And in to Europe

[nicholsong]

Someone we recently met called it the "Tunnel of love" don't ask

I hope they put the MH on automatic beforehand.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Tunnel certainly has its place during the quarantine resrictions, but nothing like a bit of sea air to freshen one up, says the old sea dog.

Safer than a ferry, that is for sure as you are not allowed out of your vehicle.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Came to France via the tunnel two weeks ago and would never use the ferry again. LOVED the tunnel. So convenient and easy. Working our way slowly down to Malta (if they'll let us), currently just approaching Millau. Man, it's been lovely - had the roads completely to ourselves at times, plus the aires. Just need it to stop raining now and it'll be great!! It's been said on this site many times, but how much better are the French set up for motorhoming than we are in the UK? It's like night and day, bless 'em.

And other countries, Germany has a stellplatz (German term for Aire, for those who do not know) all over the place. Many are free and often in good positions re the town/village as are the aires

 

[OldCodger]

If you came from a country not on the quarantine list for example Germany. Then only traveled through Belgium and France straight to the tunnel then no you would not need to quarantine.

But don’t get out at Calais to check your dog in!!!

 

[Jeffr3y]

Been travelling abroad for last 15 years, sometimes twice a year. I always think the part of the journey before you arrive on the continent is part of the adventure so modified Dover-Calais to Dover-Dunkirk as it gave us an extra hour on ferry to enjoy meal. Then tried overnighting from Portsmouth and never looked back. This crossing facilitates an early start the following day which allows for a more ambitious first day’s travelling. Usually aim for Portsmouth-Le Havre but have recently done Portsmouth-Caen on Brittany Ferries. Lovely way to start the holiday.

One big attraction for the tunnel for me is with it only being 35 minutes my fridge freezer contents aren't compromised, I'm interested how do you deal with that aspect, do you just carry no perishables and restock later on?

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[glenn2926]

But don’t get out at Calais to check your dog in!!!

We, no I did just that. Taking your dog into the pet reception doesn’t count towards quarantine. I have just return from Germany and done exactly this. Have you?

 

[Offagain]

One big attraction for the tunnel for me is with it only being 35 minutes my fridge freezer contents aren't compromised, I'm interested how do you deal with that aspect, do you just carry no perishables and restock later on?

On the France-bound trip we purposely have an empty fridge and stock up with yummy French food when we stop (at least two hours from Calais).
On the return journey we usually do the reverse - stock up before we get to Calais. This time we are going to have to stock up in Greece as we have to transit through Italy and France being self contained and without having contact with anyone to avoid q14.

 

[OldCodger]

We, no I did just that. Taking your dog into the pet reception doesn’t count towards quarantine. I have just return from Germany and done exactly this. Have you?

No. I had heard that getting out the vehicle meant you had broken the “in transit” rules. It good to learn that it isn’t.

 

[MisterB]

I am always disappointed that you can never see fish out of the windows during the crossing.

we were once on the tunnel, in the same compartment as a coach on a school trip. i was talking to a teacher who said they had driven about 6 hours to get to the tunnel and the some kids were displaying 'kevin' fever .....

some of the kids got off and were looking out of the window and every now and again you can see a flash of light through the windows. i explained to the kids that what they were seeing were electric eels that were giving off electric flashes as they collided with the walls of the tunnel. Soon, virtually every one of them had their eyes glued to the windows looking for electric eels and the atmosphere changed completely from one of boredom to one of excited interest as they were shouting out everytime they saw a flash

The teachers couldnt thank me enough when they all finally reboarded the coach, renergised for the next leg of their journey !!

 

[DBK]

The mile under club instead of the mile high club...

I wish it was. Worryingly it is on average only 40m below the sea bed above.

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[nicholsong]

On the France-bound trip we purposely have an empty fridge and stock up with yummy French food when we stop (at least two hours from Calais).
On the return journey we usually do the reverse - stock up before we get to Calais. This time we are going to have to stock up in Greece as we have to transit through Italy and France being self contained and without having contact with anyone to avoid q14.

Well you could route via Germany(free of UK restrictions for now) and if you spent 2 weeks there could go direct to Tunnel non-stop. It would cut down the long period self-contained.

Geoff

 

[Minnie]

We, no I did just that. Taking your dog into the pet reception doesn’t count towards quarantine. I have just return from Germany and done exactly this. Have you?

We got out yesterday with our dogs. I thought it was ok to do it

 

[OldCodger]

The eurotunnel website says:

Broken Link Removed

Do I need to quarantine on arrival to the UK?
If you travel with us to the UK, from a country still on the "travel corridor" list, then you do not need to quarantine on arrival as long as you have not left your vehicle, or mixed with other people, during your journey (including on our French terminal).
If this applies to you, and you are travelling with a pet, please use our drive-thru pet check-in (open 06:00-23:30 CET) so you do not need to leave your vehicle.

