A Long Weekend in Lempdes
Lempdes is actually pronounced Lond as in blond and yes the Madhatters were there. Dave
Shove, Andrew Jack and I set out on Thursday night on the overnight ferry from Portsmouth
to Cherbourg. We were part of the Wessex Ducks loosely organised convoy. I went in John
& Adrienne Rooney’s car because Bill couldn’t come. He had his OU exam on
the Monday. I did leave him food in the freezer and he had his OU friends for shoulders to
cry on if necessary.
We all met in the ferry lounge having found the crossing was scheduled for a later
crossing. We had cabins, so after a drink we retired. There were 4 cars on the boat. The
fourth was Joe Bishop & his fiancée Linda from the Wessex Ducks.
We left Cherbourg together, stopped for a late breakfast (well 6am was an early
breakfast on the boat) and continued. Somewhere around Caen we lost Andrew & Dave but
found them later. (we took the wrong road) Around Le Mans we lost Andrew. He got stuck
behind a lorry filled with tree trunks. Dave, John and Joe drove together and stopped for
lunch. We thought our cars were visible but Andrew missed them. However, we drove on. From
Montlucan to Clermont we experienced some really hilly, twisty driving in the twilight. We
got to Clermont - well Lempdes actually - at about 8pm. We registered for our goody bags
and accommodation in the "Salle Voutée". In here was a special exhibition which
featured a 2CV covered in bread rolls etc. It was spectacular.
When we arrived at our accommodation (£5 B&B in a college hostel) the shock was
that Dave and I had been given a room to share ! Was this a mistake or just the
"French Ambience" ? However, after the initial shock we agreed that 4 single
beds gave us a choice of privacy so we got out our sleeping bags,
spread them on the far flung beds and then went to join the rest of our fellow travellers
for a meal. We sussed out the only eatery in the town that did not look too grand and lo
and behold, there were Pete & Bev Abbott and Barry Bowles. We ordered food - salads
and omelettes (the menu was not extensive) only to see someone approach a piano and set of
drums and music ensued. This was murdered by a kind of karaoke. Still it added to the
atmosphere. Just as we had finished Graham & Juliette Garnett, Alan & Jo Taylor
and a few more 2CVGB members arrived. I think the owner a) was rushed off his feet and b)
felt Christmas & birthday had come at once.
We then returned to our B&B. The showers were excellent, hot and clean and the loos
were just across the corridor - thank goodness. (Dave did not snore to keep me awake - did
I snore ??)
Breakfast on Saturday was great. Plenty to eat, lovely coffee and then we set off for
the Mairie. There were lots of cars to admire from all over France, a few Dutch, German,
Swiss and of course the 12 or so Brits. Then came the great adventure of a convoy round
the town. I don’t think any street escaped. Everyone was out - even in dressing gowns
and slippers - and waving and smiling. This took hours. The local police were very helpful
for the whole weekend in fact.
We had a break in celebrations for lunch and after a great debate we went back to the
scene of Friday’s meal. The food was really great so we all had a feast. There must
have been at least 12 of us so, again, the proprietor was busy but pleased with his
profits. In the afternoon another convoy set off to explore the local area. We climbed
higher and higher to the Plateau de Gregorie (Julius Caesar was defeated by Vercingetorix
here). Views were spectacular. We then returned to lower fields and visited the local
"Cave". This was very busy. It was the first weekend of the grape harvest so
farmers were arriving with tractors and trailers of grapes. However, joy of joys, a lovely
yellow H-van arrived with barrels of grapes. These then went into a hopper together with
earwigs, cigarette ash and almost a broomhead. The wine tasting was OK and the wine for
the gala dinner was supplied by them and was very good. We then drove back to Lempdes in
time to prepare for the dinner.
(More later)
Gill
Barry & Gloria’s Belgian
Adventure
The First Meeting - Rochefort
Monday 17th August - we set off for Rochefort and arrived at 8.45pm. The weather had
been great and we set up the tents in semi-darkness and checked out what was going on. Not
a lot by this time as we had missed the main events that had taken place on the weekend.
Tuesday 18th and we still had things to look at, the flea market was there every day,
the bar was open, at night there was also a large camp fire and it was nice and warm.
While we were at the check-in tent that night the 500th person came, that was good news,
it was an Ami Saloon.
Wednesday 19th there was the flea market again and then at around midday they had a
mystery convoy. We had good fun seeing some of the area and meeting up with lots of people
we knew from Australia, Germany as well as from England. We saw Paul & Mary and also
Barry Bowles. Later in the day Ray arrived. After he’d set up his tent we had a touch
of tea then went to the bar. There were a lot of people who were going to Chevetogne so
there was a mixture of cars by now. The weather was still very nice.
