248 replies to this topic

[NickB787]

I am blocking this thread as I can't go boo hissssss

[PaulCP]

Yep, as we discussed on Sunday, its a real shame since I know you would have enjoyed those tracks, the relaxed atmosphere and the company (the Lotus guys that go are quite human😎) Would have made a good finale for both cars ahead of, what appears to be, the inevitable😥😥

Edited by PaulCP, 29 May 2015 - 07:31 PM.

[P11 COV]

Yep, as we discussed on Sunday, its a real shame since I know you would have enjoyed those tracks, the relaxed atmosphere and the company (the Lotus guys that go are quite human😎) Would have made a good finale for both cars ahead of, what appears to be, the inevitable😥😥

You getting a Volvo?

[pete-r]

Can anyone answer a few questions as I've never done a LOT euro event before... Is there a UK convoy meet(s) or does everyone just meet at the hotel in Orange? Am I right in thinking the hotel is booked from the Sunday night to Friday night? We are thinking it best to leave on the Saturday lunchtime and stay in the premier inn by the crossing on the Saturday night and book a 9ish crossing on Sunday morning to give plenty of time to get there. Orange is a long way down so we don't fancy doing it from swansea/bristol I one day. Coming back ill do in one day knowing I can sleep as long as I need to when get home lol. And am I the only one planning to pimp the car for the trip?

[siztenboots]

with the heat , it will be a really long drive down , heading South always into the Sun. If you must do it in one , I would leave early as possible and give you extra time to break up the journey to get cold drinks. getting off the peage allows you to enjoy the nice roads and scenary, plus stop for much cheaper fuel at the supermarket and get snacks. Just those two money savings easily paid for a hotel room with aircon near to Dijon. I have not booked the ferry yet , plans are about 90% done , but will a midway stop coming back. ferry prices for 2 weeks about £110 , eurotunnel want over £250

[PaulCP]

As you correctly state, Orange is a long way down and Lyon can be a complete 2wat to get through if you are unlucky. If you really are intent on making the trip south in one day I would suggest you take a crossing late on Saturday and stay at one of the hotels close to the Chunnel/ ferry terminal (depending on which option you are taking). Don't forget that a 9.00am tunnel crossing lands you in France at 10.45am French time so you will have lost a couple of hours travelling time already. We are going a few days before to make a longer holiday of the event, as are Sizeten and P11Cov. Not sure on others re any possible convoy arrangement If you can make some headway into France on the Saturday evening then the Campanile at Reims just off the autoroute is a reasonable option

Edited by PaulCP, 03 June 2015 - 08:36 AM.

[pete-r]

We are booking the tunnel with tesco vouchers, my mate said they are 2/1 if I recall. Definitely splitting it, last euro trip I did we went to Grenoble's straight and didn't get there until LATE!!!

[PaulCP]

This is the Campanile Reims Sud which I mentioned http://www.booking.c...abel=share_cell A few of us stayed there last year on the way to Dijon Travelling from Swansea on the Sat morning Reims is probably the ideal mid point to stop at. Still 430 miles from Reims to Orange which will probably take at least 7 hours including stops if you are lucky with Lyon. If you can take a extra day then Steve's point about hotel cost = savings in autoroute tolls is very valid To answer your other question, yes the hotel in Orange is booked 6 nights Sunday to Friday

Edited by PaulCP, 03 June 2015 - 09:16 AM.

[pete-r]

Never stayed in Reims but been there to see the F1 ruins. I'll check costs out. The saturday is fine but neither my mate or I can spare the leave from work to go sooner.

[siztenboots]

Reims is not really that far into France, worth pushing on a bit further , Dijon or Beaune are good. I'm looking on tripadvisor atm , Beaune for 22nd Saturday night

[siztenboots]

of course there is the Route des Grands Crus

[PaulCP]

Agree that if you can push on a bit further then do it, I'm just aware that the trek from Swansea to Folkestone is a fair one Steve, Beaune is a good call, we stayed there on the way back last year. I'm sure that you will enjoy all of the wine tasting places on offer there. We stayed here and would do so again. Easy walk into town but you need to pre book a parking space since parking is very limited. http://www.booking.c...abel=share_cell

Edited by PaulCP, 03 June 2015 - 09:53 AM.

[siztenboots]

also , ferry prices can be much cheaper on a friday to monday rather than the weekend dates , cheapest for me so far is £75 return

[pete-r]

I just spoke to my mate and our current thoughts are to make a teatime train and head towards Reims. I'm not sure beaume would be achievable because we'd have a 5hour journey from Calais to make it there. At least Reims breaks the Sunday down from an 8.5 to a 6 hour slog South. Where are you guys staying on the Sunday?

[P11 COV]

We are going down slowly and having a few days by the sea so won't be convoying. Last year I drove from Orange back up to Saint Quentin on the last day and that was a long drive (500 miles) wouldn't do it in one again.

 

We're also going slowly back. In fact we are taking nearly 4 weeks in all !!

Edited by P11 COV, 03 June 2015 - 08:30 PM.

[pete-r]

Nice, wish I had the money and could get the time off! Hopefully the cruise down will be ok. I'm hoping the combination of Probax and a 6th gear will munch the miles lol.

[siztenboots]

extending my tour now to 7th till 24th , channel crossings will be a lot quieter than at peak summer weekend dates. time off work won't be a problem as last day is July 31st Plan was day 1 , dash from Calais over to Czech border 621 miles, but decided to split the mileage with a stopover in Black Forest Friday night

[siztenboots]

hotelsniper.com useful resource , covers all the sites.

[Acidpopstar]

That's a very useful link cheers Steve. I must get my useless arse in gear and book crossing etc. Haven't even booked crossing for Spa in July yet

[Madmitch]

Hi Guys

 

Sounds like a fantastic trip!  As one who lives in the deep SW of France can I offer a few thoughts which may be helpful.

 

There are now radar cameras everywhere, watch out for white vans at the side of the road or autoroute, sometimes with a back window out or rear door open, often on the other side of the Armco barrier.  You are not permitted to have the speed camera file on your sat nav now and the rumour says that if they find you have this then you will be obliged to drive over your sat nav and crush it!  Haven't heard of it actually happening but -

 

Get a toll tag, it is worth every penny as the tolls are often unmanned now and the slot for your card is both on the other side of your car and too high to easily reach except with the top off.

 

You are required to carry all your car documents in the car at all times.

 

Supermarket petrol is cheaper but off the autoroute pumps are now increasingly automated and many take only French Carte Bleu.  Also, off the autoroute it can be very difficult to find petrol on a Sunday.

 

The French alco limit is about half the UK limit....   An English mate down here was recently caught over the limit and had his UK licence confiscated.  It was sent back to the DVLA and he has now had a letter from the French authorities telling him that he will have to take a French part test now and if he passes he will be issued with a French licence.  I don't think it will be quite like that for non residents but gives you an idea of the way things are going! 

 

And lastly, if anyone is coming down near Carcassonne disregard the above and come for a glass, or three!!  In the meantime, have a great trip!!