Planning - Camp Nirvana

[Butters]

Ok peeps, as of the Bank Holiday weekend and the realisation of just how close this is now I am really getting excited about the trip but also realise that I still have so much to sort out! That's my long list of things to pack or purchase but wondered if we out to think about the space as a group.

I think that I am right in saying Andy (HardcorePrawn) has saved a designated area for our PN group. Once we get there should we think about how best to use it? OK so realistically it will be a turn up and work it out kinda thing but is it worth creating a bit of a PN communal area in the middle of our space with two or three gazeebos and a couple of tables. I am just wondering whether a little forward thinking and pooling certain resources might make for a more sociable and user friendly area for us all to enjoy? :leaving:

A couple of gazebos, a generator, a string of lights and some tables and chairs can make for a great base from which everyone can plan their assault on the various parts of the weekend. :coolgleamA:

Also another thing to note is that in this Month's EVO magazine which arrived through my door on Saturday is what looks like a great guide to Le Mans. I've been before but it's always good to get another perspective on what is such a vast weekend. No doubt there is great load of things to see that I have missed before...

James.

[Graebob]

Don't do what we did last time. Consult EVO guide, think it's awesome, leave it on coffee table in house after leaving in an excited rush :nopity:

Also I like the central camp idea, as I've basically never met any of PN before and will probably hide in my tent unless I'm provoked.

[chevy-stu]

Sounds like a good plan, as long we don't annoy of the Prawn boys by sectioning of our little VIP Nirvana area seperate to everyone else, might be worth checking if it's cool with them first.
I've got a 3x3m gazebo i was bringing, and a giant BBQ if someone wants to come get it, won't fit in my car.. will also volunteer a sound system up to 2.5K watts, again if someone wants to come get it and take it there...

cheers for the EVO tip, i'll try and pick a copy up..

[Butters]

Good stuff chaps. Yep I'm definitely not trying to create a them and us kind of feel but more a communal area where we can enjoy the time spent by our tents and be more sociable. I will know some of you but by no means all and feel it will just make for a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

People will come and go all weekend long at there own leisure but figure if we have a base it be easier to arrange beers, excursions and general logistics. Plus if you want to escape the sun (or rain) then 2 or 3 Gazebos together is a lot better just the one.

If anyone has any other thoughts, ideas or contributions then please feel free to throw them into the mix...

James. :)

[Harsh]

The TL guys have already agreed to give us a section anyway so i dont see that as an issue....

I'm sure Andy will be along to confirm that.


i like the idea personally :)

[Cactussed]

Sounds like a plan to me.
This will be my first Le Mans, so nfi what to expect, apart from mayhem...

[TigerTwo]

After a moment of panic wondering what on earth I am supposed to bring (and how I am going to fit it in my little boot), I think this is a great idea.

Suggest we make a list of what we need for the communal area and allocate who is going to bring what.

Or is that just me being a bit too girly and organised?

[Butters]

Not at all Nancy, I suppose that is the meaning behind this thread. Establish what we need as a group and who has what space so that we can help each other out and have a more enjoyable stay...

Two weeks tomorrow. :party:

Sorry, I digress. :leaving:

James.

[TigerTwo]

Right then, in the interest of being girly:

Here's the start of the list. Add to it and add your name to what you think you can bring:

BBQs (at least 2)
Marquees (3 or 4?)
Tables
Chairs (I think everyone should bring at least one)
Plastic cups
Paper Plates
Plastic cutlery
Napkins
Tea
Coffee
Charcoal
Firelighters
Cooler Boxes (that's Eskis for you and I, Drew)

[Cactussed]

Hmm. Suspect room will be limited in the 355.
Might take the M3...

[jumplead]

Isn't someone taking the F150? :P problem solved, we just need to get it all down to Dover.

I've got some camp chairs (4 i think) and a brand new gazebo i could borrow, but other than that I'm about as useful/prepared as last time Graebob and I came. Don't even know if my tent is complete still.. Will check on Saturday.

