Looks like we're going to France

[clivehorridge]

Hmmm, I think adding the 'o' works in Italy not sure about France.

EDIT

Don't use the motorway pull overs for overnight camping (if you have roof tent) use the service stations, they allow overnight stops. I've heard of gas being pumped into tents, when you are then fast asleep (or worse) they rob.

Don't worry Chas, the 'o' thing is international, works here a treat, in my experience

As for the gassing, I thought this was far-fetched when I first heard of it, but apparently it happens on the international sleeper trains from Hungary to Romania on occasions .... scary!

 

[Chris]

Gav. Last week in July at the second. Thanks for the locations. We're plugging them in.


Already done the money card thing. Used it for several years now.

Giles - great tips thanks

Grant, very handy. I shall be writing a final list of stuff. That will be on it.

Gary, yes please. That would be handy. Missus rarely pissed when she's driving but you never know ha ha

 

[andyw]

This is from the AA site.

January 2013 - the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11 – has been postponed indefinitely.
So theoretically you are still required to carry a self-test breathalyser when driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.

 

[clivehorridge]

Sadly, the latest development here, is when the Police "think" you're guilty of a road offence, they take your license.

No court, no evidence necessary, no report no nothing, they just take it, pending prosecution.

The time between taking it and the prosecution process starting is unlimited. A friend of mine was hit by a car at an unmarked junction. The police came and on the spot found my friend guilty, and took his license. There's been no notification of a prosecution and they still have his license, that was 7 months ago.

He's now considering court action against the police to get it back. It's a very long and steep hill to get justice here for minor offences, even when you're not guilty.

 

[Gary820]

I'll chuck them in the 80 for next weekend

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chaps. All building into useful case note.

BTW Gary, got one more hole done. Yes, one. That's all. Ena, Un, Eins. Pig of a job.

 

[Gary820]

So that's 2 done? They the ones above the chassis? It'll be worth it when done though.

 

[yogi]

Sadly, the latest development here, is when the Police "think" you're guilty of a road offence, they take your license.

No court, no evidence necessary, no report no nothing, they just take it, pending prosecution.

The time between taking it and the prosecution process starting is unlimited. A friend of mine was hit by a car at an unmarked junction. The police came and on the spot found my friend guilty, and took his license. There's been no notification of a prosecution and they still have his license, that was 7 months ago.

He's now considering court action against the police to get it back. It's a very long and steep hill to get justice here for minor offences, even when you're not guilty.

Ah Clive, thats what multiple international driver permits are for!! Disposable lisences for corrupt cops!!

Actually got a free multilingual leaflet from the Serbian border police a few days ago on how to pay fines to prevent corruption!!

 

[Chas]

Don't want to worry you Chris but my wife pointed this out to me tonight, confirmation of what I mentioned earlier. It was said it was at a service station, more likely a pull over at the side of the road as they said "but at the time we thought we would be safe - everyone’s had a kip at the side of the road before so it didn’t cross our minds this could happen"



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...hieves-knocked-using-SLEEPING-GAS-France.html

 

[froggy Steve]

Check with Steve to see if he is about for a beer once you reach the Dordogne - he's a top bloke.

This is a wild camp spot we've used a couple of time when catching late night ferries out: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...2!3m1!1s0x47ddeceb3c7b9529:0xe5d43af850a150ad

Watch for this - I haven't come across it yet but I'm still wary: Priorité à droite - the old French system was to give priority to all traffic coming from the right. This still applies at unmarked crossroads in the countryside, in small villages, as well as minor streets inside cities, etc. Most other road crossings have some kind of priority system implemented. Yellow lozenge signs indicate that your road is prioritary (all other roads must yield); a yellow lozenge with a bar shows ends this. Watch out; for drivers from other countries this is one of the most confusing aspects of French driving.

Make sure you have your V5 & Insurance papers with you - just in case you're stopped by the rozzas. I haven't been stopped in France but have in Germany where they did want all of this paperwork. It probably didn't help that we were in an old jag sovereign decorated with a christmas theme - but that's another story.

