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Hi all, my list of things I wish I knew before I travelled to France..!
Probably not of interest to most members, but for anyone like myself who has a few years experience of motorhoming around the UK, and is planning a first trip abroad in the van, these tips may help...
1. Get a phrase book of the local language.
May seem obvious, but after holidaying 'forever' in the usual holiday hotspots, you sometimes just 'expect' everyone else to speak English. Not so, and my command of French and Spanish was embarrasingly poor. I had hoped to use 'Google Translate' on my iphone should I meet anyone not speaking good English, which proved somewhat misguided, expensive and impracticle.
2. Check everything in the van works properly.
Again, seems obvious. Having only ever really spent 2 nights wild camping between EHU's, I thought all was well with the batteries. The fact my water pump sometimes kept running of it's own accord, that 'now and again' my leisure battery went flat, didn't ring the right alarm bells in my head. Long story, but the problem was due to a CBE Battery Separator fault which was only ever sorted after getting back home.
3. Get a local SIM card.
One of the biggest problems for me was the cost of 3G internet access. I spent almost £100 in 21 days on 02. GULP. Most of this was looking for Aires, downloading maps, looking for vets, and trying to find a solution to my battery charging problems... Had hoped to rely on free Wifi, but never managed to conect to a single free hotspot..!
4. If you need a vets (Pet Passport) get a list before you travel.
Eventually sorted by very helpful staff at Tourist Information Office in Chatteaudun, after days and days trying to find a suitable vet via my iphone. BTW, three different checks to ensure paperwork was correct when travelling Calais to Dover.
5. Get fuel from a supermarket.
Have heard this before, but the difference is quite large. Paid 1.42 Euro on the motorway, 1.30 Euro per litre in the supermarket. Big difference when filling an empty tank. Many supermarkets have a pay-by-credit-card system, open 24 hours. Easy-peasy.
6. Don't rely on one credit card.
We took a special pre-loaded Euro debit card from the Post Office. Didn't work in some 50% of places we tried. Between us we had 4 credit/debit cards, and the first one or two we tried were regularly refused. No particular pattern to rejection, just ensure you have a selection of available cards with you. Or lots of cash.
7. Don't drive so far each day.
We tried to fit a lot in during our 21 day tour, but it took it's toll on the driver (me). We stopped 3 days at Parc Verger, 2 days at Lacanau-Ocean, and 2 days at San Sebastian. Apart from that, we were driving inexcess of 3 hours per day. In retrospect, I would rather do one big drive, then spend a couple of days relaxing in one place, than lots of 3 hour drives and never really getting to 'chill out'.
8. Take more photo's.
As it says. The camera was there, all ready to go, but finding routes, Aires, food, water, etc., seemed more important at the time. Make taking some photo's a priority - say a minimum of 10 a day. Only takes a few seconds, but I really wish we'd got lots of photo's to look through now ;-(
9. Take bikes.
If you're able to ride a bike, then take one (pref one each) with you. Cycle tracks were fantastic compared to the UK, and ideal to nip down to the shops as well. Gutted I didn't take mine.
10. Stock up with fags - or give up smoking.
Obviously this only applies to smokers, like myself. No, you can't get fags at the petrol station. No, the supermarket doesn't sell them. The only place I found to supply my addiction was the Tabacs, and these have very limited opening times. If you run out at 1pm, you've no chance of getting any until 3pm at the earliest. A great chance to pack up.....
About our trip.
As stated, I've plenty of UK motorhome experience. This trip was 21 days from Liverpool through France into Spain, then home, with my mum (73), and my dog (11). We crossed Dover-Calais, spent 4 nights on campsites, 2 nights wild camping, and the rest on aires.
If you'd like any more details - please just ask..!
Next time Richie , pop over the border into Belgium ( a town called Adinkirke) and pick up all the tabacco you need for the trip before you start . Cheapest prices in Western Europe.
Great tips!
The bit about not driving too far is a good one as it can catch up with you.
It is a good idea to encourage someone else on the trip to drive even if it is just in an emergency,but it is great if there are two of you to share the driving it opens up the oportunities to go that bit further.
Apart from the fags, all very helpful tips richieev.
Yes we can all say they are obvious but even the most experienced of us take things for granted.
If before you go a couple of nights in the van shows up anything not quite right, it won't get better on it's own. Fix it while at home and not on the road.
Ray.
______________________________________________________________ The FSA licensed a twice convicted fraudster to handle our life“s savings. Guess what? He robbed us. http://raynipper.com
Useful I'm sure for those going for the first time
I would add another
Less is more
Chose an area - drive to it and rest, and then spend time exploring it. You will enjoy it far more
I have a book, called 2-22 days in the Rockies which says. You can do it in 2 days - like the coaches, or you can take 22 and explore them - take your time. You will enjoy it better
Next trip chose a different area to explore
There is a great book, I think now also sold by Vicarious Books
25 Independent Car journeys in France (they also do them for Italy etc). We have almost finished them now, been doing them since 2004.
Another I recommend is in French but you can follow the maps easy enough is
Michellin 100 Escapades en Camping Car and these maps show the aires to stop as well with gps info and some places to eat and see
We have been doing these tours in a 6.68m Hymer a 7.4m Rapido. So no problems
Enjoy, we love France and will be on the tunnel on 3rd May
If this was your first trip to France, you did incredibly well!
I would say look at getting Vodafone Data Traveler - this gives you 25MB/day to use on your iPhone for just £10/mth. Great for Google Translate, Google (using Opera Mini to compress web pages 90%) and most other surfing expect for perhaps downloading maps.
Wifi is ware in France, but can be found at / outside any Mc Donalds or Decathlon stores. Anywhere else France is a bit of a dead zone unless you can work out how to access a Free.Fr or SFR Public open hotspots (I think you need to be a resident).
In terms of spending money we use our Halifax Clarity Credit Card for the last year away and have never had it rejected but cash is the best alternative.
A blog is sometimes a good way to keep a diary and make yourself write about your experiences. It can help others but also allows friends and family to 'self serve' your holiday photos rather then having to do the same presentation 20x in the same week!
Hi Addie et all.
Just to add to your very good suggestion of free Wi-Fi. Large supermarkets (Grande Surface) that have a line of shops (boutiques) usually have free Wi-Fi emanating from Flunch restaurants and phone shops.
Ray.
______________________________________________________________ The FSA licensed a twice convicted fraudster to handle our life“s savings. Guess what? He robbed us. http://raynipper.com
"I would say look at getting Vodafone Data Traveler - this gives you 25MB/day to use on your iPhone for just £10/mth. Great for Google Translate, Google (using Opera Mini to compress web pages 90%) and most other surfing expect for perhaps downloading maps."
Do you use opera mini "turbo" or is the turbo bit superfluous?
Regards,
Simon
______________________________________________________________ No red wine left untried.
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