Dordogne / Lot

[Reeve]

My buddy and I are planning a trip over the May bank holiday w/end. We're hoping to find another buddy pair to join us for a long w/end diving, to share the driving, costs etc.

We're looking to book the ferry in the next 2 weeks Dover - Bologne, then drive down in a landy 110. We'll be taking all our gear and a compressor but they'll be space enough with the large roof rack.

Neither of us have dived in this area so will be doing lots of research and looking for advice from those who've dived this region.

Thanks

Gareth

[jim oldham]

I am sure there was some info on cave diving in the Dordogne on the divernet site. Sorry I cannot be more helpful on the diving, but if your are camping, Sarlat is a good area.
Jim

[NotDeadYet]

If you have never been before then you will need:

this book The very excellent guide book by Andrew Ward.

and

these maps (you want 46-Lot-Est) These are CD-ROMs with the entire region at 1:25000 scale. Seems pricey but it saves buying individual maps which aren't cheap.

This website is in French but very useful.

There are two compressors there in the region. I use Andre Grimal's, he is in Gramat, the biggest town. Drop your bottles in the evening, pick them up full in the morning and get your bill at the end of the trip. Many campsites get arsey about running a compressor on site. Don't run it by the caves either, find a layby.

Other than that, it's about 600 miles from Boulogne, on Land Rover bench seats that's a long way!!!

And if you like the Lot then the east of France is even better!!!

EDIT: just re-read your post, might be tempted to join you

[Bob Cooper]

If you've not been there before you need to get a copy of Andrew Wards book like Stuart says.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, I'd recommend Lynn and Daves place in Soucirac, there is a compressor there. I've heard that they are relocating though and are planning to have O2 and He too.

If you have any specific questions, just ask here.

Bob

[AMW]

I have been asked a few times about some were to stay in the Lot, I have
stayed at "Maison del Sol" a nice house with a garage for gear and a
big field behind to drive the compressor to the far corner of when pumping
(other houses near the front) to save upsetting the locals. It has room for
four and is 15 minutes from the Ressel 30 minutes from the St George.

Go to : http://www.eurorelais.com/e/default.htm

Put CAHO-46320-02 into the search with house code link.

I have some links to places to stay on the Lot46 site (local info).

Andrew.

[NotDeadYet]

I agree, staying in a gite is much better, especially one with a nice cellar. Maybe I'm getting soft but after spending a day in the water the idea of spending the night in a tent doesn't really do it for me anymore. Bugs, heat, verrrrrry hard ground, Dutch people that get up at 6am, screaming kids... and getting woken by the sun waking the wolves who wake the monkeys who wake the buffalo in the campsite next to the zoo

Shame Andre doesn't run the hotel anymore, nice rooms, excellent food, compressor and jugs of wine on call.

Any idea where Lynne & Dave are moving to, Bob? I only stayed there once but thought it was a bit far out of the way for me. Still there is a great nightclub in the woods nearby full of 18yr old French girls

[Reeve]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

Any idea where Lynne & Dave are moving to, Bob? I only stayed there once but thought it was a bit far out of the way for me. Still there is a great nightclub in the woods nearby full of 18yr old French girls

Now that's a more enjoyable form of diving!!

[NotDeadYet]

Ooooh yes... no idea how to find it again as I was very, er, tired and emotional. There is a Scottish woman in Gourdon who runs a bar there who gave me directions.

[Reeve]

Does anyone have an accurate survey of Fontaine de St George and some of the other sites, Ressel, Madame, Pomayssen, Truffe, de Landenouse.

These are some of the sites that were considering worth a visit.

thanks
gareth

[NotDeadYet]

Buy a copy of Andrew Ward's book www.lot46.com

There is also a great deal of info at www.plongeesout.com but is all in French.

But the Lot is so yesterday, eastern France is much cooler

www.lizardland.co.uk/franceguide.htm