Crepeys are an August bunch

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Here ya go...

That's good Auriga

The men are here now!

Yay Auriga! Holding thumbs for a successful outcome!

BTM - I am planning a glass of champagne in the bar in the Shard afterwards...

Anyone else for a drinkie?

Me, BTM, any more for any more?

Oh yes, this might amuse those of you who have been kicking around on here for a while, and remember our parasitical friends who used to invite themselves out to stay with us in Paris all the time, came to stay with us in Normandy for five days and didn't even contribute a bottle of wine... since we returned from Paris last year, we have had one (1, I) phone call from them, in early June, enquiring whether we were having our usual holiday in Niormandy. I've just noticed that I've been defriended on FB. Usefulness outlived, I guess!

Maybe you (and I mean all, including new Crepeys welcome) could venture down here on the 185/whatever and we could have a pre-birthday glass or two here?!

Bet that's a blessing in disguse, MrsS - what users

Possibly, MrsS - depends what day....

Ooh, that sounds encouraging, Auriga.

I would love to join you one day, BTM, but my holidays are calling. DH has managed to get the insurance down to £130ish so that is good news. I think insurance companies just think of a number.

just at your "friends", MrsS.

crepeys - we are planning to go france for best part of a week from BH monday. where can we go without driving for ever, where we will be pretty sure of sun and warmth? we may even camp. only back from crete for a week and this weather is making us desperate

welcome back BTM, fingers crossed for tomorrow.

sorry not to be able to join you, Mrs S. have lovely time

NU, we pay nearly that much for single trip insurance and lots of companies refuse to insure us at all.

Auriga, we made it to Chenonceau and I gave it your best wishes. Glad to hear your dd will get her chance in the concert after all - but what a ridiculous cock-up on the part of the organisers.
Hope kitchen is finished now, BTM.

We always swear by the Ile de Re, Addle. Bit of a drive but plenty of cycling and very beautiful things to see can't promise the weather but can't really guarantee that anywhere.

MrsS, sounds like good riddance to the Parasites - but how infuriating also.
Beachy, thank you very much for your tip about packing the camping gear in Bags for Life. I was v organised and stuck labels on them so we could find everything and we definitely fitted more stuff in the car using those bags rather than the large plastic crates I have used on previous occasions.

Addle I would suggest here( st palais) , but the weathers not v reliable. And it's a hike for a week from Calais,
Beautiful today mind. We had a picnic in glorious sunshine at Talmont.
We also had Les crêpes for dinner.
Delicious. I have put on half a stone since Saturday . I'm sure if it.
Off to Tours tomorrow Stropps . Thought dd would like a change if pace. And then on up towards the channel via who knows where for several days. Mystery tour.
Bonne retour for those just home
Bonne vacances for those en route

I second the Ile de Re, or indeed La Rochelle itself.

I should be around for drinks next week and would love to meet some more crepeys. So glad your dd's concert worked out, Auriga.

Addle, how about going East, to Alsace? Usually hot during the day in the summer with huge thunderstorms at night. Brilliant for cycling, along the Route du Vin. I was despatched here for six weeks at 15 on a French exchange (waved off on the boat train at Victoria!). I came back with a backpack full of wine and a Munster cheese, which stank so much, my mother put it on the back doorstep, whereupon the cat ate it (made its breath stink to high heaven).

My folks love Alsace and go most years. They usually stay in Riquewihr.

But I'm not sure you'll get guaranteed sun anywhere in Northern Europe at the moment, tbh. Tis rubbish. I actually had to wear my sheepskin slipper boots in front of the TV last night.

I would also say where Cremo is. Or La Rochelle. But both are a very long drive for just under a week. I fear that unless you drive miles, you face the same weather as in UK. Or maybe MrsS's suggestion will work!

I was woken at 10 by DD, having been asleep since 9pm last night And have now dropped DS to his mates and base-coated DD's bedroom! Trying to persuade DH to help...

Kitchen is done (bar a couple of snagging bits) and looking good Just need our new snuggler now

This weather is rather challenging to the holiday frame of mind. We've been braving the beach, equipped with coats for when the sun goes in, And factor 50 for when it comes out. We just determinedly had a pub lunch in its garden, but I kept my scarf on at all times.

Been to a couple of ace castles. After initially declaring castles 'boring', DS now thinks they're the best things EVER and tears around them, thrilled by each new winding staircase or spooky tunnel.

Hello everyone. Glorious day here after a rather challenging day yesterday. We have just got back from beach and are about yo potter into town. Am trying to enjoy beach when I can as it is mighty cold and so windy when the sun goes in. Herbs, glad your small boy is living the castles. We haven't done anything improving yet. We did take the kids to the Tate on Sunday but they were clearly not in a modern art frame of mind.

Addle, I would prob go down near Biarritz but its a long way for a week. I think mrs s idea of the Alsace sounds fab. Never been but would like to.

Am wearing shorts of shame. So tight now. Thank god no one knows me here.

Good news re kitchen BTM.

Oh yes! Forgot to say that I can now get into Trousers of Truth! The button is a challenge, and I can't sit down in them, but encouraging none the less.

Also - I can do drinks next week, depending on the day.

Also, MrsS, maybe your scrounging friends no longer want you as they are only "Paris-ites".Hahahahahahah.

Very good, Herbs!!

Did someone say drinks? Will catch up properly later

Ps am in shorts and T shirt.

Glad castles are working for DS Herbs.

yes, the Festival Rosebag. Saw a couple of fab things, comedy and dance.

Girls, I'm trying to wean myself off again.... have to get this book into shape. Please forgive me wafting away for a bit.

Hope all find what they need in the rest of this summer.

I am aching in every possible place. Good day at lake Louise yesterday but a vertical climb at high altitude has done for me. Don't you dare laugh Tilly....... The views were very healing though, once we got up there to the observation platform. Was a bit freaked by the information boards telling us what to do if we came across a bear....

So am I MI. Bravely, in Sarf East London

Herbs, would my ends be too far for you to venture? only 10 mins on the train from LB. But our usual's might be easier for everyone?
And for getting mini-Herbs to enjoy castles. We only managed that when we were with their mates (and often toy swords were involved!)

Rose, my good mates were accosted by a bear many years ago!