[TigerTwo]

I think the F150 is coming which should help a bit (as long as we don't get 15 BBQs)

[HardCore Prawn]

Gents and Ladies
The space in the site that you have is yours, that you paid for and are free to do with as you please.
We do have a marquee etc that is there for exactly the reasons you have been discussing. Please feel free to use it as you have already paid for it.
Regarding sound systems. This is the only grey area. We have a PA and will have music or Satellite on the go all weekend, so to have more might be a little over kill. We do not want to start a noise competition in the site so would ask that any other music is kept to a discrete volume.
You have 9 cars in your group, so will be allocated 9 X 45mtrs when the first of your number arrives.
To make best use, I suggest hard standing for the cars together and adjacent them we can allocate a reasonable plot of grass.
Have a good trip down and any questions, please give me a call.
Andy

[Butters]

That's great Andy, many thanks. Nancy, great work with the list also, I think you have pretty much nailed it. If we can bring a chair each then we should be absolutely fine. Barbeques, a few of these between us should do it I think. Nancy and Drew, being from the Southern hemisphere you ought to be the experts on these, ha ha. 2-3 gazebos would be good to build the communal area around. I should have one with me but will get back to you on that. We can easily make up the rest of the list with the exception of tables. These will make or break the space but are probably the largest single item and most difficult to take out there. Let's maybe look online to see what kind of flat pack/lightweight options there are so we can work out what to do moving forward.

All good folks!

Damn I just can't wait now...

James. :)

[Redex R]

you need to add to that list - spade and loo roll :blush5:

[chevy-stu]

Is it worth making another check list for stuff that's worth taking or doing before going, even really obvious things like: spare oil, European breakdown cover, Car insurance/MOT/V5 etc.., tool kit, blah blah

maybe even worth a thread of it's own..

[Redex R]

Always worth telling your card people you will be suddenly using your plastic abroad , has anyone else bothered with this E11 EU Health card ? Also French motoring detail dictates warning triangle,hi vis jacket and spare bulbs for your motor , although not many of us seem to bother.

[TigerTwo]

This is all starting to get very confusing. We are going to need a list of all the lists we have :)

[Redex R]

I've had an 11th hour invitation to jump in a friends car and go , staying at Sille le Phillipe (a way back from the circuit but we have a swimming pool :) ) may see you guys over there ! :hurray:

[Ben-san]

Update:

We've decided to fork out for some long pasting tables for this (which will be useful to us later anyway) so that's sorted :)

I'll be running some errands this weekend and will pitch in with a whole load of picnic plates & cutlery.

So far:



BBQs (at least 2)
Gazebos (3 or 4?)
Tables - PN Crew
Chairs (I think everyone should bring at least one)
Polystyrene cups - Maybe Ben
Paper Plates - Ben
Plastic cutlery - Ben
Napkins
Tea
Coffee
Charcoal (A bag each?)
Firelighters
Cooler Boxes (that's Eskis for you and I, Drew) - Ben (X1)

[Ben-san]

I've had an 11th hour invitation to jump in a friends car and go , staying at Sille le Phillipe (a way back from the circuit but we have a swimming pool :) ) may see you guys over there ! :hurray:

Make sure you do! :cool:

[Ben-san]

BBQs (at least 2)
Gazebos (3 or 4?) - Ben (El cheapo Tesco jobbie X1)
Tables - PN Crew
Chairs (I think everyone should bring at least one)
Polystyrene cups
Paper Plates - Ben (X100)

Plastic cutlery - Ben (X100)

Napkins - Ben (X200)

Tea
Coffee
Salt
Sugar
'Erbs!
Charcoal (A bag each?)
Firelighters
Cooler Boxes (that's Eskis for you and I, Drew) - Ben (X1)

[Redex R]

Looking at the weather forecast (fingers crossed) sunscreen and headgear is in order , by the way don't miss out on the pre race pit lane walkabout , the teams usually give out some good freebies , the Flying Lizards team always do a painted poster print of their car which is a nice souveneir.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/1966Rob/08_Le_mans_poster_web_600.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/1966Rob/lemans_poster_2006_big.jpg

[Butters]

Good list Ben, I have just written mine and am heading out to buy a load of stuff and pack the car as it's the last chance I will have...

