BMW CAR CLUB (GB)
SOUTH EAST REGION
Website design by Melvyn Pettit
Top
BMW Club Europa meeting
Vosges 2006
44th BMW Club Europa meeting - Vosges 2006: Saulxures-sur-Moselotte
France: 8th to 11th June 2006. Report by Melvyn Pettit
BMWs travel to Vosges to attend BCE meeting Full Photograph album
This years, the 44th BMW Club Europa (BCE) treffen (meeting) was organised by BMW Moto Club France in co-operation of BMW Club de France and Club BMW.fr. The venue being Saulxures-sur-Moselotte, in the Vosges region of France. Due to Selwyn Frostick going on from this meeting to Germany to participate in the Mobile Tradition 06 Rally in his beloved 1972 2002Tii Touring, we decide not to do our usual and motor on to the event at warp speed. It was going to be leisurely drive with stops on the way.
Monday 5th June
Their was only two cars in our group Selwyn’s 02 and my E36 Coupe, we would meet up with other members at the meeting. So we decide to take advantage of SeaFrance Ferries Supersaver open ticket offer crossing, as we did not decide when we are coming back until over in France.
So the 6pm crossing is our time, and a stopover in Calais, Cottage Hotel was booked. Our first hitch was when Selwyn’s 02 would not start on the Dover dockside when we start to board the ferry. From out on the deck of the Ferry, Tony Pratt my passenger and myself, watch as dock workers try to help start the 02, but when the lorry tractor unit give him a tow it started. So they load him last and we set sail at 6.10pm. Meeting up with Selwyn on board he reports the 02 seems to be overheating and the battery seems to be flat!
Our holiday came at the right time, as the weather changed from all the rain we have had, it was gorgeous and with a smooth crossing we are soon docking in Calais. I drive off and park up in the out lane waiting for Selwyn to catch us up. After what seem ages and hundreds of lorries being disembarked from the ferry the 02 appears. Selwyn follows us through the back streets of Calais, more excitement as his horn starts to Blare out. Out pops Selwyn, bonnet up (a sight we get use to on this trip), pull off horn wire and on to hotel. Arrive just before last orders in the hotel restaurant at 9.30pm. Over an excellent evening meal Selwyn informs us that he had to be tow started to get off the Ferry.
Tuesday 6th June
With fingers crossed we wait as Selwyn turns the ignition key, by the BMW gods it starts. Our journey is only 164 miles to Reims for another stopover. It all goes O.K. until Selwyn pulls off for petrol behind us, we travel to next petrol station and wait for the telephone call. No call, so I call him, to tell him we are next petrol station, reports back that it just started after filling up. We meet up travel on to Reims and following the Sony Sat- Nav we find the Hotel. Book in and pick up a leaflet for the Reims Champagne Automobile Museum. Selwyn hops in the back as we leave the 02 in the secure hotel car park and make our way there and find the gates closed with the sign “open at 2pm”. Forget we are in France and they take a long lunch break from 12 to 2pm. Leave car at museum and we walk to have a look around the impressive Reims Cathedral. They are in the process of cleaning the stonework on the building. Some of what looks like bullet marks around the outside can be seen on the un cleaned stonework. After a look around, because of the hot weather, we needed a drink, so into a local bar, refreshed we make our way back to car museum. The gate is open I move my car inside and their we are given another leaflet which informs us the museum is not open on Tuesdays. We check the leaflet from hotel, no mention of it being closed on Tuesday, the new leaflet is an updated one, so as with the other people who were given the leaflet, no museum visit this time.
REIMS : Auto Museum shut on Tuesdays! and Cathedral
Wednesday 7th June
To-day’s trip is to Point-a-Mousson (just off the Auto route between Metz and Nancy). We take a slow 116 miles drive on the N Roads to the town. On the way we stopped of at an American Battle Cemetery War Memorial at Saint-Mihiel, Thiaucourt. And as one has come to inspect, the whole area is perfectly maintained. We arrive at Point-A-Mousson and our hotel is by the river. In the afternoon we walk along the river and cross the bridge into the town centre, and spend time taking in the local surroundings and the blonde beer with a slice of lemon in. At one point an excellent condition BMW 502 passed us by. Once again the evening meal was excellent.
