A quiet campsite - we need a few more people

[wsn03]

FARP said:

Tried you profile won’t allow emails just yet

Don't know how that undid itself, it should work now, let me know if it doesn't

[wsn03]

LM24Nut said:

I'll have to swing by this site and say "hello" when I'm at LM 2020.

That would be good.

[wsn03]

ALL - just to advise
NO DEPOSITS WILL BE REQUIRED....cash to the owner on arrival

[wsn03]

It's looking good - our unsung hero (Piston heads user on here) who helped me get into the site in the first place 3 years ago, has had words and has been told a toilet block has been built.

There is a meeting with the site due in first week December according to the message he left - if facilities can be seen we will be fully sorted!

I need to re-emphasise - you don't need to book as such, and no money is required up front until you actually arrive.
I was just taking names to add pressure to the owner regarding numbers I can get for him if he pulls his socks up.

I'll start contacting people individually shortly - I'll send out a standard message checking who is still planning to use it, and then I'll forward the details of where etc.

[wsn03]

B'stard Child said:

Question

Will it be avaliable for the classic?

I will find out, but I think almost certainly yes - I think he is there all yr round, would take anything

[wsn03]

Jim on the hill said:

This sounds great, booked up for 2020 but not a site to stay at yet. Please keep me updated as I would much prefer to support someone local and be surrounded by Phers than randoms.

I will add you to the list, and will write to you shortly

[wsn03]

Our PH France based friend has sorted a meeting with the campsite for 1st week in December to check out the new washroom.

So I'll write to everyone to check interest is still on shortly, then I'll give him a list of tent numbers to take with him - based on last yr I cant see any issues with space.

No deposit is required, but price will be confirmed in December. Im going to push for 125 euro per pitch for 4 nights ( this yr was 150 so be prepared for that).

Unless my friend or his friend take over the bookings it will be cash on arrival to the owner.

The only downside to mention is the drone of dual carriageway traffic some 30 mtrs away through the trees - we got used to it but it does seem to go through the night. That said we have stayed other sites including luxury ones and Tetre Rouge, and wouldn't swap this place for any of them.

Most importantly PLEASE KEEP THE LOCATION A SECRET, we want it to stay as a quiet site.

Lookout for emails next week.

Ive got a group of 13 this year. We do a nice little trip to a decent eatery on the Mulsanne straight plus another top spot im definitely not allowed to mention (flesh eating bears and giant tree spiders). If anyone using this campsite wants to tag along on race day they can:
Bicycles ( we taking folding ones with us) and hi viz jackets (so we don't lose anyone on the way back).

Edited by wsn03 on Saturday 5th October 16:39

Edited by wsn03 on Saturday 5th October 16:40

[wsn03]

LM24Nut said:

wsn03 said:

Our PH France based friend has sorted a meeting with the campsite for 1st week in December to check out the new washroom.

So I'll write to everyone to check interest is still on shortly, then I'll give him a list of tent numbers to take with him - based on last yr I cant see any issues with space.

No deposit is required, but price will be confirmed in December. Im going to push for 125 euro per pitch for 4 nights ( this yr was 150 so be prepared for that).

Unless my friend or his friend take over the bookings it will be cash on arrival to the owner.

The only downside to mention is the drone of dual carriageway traffic some 30 mtrs away through the trees - we got used to it but it does seem to go through the night. That said we have stayed other sites including luxury ones and Tetre Rouge, and wouldn't swap this place for any of them.

Most importantly PLEASE KEEP THE LOCATION A SECRET, we want it to stay as a quiet site.

Lookout for emails next week.

Ive got a group of 13 this year. We do a nice little trip to a decent eatery on the Mulsanne straight plus another top spot im definitely not allowed to mention (flesh eating bears and giant tree spiders). If anyone using this campsite wants to tag along on race day they can:
Bicycles ( we taking folding ones with us) and hi viz jackets (so we don't lose anyone on the way back).

Edited by wsn03 on Saturday 5th October 16:39

Edited by wsn03 on Saturday 5th October 16:40

This has become quite an exciting thread.

Ha...agreed, wasn't sure anyone would be even remotely interested! Could develop into a nice little gathering

[wsn03]

Cass63 said:

When you say its roughly £125 a pitch , do you mean per group, I’ve been keeping tabs on this thread as it seems ideal for our group, there’s six of us normally with 1 motorhome and 3 tents.

