Right I've finally taken the plunge and booked us to go to france at the end of aug. We're not taking the van as this will be the first time we have gone there. Hopefully we will be going in the van next year. In the meantime I need any tips you can give me about driving in france. I've heard that if you wear contact lenses you have to take a pair of current glasses, also heard you got to have a triangle if you break down, already know about those headlights sticky things lol. Anyway tell me whats true/false and anything else you know just to make this trip the best ever and hopefully get us hooked on france, many thanks
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I'm a wonderful travelling companion, (if you can ignore the chronic flatulence), listen:
Long red hair, freckles, walks with a limp and flower power walking stick, (currently on boring NHS crutches though and not exactly limping, more sort of thumping), dream catcher dangling from surgical collar, butt ugly with newly accquired large roundish scar on chin, (fading thanks to the wonders of Bio Oil), and as already mentioned prone to chronic flatulence.
When do we leave?
PS: You won't need sat nav with me and me 3 mile atlas.....only technical hitch ever suffered with that is when I've dropped me specs. Who needs sat nav, when you could have sat hippy?
Only 6 weeks and 6 days to Heligan Woods and counting...every bl**dy one of 'em
If you need to wear glasses whilst driving you are required to have a spare pair. It is advisable to have a warning triangle because if you have an electrical fault you may not be able to use your emergency flashers. You should also have a spare set of bulbs for the car lights. Have a look here for all details http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf
Hiya HP, would love to take ya, only problem is we'll have to strap you to the roof as we got no spare seats, also the sat nav role has been filled by my son Tom (tom) lol and the flatuence wouldn't be a problem with most of the occupants of our car suffering from it (just means we have to open the windows abit to get rid of the pong)
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
we're off to dol de bretagne, thought something not too far for the 1st time, sorta dip me toes in first, seeing as I'll be doing all the driving, gonna use it as a sort of tester before we take the van next year. Everyone is more excited now I've gone and booked this than they were about going to northumberland. How long you going for (can't remember if you told us at cliff top), we're only going for the week
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Buy a good up to date map - the French build roads so quickly that your last year atlas might have a whole new road, and a new set of road numbers! Dol de Bretagne is easy to get to - where is your ferry port? Go on Viamichelin or mappy.com and print yourself a route from your ferry port to Dol de Bretagne (I presume you're going to Chateau des Ormes? Use this in conjunction with a map to familiarise yourself with the route.
When driving remember 'keep your bum in the gutter' and get used to reciting this to yourself when you go around a roundabout, or come out of a junction - to make sure you're always on the french (right) side of the road! Get someone else to recite it (kids love it).
Fill up with petrol off the main roads, supermarket fuel is much cheaper. Keep to the speed limits - and if anyone flashes you it indicates that there is a radar trap or police ahead - slow down.
If you're travelling far on a Sunday make sure you fill up with petrol before the journey. Lots of town/village petrol stations in France are 'automatic' on Sundays and payment is by card only (don't accept British cards). On the autoroutes you'll have no problems - they are open as normal. Supermarkets in France often open only until lunchtime on Sunday. During the week some supermarkets close over lunchtime. Try a supermarket cafeteria for a good value meal.
French road signs are usually actually on the junction that you want - pointing at the road you require. Difficult to explain until you see it - but you'll soon get used to it.
Try to speak a little French - even schoolgirl level is preferred to just shouting something in English. Swot up on a few words and phrases before you go and don't worry about your accent.
Have a great time - and we may see you with your own van in town next year!!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
thanks Val I found that really helpful, love 'the bum in the gutter'. We are sailing on Friday via dover/calais as we've done this on a bit of a budget to book. OH has been practicing his 'avez un cuppa' which he thinks is hilarious, fortunately I still remember bits from school but will get a phrase book suitable for the kids to get them in on the act. We're now looking at sites for next August so we can take our van instead
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
I've just literally got back from two weeks at Camping le Baie at Trinite sur Mer in Southern Brittany. My wife and I had a really great time and would thoroughly recommend the site.
Driving from Caen was a piece of "pudden" - toll free autoroute all the way to Auray with the exception of a mile or two in Rennes which wasn't dual carriageway.
I find driving in France totally different to the UK inasmuch as you hardly hear any sounding of horns, they observe the speed limits - which incidentally are far more sensible than ours - and in the main, the roads are in great condition. The drivers are generally much more courteous and patient than here and wait for it, motor fuel is roughly 25% cheaper than here at around 72p per litre for diesel and just a little bit more for unleaded.
Road signs take a bit of getting used to. Destinations can be shown that are hundreds of miles away but this helps in getting your route right from the off. However the turn-off the Rennes Periphique for Caen ferry port is not well signposted and is easily missed so anyone coming back that way, be well on your guard 'cos the next available turn off incurs an extra 12 miles on your journey.
Quote: Originally posted by dianebb72 on 25/6/2006
Hiya HP, would love to take ya, only problem is we'll have to strap you to the roof as we got no spare seats, also the sat nav role has been filled by my son Tom (tom) lol and the flatuence wouldn't be a problem with most of the occupants of our car suffering from it (just means we have to open the windows abit to get rid of the pong)
Hey, that'd be even better coz I'd be able to spot any hold ups miles in advance from there! But.... I'm pretty sure you'll need to hang a liccle red flag thingy from me feet if I'm overhanging the end of the car. Shall I bring me own?
Course, if you're stuck in any traffic jams in tunnels....with me out in the elements and the build up of methane...might be considered an explosive risk? They do tell ya not to take any highly explosive things in those tunnels don't they? I'm not good near naked flames at the best of times......
Maybe you'd better leave me behind.......
Only 6 weeks and 3 days to Heligan Woods and counting...every bl**dy one of 'em
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Off to France, need some tips
to get rid of the pong)