American Battle Cemetery - Saint Mihiel - Thiaucourt - France
Pont-A-Mousson - France
Thursday 8th June
After a full breakfast we have our fingers crossed and once again the 02 starts. Time to travel the 92 miles to La Bresse and book in to our base for the BCE meeting, Les Vallees hotel. Tony’s and my room is ready but Selwyn’s is not, so dumping his gear in our large room, we then drive off to find the BCE checking in point which is situated within the National Park “Des Balloons” in the town of Saulxures -sur-Mosselotte.
La Bresse our base for BCE meeting
Friday 9th June
At breakfast we are joined by Peter Rust, who is jokingly warned to keep an eye on his egg that he has placed in the boiling water, I’ve put my initials on it he replies, low and behold when returns to collect his perfectly boiled egg its gone! So he places another egg in water and stands guard over it.
This time when we travel the short distance Le Bresse to Saulxures-sur-Moselotte, we come across a road-sweeping machine brushing the excess chippings to the side of the road, that they had placed on the road the day before. Carefully we overtake the machine trying not to get stone chips on our cars.
Today’s morning car park activities include the Slalom Cup for Motorbikes, Cars and a display from Jean-Pierre Goy.
Due to the natural of the car par park having kerbs and grassed area between parking bays the slalom course seemed a little narrow in one area where the cones were placed to slow cars down, and one entrant in his CS did get hot under the collar as he kept hitting a cone. The Luxembourg BCE members Green and White BMW CS, as at Luxembourg meeting last year, gave it maximum attack. He must have had some work done on the car, as we have no smoke from engine this year.
We check in with Kathleen Butler and Ron Sharrad (BCE board members), they are organising the Concours de Elegance on be-half of BCE, and we are helping with the judging. Given our accreditation badges and making arrangements for a judges meeting at 5pm, we leave Kathleen and Ron and find the bar.
The meeting booking in desk was open and due to most BCE members not arriving until Friday or Saturday the queue is small, but you still get the jolly foreigner trying push passed, but having attend many events in Europe, the use of the elbow and “sorry, back of the line” comes to the aid once more!
Opening my registration pack No 246, included is the event logo metal badge, 2 event stickers, and Rally plate, Programme booklet that includes the road-book for two runs. Drink voucher, wristband for evening meal, and the local tourist board booklet. We purchase from the BMW Moto Club France stall the aforementioned berets, and event T-shirt.
At the judges meeting we meet up with other judges, we are also given the event Staff T-shirt each. That evening, Kathleen, Peter, Ron, Selwyn, Tony and myself eat at Italian restaurant in Le Bresse that Peter had found.
The National Balloon Park was created in 1989, the aim of the Balloons Regional Park is to preserve and enhance the national and culture heritage of the Vosges. The park covers 3000 Km2 and 208 villages of the Vosges, Hauf-Rhin, Haute-Sadine and the Belfort territory. We were in the East of the park near the Mountain range. Le Bresse our base in the winter is one of the main ski stations, with 37 ski runs, 7 chairlifts, 18 ski lifts and 282 snow cannons. In the summer it is popular with cyclist practising their mountain climbing skills.
Following the Sat-Nav from Le Bresse to Saulxures-sur-Moselotte we come across French road worker’s spreading stone chipping’s over the main road to Saulxures-sur-Moselotte. Are they doing this to slow down the many BMWs in the area this week or it is just bad planning?
As we drive into the National Park French BMW club members wearing black berets with the meeting logo on greet us. Selwyn is directed to park by a 2002 Turbo and my Coupe further down the display area arranged on the park road. The motorbikes were parked on the opposite side of the road. The BMW flags were flying and the trade and show marquees were all set up. As we make our way pass some of the displays Peter Rust, BMW Car Club (GB) vice president came over to greet us. Peter reported he had under estimated the mileage to the event and arrived late last night at our hotel.
BMWs from all over Europe check in for Vosges 06 BCE meeting
For JP Goy background and full report and pictures of displays.... more
BMW Motorcycles from all over Europe attend BCE meeting Vosges 2006
BCE members take part in Slalom
Jean Pierre Goy: James Bond double and World Champion Stuntmen displays
After lunch we take a look and the stalls and displays. One stand, which caught the eye, was a Renault F1 team quad bike. A BMW motorbike engine powered it, and it was also there to demonstrate the engineering involved in the suspension etc. The BMW Moto Club France had a display of motorbikes, plus a BMW 700 car. BMW France had a BMW M6 and a Works Cooper Mini as part of their stand.
