Thats a narrow view Karim, and of course brits can form a blockade - its no more legal or otherwise here than in france. Its tolerated in France because culturally it is has been a consistent form of protest, that doesnt mean it isnt illegal there - it is, but it is tolerated Also I dont get you point re unemployment and protest. Britain had three million unemployed in the eighties at a time when protests were rife, I think you you are confusing cause and effect. There is also ample evidence to show that the french government will take notice of protests because, again, culturally they see this as a valid form of objection and they know that their society recognises this and wont ignore it. So to say that they dont have the support of their own people flies in the face of what France has been about since the late 1960s.
You have obviously had bad experiences yourself, which is a shame. My own have been virtually all positive throughout France
------------- John
May....Le Port De Limeuil, Dordogne Aug....Trinite sur Mer, Sth Brittany
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I was being specific about the area around Calais, Anaconda, if the fisherman wanted to make their point more effectively to the French government they would, like the farmers, block town centres, not ports, causing problems to(& possible alienation from)their own countrymen & not attempt to prevent the free passage of other EU citizens.
Ive nothing against the French in general, I take my holidays there & speak enough of the language to get by, but I do go for the weather, not for the culture(sorry & all that!)but I do take exception to French people who violate my right, as an EU citizen to free passage within the EU.
Re your point about legalities, I remember when French truck drivers blockaded Calais & brought the autoroutes to a halt, there was some suggestion that UK truck drivers would blockade Dover to protest over diesel prices, it only a suggestion & yet the Kent police were quick to reveal the draconian methods they would use to lift such a blockade.
Aye, your point re how our police would respond highlights the difference between us and the french. The french police are indeed a bit more laise faire(sp. Again this is a cultural thing. It wouldnt do for their own reputation if they were to be heavy handed
------------- John
May....Le Port De Limeuil, Dordogne Aug....Trinite sur Mer, Sth Brittany
Quote: Originally posted by Karim on 16/4/2009
stop on a Dutch owned campsite, drink beer & chat to the Dutch---in English.
Just out of interest: is there any particular reason why you stay on a Dutch owned campsite in France? Or is it that the site just happens to be owned by Dutch people? I ask because I am Dutch myself.
------------- Ina
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Hi Ina, just so happens that some of the campsites we go to are Dutch owned & I find it amusing that in the south of France, you have what amounts to 'Holland', campsites with no French campers, just Dutch with a few northern Belgians & English, everybody is friendly, likes a laugh & a beer, they are happy to talk to us in English & you can get frits & frikandels.
We go to Holland at least once a yr, like next Friday for 9 days(Queens day Wed/Thurs, I think)to our fave campsite nr Nijkerk. Dont need a map in Holland, spent yrs driving around there in me truck.
I do try to speak a bit of Dutch, 'speak English so I can understand you' is what they say.
You never seem get German campers on Dutch owned sites tho, 'bring back my grandad's bike you stole' & all that!
everything ok today, we used the tunnel as usual. We knew very little about it whilst on holiday, just happened to hear some brits due to come home weds just gone talking about it. We were worried as I know they planned to block the tunnel too. I wouldnt have minded being stuck in France mind!!
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
From what I saw on the news the French Fishermen have had a payout - In the meantime the ferry company I work for has lost over £2 million quid in lost revenue - wheres the logic in that? It means that the company has to pull its belt even tighter and possibly leads to more job cuts so whilst saving their livelihood the "Pecheurs" have put other peoples jobs on the line - how considerate. The hauliers have also been screwed again with lost deliveries etc. Yet more jobs at risk.
The other item in last nights news was a new campaign been launched by Kent County Council called "Enough is Enough".I couldn't agree more...
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It's often times like this that highlight cultural differences. I often respect the decisions people in France make, and the way they support their own in disputes, but can find their intransigence very frustrating!
On my first visit to France, staying in a gite, we had a little black and white TV. At that time French farmers were protesting against supermarkets selling milk. They were shown on TV, walking into supermarkets and smashing bottles of milk on the floor. I was convinced that they would have been arrested in this country, but it never seemed to be even suggested there.
So yes it works, yes its targeting doesn't make sense to us, but cultural differences go beyond the language!
I would respond however if it affects me. If I had to spend a couple of days blockaded in a ferry port its unlikely I would ever return to France again.
I had a new Espace and was concerned that France were going ahead with testing a nuclear bomb in the Pacific, after every other country had banned testing. I wrote to the embassy saying if the test went ahead I would never buy another French car and to date I haven't. So protests are not just one-sided, they cut both ways. If more people were prepared to stand up for their principles, the world might be a better place!
Quote: Originally posted by Karim on 17/4/2009
Hi Ina, just so happens that some of the campsites we go to are Dutch owned & I find it amusing that in the south of France, you have what amounts to 'Holland', campsites with no French campers, just Dutch with a few northern Belgians & English, everybody is friendly, likes a laugh & a beer, they are happy to talk to us in English & you can get frits & frikandels.
We go to Holland at least once a yr, like next Friday for 9 days(Queens day Wed/Thurs, I think)to our fave campsite nr Nijkerk. Dont need a map in Holland, spent yrs driving around there in me truck.
I do try to speak a bit of Dutch, 'speak English so I can understand you' is what they say.
You never seem get German campers on Dutch owned sites tho, 'bring back my grandad's bike you stole' & all that!
OK Karim, I was just being nosey! There do seem to be a lot of Dutch-owned campsites in France, and one thing I do miss from Holland is the "patat met mayonaise".
Yes, a week next Thursday, 30 April, is celebrated as the Queen's birthday, although it is not the current Queen's birthday, hers is on the 31st of January. When she became Queen, she kept her mother's, Juliana's, birthday as the official day though. The Tuesday after that, 5 May, is "bevrijdingsdag", the day Holland was liberated and that day is still celebrated and is a day off too.
Anyway, this is really off topic now, so enjoy your holiday in Holland
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Blockade concerns
