What do I need to drive my westfield on the continent.

[bigals]

I believe you need, breathalysers, high viz vests, a warning triangle, gb marked plates or a gb sticker and headlight beem deflectors, but about 50% of the cars I see don't appear to bother, personally I take them all as it's not worth the risk for the sake of a few quid, the roads are a dream compared to the UK in both surface conditions and lack of traffic

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

Thanks Bigals.

 

That's great information.

 

I keep thinking I will soon need a roof rack. 

[Bigjas]

+1 to what Bigals said. I took a GT40 rep to France and took all the required bits and bobs just for piece of mind. I did notice that a lot of others didn't bother though. Have fun, I loved driving in France, just don't get caught speeding!!!!!

Jas

[Petemac]

Don't forget to look at health insurance it may be wise.

[bigals]

Good call about the speeding the French are very hot on instant fines and can even impound your car or take you to the nearest cash machine and if your well over the limit they are hefty. there are some good threads on pistonheads worth reading but as the motorway limits are higher I have never found the need to go silly,

[bigals]

I also used http://www.autoroutes.fr/index.htm to help plan my route handy as it calculates your toll charges and fuel (although I would ignore the latter for a Westfield )

My route down in 12 days (not that I am counting down or anything ) is below, by taking the costal roads/motorways i saved 60 eu and will have a more enjoyable drive as some of the newer cross country roads are very monotonous to drive on, and the overall distance is almost the same, I did set the sat nav it to avoid all tolls one year but you end up driving at 50Km through little villages and it’s just too slow to do any serious distance. For local roads a good French atlas is worth having as well.

 

http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm?itiFrom=50100+Cherbourg-Octeville%2C+France&itiTo=66000+Perpignan%2C+France

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

I also used http://www.autoroutes.fr/index.htm to help plan my route handy as it calculates your toll charges and fuel (although I would ignore the latter for a Westfield )

My route down in 12 days (not that I am counting down or anything ) is below, by taking the costal roads/motorways i saved 60 eu and will have a more enjoyable drive as some of the newer cross country roads are very monotonous to drive on, and the overall distance is almost the same, I did set the sat nav it to avoid all tolls one year but you end up driving at 50Km through little villages and it’s just too slow to do any serious distance. For local roads a good French atlas is worth having as well.

 

http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm?itiFrom=50100+Cherbourg-Octeville%2C+France&itiTo=66000+Perpignan%2C+France

Thankyou so much for this information. I am not to bothered about bombing about as I am happy to enjoy the scenery.

 

Please remember to post some pictures and I hope you have a great holiday.

 

I have two weeks available and I would like to go down to the Millau Viaduct, cut across to Lake Como before travelling back. 

 

I have had a look at accommodation but some of it seems very expensive so I think I am looking in the wrong places.

 

At the moment it is just a plan I have thought about for the past few months but it is a big step for me as I cannot understand or read any foreign language and I have the funds to consider but it is certainly something I am not ruling out at this stage.

[bigals]

[bigals]

We used ibis hotels for overnight stops but I did find for this year's holiday that we ended up having to find more local accommodation as all the big cheap chains were booked well in advance but have had some lovely local b&b I'm the past

[Petemac]

Don't worry about your French, I went to France last year off the cuff and was amazed how many French like to speak our native tongue, I did get a little confused at the petrol stations at first on how to fill up and pay (it was a long time since I had been there) but just watched those in front of me or asked and they were all very helpful. You will see lot's of b&b's, they were also very good and eager to help and they just loved the sound of my Seight.

 

Plan well and you will love it, as mentioned the roads are very good and you will see some great scenery, the back roads can be very slow going though!! but if your in no rush just enjoy it, I just drove until I was ready to find a b&b, settled down for the night couple of beers "no more"  their rules are far stricter  than ours. Stay well fuelled up and don't chance letting your tank get too low, I always topped up and kept it that way. Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Hope you have as much fun as I did.

 

Pete

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

Hi Pete.

 

Don't worry about teaching me to suck eggs as I really welcome the comments.

 

I like the idea of not booking any accommodation and just finding somewhere to stay and that really appeals to me.

 

Did you have any issues with not finding anywhere or is this quite easily do-able.

[TAFKARM]

Hi Pete.

 

Don't worry about teaching me to suck eggs as I really welcome the comments.

 

I like the idea of not booking any accommodation and just finding somewhere to stay and that really appeals to me.

 

Did you have any issues with not finding anywhere or is this quite easily do-able.

 

Take a tent - we camped our way down to Bordeaux and back last summer and never had a problem finding a pitch. (some nicer than others, mind!)

[BobMet]

If you do decide to use the motorways, I can thoroughly recommend a Sanef TAG to get you through the telepeages without having to stop. Much easier than passenger unstrapping 4-point harness, climbing out etc.

 

Just come back from trip number 3 to France. 1800 miles and as much fun as ever. Make sure your cooling system is up to the job. My standard 1600 MX5 motor got a little warmer than usual on the drive from Bergerac to Chartres last week in an air temp of 40 Celsius (probably a lot warmer close to the tarmac where a Westie gets its air from!)

[Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup)]

Hi Team.

 

Great comments and all a great help.

 

Regarding the tent......where will I fit it.

 

This was our last trip......

 

 

 

[TAFKARM]

Loads of space on top of the spare wheel.