Display at Saulxures-sur Moselotte BCE meeting
At 5pm all those drivers and riders who which to take part in the BMW Parade around Saulxures-sur-Moselotte started to gather at their cars and bikes. I set up my in car video camera, and arrange with Selwyn that I will follow him so I can video the 02 in the parade.
Paris Police on BMW Motorbikes lead the BMW Parade
For full report and In-Car Video’s from the BMW Parade .... more
After the BMW Parade there was a welcoming speech from Marie-Therese Berranger, Mayoress of Saulxures accompanied with food and drink in the large marquee by the side of lake Moselotte.
The evening was spent in our hotel bar with BCE club members that included BMW Club Europa e.V. President Mr. Jan van Ruijven and Michael Oestreich from BCE club office. Jan gave us details for the 2007 BCE meeting, which he will heavily be involved in, as it is being held in the Nederland. In 2007 it will not only be the 45th BCE meeting, the BMW Club Nederland will celebrate its 45th anniversary. So we are encouraged to head for Landgoed Ginkelduin from 6th Sept to 9th September 2007 to attend the 45th BCE meeting.
Saturday 10th June
Once again the day starts with a FULL breakfast and what would we come across today on the way to BCE meeting site. Well the road workers had finished with the chippings; they are now half way across the road painting the pedestrian crossings! Try not to get white paint on tyres.
This mornings car park activities include another excellent stunt show from Jean-Pierre Goy. After the show we take a walk around the perfect setting for the meeting Lake Moselotte.
Lake Moselotte in Des Ballons National Park, the Venue for BCE meeting
On all days during the BCE meeting, Motorbikes and Cars could also go on one of the guided tours. The tours were:
91km Gourmets Tour, as the route book reads” you will get a better Knowledge of the Vosgian Agriculture: breeding, cheese diaries etc… This environment will allow you to better understand the tough life in the Cretes area”.
105km Sweet Tour:” Between forest and crystalline lakes, you will discover another side of the Route des Cretes. You will have the opportunity to visit an old traditional sweet factory.
77km Haut-Fer Tour:” you will drive or ride to the “lac des Corbeaux”, through the Vosgian forests. When visiting this area and the Wood Museum in Saulxures, you will get a better understanding of the strong link existing between Men and Wood.”
Afternoon was the Concours d’Elegance being held Saulxures Town Square. The judges report at 1.30pm and once again entrants to the Concours are lead at 2pm from the BCE meeting site to the Town Square in a parade, once again headed by the Police Motorbike outriders.
BCE Concours d' Elegance held in Town Centre
For Picture Gallery of the Concours D'Elegance held in Saulxures-sur-Moselotte town center....more
In the evening it is the meetings closing dinner. While waiting for the 8:30pm start we are entertained by a local dance troupe, given a free beer and frankfurter.
Meeting Closing meal
Unfortunately the planned entertainment (Jazz Band ) let the organisers down and did not turn up. Due to this Christophe Herberichs and his team had to keep the 800 guests happy. All I can report is, that the speeches went on TOO long, so long in fact that they could not draw the raffle as most BCE members had left. So the winning numbers were placed on the notice boards for next morning. And the main course of the menu was Sausages and Potatoes!
Sunday 11th June
We take a walk down to the local street market; Selwyn buys a leather man bag. Many of the locals were buying from the stalls; the roasted chickens and the potatoes that were cooked beneath the chickens seemed to be popular. Quick trip to Saulxures as there were no road works, check the notice boards to see if we have won any of the raffle prizes, sadly no. Take a last look around the stalls and site, most bikers are tucking into the large breakfast buffet, before they set of home.
We are staying on for to night at Le Bresse, so we decide to do the lake tour, as the description reads in the tourist information booklet “An unforgettable tour to see and hear the heart of the Vosges Mountains under the deep shadow of the fir forests”.
Selwyn leaves the 02 at the secure hotel car park, and we set of north to Gerandmer Lake. The weather is still hot and as we find a parking space by the lake, the locals are sun bathing or boating. One young chap was Para-wind surf boarding, once the chute caught the wind and took to the ski, he was off like a rocket, luckily the lake has a surface area of 116 ha, at an altitude 660m, Length 2,200m, Width 750m. The average depth 13m, the deepest point 36m.
