French tour in the westy

[never fear]

i went to france a few months ago and the law is that you have to have in your car at all times:

1) high vis vest

2) spear bulbs

3) reflective triangle

4)1st aid kit

5) fire extinguisher

6) your driving licence must be with you at all times.

if you get pulled and have none of these they fine you straight away. and if you dont have the cash on you they go to the cash point with you. and if you have no cash to pay them they take your licence away to you pay.

you can buy these at the ferry depot or on the ferry but, yes this is a but. they cost a fortune.

a high vis vest was £15.

but on the bright side i drove loads road the country side and only saw 2 cameras, and you get loads of warning so you cant miss them.

i recommend you go to Omaha beach, and go to the resturant on the left side of the car park tucked away in the corner, absolutly amazing. and go to the war museum, puts a lump in your throat.

have fun. i came back and thought about moving out there.

[Buzz Billsberry]

Grab yourself one of Paul Ash's luggage racks    

I used my tyre carrier on a few events

Buzz

[simon caton]

To keep bags secure i use a  bag made out of wire called a "pacsafe" which i got to go around my ruck sack when going via an airport/ back packing.

You can get them in different sizes and you can then use them around soft sided bags, which i find is best in a westie.

The bag has a long wire which locks the bag and, you can then secure it to the roll over bar or any other secure part of the car.

Not 100% as you can always cut the wire if you have the correct tools, but will stop someone just passing running off withyour case.

Any good outdoor shop should sell them

If you need any other details drop me a line

Simon

[Blatman]

i went to france a few months ago and the law is that you have to have in your car at all times:

1) high vis vest

2) spear bulbs

3) reflective triangle

4)1st aid kit

5) fire extinguisher

6) your driving licence must be with you at all times.

if you get pulled and have none of these they fine you straight away

I was arranging my RAC cover for Le Mans this morning and referred to this list when asking what the current rules were for these things. The only things that are compulsory (apart from drivers licence and insurance docs) are a GB sticker (unless you have one on your reg plate) and headlamp beam deflectors. *Everything* else on that list is advisory, NOT compulsory. The RAC guide is here. Select Travel Services, then European Motoring Advisor.

Correct at time of publication...

[adhawkins]

'An error has occurred'

Andy

[Blatman]

Pah. 'Ang on...

Right, it has session cookies that time out

So, www.rac.co.uk

Click Travel Services

Then on the right hand column of the page that presents itself, click European Motoring Advisor, and select France from the drop down...

[frubpato?]

in terms of safe storage of luggage. I have ditched the spare wheel and bolted a motor bike pannier through the same fixings in the rear tub. It gives you about 40 litres oof safe storage . I also have the boot lid which means that I can store bags underneath, and strap a sailors sack 60 ltr on top . More than enough space even for my bint.

In terms of routes etc  - done this most years . Unless you are very close to Dover  - dont do it . The north of France is not worth it . Try Cherbourg or better still St Malo. This gets you into proper France quicker. The Coast between Brittany and the Loire is special as is the Auvergne  - Paris only if you park ourtside and train it. Sundays excepted. In terms of fuel on a Sunday  - most French people will fill up your car on their card if you give them the cash   -a pain but I've even had the Gendarmes help out in this way.

Enjoy it

[RICHARD+PHILIP]

It's ok Molydood now has a shiney elise sitting on his driveway so no problems with locking up luggage

[7SE]

i went to france a few months ago and the law is that you have to have in your car at all times:

...

6) your driving licence must be with you at all times.

if you get pulled and have none of these they fine you straight away. and if you dont have the cash on you they go to the cash point with you. and if you have no cash to pay them they take your licence away to you pay.

How do they do that then...