Been away for 10 years.. what's new??

[incognito]

Would appreciate a bit of help from the experienced here please - I've booked for my bf and I to go for his 40th (a surprise so I'm skulking around a lot at the mo!), but I've never been so I have no idea whether to plan on having BBQs or just buying food in the stands etc.

How to keep food cold for that long without a generator or gas cooler? I'm pretty limited for space in our vehicle (i.e. can't take 2 coolers, one for ice), and also can't do too much conspicuous /suspicious prep activity next week. I've managed to keep it a secret this far despite feeling pretty darn excited about the whole thing ??

Is it easy enough to pop out and get more food & ice for example, or should I expect that once we're there we won't leave the site? We are glamping so car is nearby.

Any top tips?

(I've hidden this post here as he's regularly on PH... thanks for any suggestions)

Edited by incognito on Saturday 3rd June 15:59

[delta0]

Depending on where you are staying there are a number of supermarkets outside of the circuit.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/post.asp?h=0&a...
The Super U in Arnage is closest to most of the campsites as far as I am aware. From the top of Beausejour it is a 40 min walk or 5 min drive. I wouldn't recommend driving on Friday unless early, any later and you will get caught in traffic and mad Friday. I plan on getting food before I arrive at the track on Thursday. Then Friday morning I will pop out to the Super U and also buy ice or anything cheap and frozen to keep things cool. I'm also taking a cool bag with a lot of 2l bottles that I will pre-freeze before leaving. They will stay frozen for a long time depending on how good the cool bag is. Saturday and Sunday I will eat at the track. I don't think the shops are open on Sunday

[MrC986]

It's admirable that you're planning such a surprise for your other half though in the interests of easing stress (remember you're on PH here), you might want to break the news to him a few days before you go as he'll enjoy the build-up/panic & can help you do the last minute organising.

You haven't said where you are camping, though Beer Mountain have a good kit list worth having a look at, & if you haven't done a race event like this before, portable radios, ear phones & ear defenders (don't buy cheap ones as you get what you pay for) & ear plugs are worth getting organised. If you've noise cancelling headphones get them ready too.

The weather has been in the past few years unpredictable so you should assume you need to be prepared for cool/hot/wet all in 24 hrs! Good luck & have fun

PS if you need any help off-forum, turn your email setting to 'on' so people can email you

[JagerT]

A lot of the sites do catering,should think if you're glamping they will do.

[BeeGT]

I assume you're on one of the main campsites at the circuit; we take enough food to cook a meal (BBQ) on the Wednesday night when we arrive and for some brekkie on Thursday morning. Then we shop locally/ eat at Arnage / eat in Le Mans city centre. It took us a couple of years to work out the supermarket directions so just ask your campsite neighbour and perhaps follow them when they go.

If you don't have grandstands then pack folding chairs for race day, and you'll both need personal FM radios to keep up with the race.

[incognito]

Thanks everyone !! We are staying in the glamping event tents run by the organisers. Looking at the map they are at the edge of
Beausejour.

Sounds like, pack a cooler with some essentials and lots of ice and it'll be fine to top up from local shops after a day or two. Or just do the easy option.

I've got one radio - does everyone need their own? Is the race too loud to hear it on speaker really?

What about things like water supply and washing pots ? Are there any taps to refill buckets / water carriers with?

Am now contemplating just telling him. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd figured it out anyway 😊

[Output Flange]

You definitely need a radio each.

There will be taps dotted around the campsite.

[MrC986]

incognito said:

Thanks everyone !! We are staying in the glamping event tents run by the organisers. Looking at the map they are at the edge of
Beausejour.

Sounds like, pack a cooler with some essentials and lots of ice and it'll be fine to top up from local shops after a day or two. Or just do the easy option.

I've got one radio - does everyone need their own? Is the race too loud to hear it on speaker really?

What about things like water supply and washing pots ? Are there any taps to refill buckets / water carriers with?

Am now contemplating just telling him. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd figured it out anyway ??

