Advance Warning - Summer 2018 I&i Northern France

[Harold Jones]

I'm sure we can figure out a place to meet up. My Paris tour plan is.

 

13th Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame

14th Les Invalides

15th Musee De Orsay

[sunday]

Just to note, I will be 12th-26th June in Paris, so I will be available there, but nothing outside. I still have to see with a GF for a her plan (I have to be a tourist guide ), but that will not be known until the mid-May.

 

I think you could use the WA link I sent by FB whenever you want to join.

[Leo Niehorster]

I am in Holland with my terminally sick (only) aunt, who is expected to pass away. The date is obviously not set, and I personally hope she recovers.

If able, I will join you, but right now I feel it is tempting fate to book hotels and such.

 

--

Leo

[sunday]

I am in Holland with my terminally sick (only) aunt, who is expected to pass away. The date is obviously not set, and I personally hope she recovers.

If able, I will join you, but right now I feel it is tempting fate to book hotels and such.

 

--

Leo

 

My condolences, Leo.

[Leo Niehorster]

Hi,

Still in Holland on family matter.

 

Please keep us (me) informed what you are doing, so I can at least be with you vicariously. I very much regret missing this year's get together.

 

--

Leo

[bojan]

Sorry, forgot about it , I am no go since GF can not travel before 29th June...

Edited June 5, 2018 by bojan

[Markus Becker]

So far the shedule hasn't changed from what's posted here.

[Allan W]

Not as much as well miss having you join us Leo.

 

Hi,

Still in Holland on family matter.

 

Please keep us (me) informed what you are doing, so I can at least be with you vicariously. I very much regret missing this year's get together.

 

--

Leo

[BansheeOne]

5/6 participants have now arrived. Initial observations: Directions at Charles de Gaulle are posted in French, English and ... Chinese? Hotel area just outside the local beltway is strange mix of old buildings with some modern monstrosities slammed in, heavy with restaurants of any sort. Population is what I consider a typical Parisian mix tending towards urban Anglo-American, lots of blacks, Middle Easterners and some recognizable Jews, but anybody from young hipsters to suit-and-tie types frequenting the restaurants in the evening. Weather is also mixed, cooler than I expected - not necessarily a bad thing.

[BansheeOne]

We're now at half-time in Ypres and having a low-ops day which just enforces itself after about a week in these events; merely looked at the local Great War museum and city ramparts today, all within easy walking distance of the hotel. Yesterday at 2000 hrs caught the daily commemoration ceremony of WW I KIAs at the Meenenport memorial gate around the corner. Unsurprisingly, the place is crawling with Britons in particular, with the advantage that local business has adapted by becoming basically bilingual (not counting Belgian languages other than Flemish).

 

Back in Paris on day one, we visited Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle; I also took an extra photo tour of common sights, having never been to Paris proper before. Day two was dedicated to the Le Bourget Aerospace Museum, day three to Les Invalides; some of us also met with a former intern from my Bundestag office. Ken Estes and wife arrived the same evening, but we met only at breakfast the next morning before leaving for Saumur. There we visited the tank museum and local castle. Yesterday was spent mostly on the road, with stops at various US and Canadian memorials including Vimy Ridge. I will drop out tomorrow to attend to family affairs while the rest continues on to Normandy.

[Ssnake]

Back in Paris on day one, we visited Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle;

 

I always liked Dave's stand-up comedy, but I never considered the thought that the Vatican was such a big fan.

[Harold Jones]

Well you know how the French love American comedians.

[Markus Becker]

We visited the Pegasus Bridge.

 

https://i.imgur.com/Xz91x1Y.jpg

 

Close up.

 

https://i.imgur.com/RjGvFtM.jpg

 

We liked it.

 

https://i.imgur.com/vHZ5UBt.jpg

Edited June 20, 2018 by Markus Becker

[Manic Moran]

I note arrival in London. Are you guys planning on hitting Tankfest this weekend?

[Markus Becker]

No. Except Allan we are heading home today and he wasn't planning to go to Bovington before TF, which is sold out anyway AFAIK.

[Harold Jones]

We traveled something like 1200 miles, visited 15+ museums and visitor centers, 6 major battlefields, saw 3 cathedrals, bushels of swords, acres of bunkers and over 200 tanks and armored vehicles. So I'd say it was a successful I&I.

[BansheeOne]

Not that somebody thinks I'm forgetting about my usual picture AAR, I'm just currently investigating to set up my own NAS for photo hosting, and it may take some time till I'm decided and ready to go.