La Garangeoire - anyone else going there this summer?

[Mummyisamonster]

We're off to La Garangeoire in the Vendee for the first time this summer. last year we went to Brittany and got pissed on rained on for two weeks so we decided to try somewhere (hopefully) a bit sunnier.
I see from previous posts on here that it's popular site. Anyone else going there this year?

[fatzak]

Oh didn't know about the Tesco vouchers - may have left to cash in.

[LovesTents]

No ,we didn't book tickets, we were there at the start of July so I don't know if it would be different when you are going.
Ask about it in reception when you are there, they'll be able to let you know.
I'd go early in the day though as there is loads to see, we got there about 12 midday I think and didn't have enough time to see everything without rushing really, would have liked to just mosey around a bit more.
My kids loved it, they are a bit older though, 12, 10 and 5 so with littlies I don't know if they would be as interested !

[fatzak]

Mummyisamonster and scratchet - helloo!!Just checking in on fellow La Garangeoire -ers!

Everyone getting excited about their hol? Mummyismonster - are you on one of the pitches with both electricity and water.We have electricity but no water! We are so unorganised - just bought a new car and haven't got a tow bar fitted yet or even bought a trailer! Plus me and DS2 are not too well so hoping that DS1 doesn't get it (he has epilepsy so could hit him harder) Also need to get an electric cool box and electric hook up still!!

So you can now look out for a grey Volvo estate (feeling very grown up as it's out first ever decent car!), the stressed out couple from Yorkshire and the two manic DSes (one very blond - he's unmissable!!)

Oh and we are guaranteed to be the first tent awake in the morning so that'll identify us Have resorted to buying DS1 a DS to keep him quiet in the morning!!

[Mummyisamonster]

Hey Fatzak [& Scratchet],
hope you are feeling a bit better and all set for your hols. You're off after us aren't you? We're in a silver Skoda octavia {so am rather of your volvo estate}and we're also on a pitch with electricty but no water! I didn't realise such pitches existed until after we'd booked..

We've a DS aged 4 and a DD aged 6, both brown haired and loud! H will be the one poncing standing by the 'kitchen' pondering whether to move it all around for the hundreth second time. I will be the short blonde woman desperately trying to ignore it all and read a book (ha!)

Oh, and don't worry, bet my two can match your two for early risers (and noisy ones at that).

Fingers crossed for good weather....see you there...

[fatzak]

We get there on the 10th Mummyisamonster! I am now going to drive DH made by car hunting once we are site and by sizing up every family with two small girls

See you at 6.00am then on the morning of the 11th

[Mummyisamonster]

PS; You hiring a fridge there?

[fatzak]

Ah funny you ask - I asked about it in my booking but never heard back from them - can you do it then? If we can will save buying an electric cool box!

[fatzak]

And now I have read your post properly I realise you have a DS and a DD so no point in me hounding down families with two girls

[Mummyisamonster]

Bl**dy computer, deleted my first message...

Yes, I too will be cruising round the pitches eagerly looking for a grey volvo (silver or slate?) and then getting all shy before finally mustering up the courage to see if it's you!

BTW, we have a DS aged 4 and a DD aged 6, not two DDs.

Am really excited now.

[Mummyisamonster]

Whoops, crossed posts...
No, we booked via the Camping & Caravanning club and I was told I could book a fridge when we got there but now I'm fretting that they'll all be gone. My french is pretty ropey otherwise I'd call them & book one.
Whaddya reckon? Maybe I should bite the bullet and call 'em.....

You taking bikes too? Thinking of taking the kids' ones if we can fit them to what will already be a jam-packed car.

[fatzak]

The bikes depend on which trailer we get round to buying The boys' scooters will def go in and they are hankering after some roller skates (that'll be an trip to hospital for DS1 no doubt!) so that might do

I have no excuse for not booking the fridge as I am a French teacher but I hate speaking French on the phone and turn into a gibbering wreck. I'll e mail them now and let you know what they say

[Mummyisamonster]

Greta, ta Fatzak

[fatzak]

Have e mailed them so will let you know. I can forward you a copy of my e mail if you like so you can it to them too??

[Mummyisamonster]

Yes please, ta.

BTW, I checked out Puy De Fou, looks very good. It's about 29 euro for adults, (less for kids obviously) and looks fabulous.

Last day at work today and am literally counting off the minutes....

[fatzak]

Not heard back from them yet Mummysiamonster - am building up to make a phone call!

[fatzak]

Oh merde Mummyisamonster - pas de frigo

DH finally lifted a finger for this hol and called them, but none available.
Very nice guy on reception said he is trying to persuade his boss to get some more!!

So I guess I am now going to have to get an electric cool box, hook up thingy plus european adapter. Could have paid for a fortnight in a villa by the time we've forked out for this lot

Not to mention the tow bar and trailer we are about to get ....

[Mummyisamonster]

Argh Fatzak, merde indeedy...... but many thanks for finding out & letting me know. Would have been even more miffed to have arrived and then found out.

DH has gone off to Halfords to get headlight stickers and was talking about getting a bigger fridge-like thing to plug into the car(we do have a perfectly serviceable cool box)...we shall see what he comes back with!

I think we may have to leave the kids behind to fit all this bl**dy stuff in.

Today is our last day before we set off so am eye-deep in ironing, sun tan cream (ever hopeful) and more camping equipment than you can shake a stick at. You're not wrong about a week in a villa being cheaper....

IF the campsite has a new delivery of frigos in before you arrive I'll try and keep one for you!

[Mummyisamonster]

Fatzak - PS: just called the campsite (to check directions) and (luckily for me) spoke to an English woman who said the pitches are already allocated as the campsite is completely full. She also said that it is hot & sunny! About 24 degrees today, 27 tomorrow

I asked whether they would get any more fridges - she said they only ever had 7 fridges anyway(!) & thought there was no chance of this changing...

DH has found an 29 litre electric cool bag in Halfords so will fold up and take less room .

Just the ironing.....

[fatzak]

Hurrah about the weather I saw that cool bag in Halfords too and can't decide between that one and a hard one in the camping shop!

Have a good journey

PS I'll out myself as being Sarah so you may know if we meet

[Mummyisamonster]

The cool bag is very good (well padded)though we're taking our hard cool box too (quite how we'll pack it is a different things of course). They do have a freezer at the campsite where you can swap freezer blocks so you always have frozen ones for your ice bag/box.

I'm Jane BTW.

See you there!

[barney123]

Hello,

We had a fab time at La Garangeoire from 9th to 25th July, bits of rain and storms but fantastic.

The entertainment on site is good, we went to the family night my kids loved making their own crepes - well worth 7 euro. They keep mentioning it now.

Can really recommend Puy Du Fou mine are 3 & 5 they both loved it, very tiring day, must be there for 10am to fit it all in. Be very organised with drinks, snacks and food, very expensive and not great quality to buy there.

We also had a fantastic day at the lake, Lac du Guarney(?) only 10mins away from site, if you've got bikes, its great for a picnic, cycle, you can hire a boat for a trip on the lake and then enjoy a beer at the cafe, before you head back.

We thought the best beach was Brem sur mer great waves!

Wish we had gone a bit later for more sun. But that is my only gripe!

[fatzak]

Thanks for that Barney - think we will have to hire bikes as a)the kids' wont fit in and b) I don't actually have one!!

What's the name of that kind of theme park for kids where the rides are all manuel - does that make any sense

[fatzak]

Manual? Manuel? Mental block - isn't one of them a Spanish waiter

[GrapefruitMoon]

Are you thinking of Parc des Dunes?

[fatzak]

That's the one, thanks