In reply to Post #15
European health insurance card. its free and you never know when it could be needed.
European health insurance card. its free and you never know when it could be needed.
In reply to Post #2
Look up this driving rule PRIORITÉ À DROITE before you go as it will save you having a crash that will be your fault
Look up this driving rule PRIORITÉ À DROITE before you go as it will save you having a crash that will be your fault
In reply to Post #17
Most items can be picked up on ebay for pennies...breathalysers, warning triangle, hi viz, first aid kit etc. Check the RAC/AA sites and they do a comprehensive list.
Haven't seen European car/van insurance cover mentioned yet.........on my last two trips i have either been involved in or had one of the group breakdown and it can be disastrous if you do not have cover. Don't just go cheap, take it very seriously as it can cost you the whole trip and a hell of alot of money!!
Have you spoken to the venue to see if they have a freezer available?? Even on the most isolated of D and S venues i've had freezer facilities. If not airdry as stated.
Definately small change for the tolls as some are unmanned.
As Keith states, don't p the police of unnecessarily. I know people who have been done leaving toll booths for no seatbelt as they took it off to lean across to pay and drove off without it for a few hundred yards!!
Biggest piece of advice is to keep a check list before you go. I keep mine on my desktop at work and add to it after each trip. Bit OCD but i've never forgotten anything this way.
Have a great trip and don't be put off by what seems like a minefield of info.....good preperation and it's a doddle
Most items can be picked up on ebay for pennies...breathalysers, warning triangle, hi viz, first aid kit etc. Check the RAC/AA sites and they do a comprehensive list.
Haven't seen European car/van insurance cover mentioned yet.........on my last two trips i have either been involved in or had one of the group breakdown and it can be disastrous if you do not have cover. Don't just go cheap, take it very seriously as it can cost you the whole trip and a hell of alot of money!!
Have you spoken to the venue to see if they have a freezer available?? Even on the most isolated of D and S venues i've had freezer facilities. If not airdry as stated.
Definately small change for the tolls as some are unmanned.
As Keith states, don't p the police of unnecessarily. I know people who have been done leaving toll booths for no seatbelt as they took it off to lean across to pay and drove off without it for a few hundred yards!!
Biggest piece of advice is to keep a check list before you go. I keep mine on my desktop at work and add to it after each trip. Bit OCD but i've never forgotten anything this way.
Have a great trip and don't be put off by what seems like a minefield of info.....good preperation and it's a doddle
In reply to Post #15
Get everything from amazon cheapest anywhere by far
Get everything from amazon cheapest anywhere by far
In reply to Post #1
Some things that are often overlooked on the first time trip to France is Ant Powder, Mosi Coils, mosi repellent and even a can of fly spray...... sounds daft but all of these have helped to make my trips (and my bivvy) more acceptable and enjoyable.
Some things that are often overlooked on the first time trip to France is Ant Powder, Mosi Coils, mosi repellent and even a can of fly spray...... sounds daft but all of these have helped to make my trips (and my bivvy) more acceptable and enjoyable.
Brittany Ferries advice regarding breathalysers:
The enforcement of the law making it compulsory to carry breathalysers whilst driving in France has been postponed indefinitely. Whilst the law itself is still in place the authorities have recognised problems with the supply of suitable breathalysers and will not issue fines until further notice. We continue to recommend that you still carry breathalysers and we will inform passengers as soon as we know of a date for the re-introduction of the fines.
The enforcement of the law making it compulsory to carry breathalysers whilst driving in France has been postponed indefinitely. Whilst the law itself is still in place the authorities have recognised problems with the supply of suitable breathalysers and will not issue fines until further notice. We continue to recommend that you still carry breathalysers and we will inform passengers as soon as we know of a date for the re-introduction of the fines.
In reply to Post #18
Can't agree more - Recovery / Breakdown Insurance is an essential as far as I am concerned.
Two Week family holiday - car breaks down on the way to holiday location on the Saturday of French Bank Holiday weekend.
So we end up with the insurance company paying for:
Motorway Recovery to local garage
Taxi to hotel - 90 miles away to get a room
3 hotel rooms for 3 nights plus contribution towards meals
Taxi on Tuesday morning to pick up a Hire Car - 120 miles
Hire Car for remainder of holiday - 12 days
Taxi from Hire Car return point to mainline station - 10 miles
4 rail tickets up to Paris @40 each
Taxi across Paris
4 Eurostar tickets to Kent @ £100 plus each
Hire car waiting for us at Kent to get home, returned next day.
