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French Tour 2007

Hi all!
Roger & I went over to France last week to check out the proposed course, accommodation and eating/drinking places for this autumn's trip.

golf The course is at Villeneuve sur Lot Golf Club which is about 12km north of VsL and close to a 'semi-deserted' and run-down village called Castelnaud de Gratecambe.

The course is 20 years old, though I suspect that only 9 holes are that old, and was very wet after a winter of rain. The greens, however, were excellent and though they didn't look it, were quite quick and the same speed as the practice putting green. The course is quite hilly but rarely as steep as, say, the first few holes at Lostwithiel. Roger and I would be quite happy to walk it for 18 holes a day but more than that might nudge us into thoughts of a buggy, 20 of which are available on site for hire.

The main clubhouse building suffered a major fire last August and was so badly damaged that it will need to be demolished, which is a shame because it was a nice big traditional ex-farmhouse building in the local style. The bar/restaurant is now an improvised and quite small one with a larger outdoor decked seating and table area. The food available is good, freshly cooked and varied. We just had a main course only lunch for about £5.50 but the option exists, lunchtime and evenings, for either 'starter + main course' or 'main course + dessert' for about £8 or all 3 courses for about £11.50. I repeat, the grub is good; not that 'croque monsieur' crap served at most breton clubhouses.

bed The apartment we're proposing has 4 twin-bedded rooms each with it's own bath/shower-room/toilet.

There is also a large lounge area, fully fitted kitchen, washing machine room and decked terrace area which is roughly 12 feet from the practice putting green and 50 yards from the first tee. The quality standard of the apartment is comparable to that of Brora last year, but without the fluffy dressing gowns and slippers!

I am trying to get the golf club management to commit to a package price for accommodation, golf, and all meals but, because the club is being taken over by 'Biarritz Golf' within the next few months, they have not yet confirmed anything and seem reluctant to do so. They will, however, and this may be the best (least restrictive) option, confirm a booking for the apartment at 644 euros for the 4 nights and golf at 44.50 euros per round - which includes the 'resident's discount of 25%. (These numbers roughly equate to £55 per person for 4 nights accommodation and £30.50 per round of golf). exeter

At the time of writing this, and it will increase as the flights fill up, the return air fare including taxes is £86.25 plus £34 return for the golf clubs = £120.25. This figure allows for each person carrying 10kg of hand luggage in a bag of maximum dimensions 50 x 30 x 23cm. This is quite adequate for the 5 day duration but must not, as we found out to our cost last week, contain and liquids, gels, aerosols or creams in (individual) quantities greater than 100ml! bergerac airport

The flight leaves Exeter on Monday October 15th at 10.15am and arrives at Bergerac at 12.55pm.

We would then collect two Renault Kangoos (van conversions with 5 seats and enough stowage for four sets of clubs and 4 hand luggages each) and drive into Bergerac for a quick walk around (very pretty old town), coffee and sandwich. Drive to golf course in less than one hour in time for 9 holes before unpacking. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: play 18 in morning and then maybe more in afternoon (probably at extra cost) or sightsee (beautiful area full of very old towns and villages dating back to 12th/13th century). Dermot, the Dublin born greenkeeper, wants to arrange a match between his 8 and our 8 to be followed by a meal and then getting drunk together on one of the days!

car The diesel engined Renault Kangoo is quite comfortable and only cost £76 + fuel for 4 days hire.

The Friday October 19th return flight leaves Bergerac at 13.20pm and arrives at Exeter at 13.55pm.

Gary, regrettably, cannot go with us this autumn because of baby bathing duties. We, therefore, need to find one more compatible soul to make up the party of 8 - assuming that the other seven want to go!

Jason Gay, whom I bumped into in Aldi's about 2 months ago, expressed an interest. I am not sure; I like Jason a lot but, without Gary who is of similar age, would he not be 'bored' with a bunch of old fatrs like us? Sorry Roy! Alan suggested Alan Tucker who might be ideal as he may not be able to do the spring Brittany trip. What do you think about Jason and Alan, or maybe you have another suggestion?