Mittens 2008 - l'édition Français | 15-22 August 2008

[Pumaman]

I want to visit Bastogne (the location of the battle of the bulge) and the remnants of the Maginot Line.

Both are easily in a one-day round trip proximity (if I'm reading Google maps correctly)

Yeah, I'd probably be interested in doing some sort of World War site exploration day out; I think where we are is quite close to where the front line was, at least in WW1. We'll have to find a poppy field on Google Maps beforehand to visit as part of it

That reminds me when I was a kid we went to this village in France, I can't remember the name...but it had been left as it was when it was bombed in WW2, with mangled houses, cars & kids toys about the place. It was the most depressing day out of my life!

That place does sound quite cool, but unfortunately it's called Oradour-sur-Glane which is about 400 miles away on the other side of France!

Well that's the wrong way for driving to the place. Seems like people are meant to drive to Vireux-Wallerand and take the path along the river, for 3km. Here's more evidence from MS's map thing. You can clearly see the house, gites, chapel, tennis court, and WMD factories.

Yes, this seems to be the correct location; Live Maps seems to have better detail of this area than google.

Continental petrol is the same price as here unfortunately, diesel is a bit better though.

Amazingly, petrol is currently cheaper in the UK than France, this must be a first! But yeah, diesel is cheaper over there... but that only means it hasn't quite reached £6/gallon yet!

[AGA]

Okay everyone, I have an announcement to make that you're probably not going to like. Because we're short some people, we're obviously also short the money those people would have paid. This means that I had to get a loan from our glorious leader Chris Jones to pay off the remaining amount (thanks again, Chris!). This means that everyone is going to need to pay about 40 Euros extra.

I know how much this sucks, but it's really not something that could be avoided. Tons more than the 30 people limit we decided on originally expressed an interest in coming, but obviously loads of people dropped out. 30 originally looked like a conservative number! I've tried to get the booking with the château people reduced to a lower number, but they couldn't do that.

I'm sorry to drop this on you so close to Mittens, but I was hoping some more people might sign up at the last moment. I assume Chris is okay with waiting until Mittens itself to get the money off you, but I'll let him decide for himself. Chris?

[scotch]

Are you including me in the calculations? I will pay CJ by the time Mittens comes, which makes it 40/6*5 = 33 eur, right?
Also there's still time for us to invite people to come. Then again it's nice to share rooms with fewer snoring AGSers and have less congested bathrooms so I don't mind paying the extra personally.

[Pumaman]

Sadly it was inevitable that people would drop out, however it does mean we all get a bit more space for brooding and balloon rooms.

So yes, at Mittens I will be collecting an extra 33 EUR from everyone (unless any extra people sign up in which case it will be less).

If that extra 33 EUR tips you over the edge and you can't afford mittens any more, don't panic!! Just let me know and we can work something else out -- for example, AGA is repaying me in sexual favours.

[m0ds]

This is exactly why AGS needs a donate button

8)

[MrColossal]

for example, AGA is repaying me in sexual favours.

What's the exchange rate on american sexual favors?

[Creed Malay]

Sadly it was inevitable that people would drop out, however it does mean we all get a bit more space for brooding and balloon rooms.

Yes. This time the Balloon Room will NOT fail.
Everyone, bring a packet of balloons if you are able. It will be Worth It.

[Grundislav]

Okay, so at Layabout's request I have booked the ferry crossing for the Laymobile (which is still go as he asked me to tell everyone). 

It came out to £112 for the whole trip, which divided by 5 of us means each passenger owes me £22.

We depart from Dover at 12:20 GMT, arriving at Calais at 14:20 French Time on August 15, and return August 22 at 15:15 French Time, arriving back in Dover at 15:50 GMT.

Yarr!

[AGA]

Only an hour's crossing. That's no time for acts of piracy!

[Layabout]

Thanks Francisco! Sorry i didnt text you back with the details of my registration and address, I got a little drunk last night, but it seems you managed to book it.

We are all set for Mittens!!!

[Grundislav]

Yeah, I was going to book under your name but did it under mine instead.  I still need your car's registration, though.  It can be given to them either by email or phone, don't know which you prefer.

[Pumaman]

What's the exchange rate on american sexual favors?

Depends on whether the person performing the favours is a member of the abstinence lobby.

[Chrille]

I was going to book a room at the Hostel Montmartre in Paris but it appears they are fully booked already. I'd settle for just a hotel or a hostel close by though. Anyone know of any, by any chance?

[MillsJROSS]

What about people who are members of the American Goat Society? Surely that must factor in.

[Disco]

What's the exchange rate on american sexual favors?

Depends on whether the person performing the favours is a member of the abstinence lobby.

Also they tend to have been mutilated, so probably a bit less than the non-US rate.

[Finkenstein]

You guys I am so freaking stoked for Mittens. Also for a balloon room...and sexual favors. But mostly Mittens...

Eric and I are trying to book a hotel room for Friday the 22nd to Saturday when we leave and I was wondering where other people are staying?

We probably all can't be in the same hotel but it would be cool to be in the same area and meet for dinner or walking around town.

Anyone who is staying in a hotel that night, give me your street address or name of your hotel or whatever landmarks are in your neighborhood so we can coordinate!

[Darth Mandarb]

I still have no idea where I'm staying the "Paris" nights ... to be honest I was kind of hoping I'd meet Julie Delpy and we could wander around exchanging witty banter all night (thus no need for a hotel).

Alas I find the odds of that fleeting... soooooo I [too] am looking for a place to crash!  So let's all figure something out!  Anybody familiar with the Paris hotel scene who could recommend something to us foreign travelers?

[Kweepa]

There are loads of cheap hotels around the Gare du Nord and Gare d l'Est (which are right next to each other).
I have stayed in the same place just south of the Gare du Nord several times. It's above a sex shop. At night you can hear bleating. Perfect for AGA.

[Chrille]

Since my usual lazyness once again interfered with my hostel plans I've looked for a place in the area where the rest of you guys are staying. There was a hostel called Woodstock just next to Perfect Hostel. However judging by the comments the security is really low and thefts are common so it does not sound too appealing. I'm considering settling for a 50â,¬ hotel also in the area. I think it was called Hotel St. George or something like that.

I'll book in a day or two. If someone finds something better I'm up for almost anything.

[Radiant]

I want to visit Bastogne (the location of the battle of the bulge) and the remnants of the Maginot Line.

Interesting. I'm all in favor of excursions.

By the way, I believe I mentioned this earlier, but I'll be arriving a bit later than the rest of us. This is because my cousin is getting married that very same weekend, which will be a big family reunion which I really can't miss. That's august 16th, so I'll arrive on the 17th. So that means no Paris for me, but of course I really can't miss Mittens either.