Jolly Boys Outing

Meet up number four, time to go on tour.

A number of you keep suggesting a trip further afield, and so, here's a suggestion for a trip in May 2027. Actually, for me it will be closer afield (is that a thing), as I'm suggesting a weekend in Bordeaux.

Now, my experience tells me that organising something for you all in the UK is a little like trying to herd cats, feral ones, to get you to do what you need to do when I need you to do it is close on impossible, so why go and make things more complicated.

Then I thought, well actually, some of the logistics here will actually need you to organise them yourself 😂😳😂 All it will actually need from me are some suggestions / recommendations then you will need to sort travel and a few other bits due to the logistic and legal requirements

So if the numbers wanting to attend are good, and the desire is there, then why not go for it. Actually I've already been doing some initial research.

Let's Start With When

We want the weather to hopefully be decent, but not overbearing. And now the fixtures are out for 26/27, a couple of decent games to watch wouldn't hurt (and I don't mean PSG v Lens, although if Bordeaux are at home we might throw into the mix the option of a game at the Atlantic Stadium!!)

First weekend in May is crying out as a choice, with Arsenal v Spurs and Liverpool vs Chelsea on the Premier League schedule. There could be tears.

We can consider other weekends, feedback welcomed, and the most popular weekend will be the one we will go for, but I like the one above. That would get my vote. I guess a consideration might be if it is a May Bank holiday back there in the UK.

What's On Offer

I've already looked into a few activities and venues to make the weekend a memorable one, if the football doesn't.

First up is The UPCA Sports Centre in Bordeaux. (Click on the Picture to go to their website)

It has rooftop mini golf, putting greens and driving range, as well as climbing walls and other sports on site, including Padel Courts (I feel a tournament coming on)

A perfect meeting place for the first night to gather, and ease into the weekend, food, and of course alcohol, are on site.

Obviously we have no idea of when the games would be played, probably be sensible to assume one would be Saturday 6:30PM, the other Sunday 4:30PM, so if we were going to do a Friday meet, at the Rooftop, then I can start to plan the time for the other days.

As an example. what about a bit of site seeing round Bordeaux, but by JetSki. (Click the image)

Any time from 30 minutes to 3 hours are available, with the longer trips visiting the quays of Bordeaux, islands and wine estates of the estuary, the troglodyte dwellings of Gauriac on the cliff and the wrecks of the Second World War.

I've done a JetSki tour before (not here) and really enjoyed it. We could have a fun few hours on JetSkis before watching CheatSki It's a bit pricey but, when you do the longer trip, and you're abroad anyway, what's price got to do with it.

For the footy then on the Saturday, and most probably the Sunday, a sports bar in town.

There's a few but it seems that The Frog & Rosbif is regarded as one of the best sports venues in Bordeaux. (Yep. Click the image)

Clearly I will need to do a bit of research to make sure that the Premier games are on there 🤔👍💙

It's likely that ALL Premier League games will be shown that weekend, you're not in the UK now folks, and so others may also be up for viewing over the weekend, Coventry v Man United, Palace v Villa, Man City v Brentford and Sunderland v Newcastle all look enticing.

They brew their own beers on site, and the prices are good, as well as having a Happy Hour!!!! The food is traditional french food, so escargot, cuisse de grenouilles et andouillette.

Or there's burgers and pizzas.

There's more we can plan as well, if the interest is there. I've links into Escape Rooms, a Show Quiz Experience and there are of course vineyards not too far away if a more classical Sunday activity is required, depending on the length of your stay.

Or, and surely well worth considering, we can arrange, on the same site in Bordeaux and do indoor Karting, and ten pin bowling (click the image again)

So there you have it.... My immediate thoughts for the next 'Meet Up' (let's stop calling them AGMs)

Planning, Logistics & Commitment

I will be happy to do research on travel although you will pretty much need to sort your own.

There's realistically three options as I see it, to get here. ✈️ Flights into Merignac (Bordeaux Airport) are fairly frequent over the weekend from across the UK. And the airport is a tram ride away from the City Centre. There's also the train. 🚝 You get into Bordeaux from St Pancreas in just over 4 hours, with a short trip on the Paris subway thrown in to get from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse. 🚙 Or there's always driving.

I will also see what deals I can get on hotel bookings. I think the sooner booked, the more likely a good deal can be struck. Something like the Ibis in the centre I think we can get a room for around £200 for Friday through to Monday.

Cards on the table though. This Will Take Some Organising, but that's why you're getting so much notice, and as a sign of commitment I am going to need a deposit of £30, per booking, which will be non-refundable (it will go to charity if you cancel).

The Charity, I need to confirm, but I'm hoping will be, The Royal Free, you can find out more on the link, or talk to Mara.

IF we fancy doing this, the ball needs to start rolling pretty quickly and I will need you to let me know your thoughts ASAP, actually that's ASAP, but spelt NOW.

So the headcount starts. All aboard then for 'The Jolly Boys Outing', or as the trips we're also known in the old work days, a 'Dogs On Tour' trip or as we may refer to it at home to ensure we get a pass, it's 'Just a Few Of the Lads Getting Together' trip.

✈️🚝🚙🍻🍷🥃🍹🧉🧋🚙🚝✈️

All are Welcome...... Just as long as they let me know ASAP.

You Up For THIS.....

ARE YOU......

THEN LET ME KNOW BELOW