MrCanary

Well, I know what a doofer is now... But is it a doofer or a doofah? I've seen both spellings used... And how did it get that wonderful name? Is it a name only used by the Brits?

I've just found an answer to my own question... http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=11766

On a car forum that I regularly visit, it has been suggested that the use of a cruise control in Belgium is illegal... Can this be true? I would have thought it was nigh on impossible to enforce a law such as this and, as such, cannot possibly be true...

gosub - downloaded mine from the web... P2 - thanks, but I saw your reply too late. Just got back from the post office - but the walk was good for me!

Pickles, You are really helpful - thank you very much! (Trying to get to grips with understanding the form now...)

As I use the A.28 every time I come to France, I have just printed off and am in the process of trying to fill in the application form. Out of interest, if and when I get a 'doofer', is there any particular spot or side of the windscreen it has to be fixed?

Thanks for the info, Pickles.

Pickles and/or anyone else... Thanks for the link and I have printed the Alis application form... My French is reasonable and I am sure I will fill it in OK, but... From looking at it, I assume it can only be used with my French bank account and not (as I would prefer) with my UK bank account? Thanks in advance for any help on this!

Thanks folks - I thought it was about two hours, but wasn't 100%... And thanks for the reminder - I remember that sharp right-hander in Rouen!

Théière - yes, I agree, cheaper than Eurotunnel... But I wonder how much Ryanair would charge if you wanted to take your car with them as you do with Eurotunnel...?

£1 flights - no taxes - what a rip-off on the return journey! Stansted to Tours = £1, no taxes or fees, total £1... Tours to Stansted £9.99 + taxes & fees, total £59.65... Total bill = £60.65

At 5'11" I think I am a reasonable height... But I have two sons who are 6'3" and 6'7", so, when they are both with me, I know how M Sarkozy must feel all the time!

I'm reverting to using the sea crossing from Dover to Boulogne and will then drive to Rouen on the autoroute before turning south... It is ages since I used this route and, whilst I can see the computer estimates of travel time, I am trying to remember, in reality, roughly how long the trip is from Boulogne to Rouen?

Théière - we are trying the Norman Arrow in October, so it was helpful to see your comments about how quickly it loads and unloads... However, I think I will be happy to have the 60 minute crossing and skip the breakfast! Will - you are right, the port at Newhaven has a French manager, but alll the staff are employed by a UK company called LCT Support Services.

I agree, Transmanche are great - as is the port of Dieppe... But for us, the whole great experience is let down badly by the port of Newhaven - their staff, their attitudes and their procedures.

Sorry, sorry, sorry... Yes, way off topic. Tesco are brilliant at hoodwinking people into believing they are cheaper than the likes of Morrisons and Sainsburys - wrong! There is only one genuinely cheap supermarket chain in the UK and that is Asda. I live in the northern suburbs of Norwich where I have access to all the major supermarkets. When I do a big shop, I drive to the furthest from me - which is Sainsburys. When I want a cheap shop, I go to Asda. And when I need a couple of items for convenience, I go to Tesco because it is the nearest big one... I think I am a bit of a supermarket anorak!

Sorry, I know we are going off topic here, but quality means something to me as well and that is a word that does not sit easily with Tesco...

Hmm? I have to confess that a 70% saving is somewhat interesting. It's just that, whilst not against supermarkets in general (I love Sainsburys and Leclerc), I just get a tad fed up with the way Tesco is trying to monopolise the world! But I do take your point on the savings to be had and I am quite keen to try Eurotunnel instead of the ferries...

I think I would rather swim the Channel, towing my car behind me on a raft, than shop at Tesco to save a few quid!

teapot - your French address of Guerchois - is that La Guerche or close to? Our chateau is in 37 at Saint Flovier...

Great books - great writer...

Sorry... But, digressing, you must admit that 57 minutes to get off a ferry is a bit frustrating!

Hang on teapot, you're confusing me now... I would have been back in Norwich because 'being allowed onto the car deck came after a four-hour crossing, preceded by a two and a half hour wait on the dockside at Dieppe... Thus, six and a half hours in total.

Alan - you are so right with your comments and I must remember them for the future!

Andy - you are so right. But I guess I get frustrated because I know the business and I can see when they are doing things that are not necessary. Because I always arrive early for departures from Newhaven, my wife and I are invariably at or near the front of the queue. And every time, we get directed into the hut for the car to be searched and my wife and I to be frisked. Why? You might think we are shifty looking... But no, it is because we travel in a small people carrier and it is invariably loaded with goodies for our French house. My wife is in her 50's and I am 60. We belong to their frequent travellers club so they should be getting to know us, but they cannot see beyond the car. If these people were real customs officers they would be professional and have discretion, but they are not. They are poorly-paid, private security folk who cannot do the job they are being asked to do.