Don't be too wary of fixed speed cameras - I'm yet to receive anything in the mail.

Invest in one of the windscreen mounted cameras

... thats about all I can think of

aww, shucks yes, head towards Brantome, the Venice of the Dordogne! It will be absolutely heaving, but nice place. And you can if roof tenting, stay outside our gate if you wish, and we can fire up the BBQ (would have been on last night, but had folk round and made Pizza in the Pizza oven!) Warning though, stay too long and you will end up with a job!
Watch for a triangle sign,red border with an X in it - this is the Priorité à droite - usually in towns and country.........a right PITA
If in doubt, slow right down! I have my right of way off to a tee now, never slow down unless its an Eeeeglish car coming!
Lots of speed camera's but more often sneaky feds, hiding in a bush either with a speed gun or, easy pickings, at a 'stop' sign - always always stop at a stop sign, even if there isnt anyone about - stop, cout 3 or 4 seconds then go (even if something is coming! well thats what the locals do) its an easy 90€ on the spot fine - if you havent got it they will escort you to a bank! If you refuse to pay, they will take your car......

other than yet, call in for sure, have fun, and drive steady & that goes for anyone else heading south, always open doors here

 

[mrdelmonti]

Don't want to worry you Chris but my wife pointed this out to me tonight, confirmation of what I mentioned earlier. It was said it was at a service station, more likely a pull over at the side of the road as they said "but at the time we thought we would be safe - everyone’s had a kip at the side of the road before so it didn’t cross our minds this could happen"



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...hieves-knocked-using-SLEEPING-GAS-France.html

If you have a look on some of the campervan and motorhome forums it seems a lot of the time gas isn't actually used, they just work very quietly playing on the fact that you're likely to have had a couple drinks.

The small camping areas set up outside towns are said to be safer than the service stations.

In all honesty though I wouldn't let it worry you.

 

[froggy Steve]

Municipal camp sites are good - we never had any problems wild camping in our motor home when we came over, but that was 12 years ago! Just be sensible where you stay

 

[Chris]

Not planning on staying anywhere but a camp site with lots of people around. My missus, sleep at a service station? You clearly don't know her.

Cheers Steve, early days in the planning. We'll see if we can fit that beer in. We're certainly coming your way for some canoe action.

 

[froggy Steve]

Plenty of that Canoe action - all down hill too!

 

[Beau]

Chris, What date you heading down?

I've got some American family coming over in a couple days time, and as usual they want to see the entire Europe in couple days...

Planning on taking them to France so depending on when you're going might see you on the road

 

[Chris]

We'll be crossing on Saturday the 26th. Turns out the hovercraft doesn't run very regulalry now so we might have to get a boat instead. Now someone did say there is now a tunnel that you can drive through all they way. Yeah, like they'd really build a tunnel between here and France. Like that'll happen. Thought he'd sucker me right in on that one. I turn up at the coast asking where the tunnel is ha ha ha.

 

[Paddler Ed]

As others have said the Aire's aren't the safest places to stop, however I have slept in the main services a couple of times on my runs from Lancashire to the Ardeche (much better canoeing than the Dordogne, if you're comfortable on G2 white water...). Never made it to the Allier or the Tarn which are both also supposed to be good 2/3 as opposed to the Alps which is 3+

Have a look on the Local as well, as they have some bits on driving in France

A big one is that if you're GPS has a POI file containing the location of speed camera's that's a no-no, fine and confiscation IIRC. Also on the subject of speed, the signs that announce the village/town are the start of the 50kmh zone, and then when they have the red cross through them on the other side then it's the end of the 50kmh zone.

Having had a proper look on the Local, they actually have some really good stuff on there...

 

[Chas]

I've just bookmarked the Local, good site, I didn't know about the location of speed camera's no-no, I'll have to find out how to disable that on my GPS.

 

[Chris]

Great tips. Dang just spent £350 on a new GPS with cameras in it. Uhm.

White water. Ha ha ha. You have to be kidding. We're not even allowed to waves in the bath here.

 

[Gary820]

I just turned off the camera locations on my nav, I think some newer ones don't have them listed on French maps anyway.