Guines?

[carolinej]

Hello :)

has anyone been to Camping LA bien Assise at Guines for a holiday?

I am trying to find out if it is any good for cycling. The brochure says it is, but I like to have cycle paths, as I am a bit wobbly when lorries go by :o

Thanks

cj :)

[carolinej]

[katynewbie]

I don't know that area at all Caroline, but we went to an area near part of the Canal du Midi this year. I am not one of life's natural cyclists, but really enjoyed cycling along the tow path. I managed 17 miles one day, a minor miracle! It was lovely scenery, peaceful and shady when it was hot and not a lorry to be seen!

;)

[carolinej]

Sounds dreamy!!

I have seen pics of the canal du midi. It looks really pretty.

Where did you stay?

cj

[artichoke]

I stayed in that camp site a few years ago with various family members including children, and found it very good. Long before that I used to take my children (now adult) cycling along the canals from Calais to Guines and beyond. I don't remember any cycle paths, and when I cycled that way fairly recently I found the traffic rather fast and alarming compared to the old days.

Of course there may be cycle paths I just don't know about, sorry.

[carolinej]

Thanks artichoke.

I am wondering whether to book the site lower down at Bernie Riviere then. Maybe that will have better cycle paths.

Anyone been cycling there?

cj :)

[Paulines7]

We stayed overnight at Camping LA bien Assise, Guines, two weeks ago.  The site was noisy as a busy road runs beside the campsite and lorries use it as a rat run.  It saves them having to go through Calais.

A really good area geared to cyclists is the Somme about 60 miles south of Calais.  It is flat and has many cycle paths.  The area is one big nature reserve with many rare species of birds including Spoonbills and Great Egrets.  There is a large lake just outside St Crotoy with a cycle path alongside it and so much wildlife there including horses.  St Crotoy is a small town on an estuary and has plenty of reasonably priced places to eat and all of them have local mussels on the menu. 

We have stayed at four different campsites in the area so if you are interested, please pm me and I will send you details of them.  Meanwhile, here are some pictures to whet your appetite.

[asbean]

Lovely pics, Pauline, it looks idyllic  :) :) :)

Hope you had a lovely holiday.

[OllieC]

Lovely pics, Pauline, it looks idyllic  :) :) :)

It certainly does, absolutely stunning!


I must admit, showing my ignorance, that I thought Caroline was talking about a well known alcoholic beverage with a high Iron content... One track mind!

[grawrc]

Me too Ollie. Thought it was Guines? as in "anyone for a ....?" Can't remember when I last had one though. :(

[carolinej]

I think cycling in Guinness would clog up my brake blocks!!!! ;D

Paulines7,thanks. We have just got back from a holiday at Chateau de Drancourt in St valery sur Somme.

I agree that there are wonderful places to cycle there. We spent every day out and about on the bikes. The cycle tracks next to the main roads are great, with the grass verge and hedge separating you from the traffic.

We got lost on our first night though (someone forgot to take a map :-[). We were out for 2 hours and  got back just as it was getting dark. Of course I wasnt scared ::)

cj :)

[telboy]

Paulinese,
Did you visit 'Le Croyoy' on the Somme Estuary?
Magical Place!

[carolinej]

We were there  in the evening when they opened the big water gates. Amazing power on the water.

cj :)

[Paulines7]

Paulinese,
Did you visit 'Le Croyoy' on the Somme Estuary?
Magical Place!

Doh Tel, I put "St Crotoy" in error in my previous post when I meant "Le Crotoy".

The first time we went there a couple of years ago, we couldn't get parked and got a brief impression that it was a scruffy place.  However, this year we parked and walked around and saw it quite differently.  We felt it was unspoilt and had almost stood still in time, taking us back to how seaside towns were in the 1950's before they became commercialised.   We will be going back next year and this time will spend longer there and try out those lovely sea food eating places.

Caroline, I didn't know they opened the water gates.  We will have to see that on our next visit.  Thanks for your pm which I will be answering soon.

[telboy]

Paulines7,
You must go back. .We have been many times & always save one evening to eat at 'Mado's' right on the Bay front.
Not cheap but worth every penny, try 'Le Menu Gastronamique'.
Just around the bend is a lovely B&B to the left of the 'Restaurant du Port'.
I have some pics. but the files are too large for here.
I could send them as e-mail attachments if you wish.

[Paulines7]

Telboy, thanks very much for the recommendation of "Mado's".  We will probably go back to the area in September again.  I will pm you with my email address and then  with your permission, I can reduce them in size and post them in here. 

I will keep the B&B in mind for if we ever give up our caravan.   :D

[carolinej]

Well, I have decided to change my holiday and am going to go to Bernie Riviere instead.

I know there are nice places to walk there, and the roads are quite quiet.

I'll start a new thread to see if anyone has any interesting info on that site.

Thanks fo all your replies ;D

cj :)