Never again.....
Discussion
Me and mrsrlw had decided to make this the last one as we have got a bit bored with it all. The racing its-self has got a bit samey over the years, we've done scrutineering, we've done the drivers parade, we've been in the paddock in the days when they used to rebuild the engine for the race, pissed in the same toilets as Steve McQueen and Derek Bell and Jacky Ickx. We've been on top of the old pits, out at Arnage and Mulsanne corners when there were no lights, we've eaten in the old Restaurant des Vingt-Quatres Heures when ther wasw nothing between you and the cars and the tables used to shake when they went past.
We've been to all the chateaux, all the churches and abbeys, all the historic sites etc etc probably within a hundred mile radius, we've done everything there is to do really on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and have just got bored. This year we went to Chateauneuf-sur-Sarthe for lunch by the river to discover the place had closed, a bit like the old Grand-Hotel in Chateau du Loir (now happily re-open) and were well pissed off. Went into LM to do a bit of shopping and it was just the same as ever, couldn't get lunch as it was too late so made do with a supermarket sandwich and a Coke. Nothing new in ths shops and the new look square is f
king horrible.
Friday it pissed down and we went out to look at the chateau at Serrant (which we had never seen) and found ourselves in St Georges sur Loir where we had a three course lunch in a proper French restaurant, all beautifully prepared and presented - cost? 12.90 Euro each. This was more like it. The sun came out and we visited the chateau and took the guided tour which was quite something as it is still very much lived in and has been used to entertain the famous and powerful over the years. We had a great trip back - thanks to mrsrlw skills with the map - along the banks of the Loire via Angers and it turned into a beautiful evening.
Nice dinner at our hotel and an early night with some comments about this being it, the last one and we had better make the best of it. Not looking forward to our seats either as the ACO ticketing fkup mean't we were down in Wollek, uncovered and crappy, but by the start of the pit straight. As it turned out, apart from the pain in the arse people who couldn't count or sit down, the seats were bloody good if hard. Sat there for five hours and couldn't feel my arse when we eventually moved.
So, it turned out to be a good race, not too busy either and we got out to Arnage on Sunday morning for a few hours which was very exciting as always. At the end we took a very slow walk back through the village and out to the Dunlop bridge, taking it all in and making the best of our last trip. Our 35th as it happens. Next year, we are watching it on the TV, saving around £1200 - hotels/tickets/petrol - and seeing all the race from the comfort of our sofa.
As I stepped out of the shower on Monday morning, mrsrlw was looking at her slightly sunburned parting. She turned to me and said "next year I had better remember to bring a hat"........................
We've been to all the chateaux, all the churches and abbeys, all the historic sites etc etc probably within a hundred mile radius, we've done everything there is to do really on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and have just got bored. This year we went to Chateauneuf-sur-Sarthe for lunch by the river to discover the place had closed, a bit like the old Grand-Hotel in Chateau du Loir (now happily re-open) and were well pissed off. Went into LM to do a bit of shopping and it was just the same as ever, couldn't get lunch as it was too late so made do with a supermarket sandwich and a Coke. Nothing new in ths shops and the new look square is f
king horrible.Friday it pissed down and we went out to look at the chateau at Serrant (which we had never seen) and found ourselves in St Georges sur Loir where we had a three course lunch in a proper French restaurant, all beautifully prepared and presented - cost? 12.90 Euro each. This was more like it. The sun came out and we visited the chateau and took the guided tour which was quite something as it is still very much lived in and has been used to entertain the famous and powerful over the years. We had a great trip back - thanks to mrsrlw skills with the map - along the banks of the Loire via Angers and it turned into a beautiful evening.
Nice dinner at our hotel and an early night with some comments about this being it, the last one and we had better make the best of it. Not looking forward to our seats either as the ACO ticketing f
kup mean't we were down in Wollek, uncovered and crappy, but by the start of the pit straight. As it turned out, apart from the pain in the arse people who couldn't count or sit down, the seats were bloody good if hard. Sat there for five hours and couldn't feel my arse when we eventually moved.So, it turned out to be a good race, not too busy either and we got out to Arnage on Sunday morning for a few hours which was very exciting as always. At the end we took a very slow walk back through the village and out to the Dunlop bridge, taking it all in and making the best of our last trip. Our 35th as it happens. Next year, we are watching it on the TV, saving around £1200 - hotels/tickets/petrol - and seeing all the race from the comfort of our sofa.
As I stepped out of the shower on Monday morning, mrsrlw was looking at her slightly sunburned parting. She turned to me and said "next year I had better remember to bring a hat"........................
Regretted going up to the main area / village and think that next year will do the half price Arnage / Mulsanne areas only.
Stood at Tetre rouge for the start and saw less than I ever have before, so shuttled back to Mulsanne where I stayed.
Then of course next year might just camp off site and give the rest a miss. The OP's tour and eating out beats the hassle of this years frustrations of gridlock roads and mad friday shenanigans. And toilets that are worse than those at Sangatte :-)
Stood at Tetre rouge for the start and saw less than I ever have before, so shuttled back to Mulsanne where I stayed.
Then of course next year might just camp off site and give the rest a miss. The OP's tour and eating out beats the hassle of this years frustrations of gridlock roads and mad friday shenanigans. And toilets that are worse than those at Sangatte :-)
Fair enough, made me smile that did.
Contrastingly that was the best yet. Not sure how we'll get it better TBH.
Fantastic sunny drive down on some superb back roads we've sorted out, lovely lunch at Lyons La Foret, meal and lively night at our local where we stay.
Friday weather was pants but got round all the traffic and in and out of St Saturnin OK. Drivers parade was buzzing and , as always, the town is rocking on Friday night. The free Nissan Jukebox set up outside Le Comptoir was bloody fantastic.
Great race, from front row grandstand seats, couple of hours in the Guiness tent and a break back in town on the tram for dinner. Some night racing and a visit to Mulsanne.
Trip out to the Hotel De France after the finish and another good run back with lunch at Honfleur.
Even got an earlier train
I have nothing but good things to say about the citizens of Le Mans , my experience of them are all entirely positive
Contrastingly that was the best yet. Not sure how we'll get it better TBH.
Fantastic sunny drive down on some superb back roads we've sorted out, lovely lunch at Lyons La Foret, meal and lively night at our local where we stay.
Friday weather was pants but got round all the traffic and in and out of St Saturnin OK. Drivers parade was buzzing and , as always, the town is rocking on Friday night. The free Nissan Jukebox set up outside Le Comptoir was bloody fantastic.
Great race, from front row grandstand seats, couple of hours in the Guiness tent and a break back in town on the tram for dinner. Some night racing and a visit to Mulsanne.
Trip out to the Hotel De France after the finish and another good run back with lunch at Honfleur.
Even got an earlier train
I have nothing but good things to say about the citizens of Le Mans , my experience of them are all entirely positive
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