{"id":6014,"date":"2026-09-02T17:50:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T17:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eastkent-tomcc.com\/?page_id=6014"},"modified":"2026-09-02T20:19:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T20:19:32","slug":"normandy-trip-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eastkent-tomcc.com\/?page_id=6014","title":{"rendered":"Normandy 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Normandy Trip Sunday 5th<\/sup> July to Saturday 11th<\/sup> July<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, the forecast looks absolutely brilliant for the next week \u2013 shall I pack the wet weather gear or not? I\u2019d better because if I don\u2019t it\u2019s bound to rain hard. It\u2019s now 4am Sunday morning and its time to get ready for the 25-mile ride to the Eurotunnel terminal. We are going to get there a bit earlier than they say on the ticket in case EES is in operation \u2013 having all arrived in a timely manner, and the EES is not operating, its time for a group photo, comfort break and coffee (Not necessarily in that order of course)<\/p>\n\n\n

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The departure board has now called our train \u2013 but what a shambles, the traffic is queued right back to the terminal buildings, stop start all the way to passport control and the departure time for \u2018our train\u2019 has now gone \u2013 but no matter everything is delayed, and we are even sat in the departure lane for 20 minutes before getting split up and put on different trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, we agreed to meet at the service station on the exit road as you leave the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais in the event of this happening \u2013 but you would not believe it but this was shut as well \u2013 no petrol, no facilities, it\u2019s got to get better than this \u2013 PLEASE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, we all eventually meet up (except for Malcolm who is meeting us at the hotel as he lives in France) and the best bit he is going to pay before we arrive so check in is easier \u2013 thanks Malcolm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a quick blast down the A16 to the Aire de la Baie de Somme where we all stopped to cool down (as it was now 32\u00b0C ) and have a cup of coffee and a snack (well actually cold diet Coke for me). Although this was effectively all \u2018Motorway riding\u2019 because the roads are so much better, and there are no potholes, we decided that this was the best way to get to our hotel in a sensible amount of time, rather than using all the coastal route and then being late reaching the hotel, and then possibly missing dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After our coffee stop we rode for about another 1\u00bd hrs before we stopped for another break, and fuel, at the Aire de Belleville.<\/p>\n\n\n

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After which it was a ride over the River Seine using the impressive Pont de Normandie Bridge. From there it was a quick blast to the \u2019Logis Hotel de la Place\u2019 which I am pleased to say we actually found without any trouble, and for once \u2018TomTom\u2019 and \u2018Garmin\u2019 agreed. As we arrived Malcolm must of heard all the bikes and came out to show us how to get to our private parking area (under the arch in a private gated and locked area), of course Malcolm having arrived earlier had the obligatory  glass of wine in his hand while directing the bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A very quick shower to cool down and then it was down to dinner as we were already later than we expected to be. Dinner was a really nice cold Chicken buffet which went down very well after the long hot day, and there were 6 bottles of wine on the table (2 of each \u2013 White- Red \u2013 Rose) as well as a couple of bottles of ice-cold water all of which was really appreciated. And the best thing about all this was that the evening meal was included in the price we paid \u2013 so a very good deal. All in all, a very good day, and on the plus side everything went to plan. The hotel itself is on the outskirts of Aunay Sur Odon and is very well appointed \u2013 and the staff were extremely welcoming a very good choice.<\/p>\n\n\n

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So, after another cool shower before breakfast as the rooms were hot (No air conditioning but it was being installed while we were there) Its forecast to be hot again today but it was off down to breakfast, where I am pleased to say they had catered for my wheat and Gluten allergy (Coeliacs), and the days destination was discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually we decided that we would go to Le Mont \u2013 Saint Michel, its only 66 miles by the direct route so that would give us plenty of time to cross the causeway and visit the Abbey itself. What a nice ride down, although it was very hot. We all arrived safely and found that there was dedicated parking for motorcycles, which was very nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So after shedding our jackets (and in some cases trousers (for shorts I must add) it was off to the entrance to the causeway \u2013 where some of us decided that as it was a long walk (the notice board advised 35 minutes I think) and especially as the temperature was now showing 39\u00b0C, that we would catch the bus along the causeway to the Abbey itself. The bus was free so that was a bonus, although we later found out that the bike parking was 9\u20ac and they had ANPR in operation. When we arrived at the Abbey itself we were quite Surprised to find how \u2018touristy\u2019 it was, with the inside of the Abbey itself full of gift shops and cafes. And of course, it being so hot, some of us just had to have a cold drink \u2013 or in some cases an ice cream before we started to climb all the steps to the top of the Mont itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we arrived at the Abbey itself we were quite Surprised to find how \u2018touristy\u2019 it was, with the inside of the Abbey itself full of gift shops and cafes. And of course, it being so hot, some of us just had to have a cold drink \u2013 or in some cases an ice cream before we started to climb all the steps to the top of the Mont itself. So now it was time for us to get climbing all those steps \u2013 I never counted them \u2013 but it felt like hundreds before we got to the top of the Mont, but when we got there we were well rewarded with the view.<\/p>\n\n\n