If you want to listen to the action, and your phones have radios, then take 2 sets of ear phones as you'll need them to hear the commentary during the race, ideally with ear defenders over the top as it is NOISY If you're on a Glamping site, they'll have decent facilities though if you fancy a brew, then it's worth taking a camping stove and a washing up bowl etc, They will have cold water (not for drinking). If you want to surprise him, show him the Le Mans Sock Story article you'll find using the forum search function & say, "does this really happen if we went?!"

Keep us informed of your subterfuge

[incognito]

Ok awesome thanks for all the pointers

I've caved and told him! I started to get worried I'd miss something that he'd really want to have there... and I had no idea how I was going to hide the massive cooler I've just ordered when it's delivered later this week

He had pretty much twigged, mainly because there is so much activity on PH about it right now and he knew the dates I'd made him book off. Damn you all !

Anyway he's super excited ! Win !!

Will def look up the sock story... sounds intriguing ....

[MrC986]

incognito said:

Ok awesome thanks for all the pointers

I've caved and told him! I started to get worried I'd miss something that he'd really want to have there... and I had no idea how I was going to hide the massive cooler I've just ordered when it's delivered later this week

He had pretty much twigged, mainly because there is so much activity on PH about it right now and he knew the dates I'd made him book off. Damn you all !

Anyway he's super excited ! Win !!

Will def look up the sock story... sounds intriguing ....

Top marks to you for such a great effort/surprise - make sure you post a picture of you both whilst you're there & get yourselves down to the Classic British Welcome with PH (get there early if you can). You'll have an amazing time

[DJFish]

Don't worry too much about forgetting vital kit, you can buy virtually anything from the hypermarkets, plus there's a Decathlon on the N138 for camping kit.

[incognito]

Toilet paper was already on the list thankfully, but earning heeded!! I love merguez though, will have to exercise restraint

What I hadn't mentioned on here is that I've also planned for his best mate and OH to come as well. Was trying to keep that a surprise but then was queried about the need for a massive cool box .... busted!!

Will def post a pic of us all

[MrC986]

incognito said:

Toilet paper was already on the list thankfully, but earning heeded!! I love merguez though, will have to exercise restraint

What I hadn't mentioned on here is that I've also planned for his best mate and OH to come as well. Was trying to keep that a surprise but then was queried about the need for a massive cool box .... busted!!

Will def post a pic of us all

Incognito, you should have honourary hero status for your actions

PS if it's a well organised Glamping operation, they should provide loo roll, though it's always best to have some spare, especially when you're off exploring

[RevsPerMinute]

The Surveyor said:

Other thing to watch is that they won't allow you to take beer into the track areas, the days of strolling in for the night shift with a rucksack full of stubbies has sadly gone. You can get them in, but you do need to be a little more cunning.

Really? We did with cans - last year - with great success!

[Output Flange]

The issue is glass, not beer.

[Caterbroon]

MrC986 said:

If you want to listen to the action, and your phones have radios, then take 2 sets of ear phones as you'll need them to hear the commentary during the race, ideally with ear defenders over the top as it is NOISY If you're on a Glamping site, they'll have decent facilities though if you fancy a brew, then it's worth taking a camping stove and a washing up bowl etc, They will have cold water (not for drinking). If you want to surprise him, show him the Le Mans Sock Story article you'll find using the forum search function & say, "does this really happen if we went?!"

Keep us informed of your subterfuge

If you are staying with Travel Destinations then they will provide you with a goodie bag which contains a small radio / ear piece. Have fun.

[RevsPerMinute]

Caterbroon said:

If you are staying with Travel Destinations then they will provide you with a goodie bag which contains a small radio / ear piece. Have fun.

I heard that radios werent in the goodie bags despatched this year!

[Caterbroon]

RevsPerMinute said:

I heard that radios werent in the goodie bags despatched this year!

They have been in the bags handed out on arrival in previous years. They have also contained a mug and some stickers I think.

[lowdrag]

After finishing my photography on Sunday I asked for a half pint at the bar. They didn't understand but I ended up with a pint. I speak fluent French by the way, but it was a different kind of French when they charged me ten euros! Since 2006, prices have gone through the roof. Be prepared.

[Output Flange]

Wow. That's quite a jump since last year!