Tick tock! Me and my passenger Geoff are getting so excited!!!

James.

[Graebob]

Booked the whole week off work to go shopping, hopefully won't rinse a stupid amount of money. We've lost our 3rd passenger, but on the plus side I can now share a tent with Ollie instead of buying my own.

The real question is, should I spend money on a sleeping bag or just buy beer sleep in my car? :D

[Bigburd]

We have limited space in the Porsche, so will be travelling light but will ensure we bring cooler bag (ideal for holding ice as well as beer), a chair each. Although may have a chat with Ollie about putting some ballast in the TVR before Wednesday!

If there is anything we can do in terms of contributing towards the food BBQ/Provisions then we'll only be too happy to. I also have some disposable plastic knives/forks/paper plates

Out of interest what is the campsite security like?

Oh and if it is going to be warm "camelbacks" / water bottles etc - filled with bottled water.

If I can I will load the car up with any communal stuff and donate at the Ace tomorrow.


Two-Way Radios - I now have a pair of Cobra MT985s which I will be taking, are PN taking theirs?

[jumplead]

Ian give me a call tomorrow sometime. I'm in turkey until wednesday morning. There should be room in the tvr for a few things. Seems all my stuff will be in graebobs bmw. Just as a note we'll be staying at the dover east premier inn on the wednesday night. Graebob there is a sleeping bag at mine.

[Cactussed]

Guys

I've never done this before, so would appreciate some guidance.

I presume there are shower and toilet facilities on site?

Cooking - any options apart from bringing a BBQ?

Food in general - apart from takeaway, can you buy fresh ingredients at the track or do we have to more or less bring whatever we fancy eating while we're there? Can you just go get some croissants and a coffee for breakfast for example?

Beer - again, do we have to bring everything or can you buy cases on site or is the only option to just sit in a bar unless you pack a few cases?

Power - is the only option cigaratte lighter, or are there power sockets?

Probably other stuff I've forgotten..

Ta

Drew

[jumplead]

Drew.. There will be toilets
and showers. Bring toilet
roll. As for food there is a
super market in town to
buy all supplies. I'm not
sure how tl have their site
setup but most don't have
electric hook ups. So a
small community
generator might come in
useful if we can lay our
hands on one. There isn't
likely to be anywhere on
site other than the tl bar
and rat vans to buy things
so stock up at the super
market in france. If you
want a chat about what
to bring give me a shout.

[Graebob]

I'm bringing craploads of tinned food :D Heinz Big Breakfast in a tin, anyone?

[Graebob]

Also, I will be bringing my Motorola Talkr T5 handheld radios. I've only got 2, but all the handheld radios available in the UK work on the same frequencies (I think) so even el cheapo ones off of tesco will do. Good for if we go wandering about, awesome for driving comms and no roaming charge !

[Bigburd]

Also, I will be bringing my Motorola Talkr T5 handheld radios. I've only got 2, but all the handheld radios available in the UK work on the same frequencies (I think) so even el cheapo ones off of tesco will do. Good for if we go wandering about, awesome for driving comms and no roaming charge !


Vodafone have scrapped the roaming charge from 1st June for 3mths in Europe :D

As for Gen Set - think only one my mates can get hold from Perkins/CAT/Newage are hooooooofing great big ones which would power the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury :D ...

[TigerTwo]

I'm bringing craploads of tinned food :D Heinz Big Breakfast in a tin, anyone?

:puke:

[Bigburd]

For those Coffee Drinkers - I've got a 6 cup stove top expresso maker if anybody wants me to take it to supplement the Caffeine and "Burn" intake

Not sure how long it would take on a camping gaz stove but hey...

[Cactussed]

OK, have we got a definitive list of communal stuff being taken? Aside from personal things like tent, sleeping bag etc, what do we ahve between us and / or what should we bring?

Do we have any:

BBQ's?
Power generation?
Music?
Eating / drinking implements?
Gazebo?
Esky's / Ice bins?

