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How do I turn this reference to a website into a blue hyperlink?
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How do I turn this reference to a website into a blue hyperlink?
It's mentioned here:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=11017
But the bottom line is that you have to add http:// before the www bit.
I have edited the link, btw.
D.
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If you're booking your own ferry (ie not part of the deal) then book as soon as you can, you often get better prices. Try www.speedferries.com very cheap deals at the moment (£19 return I think)
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I agree with all above especially following other cars at complicated junctions. If you mess up just don't get flustered, you are on holiday just turn around and start again. If you are unlucky enough to arrive at a junction alone I always check the road markings. Remember you are a tourist and most people will help rather than hinder.
Have a great time
Jim
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think there are 2 different types of driving in France - City centre & rural / semi-rural. On the whole outside of the city centres the French are only slightly more unpredictable than us but think this all changes in busy city centres, particularly when everyone is going to/coming from work. Best avoided these times if possible as driving can get pretty scary - the rule is EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, lane discipline is non-existant & traffic lights don't always prove significant. If it's your first time it may come as a bit of a shock but to be honest you soon get used to it.
One thing you will notice is that you don't see many French people driving around city centres in flash cars, probably due to the fact that minor collisions are pretty common & also parking can be very difficult in some of the major cities so smaller cars tend to be the preferred choice.
All in all though if you keep your wits about you shouldn't be any real problem
have fun !!
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Derek:
I don't know where you are based but if Nantes is your preferred destination the ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff will save you hours of driving in France.
Unless you are hellbent on camping I would recommend looking at gites as a much cheaper option than a holiday centre. Loads of choice in the area. Good luck!
PS We have been doing this sort of holiday in this area for over ten years, if you need any info get in touch.
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great will do
someone at a school party was talking about it and my missus has this romantic notion of caravans, i do not, so a soprt of compromise was that part of the world rather than ormskirk, im in manchester by the way, we are thinking of getting an hdi picasso so im not worried about it braking dsown
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Some good advice above - main thing is to take your time and not get flustered. When my children went abroad for first time my wife made a big red arrow to blutack to the dashboard pointing to the right, but I think you will find that after a few minutes it comes naturally. BUT, I would say, never cross the road to get petrol, shops etc because it is too easy to pull out again on the wrong side - always park on right hand side of roads. Also remember that the French have a tendency to sign directions AT the junction rather than before it ! So be prepared!
Good site for route planning is
www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHome...m
for traffic information
www2.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/
for tips on driving abroad
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/europe_advice....l
Incidentally, the Caravan Club has some cracking deals on Eurotunnel this year - I have booked for £180 this summer (£247 was cheapest ferry I could find and that was sialing at a very unsociable middle of the night time) and even with car alone at Whit holiday I saved £70. Cost of joining CC is £32. Only prob is that you can only get a quote if you are a member but I could look it up for you if you give me times to see if it's worthwhile.
You will wonder what you worried about when you get back!!
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I have been to the Atlantic coast of France many times in the last 10 years with the kids and have always used Keycamp,usually a little dearer than the others,but there is a difference in quality.French campsites are great for kids of all ages,they will always make friends and have fun,exactly what holidays are for.When you make your booking read the brochure discription carefully,if it says its very busy and great for teenagers you might not like it if you have very young kids.
The driving is very easy,i always use the overnight Portsmouth to St Malo,very relaxing,so not much of a drive in France.
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Remember that once off the motorway, petrol stations are often NOT open 24 hours or long hours/Sundays as they are here. Many will close for lunch too. UK credit cards (even chip & pin) do not work at the pump - but are fine when paying in the kiosk/shop (not much help when closed).
Plan ahead to make sure you have enough fuel!
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Done a fair amount of European driving, and off to France (the Vendee) this year.
Marks tip about the kerb is the one I use and works for me. YOu are much more likely to drive on the wrong side when pulling out on to quiet roads. You very quickly get used to it. And watch it when you come back, I did drive on the wrong side when we got back!
Take out a good insurance, AA 5 star or similar.
Dont drive too far without breaks, be French, stop for coffee and nibbles often.
Relax and enjoy, driving in France is one of lifes joys. (except Paris and the Periphique!)
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About remembering to drive on the right in France, I may be weird because I'm left handed, but I find I completely reorientate my left and right. Don't do it deliberately. It causes problems though because if someone tells me to turn left I turn right instead.
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I'd endorse others comments about camping, the French do it far better than we do. Sites are a safe environment for kids and they'll soon make lots of friends - even without common lingo. Look at other companies brochures and see if they use Keycamp's sites as well, differing perspectives and all that. Allan Rogers guide for independent campers is also very good.
Make your passenger work as observer/navigator. In towns I find it enormously helpful to have eyes scanning well ahead for traffic lights (French lights less conspicuous than UK type) and for junctions. French signs make extensive use of "Toute/Autre Directions" and only show actual destinations at the last minute.
Don't try to go too far in a day in your first visit. France is a big country and it's easy to be mislead by small scale maps. We tried Dieppe to Alsace on our first trip; booked sites etc and only worked out it was over 400 miles when I got the map out the night before.
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Im left as well actually, i wonder if its a help or hinderance or nothing when driving abroad?
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I agree with Bromptonaut. Other tips-
Signs for 'straight on' at a junction do not have the arrow pointing up in the air , as per UK, and are likely to look like turn left , but be mounted at 45 degrees on the corner.
Motorways may have three different Type numbers E, N and A.
European, National and Autoroute (motorway)
The numbers can appear in all permutations and combinations, especially on a sign with multiple destinations.
Know the names of the towns that are on your route. Signs can refer to the next town or one a couple of hundred kilometres away.
Have a good time. I will.
--
I wasna fu but just had plenty.
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>>Im left as well actually, i wonder if its a help or hinderance or nothing when driving abroad?
I'm ambidextrous. I have absolutely no issue driving on either side of the road or switching back and forward between the two. Whether that is because I'm ambidextrous or because I have done it so much (about half my driving life on each side), I couldn't tell you.
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>>I have absolutely no issue driving on either side of the road
p.s. not even on a motorbike.
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"I'm ambidextrous"
But according to DD you cant use either hand to get your wallet out!
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Like he'd know !! Mr Dosh and I spend many a happy and inebriated time together but Dodgy Dave is always busy stopping big nasty things blowing up, or some such excuse.
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Mr Dosh and I spend many a happy and inebriated time together
You want to be careful admitting things like that, or soon you'll be wanting blue washer jets for the crusier.
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