jealous I didnt get to come along, and I was so bored this weekend []

7 Turbos?!!! Wow. Common as muck these days it seems, or are the owners just more keen to come along to events than with other models?

 

[Lancerlot]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

We're looking forward to welcoming some of the group and others to the SW next month for what should be a little less intense weekend on the driving front!
Alan and Bren

Eh? What? Who said that? [&:][]

 

[garyw]

Super photos Alan []

The last one had me in deep thought- Its Omoha beach if anyone wondering..
But driving along that frontage it was cold, windy and the sand was blowing across the road and totally desserted, the spookiest I've ever seen it!!

For those that have been inspired to do some reading, you'll find it quite astonishing on what went on and feel quite proud to of visited and shown the area your mark of respect..

Whilst sat in my car on security duties whilst members visited the sites (not all tour guides do that you know[]) its amazing to see the amount of people that come out of the museums etc and get their cameras back out and start photographing the groups cars... some just stand and stare and little boys stop running for a moment..
I like to think we made a few little and big French mens day []


Clive, you're in charge of the dawn raid... []

garyw

 

[fireblade]

Hi Guys and Gals

It was really great to meet you all and spend some time with fellow owners.

Thanks Gary for all your hard work and I am so sorry that your ankle gave you so much pain. I am surprised that you managed to carry on particularly with a manual gearbox.

Great pics Alan.

Sorry that we didn't get to say goodbye to everyone but our deadline to leave at 1400 proved spot on and we drove straight through the ferry check in on arrival.

We normally feel quite isolated from the club down here and it was refreshing to have an event that we could get to without too much hassle.

Michael and Sari

 

[944s2]

re comment on Omaha beach

Stayed at accomodation almost on the beach a few years ago and was struggling up beach one afternoon with all usual holiday paraphernalia getting grumpy at no one helping when looked up saw the gun turrets then realised what I was moaning about talk about a reality check VERY humbling

Fantastic tour must have been all the more enjioyable when fairly quiet

 

[husky]

Hi Captain Wiln and Private Jo
We have to thank you for all the hard work and time you put into this weekend to make it a most successful invasion going even Churchill would of been impressed with your efforts. We hope your ankle is getting better as we could see you were in extreme pain most of the weekend but carried on. The food and the hotel were spectacular as well as the driving, scenery and company []. We were very taken in with the places we visited and will be returning in the future. Every time we go on one of your drives we go home saying it cant get any better than that but I think this time you have surpassed yourself on this and were very lucky to have someone like you in charge of the 997 group []. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Rich and Jane

 

[garyw]

Not many pictures from me this time due to reason beyond my control []

However I did send private Jo out with the glass to try and pic some shots up []

The lunch stop that many will know...
I personally I think its lost some of its character without the boats....[&:] maybe in the summer...

Some great roads on the way to the lunch stop... after lunch they seemed to of stolen the road!!

Outside Richards Second home...

Alternative sunset view

Awe inspiring place....

With an astounding outlook

 

[944s2]

Is that harbour at Port en Bessain?

If so where are the boats?

In the outer harbour past the bridge?

 

[tscaptain]

Honfleur Dougie.

 

[944s2]

My mistake[]

 

[pwebb]

I know the cars are the stars - but here a few of the people that make these trips so enjoyable - good food, good company and good driving, what more could you want from a weekend?

Lunch stop was a little waterlogged!

I think this was the only one with the tricolour reading in the right order!

 

[geoff lane]

Gary & Jo

I think it has all been said however we would like to add our thanks to you both for another great weekend, love the photos particularly the ones of the cars from above parked at the Chateau.
I think we all also had some very thoughtful moments and should be very grateful to our ancestors as the world could have been a very different place, something we should all remember from time to time.
I think the run to the port was something we probably would not have done in the UK in quite the same fashion and my 18.3 mpg was probably as a result of you miserable lot leaving me at a peage catching up was no doubt down to the new found turbo power, what a car !!

Hope the ankle gets better soon and thanks from us all for sticking with it when you should undoubtly have cried off.
All who turned out appreciate the effort and we both agree with Richard these trips seem to get better and better.

Geoff & Caroline

 

[Boatfiller]

Capt Gary and Private Jo
What a weekend - a well organised expedition with great company and plenty of use of the loud pedal !
Our steeds were made for those sort of roads, it was just a pity we hit stressful UK traffic and congestion as soon as we returned!
Need to sort some pics out over next few days
Thanks again for the excellent company - see you all again soon

 

[Don Henshall]

As a non Porsche owner (I hate Alan ha) The cars look absofrikinlooty gorgeous. That Turbo is one stunning vehicle, glad all you guys had a good trip. Great pics.

 

[garyw]

Hopefully most of you saw the advantage to the Peage Tag over the weekend [] saves both time and a lot of stress leaning out of the car...[]
This is the link to the online version https://www.sanef.com/fr/ecommerce/particulier/libert_souscrire_online_coordonnees.jsp?codeOption=FTM

You need a little help from Bablefish or the likes... you are a 'un particulier' single application
Alternatively I do have copies of the forms that you can fil out and post off...

I have had mine a fair few years and it costs nothing if you don't use it- (you can select monthly or yearly charges)
For those going to Lemans its will be invaluable just for the queues!!!


garyw

 

[tscaptain]

Yes thanks Gary. Did you tell us about that before we went and I missed it?![] How's the foot today? A few more photos......

The Red Brigade!!

Where did they go?