Come and enjoy a lovely afternoon next to the lake in Hourtin Port.
Bring your picnic and round up your friends and family.
There’s fun stuff for kids to do, a great wooden fort and playground, perfect for hide and seek, and we can organise cricket, badminton and other games or, for the less energetic, just relax in the sunshine.
Don’t forget to bring your own picnic and deck chairs!
Last year we all had a great time, so if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon, and you’ve got family visiting for the holidays, come along and enjoy yourselves!
Meeting time and Place
The plan is to meet around 14h on the île aux enfants at Hourtin Port, parking is easy and there are some nice places for a gentle stroll if the fancy takes you.
Booking
Please reserve online below or direct with Sarah P.
We use the free Helloasso event booking system and and they add a suggested ‘tip’ called a Pouboire, at the final stage of your booking.
If you do not wish to leave a tip, click ‘Modifier‘ and click the feint box to the left of ‘Je ne souhaite pas laisser de pourboire‘. There is no obligation for you to add a tip.
David and Avril will be hosting this very popular annual event in their garden in Biscarrosse. It is always a very popular annual BBC event and not to be missed.
We will assemble at 12.00 for an aperitif offered by your hosts followed by Paella cooked and served around the pool, followed by home made desserts. You will be welcome to swim (at your own risk)
The cost will be 12€ per person including soft drinks. Please bring your own wine etc according to your preferences. Tables, chairs and tableware will be provided. Children under 10 years of age come free of charge.
Please send cheques in advance to Avril and payable to BBC (these will not be cashed until after the event)
Please book before 10th June and please arrive promptly as Paella will be served freshly cooked.
Location
The party will be in Biscarosse. The address details and directions will be in the BBC Members Newsletter.
Booking
Please reserve direct with Avril or book online here.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
Many members may remember a canoe excursion three years ago, especially those who got wet ! We plan an all day trip, covering 20km from Salles to Biganos port, with a picnic half way at Mios.
Not so much paddling is required as the flow of the river, plus the ebb tide carries us most of the way, through lovely scenery and nature, especially birds.
There are a selection of photos from the previous trip in the October 2013 newsletter here
Arrival
We shall meet at the lovely small leisure port of Biganos at 9am (sorry about the early start !). There we leave our cars and board a minibus which takes us to Salles. After a safety and canoeing briefing there, and after packing our picnics in waterproof containers, we set off downstream to our riverside lunch rendez-vous in Mios. There is the opportunity to opt out there if anyone has had enough ! We should be back at our cars by 5pm.
There are a selection of photos already in the October 2013 newsletter.
What to Wear
You may get wet ! Bring a change of clothes, be prepared with sun and insect protection. Shorts are advised, as well as old trainers or secure sandals. A retaining cord for your glasses is strongly advised.
Picnic
Don’t forget your picnic, but note this will be with you in the canoe in a 55 litre waterproof container, with a 30cm diameter lid, please ensure your picnic can fit in !
Price
The price for adults is 18€, including the canoe, paddle and safety gear hire, as well as the minibus trip.
The price for children aged 6-12 is 6€, they will travel in the centre of the canoe (without a paddle)
Booking
Please book by 5th September direct with Phil or online. We have to pay the hire company in advance. So, to confirm your booking, please post your cheque direct to Phil made payable to the BBC.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the Deirdre within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to please contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
This is a chance to taste wines, cheeses, various meats and music in a festive atmosphere.
Having paid your 2€ admission (7€ after 18:00), you will be given a glass which entitles you to a free glass of INAO wine, a taste of a wine in most stands and bread, meats and cheeses on the others.
INAO is the French organization charged with regulating French agricultural products with Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs). Controlled by the French government, it forms part of the Ministry of Agriculture.
There are workshops for children and adults, competitions, musical entertainment all day and at 21.30, you have the opportunity of watching a live show if you can manage to keep awake after all the wine intake!!
Lunch
Lunch can be bought at one of the several mobile restaurants on site. Choices range from seafood through to duck and steak and the quality has always been excellent. Equally, there are stands selling aperitifs if your hunger is not that great! If you fancy dinner, it is advisable to book at lunch time as this festival is very popular.
