St_Jacques

Yep, thats one thing that keeps me awake trying to spot the police - they are very sneeky along here hiding behind bridges etc.

Hmm this N10 now seems to getting interesting for those who have never travelled along it! Must go and have a look!

Is the A26 the most boring road in France? - particularly between Troyes and Reims! We always used to complain about returning to the UK from 71 through Paris but at least there was always something exciting to break up the monotony (usually 10 mile bouchon around the peripherique!) Dale P.S I of cousre realise that it may have something to do with it being the road that returns me home to work after our wonderful fortnight at our home in the sun!  

Nr .La Clayette- steve

Anyone know of someone who install satellite TV in our home in 71. As we live in the Uk we would need really someone who we could perhaps contact and book on-line to make it easier for them to come when we are on holiday thier. Merci Dale

Just wondering if any of you like me day dream that you are in France whilst using the M6 toll? Just wish my telepeage thingy would work!!!

Why not try St.Etienne with Ryan Air?

Hi - whilst booking a flight to St.Etienne with Ryanair we lazily followed the link to the Hertz car hire site and book a car from the airport.  It was all very easy and I think we had a good deal - However once at the car-hire desks we found everybody else had the same idea.  There was a huge queue for Hertz whilts Avis, Europcar etc were all empty with the assistants fiddling their thumbs!! Is this the case for all Ryanair destinations?  Next time we will def be choosing another firm just so we can get off quicker even if it means paying a little bit extra. I have to say however that being in a queue does have its advantages as when it was our turn our category of car had run out so we were upgraded!   Dale

Where has this gone?  

We travelled out on the evening of Friday 11th.  Signs on the M40,M25,M20 etc warned of 2 hour delays at Dover.  We hit the queue about 5miles out of Dover where both lanes of the dual carriageway were blocked with cars and lorries therefore we had a long wait.  Once we got into Dover the police were only allowing cars down the one side - pity they didn't start this earlier.  One lorry tried to risk it and was turned back all the way to rejoin the lorry queue -shame! Our P & O Pirate vessel was due out at 9am but we did not get on board until 3am!  Felt sorry for the teachers in the coaches full of children off skiing - Chaos in the shop, etc at the Port and wonder how much shoplifting went on that night Not sure why motorway signs were not truthful saying 2 hrs when in reality the delay was over 6 hours?  Coming back we were delayed by an hour and a half. Much grumbling from me (as usual when we have these delays) about how we should of booked the tunnel or been a bit quicker off the mark with booking with Speedferries! Dale

How dare you lot rubbish BN I followed your advice and went for the garish labels - although to be honest havet got round to opening a bottle yet - however our suitcase now has a rather fruity tang as one of the bottles smashed our our return flight home. Whilst in Beaujolias country I picked up a bottle  of Non Filtre BN will be interesting to see how that compares.

Why don't you contact the production company?- I'm sure they will send you out a copy. Dale

Hi - Ive heard that the French keep the best BN for themselves and the stuff we get in the UK is pretty inferior.  Any of you out there got any recommendations for this year?  We have a house a few miles away from BN country and are visiting this w/e so we need some good stuff to keep out the cold! Merci Dale

Hi- any one else on the first crossing with Speedferries on Sat 23rd Oct? I have never felt so ill in my life. My wife was sick and so was my 3 year old all over me!!! I actually was for the first time ever really frightened that we might turn over - I think it was too dangerous to cross in - so did all the perfume etc which crashed to the floor!!! We now face a difficult choice- pay a fortune with Eurotunnel but be safe and well or pay £50 and take a risk - I suppose thats always been the dilemma though Dale

I found the whole programme largely annoying for all the reasons said before but also because of the perfect french of the woman and the presenter - indeed on last weeks programme Kevin McCloud was speaking fluent Italien!!! - I hate these people!! Dale. The only comment my mother made was about the size (or not!!) of the owners breasts (sorry!)  

Thanks - shop in Lyon looks like just what I'm looking for! Dale (hopefully Deacon Dale next year!!!)    

 Hi - Long shot I know - but just wondering if anyone has come across any shops selling vestments for priests etc in the Macon/ Lyon area?Many thanks Dale

Hi - Long shot I know - but just wondering if anyone has come across any shops selling vestments for priests etc in the Lyon area? Many thanks Dale

Hi - Noticed on our last trip that many D.I.Y stores sell loads of Chimney Sweep brush sets.  Is it usual in France to sweep Chimnies yourself or do you advise getting a professional esp as it will be our first time!?! If we do it ourselves any tips please? Dale

Hi - Just booked a room at Premier Lodge, Marine Parade, Dover. Is there any parking?  Can't find any ref to it on their web-site Thanks Dale P.S  Booked crossing with Speedferries for half-term -£50!!! Can't believe it - compared with nearly £300 with Eurotunnel pirates.  Just hoping for good weather in the channel and all engines up to speed!

"Overall I will continue to recommend SpeedFerries but will somewhat reluctantly revert to the Tunnel in future myself. All the surface routes add just a bit too much time to our journey from the Vaucluse (84110 Vaison La Romaine). I have made it a couple of times in 12 hours from there to Marlow near High Wycombe, although I typically allow 14 including rest stops. However getting from motorway to ferry and back to motorway through Dover or Calais/Boulogne, plus the longer loading and unloading and the slower transit for any of the ferries, just adds a bit too much unfortunately" Yep thinking along the same lines. Our french house is in Saonne et Loire (71) and like you it takes us around 12-14 hours to get back here to Bicester. On both occasions we have used Speedferries the return has been delayed and while the rest from driving is appreciated the tuunel is just so much more reliable and quick even if it seems run by Blackbeard himself!!

Hi - have just bought a new t.v and after connecting we have no reception - believe the aerial to be ok and think its just down to being in a bad area as our house is surrounded by hills. Do you think having a booster would help? What about trying an indoor aerial? Or do you think are only option is to put up a dish- like the nieghbours? Thanks Dale

Hi - any hints or tips on the best way to set up my cave (as in wine cellar!). e.g what should I put on the floor? What wine racks etc do I use? What temp should it be? Thanks Dale

Could anyone tell me what the solar panels on the autoroutes are used for? Dale

Hi. Kept amused and awake! yesterday on the long drive back to the uk yesterday by the electronic signs above the autoroutes. Apart from being funny they are quite thought provoking - sorry but I can't remember them in french but my favourite one was "Rest in the Aire and not in the wind!" and one from last year on the way down to St. Tropez "Slow down, the sea will still be there and the sun will still be shining" Does anyone else have any more? Dale