Definitely per pitch - that is what he has been charging us for THU to SUN

2017 he charged 100 euro / tent - some basic facilities
2018 he charged 150 euro / tent (200 for a motorhome with electric) - no facilities at all

So he has been inconsistent and in 2018 poor value. Our PH friend will either get him to fix a price or perhaps takeover the site / booking himself - either way I'm asking to pay 125 Euro per tent pitch for next year, and will get the amount confirmed in December.

Edited by wsn03 on Monday 7th October 11:01

[wsn03]

RC1807 said:

£150 / tent or £200 / motorhome is steep, isn't it - when there are rudimentary services? OK, electricity and quiet is noted.

I know we were on the (refugee camp) of Bleu Nord again this year, but we had a block of 4 pitches from Team Langoustine for about £300 on which we had 2 cars, 5 tents / people, and an event shelter. BN's stters and showers were good this year.

5 tents on your chap's area would be £750 vs. £300

I'm just sending out standard message to everyone interested - ignore my comments about possibly cheaper than the main sites! Just spotted what RC1807 wrote a while back on the subject.

I'm going to ask 125 euro as per previous, noting it isn't cheap compared, though it is a hell of a lot nicer than the refugee camps - hopefully this is around the right price for something in nice settings with working facilities. We paid 150 last year and didn't mind, but we just like the place, but I'm guessing 125 is a fairer price per pitch?!?

[wsn03]

UPDATE:

Ok I have sent out the latest information to everyone who expressed an interest - what is happening, what I need from you etc.
If I have missed anyone please let me know.

You now have my contact details and can keep posting questions on this thread.

I'll be confirming the inspection being ok (I hope) and the cost / how / when / who to pay in early to mid December.

[wsn03]

itcaptainslow said:

Received that, thanks. I’m hoping the owner decides installing shower facilities is a good idea!

He's saying he has, but I need my PH friend to verify it in December

[wsn03]

Jim on the hill said:

wsn03 said:

UPDATE:

Ok I have sent out the latest information to everyone who expressed an interest - what is happening, what I need from you etc.
If I have missed anyone please let me know.

You now have my contact details and can keep posting questions on this thread.

I'll be confirming the inspection being ok (I hope) and the cost / how / when / who to pay in early to mid December.

Nothing received yet

Sorry about that. I'll send /resend later

[wsn03]

Jim on the hill said:

wsn03 said:

UPDATE:

Ok I have sent out the latest information to everyone who expressed an interest - what is happening, what I need from you etc.
If I have missed anyone please let me know.

You now have my contact details and can keep posting questions on this thread.

I'll be confirming the inspection being ok (I hope) and the cost / how / when / who to pay in early to mid December.

Nothing received yet

Ok just sent (or re-sent), hopefully you get it. Cheers

[wsn03]

B'stard Child said:

My Group for Classic next year is up to 12 cars so far (likely to be 24 people - ie 2 people per tent) I'm expecting to end up with a group of 14- 16 cars

That's a big group, thank you for letting me know, I'll add it to the list

[wsn03]

B'stard Child said:

wsn03 said:

B'stard Child said:

My Group for Classic next year is up to 12 cars so far (likely to be 24 people - ie 2 people per tent) I'm expecting to end up with a group of 14- 16 cars

That's a big group, thank you for letting me know, I'll add it to the list

I was a bit concerned regarding capacity for that many but I figured as it's for the Classic and it's not as well attended as the normal 24Hrs it would probably be OK??

If I need to cap the group please give me an idea on the number - you've been at the site several times - my criteria is a good sized pitch space (ie not tents on tents) most places have a pitch "dimension" but I can see not so much for this one.

If there is space for more and you don't have other takers for the Classic I can can increase the number of slots open to the group - that's your call

You're the only person down for the classic, and as he has no booking system or anything in English I would guess he's as empty for the classic as he is the normal 24 Le Mans.

The 24hr Moto is probably slightly bigger in numbers than the classic, and he was empty, all the other sites were full.

I reckon you could comfortably get at least 30 - 40 tents in, parking without too much trouble for 20 cars...assuming the bottom car park is empty as it normally is, plenty can park along the lane.

If he had a ramp onto the grass cars could park on the grass next to the tents.

The limiting factor is the washrooms - how many toilets and how many showers. When my PH friend goes to check it out first week in December I'll let you know. Definitely ok for the number you've already put in, but if the facilities are plenty you can bring many more.

Hopefully my PH friend finds a way to viably sub-let it, with numbers like this it would be worth it, and he would run it properly / handle any issues.

