- Jul 18, 2009
- 11,751
- 19,404
- Funster No
- 7,543
- MH
- HYMER B644
- Exp
- 2004
Yes, it's still an amazing way to travel and explore, but there are many things that have gone, that I miss.
We travelled Europe a lot by road, cars, minibuses and the last 40 years, last 20, mainly by motorhome. Still sometimes staying in Villas and Houses. We have since purchased a Villa in Spain. But within 6 months, we had bought another motorhome.
So here goes....
Things lIke
Ferries:
Newcastle-Kristiansand-Gothernberg - CLOSED
Newcastle-Hugasund-Bergen - CLOSED
Harwich-Esbjerg - CLOSED
P&O Porthsmouth-Bilabo - CLOSED
Folkestone-Boulogne - CLOSED
Hull-Zeebrugge - CLOSED
Hovercraft - DISCONTINUED
Cherbourg-Rosslaire Celtic Ferries - Transferred to Stena Line - CLOSED
SpeedFerries Dover Boulogne - CLOSED
Western Channel P&O Routes - ALL CLOSED
Rosyth - Zeebrugge 6 years - CLOSED
Now Mostly Brittany Ferries on the Western Channel. Using Chinese Vessels and prices hiked.
Deisel/Fuel:
Okay, prices have come down. Some French Stations still charging €2+ a litre. But in 2016, we managed 80p a litre and it's now around £1.15, thats not too bad.
LPG: Double recently in some places.
Sites:
Lots of good places to stay with ACSI Camping Card, Free AIRES, Cheap Stelplatz etc. We stayed on a site in France August 2023, €14 a night. Heated pool, Riverside pitch, bar and restaurant. UK, prices have gone very a weekend for the 2 of us cost £100 at a CAMC Site in February.
That said, we have been priced out of some of our favourite 5***** sites for next year in France and spain too.
The "B" Word: *Please dont turn the post into a spat either way.
No Jim, I didn't say it. But its changed a lot of our plans and futures. We are limited to the amount of time we can make use of the aforementioned AIRES, ASCI etc.
New Motorhomers and VanLifers:
I think the mix of people we meet have changed. A lot of "new money" buying big bling rolling Gin Palaces looking down on those with lesser vans and certainly met a lot ruder folk over the last few trips. Exceptions are people like Lenny and Mi, let you off with the bling Carthago. *still waiting to view !, We had a BIG luxury motorhome back in the day. But we were never like some of these people who look down their noses at some people.
Insurance:
Managed to get reasonable deal this year after our existing insurer hiked up prices. But for many, the prices have risen dramatically.
Theft:
Doesn't matter if you own a Tansit or a BlingMobile these days. Theft is on the increase in the UK with no task force dealing with it. Your insured so, make a claim
LEZ Zones:
£300 a day for London, £9 a day for a EuroV in Bradford, banned from Benidorm from January for a B rated Car. I am all for cleaner air. But whilst London is the usual Priority, my local UK traffic corridor breaks pollution levels daily with no restrictions.
Continental Europeans:
Well, too many have always had something to say even when they should keep their mouths shut. So no change there.
Money:
We have gone from €1.70 to £1 in 2000 to as low as €1.03 ? Now we get excited at €1.20 !
Wars: Where Next ?
So, I am sure it's not all doom and gloom. A few of us are n longer with us, most of us still here. So, Some positives ?
We travelled Europe a lot by road, cars, minibuses and the last 40 years, last 20, mainly by motorhome. Still sometimes staying in Villas and Houses. We have since purchased a Villa in Spain. But within 6 months, we had bought another motorhome.
So here goes....
Things lIke
Ferries:
Newcastle-Kristiansand-Gothernberg - CLOSED
Newcastle-Hugasund-Bergen - CLOSED
Harwich-Esbjerg - CLOSED
P&O Porthsmouth-Bilabo - CLOSED
Folkestone-Boulogne - CLOSED
Hull-Zeebrugge - CLOSED
Hovercraft - DISCONTINUED
Cherbourg-Rosslaire Celtic Ferries - Transferred to Stena Line - CLOSED
SpeedFerries Dover Boulogne - CLOSED
Western Channel P&O Routes - ALL CLOSED
Rosyth - Zeebrugge 6 years - CLOSED
Now Mostly Brittany Ferries on the Western Channel. Using Chinese Vessels and prices hiked.
Deisel/Fuel:
Okay, prices have come down. Some French Stations still charging €2+ a litre. But in 2016, we managed 80p a litre and it's now around £1.15, thats not too bad.
LPG: Double recently in some places.
Sites:
Lots of good places to stay with ACSI Camping Card, Free AIRES, Cheap Stelplatz etc. We stayed on a site in France August 2023, €14 a night. Heated pool, Riverside pitch, bar and restaurant. UK, prices have gone very a weekend for the 2 of us cost £100 at a CAMC Site in February.
That said, we have been priced out of some of our favourite 5***** sites for next year in France and spain too.
The "B" Word: *Please dont turn the post into a spat either way.
No Jim, I didn't say it. But its changed a lot of our plans and futures. We are limited to the amount of time we can make use of the aforementioned AIRES, ASCI etc.
New Motorhomers and VanLifers:
I think the mix of people we meet have changed. A lot of "new money" buying big bling rolling Gin Palaces looking down on those with lesser vans and certainly met a lot ruder folk over the last few trips. Exceptions are people like Lenny and Mi, let you off with the bling Carthago. *still waiting to view !, We had a BIG luxury motorhome back in the day. But we were never like some of these people who look down their noses at some people.
Insurance:
Managed to get reasonable deal this year after our existing insurer hiked up prices. But for many, the prices have risen dramatically.
Theft:
Doesn't matter if you own a Tansit or a BlingMobile these days. Theft is on the increase in the UK with no task force dealing with it. Your insured so, make a claim
LEZ Zones:
£300 a day for London, £9 a day for a EuroV in Bradford, banned from Benidorm from January for a B rated Car. I am all for cleaner air. But whilst London is the usual Priority, my local UK traffic corridor breaks pollution levels daily with no restrictions.
Continental Europeans:
Well, too many have always had something to say even when they should keep their mouths shut. So no change there.
Money:
We have gone from €1.70 to £1 in 2000 to as low as €1.03 ? Now we get excited at €1.20 !
Wars: Where Next ?
So, I am sure it's not all doom and gloom. A few of us are n longer with us, most of us still here. So, Some positives ?