 

[glenn2926]

The eurotunnel website says:

Broken Link Removed

Do I need to quarantine on arrival to the UK?
If you travel with us to the UK, from a country still on the "travel corridor" list, then you do not need to quarantine on arrival as long as you have not left your vehicle, or mixed with other people, during your journey (including on our French terminal).
If this applies to you, and you are travelling with a pet, please use our drive-thru pet check-in (open 06:00-23:30 CET) so you do not need to leave your vehicle.

The drive through wasn’t open when we came through a few weeks ago.

 

[OldCodger]

The drive through wasn’t open when we came through a few weeks ago.

Sounds like it an improvement then. It was always the hole in the plan of driving through France holding your breath and crossing your legs. You had to get the dogs scanned....

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[Ian Bosman]

One big attraction for the tunnel for me is with it only being 35 minutes my fridge freezer contents aren't compromised, I'm interested how do you deal with that aspect, do you just carry no perishables and restock later on?

We have found that a fully stocked freezer section stays frozen for a long journey. Wet travelled to Germany from our home in the West Midlands included among which was the stop in Dover to board the ferry for Calais and the freezers section was still frozen when we pulled up in Boppard on the Rhine south of Koblenz. Add in we had a stop for breakfast, coffee and lunch.

 

[Charlie57]

I am always disappointed that you can never see fish out of the windows during the crossing.

I suspect you would be very disappointed if you could!

 

[Ian Bosman]

Are you referring to the fish not seen out of the ferry windows or the tunnel train windows? If the latter you are at least 50 metres below the sea bed so the only fish you are likely to see would be fossils. Having done a fair bit of cruising the only fish I have seen re the flying fish or dolphins which are not fish but mammals

 

[Ian Bosman]

Well you could route via Germany(free of UK restrictions for now) and if you spent 2 weeks there could go direct to Tunnel non-stop. It would cut down the long period self-contained.

Geoff

Just what we did

 

[Ian Bosman]

At the end of each carriage of the train, the roller shutter rolls all the way up to the roof, both door sections,including the glass, fold flat to the wall. There's enough room to drive even a full-size lorry the whole length of the train to the exit door.

You stay in your vehicle all the time. You can get out and walk around if you want,but there's nothing to see so it's a bit pointless. Your dog stays with you in the vehicle, no kennels etc. You could brew a cup of tea, except that the gas must be turned off.

Carry a good flask filled with boiling water. I do this at home in the mornig and have a decent hot drink at 8pm from the hot water. Another tip is to have a 12volt kettle so you could have guaranteed boiling water in the tunnel

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[OldCodger]

I suspect you would be very disappointed if you could

If you go on the Eurostar you can download an app that alllows you to see the fish.

 

[OldCodger]

I suspect you would be very disappointed

.Disappointed? I’d be panicking!

 

[OldCodger]

Oops

 

[RogerIvy]

Working our way slowly down to Malta

In 2012 we spent two amazing weeks with my ageing parents. I was quite keen to research a MH trip to there. Can you provide more details on ferries, costs, camping etc?

 

[gus-lopez]

I am always disappointed that you can never see fish out of the windows during the crossing.

that's why I prefer not to use it in case one day you can see the fish ,even just for a split second.

Safer than a ferry, that is for sure as you are not allowed out of your vehicle.

I can swim if it sinks , whereas I'm not a mole if it blows up.

But don’t get out at Calais to check your dog in!!!

Taking your dog into the pet reception doesn’t count towards quarantine.

yes it does .

No. I had heard that getting out the vehicle meant you had broken the “in transit” rules. It good to learn that it isn’t.

you have & if you do you have to quarantine

The drive through wasn’t open when we came through a few weeks ago.

therefore you are required to quarantine.

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[Offagain]

Well you could route via Germany(free of UK restrictions for now) and if you spent 2 weeks there could go direct to Tunnel non-stop. It would cut down the long period self-contained.

Geoff

We could but don’t need to as the areas we’ve been in in Greece aren’t on anyone’s naughty list. Plus we don’t want to have to spend an two extra weeks away as we have family stuff to address ASAP on our return.

 

[Peter and Julie]

Was Bruce Springsteen on board ?

Dire Straits not Springsteen!

 

[The general]

Dire Straits not Springsteen!

I beg your pardon ! tunnel of love Bruce Springsteen 1987 thank you

 

[glenn2926]

that's why I prefer not to use it in case one day you can see the fish ,even just for a split second.

I can swim if it sinks , whereas I'm not a mole if it blows up.

yes it does .
you have & if you do you have to quarantine

therefore you are required to quarantine.

Taking your pet to pet reception didn’t count towards quarantine three weeks ago. What makes you think that you make the rules governing my life? You use your interpretation I’ll use mine. I was there, I asked, it didn’t count. You really do think you can make rules about others. Give it a rest.

 

[Tigertom]

And into Spain.
After a fairly leisurely drive through France, no peage ‘til 20 mile from the Spain border, we’re in the warmth of Spain.
Lovely little town of Olite.

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