Slowly home

Yes, you are correct. I have taken note... of all the criticisms too! I was trying to ask for procedural help - hopefully from somebody who had experience of similar - so that I knew what my commitments would be and, if possible, try and guess the likely outcome. I really don't want to attend a court hearing. Nor can I easily afford the associated logistical costs of getting to the court room in Digne without a license. I have already sold my bike to pay for my 'holiday'. Can I plead guilty by letter? Surely I'm not the only Grande Vitesse merchant on here? Kev

Hi Tony, Thanks for that although it's really not what I WANTED to hear. As you have been so helpful, could I ask another favour? A part translation of the last letter - or the important bits of it at any rate... it reads as follows: ".......En consequence, j'ai decide de vous infliger une measure de suspension provisoire immediate de permis de conduire (ci-annexee) pour une duree de ; 5 mois a compter de la date de retrait du titre. Par ailleurs, il vous appartient de vous soumettre a un examen medical aupres de la commission medical departmentale, avantla restitutionde votre permit de conduire. A cet effet, il convient d'adresser immediatement a une Préfecture ou un Sous-Préfecture de France L'imprimede demande de visite madicale que vous trouverez ci-joint. Une notice D'information relative aux effets de cette mesure restrictive du droit de conduire est également jointe amon envoi. Veuillez agreer, Monsuieur, l'expression de ma ....etc." I'll apologise for my typing now. Anyhow,I do get the gist but not the detail. I don't understand why I need a medical if I still have to go to court. Any further help would be much appreciated. oh, and I was done for 152 in a 90. not big or clever I know. Kevin

Hi, sorry I never thought. I'm a Yorkshireman so British I suppose technically.

Our day started poorly with wet weather – and quickly got worse. There were only two of us and we still managed to get separated  (he'd stopped to pick up my small rucksack when it fell from my rack.100 yard from our hotel in St Etienne. I know he did 'cos I saw him going the other way with it on his back!) The only thing I could think to do (once I realised that my mobile had been in the rucksack) was travel on to Cannes and arrange via a third party, to meet up with him there. I tried and failed to use the payphone. In the distance (much later) I saw my chance. I spied some GB plates. When they stopped for a photo opportunity I stopped too and asked to borrow a phone. I sent a message to my friend that I would meet him by the harbour in Cannes. I never made it to Cannes. The riders I'd begged a phone off were stopping in Grasse for a roadside cuppa and I invited myself along. They were fair shifting and being at the back, I struggled to keep up through the traffic. It’s always bad news being the ‘tail-end Charlie’. The Gendarme was only interested in my Visa card and me. I didn't mind a fine, I mean, come on, it's all part of the way life and taken as a risk by most motorcyclists but £750 Euro? I suffered the indignity of being 'paraded' through Castelanne with the police explaining to the locals in loud 'vroom-vroom' noises (with the twist of the wrist actions thrown in for good measure) exactly why I was there. It took me three days to withdraw the bond. It wasn't a fine. It was just to make sure (I think) that if I didn't turn up for the court case, they'd still have some cash out of me.   Oh, and I was banned too.   As you may already have realised, this is the 1st time I’ve written one of these things. I may be rambling a bit, so here are the questions (finally), can anybody please advise me on what to do next?   I have a lot of pieces of paper all written, of course, in French. One gives my appearance date in September at the Tribunal de Police, Digne Les Bains. This was given to me at the station. Another letter posted to me at home explained – I think – about a five month ban and a form for a French medical that I have to take before I am allowed back into France as a driver.   Questions; If I already have a ban, do I still need to attend the hearing?Can I have a medical in this country instead?Can anybody point me in the right direction?If I ignore the hearing, what will happen next visit?   Kevin - sorry to be giving the Brits abroad a bad name- McNeice