Recovery of car from France to UK garage
For about a £40 premium that was fair return
Can't agree more - Recovery / Breakdown Insurance is an essential as far as I am concerned.
Two Week family holiday - car breaks down on the way to holiday location on the Saturday of French Bank Holiday weekend.
So we end up with the insurance company paying for:
Motorway Recovery to local garage
Taxi to hotel - 90 miles away to get a room
3 hotel rooms for 3 nights plus contribution towards meals
Taxi on Tuesday morning to pick up a Hire Car - 120 miles
Hire Car for remainder of holiday - 12 days
Taxi from Hire Car return point to mainline station - 10 miles
4 rail tickets up to Paris @40 each
Taxi across Paris
4 Eurostar tickets to Kent @ £100 plus each
Hire car waiting for us at Kent to get home, returned next day.
Recovery of car from France to UK garage
For about a £40 premium that was fair return
In reply to Post #22
Get your vehicle checked over properly before you go (mot type check would be good) recovery policy is a must consider parts and labour but there is a limit on what you can get. **** does happen, this year despite having a full service and mot my alternator went bill 720 euros! Next trip a couple of weeks later nail through the tyre new tyre 180 euros!
The incovenience is bad enough and you can end up losing fishing time which hurts then theres the attack on your wallet. Still I did catch some excellent fish.
All the tips are good all I can add is some sort of tow rope as I have been stuck on a fishery as when it rains it really rains heavy oh and I always have a 2lb bag of table salt the slugs in some places can be an absolute nightmare. It may seem at bit extreme but its worth it if you have the room its just one of those just in-case things its a bugger if ain't got what you need.
Enjoy your trip
ps spare batteries
Get your vehicle checked over properly before you go (mot type check would be good) recovery policy is a must consider parts and labour but there is a limit on what you can get. **** does happen, this year despite having a full service and mot my alternator went bill 720 euros! Next trip a couple of weeks later nail through the tyre new tyre 180 euros!
The incovenience is bad enough and you can end up losing fishing time which hurts then theres the attack on your wallet. Still I did catch some excellent fish.
All the tips are good all I can add is some sort of tow rope as I have been stuck on a fishery as when it rains it really rains heavy oh and I always have a 2lb bag of table salt the slugs in some places can be an absolute nightmare. It may seem at bit extreme but its worth it if you have the room its just one of those just in-case things its a bugger if ain't got what you need.
Enjoy your trip
ps spare batteries
In reply to Post #20
Every year I go I always forget ant powder!!
Every year I go I always forget ant powder!!
This message has been suppressed by a moderator.
In reply to Post #18
Excellent idea about keeping a "rolling" list going, I have had the same thing going for about 7/8 years.
Just update it on an on-going basis, print it off as you starting sorting your gear out and tick stuff as you go along.
It does work, one year we were about to depart when we realised passports might be helpful!
Another bit of kit to consider if you are fishing platforms, don't forget your hooks for your bivvy!
Excellent idea about keeping a "rolling" list going, I have had the same thing going for about 7/8 years.
Just update it on an on-going basis, print it off as you starting sorting your gear out and tick stuff as you go along.
It does work, one year we were about to depart when we realised passports might be helpful!
Another bit of kit to consider if you are fishing platforms, don't forget your hooks for your bivvy!
just returned from a trip to France and please be aware that they are now checking how much stuff you have in a van and if its over 3 cubic metres you will have to go via freight which is more expense, an average crossing via freight is over £200. we was put onto the freight train but the extra cost was waived as it was being brought in soon and when fully operational everyone would need to pay the extra cost.
In reply to Post #27
well they will lose alot of custom then,people will just go back to ferries again if they start with all that crap
well they will lose alot of custom then,people will just go back to ferries again if they start with all that crap
In reply to Post #28
Hi Guys how long does it take to cross on the eurostar V the ferry ? including the checking in etc
Hi Guys how long does it take to cross on the eurostar V the ferry ? including the checking in etc
In reply to Post #29
Without the checking in and boarding, tunnel 35 minutes, ferry 1 hr 30 minutes
Without the checking in and boarding, tunnel 35 minutes, ferry 1 hr 30 minutes