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In reply to Post #15
Is this thread still relevant for 2021? Never been to France for a fishing trip and I'm starting to investigate.
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In reply to Post #46
Was you on the Stella fella?
Lol this was from 2016 when there was fuel strike in France 
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In reply to Post #45
Usually find supermarket, find fuel.
BOF 
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In reply to Post #44
Calais , now worried about football idiots as well!😁
Thanks😊
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In reply to Post #43
Which port you arriving at?
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Hi Chaps
Just another first timer in France, we are driving down Limoges which is about a 6 hour drive, does any one know what the fuel situation is actually like now?
Nothing much on the net at the moment and would like to hear from anyone that has been in the last couple of weeks !
Many thanks in advance
Tight lines!!
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Can't see that 
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In reply to Post #40
I wonder if you have to have spare contact lenses?
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In reply to Post #37
wow, thats interesting and a quick google confirms it.
SO if you dont have a second pair, if pulled over hide the pair you are wearing before they come up outside your window. They cant prove you wear glasses!
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Time for a trip to Specsavers 
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In reply to Post #37
I dont 
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A mate of mine got pulled over, and after all the usual questions was asked if he had a spare pair of driving glasses which he had to produce, as it happens he had a spare set so all was good, how many people don't carry a second pair?
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In reply to Post #35
I started a ''fishing list'' on my computer
I've got one of those.
I'm a little bit embarrassed to say that I also make a list of where I have packed things.
I started to do that after I got to a venue once with headache and couldn't find the asprin. Ended up emptying all my gear out only to find them in the place I first looked but now with a bigger headache of having all the gear over the place 
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In reply to Post #26
Don't worry about France too much, I spent a whole summer there bailiffing and brought very little with me apart from a basic setup and bedchair carried on the train.
The venue will have everything you need and if they are a decent place you will have a great time. Just relax.
One thing I noticed being just a few of us lads working there was that we loved the punters who were friendly and up for a bit of banter and a few beers with us
Don't take the fishing too seriously and make a point of 'going in' to HQ and getting drunk with the staff
It's good for morale and makes everybody feel at home and we got quite bored sat together while everybody was out there doing the hard hours fishing.
Don't worry about language barriers, if you need anti mozzy gear etc. they have all that in the villages. Just say Bonjour, smile, and ask in plain English what you want. You don't need to be shy of the locals, they love the business and I found them all really friendly. I can speak a little bit of French and that helped me get a bit more in and friendly with them of course but they really don't care. Don't be shy and don't ever feel isolated. Just march into the shops and into the bars. They know who you are, remember, they have seen hundreds of Pecheurs Anglais from the lake before you!
And somebody else mentioned it and it is a brilliant idea, not just for holiday fishing but for your own domestic fishing too:
I started a ''fishing list'' on my computer as I am scatty and have a times been in a terrible state on the bank stranded miles from home with no phone, no alarms, no wallet, no reels, all sorts
The fishing list becomes a real living, breathing thing, and really organises your head
The thing I noticed was it got me to really visualise a session happening and loads of good little idea sprang from it, just neat little tweaks of all sorts of things
We might as well be happy and sorted on the bank and make damn sure we have everything sorted and can just relax and focus on the job in hand
Let's face it life is too short and stressful without having our wonderful passion also ruined by stupid mistakes that ruin our fishing before we have even started
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In reply to Post #32
Actually, if you are early and there is space, you are on the next available. (at times we've pulled up and boarded instantly, crossing inc boarding in 45 mins anyone?)
Also the reverse applies, if you are late you dont get stung for a new ticket, again you are on the next available.
This comes from using the tunnel multiple times a year of the last 15 years, I'd never use the ferry unless forced...
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In reply to Post #32
when you say LPG do you mean gas powered car or a bottle of gas for the cooker ?
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In reply to Post #31
So long as you have pre booked for the tunnel, you drive up to the touch screen monitor confirm who you are and that you are not carrying any pets or LPG get your printed departure ticket and wait for your departure.
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In reply to Post #30
is the checking in easier on the train ?
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In reply to Post #29
Without the checking in and boarding, tunnel 35 minutes, ferry 1 hr 30 minutes
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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
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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
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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.
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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!
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Message Suppressed by Forum Moderator.
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In reply to Post #20
Every year I go I always forget ant powder!!
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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In reply to Post #15
Get everything from amazon cheapest anywhere by far
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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 
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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
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In reply to Post #15
European health insurance card. its free and you never know when it could be needed.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4113 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
always been recommended - take a 'constat amiable d'accident' . . .although never had to use one!
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In reply to Post #13
One of the people we know was lifted from his car and taken to a local police cell until his wife arrived to drive him home.
Lucky he was married!!
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In reply to Post #12
It is now law but the police won't prosecute you for not having one. However, my experience is that it's better to not annoy them by not carrying required items.
Whatever you do, do not get caught using your phone while driving (unless hands free of course). One of the people we know was lifted from his car and taken to a local police cell until his wife arrived to drive him home.
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In reply to Post #1
a breathalyser tester where do you get breatherlysers ?
.......this is not law.
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In reply to Post #9
headlight deflectors can be made from coloured insulation tape
always where your seatbelt altho you dont many police on the roads ( well ive not the last 2 times ive been ) if you pull up at a toll booth without seat belt on you will still be fined or so ive been told
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In reply to Post #9
Thanks a lot guys appreciate it really helpful
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You will pay nearly double the price at Halfords as opposed to Amazon. I agree they stock everything but a simple headlight deflector was about 7.50 at halfords and 2.50 on Amazon.
Bulb spares at halfords are a complete rip off and both the fuse and bulb kits are less than half the price on Amazon.
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In reply to Post #7
Good call, Halfords do a European car cover kit you can buy.
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In reply to Post #1
Go to Halfords they have all that you need for your car
Bulb sets, breath test kits ect
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In reply to Post #5
Follow the advice above and I GUARANTEE you will not go wrong, cracking advice there
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In reply to Post #1
You need to have one Hi vis per person in the car / van and they have to be accessible whilst in the vehicle so they cannot be stored in the back of the van or in the boot of a car. The idea is that you can put them on before you exit the car / van.
Things I take are Hi vis vests, breath test kit (2No.), warning triangle, spare bulbs (incl head light) spare fuses, head light deflectors, GB sticker, elementary tool kit, small fire extinguisher, sat nav, good French map book, log book, insurance documents, written permission to take car out of country (if company van or car), torch, phone charger, emergency telephone list, recovery details and low denomination notes for tolls. I also put in either jump leads or my mobile power source.
Something else I always do is give my mate a key to the van to keep in his pocket whilst we are away.
Boilies, its’ all down to personal preference. I always air dry mine but some take frozen, some shelf life. My supplier will start the air dry process off sufficiently so the baits are still soft but will last all week without problem. I just put them in a sack (s) and hang them in the back of the van for the journey, they are fine even if we are in the deep South of France. When I get to the venue they are hung up in the nearest tree during the day if the weather is good, if not they’re kept in the bivvy or the van.
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In reply to Post #1
Stickers to go over your headlamps as they drive on the right.
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In reply to Post #1
spare bulbs for the car and red emergency triangle your insurance cert and log book...you can buy the breatherlysers from the shop at the tunnel or on the ferry or ebay.
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First time to France I know you need high viz vest per person and a breathalyser tester where do you get breatherlysers ? Anything else you need for your vehicle ?? Obvz GB sticker lol and one more thing boilies if I take 10kilo of freezer bait do I just put in normal air dry sack and would they last the week like that many thanks
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