Evening Concert
This year, the evening concert at 21:30 is given by Michael Jones, a Welsh-French rock and blues singer, guitarist and song writer who lives in France. He has made several hit albums and toured with Jean-Jacques Goldman, the American singer Carole Fredericks and even better Status Quo!
There is a large car park but even if full, one can find parking within walking distance.
We shall meet at the entrance in Allee Marines at 10.30 and everyone can then discover the numerous attractions the park has to offer at their own leisure. Alternatively, if you prefer to come later in the day, please remember that after 6pm, the entrance fee is 7 euros.
The GPS co-ordinates of the entrance are N 44.555791, W 0.243393 Please click here for a map.
Please reserve direct with Colette or book online.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
We’ll meet up at 13:00 at the île aux enfants at Hourtin Port, ready for a fun afternoon.
There is a bouncy castle for little kids, and a large bouncy structure on the water and a zip wire for wake boarding (extra cost for these activities) as well as a large wooden fort and playground available for everyone to have a fun time.
We shall also organise some ball games and badminton for those who are interested. .
Don’t forget to bring your own picnic and deck chairs!
Last year we all had a great time, so if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon, and you’ve got family visiting for the holidays, come along and enjoy yourselves!
Booking
Please reserve direct with Sarah or book online.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
26 of us met up at Hourtin port for an afternoon picnic. The lakeside weather was bracing. Food and wine warmed us as we sat admiring the acrobatics of the wake-boarders. There was plenty of lively conversation amongst the circle and the event was enjoyed by all.
Report by Paul Carroll
Original Announcement
We will meet at 13h at the Ile aux Enfants at Hourtin Port, ready for a fun afternoon with something for all the family.
A bouncy castle for little kids, a large bouncy structure on the water and a zip wire for wake boarding (extra cost for these three activities). In addition a large wooden fort and playground available for everyone to have a fun time. We shall also organise some ball games and badminton for those who are interested.
Don’t forget to bring your own picnic and deck chairs!
Last year we all had a great time, so if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon, and you’ve got family visiting for the holidays, come along and enjoy yourselves! For more details or to register your interest, please contact Sarah Peel
The last week of June saw temperatures approaching 40C, quite uncomfortable (and perhaps unsafe) for a cycle ride, and we were tempted to cancel it. We were lucky, however, as Thursday turned out to be cooler cycling weather and perfect for our 30 km cycle trip. 8 members assembled right on schedule at our meeting point in Sanguinet, unfortunately some last minute cancellations had rather reduced our numbers.
We crossed a delightful ‘arc’ bridge and proceeded along the new lakeside cycle track which offered beautiful views of the lake, with sandy swimming beaches and some small harbours. Our cycle track was elegantly separated from the road by robust wooden barriers. After passing the old Roman port of Estey we headed into the forest and enjoyed around 10Km meandering through a lot of trees on this brand new cycle track which achieved dimensions of a cycle ‘dual carriageway’ although a number of crossings of forest tracks were well signed with rather extravagant barriers to remind us that we did not have right of way!
As we approached the south of the lake, we returned to civilization, passing by camp sites and small farms. We even ‘signed’ to share our cycle track with cars and pedestrians, but we did not see any ! There were some turnings which were not so well signposted and our lead group were so engrossed in conversation that they missed one and had to be recalled ! We were reminded that if we made good speed, there would be time to stop for a beer before we assembled for our picnic – our speed picked up remarkably!
So we reached Navarrosse, cycling beside a ‘sheltered mooring’ creek, and gratefully took our refreshment sitting outside a small hotel which served draught Paulaner beer! Thus refreshed we continued along the cycle track, across an ‘arc’ bridge over the canal which links the three Biscarrosse lakes to the Sailing Club on a lovely inlet at Ispe. There we met a number of local members who joined us for lunch and others who had kindly transported our picnic lunches from Sanguinet. We were able to have a comfortable sit down picnic, courtesy of the sailing club facilities.