[Ben-san]

OK, have we got a definitive list of communal stuff being taken? Aside from personal things like tent, sleeping bag etc, what do we ahve between us and / or what should we bring?

Do we have any:

BBQ's?
Power generation?
Music?
Eating / drinking implements?
Gazebo?
Esky's / Ice bins?

Ahem?



BBQs (at least 2)
Gazebos (3 or 4?) - Ben (El cheapo Tesco jobbie X1)
Tables - PN Crew
Chairs (I think everyone should bring at least one)
Polystyrene cups
Paper Plates - Ben (X100)

Plastic cutlery - Ben (X100)

Napkins - Ben (X200)

Tea
Coffee
Salt - Ben
Sugar
'Erbs! - Ben
Charcoal (A bag each?)
Firelighters
Cooler Boxes (that's Eskis for you and I, Drew) - Ben (X1, for food)



Music isn't necessary - Team Langoustine have sorted that for the site...

Cheap BBQs can be purchased from the ONE shopping trip we do on Thursday night @ Carrefour. I got one there and left it behind for the locals post race :D

We can arrive, set up camp and head there I reckon. Most things camping are usually available there. Saying that, it's best to keep the shopping lists as small as poss to save valuable beer/barbie time that night.

[Cactussed]

Excellent work, thanks Ben. My apologies, am totally new to all this. My personal list includes:

passport
tickets
tent
sleeping bag
mattress and pump
chair
camera, hard drive
Pillow
towel
raincoat, footwear
cutlery, plate
tripod


torch
wet wipes, band aids
loo paper
swiss army knife
kitchen roll
cheap pot / pan
basic condiments - salt, pepper, tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic
maps
hat
sunbloc, mossie repellent, neurofen
disposable BBQs
string, tape, bin bags

V5, insurance, license

Poor little car is going to be full to the brim!

[Ben-san]

Just in case anyone missed the email with the satnav files:

[Ben-san]

Drew, that's a very comprehensive list... don't forget spare trainers as it might be wet.

[Cactussed]

Drew, that's a very comprehensive list... don't forget spare trainers as it might be wet.

Taking walking shoes, hiking boots and Australian safety boots (ie flip flops).

[jumplead]

Holy Shizzy, Got off a plane at 2am this morning, back home now, been to the dentist (where i got butchered by 2 women and then had to pay for the pleasure) unpacked, washing on.

Now off in search of a generator and breakfast.

[jumplead]

Found a smallish generator (950watt) should be plenty for ancillaries at screwfix. Will pop down later and buy it when i go get my yo yos.

[Ben-san]

Found a smallish generator (950watt) should be plenty for ancillaries at screwfix. Will pop down later and buy it when i go get my yo yos.

Nice swan :D

[Butters]

I think my co-driver Geoff has an AC Inverter which he'll be bringing too which may be of use...

James. :)

[jumplead]

Well i now have a passenger....... a 780watt 2 stroke (got 200ml of oil) generator. Any chance of a 40cm cubed space in the Truck?

[Cactussed]

So far:
1. Alternator on the 355 is playing up. Hopefully it will last the trip. Have a good idea of what the problem is, a £15 part and 2 hours labour to get to it and replace. Bringing jump leads, just in case.
2. Have run over the M3 keys which now no longer work the bloody alarm. The only saving grace being that it disarmed as I ran over them :D So now have to lock everything manually
3. Have a head cold. Still.
4. Have nfi where I am going or what I am doing tomorrow!

OK, time to think about packing the car....

[Harsh]

So far:
1. Alternator on the 355 is playing up. Hopefully it will last the trip. Have a good idea of what the problem is, a £15 part and 2 hours labour to get to it and replace. Bringing jump leads, just in case.
2. Have run over the M3 keys which now no longer work the bloody alarm. The only saving grace being that it disarmed as I ran over them :D So now have to lock everything manually
3. Have a head cold. Still.
4. Have nfi where I am going or what I am doing tomorrow!

OK, time to think about packing the car....

So all in all a pretty normal day then?

[Cactussed]

Is God trying to tell me to stay home???

[Harsh]

not at all,

He's saying get out of London before something else happens!