Thursday 20th and we started to pack up ready for the off. We’d been told that we
wouldn’t be able to get in until 5pm but people still set off.
The Second Meeting - Chevetogne - 11th
ICCR
We stopped at the Aldi store so when we got to Chevetogne they had let people in
because they were queuing right down the main road. The turn out was more than they had
thought (where’ve we heard that before this year ? - ed.) but we finally got in and
found somewhere to camp with George and Ray. We had a really lovely hot shower and every
one seemed to have headed to the big tent to eat.
Friday 21st - what a change in the weather ! From really hot sunshine to cold wind and
rain that just kept coming ! Peter had gone off the adventure bit for kids with his
friends Matthew and Peter. George, Ray, Louise and I set off in the car. Luckily we got
through as far as the parts and had a good 4 hours looking at parts inside and out. The
rain just kept coming so it was a bit hard to see all of the things. Louise had decided to
go to sleep in my arms.
Gloria was in the tent cold and damp as the tent was trying to leak. We later went back
to the parts to get the car and then went for a meal in a hotel with friends from
Australia and New Zealand. We set off back to the camp site not knowing what we would
find. It was OK.
Saturday 22nd - it was still raining bit it did brighten up for a little while. There
was a lot going on but they had it so spread out. There were some free buses but these
were always full. There was no queuing system, they just barged on so hence so did we. We
found muscles we never knew we had, trying to hold on. Saturday was the day every one was
there for - the cars were being judged in the Concours.
In the evening Gloria & Louise stayed in the tent as Louise was tired. I went with
the others down to the big tent to find the disco and all our friends. We had a really
great time as the band went on until after 2.00am. I then went back for a coffee with our
friends. We had celebrated with a bottle of Champagne they had bought for my birthday (on
the Sunday but they were going home that day so we did it the night before).
Sunday 23rd and Louise woke me very early with my birthday cards (what a shame !) and
we had loads of people come to the tent for breakfast. The rain had stopped. So many
people had gone but we were staying until Monday. Some of the stalls were still there so
we had another last look and we looked in at the museum tent as well. We had an earlyish
night as we were leaving the next day.
Monday 24th - woke to find we were swimming in the bedding area as we had a hole in the
canvas where one of the poles had gone through ! It was no real surprise as we were right
on top of the hill taking all the bad weather. We had breakfast and tried to dry things
off between the showers. We packed up and George had set off on his trip to the Czech
Republic. Ray was staying in Belgium and had gone to find a camp site. Off we set through
some rotten weather but at last Calais was there and we caught an earlier ferry.
All in all I had a great time looking at the parts and meeting all my friends again.
Gloria found the second bit at Chevetogne very wet and boring.
Chevetogne had very nice countryside near the camp site. There was the chateau, loads
of park land, a nature reserve, mini golf, tennis courts, small go-karts. It would have
been very nice if the weather had been better.
Barry & Gloria.
Dates for Your Diary
Nov 10 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley.
Nov 22 Tortoises - Treasure hunt.
Nov 29 2.30pm - Video event - Chez Gill & Bill - Madhatters only - space limited !
Dec 6 Tortoises - Booze cruise.
Dec 8 8.00 pm Christmas Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley.
Dec 26 Tortoises convoy round London’s sites.
Dec 27 The annual Christmas Common Ramble and Lunch - details next month.
1999
Jan 1 Le Fils - New Year’s Day BBQ at Hayling Island - details to follow.
Jan 30 New Year ‘Do’ - Eurostar to Paris - see separate ad. for more
information.
Feb 21 Treasure Hunt/Country Convoy to pub and lunch - details later.
May 13-16 Le Mans - 7th Rencontre des Amis de la 2CV.
July 27-31 Greece - 13th International Meeting of 2CV Friends.
2CVs R US
Barry Annells - 2CVs R US
12a Barton Place, London Road
Burpham, Guildford. GU4 7JT
Tel 01483 576216 Mobile 0468 425358
FOR SALE
1986 2CV6 Spécial. Cream.
MOT to August 1999. 81,000 miles.
Good condition including chassis.
Cosseted, driven only half-yearly.
£1,500. . Tel. 01483 569443
Sweatshirts
These are wonderful. Kirstie Woodman has done a brilliant job. They
arrived via John & Helen (Thames Tortoises and Madhatters) because Helen works with
Kirstie’s husband. What we do to avoid extra costs. They are £15 each and we only
have 25, so come next month and get yours before they all go. They are dark green with a
red and black ‘logo’.
Gill.
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