Following lunch some of us walked to an adjacent beach which offered a great view of the lake, the far end was almost out of sight. A few of our party had had enough exercise after the 15Km ride, so a smaller number of us cycled back to Sanguinet, taking a small diversion to cycle up and down the adjacent ‘Montagne’, a pretty route but more like a molehill than a mountain!
As we reached Sanguinet, the sun came out, and we could not resist a further opportunity to quench our thirst at a lakeside bar. Some of us also needed to sit down – A great day out !
Report by Phil C (Click here to view the photo album)
What a dreamy day! ‘Fun on/in the lake’ was an enormous success for those present: temperature just perfect for not worrying too much about shade or suncream and as for moseying about on the water in a yacht, not too much wind so ‘tres agréable’ for those without their sea legs! (The skippers may describe the conditions in another way… But this is my rendition of the day!)
As new members we received a warm welcome from the BBC crew who were most accommodating of my 4 year old running around nude demanding attention and my 1 and half year old and his fascination for the only seat present at the picnic…..
Phil and Norma have an idyllic almost private beach near their house. There were all kinds of water ‘toys’ to entertain us and their sailing boat is moored at one of the two jetties. We made great use of these ‘sit on’ toys, and had a short trip in Phil’s boat to meet Gary’s party en route from the sailing club. Gary then tied up at the jetty where we settled very comfortably for our picnic, literally ‘on’ the water!
More importantly it created a wonderful launching pad for my kids to jump into Phil’s arms in the water!
After lunch we split into three parties, the youngest with Gary, the older ones with Phil whilst the two Normas stayed on the beach in the shade. The two yachts sailed together in the centre of the lake where there was a little more wind, providing a good opportunity for others to take the helm!
So thank you Phil, and Gary for the initiative and organization! And thank you crew for the company, we really enjoyed meeting you all. What a fantastic day for (probably) our last lake trip of the season! ”
PS : when Louis had to “write” about his weekend for school he recited going on two boats: a small red one with a cabin and a big white one with a cabin and the big white one even had a toilet and a bed! That was his weekend!! (Report by Bindi)
A variety of watersports will be catered for, the major one being sailing on the lake (claimed to be the largest in France!). Several members are offering an excursion under sail, altogether a maximum of 8 (plus skippers) can be accommodated, so depending on numbers, one or more yachts will make more than one excursion, we are also reliant on at least one crew member who has sailed before!
Those not afloat will be based at a lovely semi-private, part shaded beach and adjacent pontoon where windsurfer canoes can be borrowed – it is ideal for swimming and the water is now at its warmest ! It is also ideal for your picnic! Clearly the organization will be adapted to suit the numbers, so please book early! If you would like to come, please register with Phil.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, please 'click' here:
BBC Cookie Policy
Come and enjoy a lovely afternoon next to the lake in Hourtin Port.
David and Avril will be hosting this very popular annual event in their garden in Biscarrosse. It is always a very popular annual BBC event and not to be missed.
Many members may remember a canoe excursion three years ago, especially those who got wet ! We plan an all day trip, covering 20km from Salles to Biganos port, with a picnic half way at Mios.
This is a chance to taste wines, cheeses, various meats and music in a festive atmosphere.
Evening Concert
We’ll meet up at 13:00 at the île aux enfants at Hourtin Port, ready for a fun afternoon.
The last week of June saw temperatures approaching 40C, quite uncomfortable (and perhaps unsafe) for a cycle ride, and we were tempted to cancel it. We were lucky, however, as Thursday turned out to be cooler cycling weather and perfect for our 30 km cycle trip. 8 members assembled right on schedule at our meeting point in Sanguinet, unfortunately some last minute cancellations had rather reduced our numbers.
So we reached Navarrosse, cycling beside a ‘sheltered mooring’ creek, and gratefully took our refreshment sitting outside a small hotel which served draught Paulaner beer! Thus refreshed we continued along the cycle track, across an ‘arc’ bridge over the canal which links the three Biscarrosse lakes to the Sailing Club on a lovely inlet at Ispe. There we met a number of local members who joined us for lunch and others who had kindly transported our picnic lunches from Sanguinet. We were able to have a comfortable sit down picnic, courtesy of the sailing club facilities.
British Pound Exchange Rate