We will know all in December.

[wsn03]

B'stard Child said:

wsn03 said:

You're the only person down for the classic, and as he has no booking system or anything in English I would guess he's as empty for the classic as he is the normal 24 Le Mans.

OK so this could work quite well and I have some scope to go over on my numbers it's early days yet

wsn03 said:

I reckon you could comfortably get at least 30 - 40 tents in, parking without too much trouble for 20 cars...assuming the bottom car park is empty as it normally is, plenty can park along the lane.

If he had a ramp onto the grass cars could park on the grass next to the tents.

This would always be a car enthusiasts preference but first year probably livable

wsn03 said:

The limiting factor is the washrooms - how many toilets and how many showers. When my PH friend goes to check it out first week in December I'll let you know. Definitely ok for the number you've already put in, but if the facilities are plenty you can bring many more.

Hopefully my PH friend finds a way to viably sub-let it, with numbers like this it would be worth it, and he would run it properly / handle any issues.

We will know all in December.

The toilets/showers is the critical point - acceptable facilities and my group would be happy there - they are used to a basic std of what I call "transportable toilets" - the towable sort with split Male/Female 3 in each side for 500 people and warm Portaloo Showers so not the ultimate in luxury - just acceptable for a few days

stting in the woods and cold hosepipe shower and we need to find an alternative

if we said max 20 people, 10 cars, 10 pitches (2 people per tent) and 125 Euro per pitch then 1250 Euro in total?

He did a makeshift ramp in 2018 for some French guys, you're only talking about 4-6 inches. I will tell my PH friend to ask him for some proper ramps - they could easily be made with 4 or 5 access points. It will make parking better.

Everything hinges on the facilities - our PH friend will advise in Dec when he's looked at them. I hope its not a hole in the ground and a bucket! This guy was able to show me the hosepipe, and how to use it, without so much as even a grin on his face this year. At least last year it had like a makeshift surround, this year nothing because the surround got destroyed by the wind! I remember the first time he showed me the makeshift surround with hosepipe shower I was thinking oh ffs...is this a f*ckin joke? I was properly p1ssed off, amazing how quickly I got over it after a couple of tins had been opened sat in all that space with a view of the forest and absolutely no d1ckheads with loud music though! But this guy is on a different planet, although to be fair to him the landscaping is very high standard, the place looks really good, so who knows? I'm quietly optimistic.

I'm definitely targetting 125 Euro, its more than 2018, and more than some other sites nearer etc I think....plus I've now got him lots of punters, I'm sure that's better than the 1 tent he had this year (besides my group).

Lets hope Dec brings decent feedback. I would also be happier if my PH friend takes over looking after it if he could make it work - issues like ramps etc could be sorted easily as he is local some of the year. We shall see.

Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 15th October 13:26

Edited by wsn03 on Tuesday 15th October 13:28

[wsn03]

All
The site visit did not go well.
Im very sad to report this site does not look like it will have proper facilities in place.

Im hugely disappointed more by the dishonesty than anything else, we've been lied to.

Trying to give everyone a heads up to give you time to make alternative arrangements, thinking Im probably going to consider the same.

[wsn03]

Further update, site owner has contacted my friend in France with promises of "a" shower in April.

I suggest I'll stay there in June, see if its any good, then I'll advise its suitability for 2021. I cannot risk trusting things to be satisfactory for 2020, based on the past and the present.

I wish I could find as good a location for what we need, but including the peace and quiet element I simply can't, even if I have to dig a hole in the woods!

[wsn03]

B'stard Child said:

wsn03 said:

Further update, site owner has contacted my friend in France with promises of "a" shower in April.

April is always the month for showers

On a serious note I really do wonder why he can’t see the benefit of putting some decent facilities in, actually maybe I do - is he flying under the radar “planning”, “land usage” or “tax” wise and hence the promises never materialise

Shame really - Thanks for all your efforts but I’ll have to start looking elsewhere for the 2020 classic

Oh ffs...that's probably what he meant by a shower in April

I do suspect you are right regarding planning, land usage, tax! Ha, nothing would surprise me.
Real waste of an opportunity though, the place could be a little gold mine.

I wish I could find somewhere that suited our itinerary better, but for what we personally do its the best we can find, especially because of the location. But this year we could answer the question - do bears st i the woods? We don't know, but humans do at this campsite! Not good. That said you get satisfyingly used to it after a while

Makes you really appreciate the hotel on the way home mind....