LeCruiser
Active Member
Due to the success of last year's 4x4 WW1 battlefield tour, we're doing it again!
The main route will take us on roads and tracks past some of the most significant monuments, memorials and cemeteries of The Battle of the Somme. The forces involved had suffered more than 1 million casualties, making it one of the bloodiest military operations ever recorded. More info here: [link]http://www.cwgc.org/somme/[/link]
Many cemeteries are off the main road network and we will use our 4x4's to visit some that receive fewer visitors due to their extra rural location.
You will have commentary and information from two Commonwealth War Graves Commission employees, Carl & Nigel, who have worked in cemeteries and memorials across Europe. They will have an array of information leaflets, DVD's and small souvenirs to give out all included as part of the tour. Any children taking part can be given an exclusive 'Education Pack' to take back to their schools which will impress their teachers
You will get chance to pause, reflect and experience the Visitor Centres en route. If there's a particular cemetery or war grave you'd like to visit please let us know and we will do our best to incorporate it into the tour.
Here's the plan:
Friday 28th: Meet at Dover Eastern Docks for the 10:15 Ferry (check in 9:30)
Arrive Calais approx 13:00 local time and head towards the Somme area; approximately 100 miles from Calais. We will make a stop en route at a significant memorial and also for fuel as it's cheaper over there! We'll then head down to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's French HQ where we'll be given a talk from one of their top people as to what they do - an extremely informative visit, followed by a guided tour of their facilities, where amongst many other things they engrave more than 20,000 new headstones every year! Afterwards, we'll head down to the campsite (or hotel/B&B for those that want it - at extra cost) to set up. In the evening, for those that would like to, we'll pop down the road to a lovely restaurant where a sumptuous 4 course meal awaits followed by a bit of banter back at camp.
Saturday 29th: WW1 battlefield tour visiting just a few significant places, we will using tracks and lanes as much as possible, but nothing extreme - softroaders are fine. We will visit the Albert Museum in the afternoon (included)
Sunday 30th: Sunday morning will be spent visiting a few more local memorials, museums and visitor centres or if you prefer, you can just take in the quiet rural French life at a local cafe or market. The afternoon can be spent making your way back to Calais (Approx 80 miles) at your own pace to arrive around 17:00 for the 18:00 ferry. Back in England for about 6:30pm.
The cost will be £175 per vehicle, driver and 1 passenger
Vehicles must be under 2.4m high and less than 6m in length. a £20 supplement applies for additional passengers.
We require a non refundable deposit of £75 to secure your booking with the remaining balance to be paid by 1st June 2013
As last year we are also planning to eat at a very nice restaurant on Friday evening. Cost is £25 pp which includes 4 courses and wine. Please indicate on the booking form, which you will be sent after we receive your deposit, if you would like this option. Everybody went last year and it is highly recommended.
What's included:
Return ferry crossing
Camping
Guided tour
Information packs
A trip to remember!
What's not included:
Food and refreshments
Extras at campsite (electric hook up, showers, additional tents etc)
Hotel (if you prefer that option)
Fuel
Tolls (approx €12 each way)
Visits to museums and visitor centres outside of the tour
Restaurant on Friday evening
Booking is via the FWDC website forum http://forum.fourwheeldriveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=15308 but please PM me with any questions.
Here's a few pics from last year:
The main route will take us on roads and tracks past some of the most significant monuments, memorials and cemeteries of The Battle of the Somme. The forces involved had suffered more than 1 million casualties, making it one of the bloodiest military operations ever recorded. More info here: [link]http://www.cwgc.org/somme/[/link]
Many cemeteries are off the main road network and we will use our 4x4's to visit some that receive fewer visitors due to their extra rural location.
You will have commentary and information from two Commonwealth War Graves Commission employees, Carl & Nigel, who have worked in cemeteries and memorials across Europe. They will have an array of information leaflets, DVD's and small souvenirs to give out all included as part of the tour. Any children taking part can be given an exclusive 'Education Pack' to take back to their schools which will impress their teachers
You will get chance to pause, reflect and experience the Visitor Centres en route. If there's a particular cemetery or war grave you'd like to visit please let us know and we will do our best to incorporate it into the tour.
Here's the plan:
Friday 28th: Meet at Dover Eastern Docks for the 10:15 Ferry (check in 9:30)
Arrive Calais approx 13:00 local time and head towards the Somme area; approximately 100 miles from Calais. We will make a stop en route at a significant memorial and also for fuel as it's cheaper over there! We'll then head down to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's French HQ where we'll be given a talk from one of their top people as to what they do - an extremely informative visit, followed by a guided tour of their facilities, where amongst many other things they engrave more than 20,000 new headstones every year! Afterwards, we'll head down to the campsite (or hotel/B&B for those that want it - at extra cost) to set up. In the evening, for those that would like to, we'll pop down the road to a lovely restaurant where a sumptuous 4 course meal awaits followed by a bit of banter back at camp.
Saturday 29th: WW1 battlefield tour visiting just a few significant places, we will using tracks and lanes as much as possible, but nothing extreme - softroaders are fine. We will visit the Albert Museum in the afternoon (included)
Sunday 30th: Sunday morning will be spent visiting a few more local memorials, museums and visitor centres or if you prefer, you can just take in the quiet rural French life at a local cafe or market. The afternoon can be spent making your way back to Calais (Approx 80 miles) at your own pace to arrive around 17:00 for the 18:00 ferry. Back in England for about 6:30pm.
The cost will be £175 per vehicle, driver and 1 passenger
Vehicles must be under 2.4m high and less than 6m in length. a £20 supplement applies for additional passengers.
We require a non refundable deposit of £75 to secure your booking with the remaining balance to be paid by 1st June 2013
As last year we are also planning to eat at a very nice restaurant on Friday evening. Cost is £25 pp which includes 4 courses and wine. Please indicate on the booking form, which you will be sent after we receive your deposit, if you would like this option. Everybody went last year and it is highly recommended.
What's included:
Return ferry crossing
Camping
Guided tour
Information packs
A trip to remember!
What's not included:
Food and refreshments
Extras at campsite (electric hook up, showers, additional tents etc)
Hotel (if you prefer that option)
Fuel
Tolls (approx €12 each way)
Visits to museums and visitor centres outside of the tour
Restaurant on Friday evening
Booking is via the FWDC website forum http://forum.fourwheeldriveclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=15308 but please PM me with any questions.
Here's a few pics from last year:
