Credit Crunch Le Mans Lite!

[Lord Steve]

Tres Hombres will be Uno Hombre this year (me) as the other Duo Hombres have decided that they're skint.
So, I've decided on a grand plan. Leeds Bradford by Jet 2 on the Thursday to Paris then the train down to Le Mans doing the return trip on the Monday morning.
Trouble is I'll be travelling with a big rucksack and nothing else so it's going to be tricky hauling a tent, bed, barbie and all the other associated paraphenalia that goes with four days on Maison Blanche (or any other campsite for that matter)
Does anyone fancy taking pity on me and lending me a tent and a bit of space?
Steve

[mike(liverpool boys)]

Steve,sorry to hear your hombres have bailed on you. Im not really in a position to offer help with your camping but im 99% sure i will be flying to Charles de gaulle from glasgow and cathcing the tgv on the thursday and back on the monday if you want to team up in france? I traveled that way last year and met up with Ajw (ade) in france which proved a great success.

Mike

[Piglet]

Steve, our Canuck visitor from a couple of years ago donated some camping gear to Termie to be used by others.  Might be worth dropping her or Mr T a pm to see if they've still got it.

[termietermite]

Kit not a problem, LS.

[Lord Steve]

Well thank you.
I've got to be honest - my last thirteen trips to LM have been packages via Motor Racing International or some other overpriced outfit just because I couldn't be bothered to do it myself. So - if I arrive can I just buy a general admission ticket on the gate and then find a corner of MB (with kit very kindly supplied by Termie) or will I need a campsite pass as well?

Steve

[termietermite]

I don't think anybody knows yet, but I doubt there'll be a square inch of MB to be had.  On the other hand, there always seem to me to be loads of camping spaces about nearer the time as people drop out.  In your shoes I'd hang on until something comes up on Sell or Swap and buy the camping passes in advance.  GE tickets can indeed be bought on the gate.  If the £ recovers a bit by the summer they could be cheaper than buying now also.

[Lord Steve]

I don't think anybody knows yet, but I doubt there'll be a square inch of MB to be had.  On the other hand, there always seem to me to be loads of camping spaces about nearer the time as people drop out.  In your shoes I'd hang on until something comes up on Sell or Swap and buy the camping passes in advance.  GE tickets can indeed be bought on the gate.  If the £ recovers a bit by the summer they could be cheaper than buying now also.

Good advice. I think I'll just book my flights now and book the train a little nearer the time - apparently I can't book more than three weeks in advance anyway. The countdown begins....

[dazv12]

hi Steve
we are down on numbers this year and i've already booked 4 pitches on m/b so if you want to join us .There is room to take you there in one of our cars we are leaving nottingham 5pm wed nighht to newhaven for overnight ferry to dieppe arrive 6am then returning on mon for journey home there is a station at the bottom of my street for ease if you fancy it ....we have gone from 12 to 6 this year likley cost is £120 each for camp/ weekend pass then £90 each for ferry+fuel+tolls then there is the food &beer  ..... all you need is sleeping bag+bed we have all tents gennys fridges gazzebo's projectors xbox to watch dvd or driving games etc   
Daz  v12

[redstu]

Daz V12

I think you'll find that the ferry arrives a little earlier this year, I've just booked it this week leaves at 22:30 gets in at 03:30!  LD lines seem to have a three way schedule which now includes Dover so they must sail afster at night than they did before. Im also on the Wednesday along with 2 other cars.

[mgmark]

If you do end up getting the train, our Biker Chick had to arrive minus bike last year so, with rucksack in hand, she got the TGV from Brussels and then the new tram from the mainline station to the end of the line, meaning that I collected her effectively from right by Houx Annexe, rather than heading all the way into town.  Campsite pass not needed, as they are per vehicle, she stayed on our pitch and we dropped her back at the tram post-race on out way out.  Buy the GE ticket on the gate.  Easy peasy. 

MG Mark

[Lord Steve]

To everyone
I have received an embarrassment of kind offers and am truly grateful to everyone - testament to the camerarderie that exists on this site. I'm going to get my act together this weekend as the good Lady Steve has invited me to move back home after an enforced absence (it's a long story) of 6 months. I WILL be there this year come hell or waters high and will let you kind people know what I'm doing as soon as possible.
Thank you all again.
Steve

[Piglet]

I'm going to get my act together this weekend as the good Lady Steve has invited me to move back home after an enforced absence (it's a long story) of 6 months.

Hope it all works out for you both LS.

[Lord Steve]

Cheers Mate - it's going to take some work but it'll be worth it. The Bachelor life isn't what it's cracked up to be!

[Lazy B'stard]

Hi Steve
The Barrel O Monkeys have become Monkey Lite for 2009 and we have a spare seat available in the truck. I've sent you a PM buddy.

Si