Out next stop for lunch was Longemer Lake, altitude: 780m, Length 1,950m, Width: 500m, Depth: 33m and a surface of 76ha. Once again you can hire boats, motor or paddle. The fir tree forests come right down the valley to the lakeshore, and the vista is magnificent.
Our next planned stop was going to be Retournemer Lake, I say planned because as we follow the Sat-Nav we come across a Route blocked notice, with many parked vehicles all around. As we stop and plan our next route, we can here motorbikes in the distance. So we park up and spend the afternoon watching a Motorbike, Quads scrambling event.
In the Evening we meet up with Peter Rust for Dinner at our hotel. I must of mistranslated the menu because I though it meant Ham, but a very tasty piece Chicken arrived at the table, I wonder if it came from the street market we visited in the morning? After the meal it was time for the bar.
Monday 12th June
Time to say our goodbyes to every one, making the promise to meet up with our European members in the Nederland’s in September in 2007. Selwyn is travelling on to Germany, Peter heading home, Kathleen and Ron of to meet up with friends in Germany, and Tony and myself are going to travel on to Mulhouse to visit the Schlumpf Collection which I had promised myself to visit if I was in the area and the Vosges meeting was just that, less than an hour away, as we arrive just as it opened at 10am.
The Lakes Tour and Motorcross
Schlumpf Collection in Mulhouse
On the Monday we travel to Mulhouse to visit the Schlumpf Collection -Report and pictures
At the Schlumpf Collection “National Automobile Museum” we meet up with other BCE members who had also taken the opportunity to visit while in the area. We also purchase a joint ticket for 15euros for entry not only to Schlumpf Collection but also the Cite du Train (Train Museum) Museum.
After our visit to National Automobile Museum we take a short drive to the Train Museum. It was again good to get out of the HOT Sunshine and walk around the cool museum. Take a light late lunch, and then decide to travel up to Ann and Neil’s in Spa-Francorchamps and stop on the way.
We turn off at Trier and plan to stop the night. While parked up and scrolling though the Sat-Nav local accommodation, a young German boy pops his head trough the driver’s window and in prefect English asked if we needed help. Thanking him very kindly, we choose Nell’s Park Hotel. As we arrive at Hotel we notice three GB plated BMW Motorbikes parked up and with the car park is nearly full, with fingers crossed we ask at reception if they have a room for the night. After the computer search the young girl said she has, but she insisted in showing us the room before booking us in. Also explained in full detail the Hotel gave us a booklet about hotel and a local street map, could not ask for more.
The history of the Hotel reads ”Inspired from his England journey, Nikolaus von Nell built the Nell’s Park in 1801 in a new-romantic style. The garden of Roses has been constantly cultivated, so that to have more than 5,000 rosebushes on 9,00 square meters. In 1989 family Kruft renovated the historic buildings where today you find the restaurant and the roman cellar. What to do a boat-trip on Nell’s Park Lake? We have our own boats for our guests”.
After shower and change, with map in hand we take a walk around Trier in the evening. Coming across near the hotel a BMW dealership. They seem to be BMW Club enthusiasts as through the window we can see a BMW DIXI, M1, Z1, 502, and an Isetta with Welcome to BMW Clubs sticker on the screen. We have an excellent evening meal at out Hotel. I give Selwyn a ring to find out if he has arrived for Rally, informed that the “Swiss police had to give him a tow a boarder, and the 02 is in a BMW Garage at moment”, so that’s another story.
Tuesday 12th June
A short trip to Ann and Neil’s and after sandwich, beers in Spa Town centre, we spent the hot afternoon sunbathing out in their garden. The evening meal was one off Ann’s finest and we are joined by a couple who are on a BMW Motorbike, who had booked in at A E Adventures for one night but had stayed on for three.
Wednesday 13th June
Time to head home and on the 200-mile trip to Calais we have our first Rain of the trip. The Tropical shower soon passes, Booked in at Calais, only to be informed the dockworkers are on strike! After a two and half-hours wait we are finally allowed to board the ferry. To pass free time on the ferry we have a meal. Then, just the usual encounter with the worst driving on the trip on M20, M25! So now roll on September in 2007 and Nederland’s BCE meeting trip
One the way to Neils at Spa, we stop off at Trier
Auto Orth BMW have a BMW :M1,Z1, Isetta and a Dixi in showroom
