rue_d_etropal

John, I remember you and your Southern region layout if I am right. Talked to you about your old layout Chessington. When it comes to accomodation I prefer to use the B&B chain, which is only slightly more expensive than the F1 chain, and you get a better breakfast and ensuite facilities. Unfortunately there wasn't a B&B near Sedan, and the 'better' one locally is where I would opt for in future. You should have heard the comments from the Scots on Sunday morning!!! I knew what to expect, even though I would not choose to stay there if I have a choice. What amuses me about the F1 chain is that they are part of a much bigger company which has some good quality hotels , some are next door to F1 in some towns, and one of our local hotels here is part of the chain. My house is about 50 knm from Beziers towards Castres(where there is a big club). I have been told there is a model shop not far away, models not necessarily railway models,, and my next door neighbour(English) is into wargaming so we have quite a bit in common. By the time I get down there permanently I probably won't want to be travelling too much. I am still developing my 3D printing busiiness(designing, not actually printing), and the aim is for that to carry on , hands off as it is internet based. Simon

This is my first posting here, so hello. Anyway I exhibited at RAMMA in Sedan last year. It was my first French exhibition , as an exhibitor or visitor. I had heard French exhibitions were a bit different to those in UK, but I enjoyed the experience, but next time I will pay to stop night before. I did find at one point that I was the only person operating a layout in our small area, so I went round to look at rest of layouts. My mini layout has an auto control mode so always has something running. The quality of the other layouts, in particular some of the 'challenge' layouts was superb and it did not matter that no trains were running on many. I have a house in south of France, but have noticed most of the exhibitions in France tend to be in top half of the country. I would be interested in exhibitions further south. There is a big club not far from me in France, and I will pay a visit some time. Not sure if they have an exhibition, but they do have a public open day every Sunday I think to show off their main layout. I had intended to travel up to the RAMMA exhibition from my house in France, but it was both close and easier to travel from here in Lancashire. Most of my exhibition layouts are therefore based in the UK, and suspect I won't be doing much exhibiting once I am based full time in France. Simon