South of France January 2022 - Planning and Going!

[Fragle]

I have to thank you for posting this! I had a look at the website, registered and bought a card

We used them for the first time this year. Now prefer them to campsite easier to use. Found some great places to stop and we found the water heater just about works on ehu for shower. Tripped a couple of times. Heater works on low settings and free WiFi’s good enough for firestick

 

[Lenny HB]

We sent for our camping car parks card before we left home, as although you can get one from the machine, they can be temperamental! Can recommend them, as although not free, the water is always on & they are clean, tidy & reliable! Also, you can check if there is space before you drive to it!

Very vairible stayed at one a couple of weeks ago it was crap, just a car park.
Only use them if desperate as quite expensive.

 

[Marty Gilly and Pup]

We’ve had the card for a couple of years. Some great sites for sure and the odd “limited” ones but generally pretty good and not expensive certainly at this time of year. Yes it can be a little confusing ( I once topped up the card by accident instead of raising the barrier) but much better than chancing aires in winter or driving round numerous sites to find them full ( happened 3 times on one day this trip and not late in the day either).
We keep some cash on the card knowing that these are our back up sites when needed for ehu and water when others are shut or partially shut from a services perspective.

 

[Barryh]

GHIC and travel insurance?
Proof of vaccination status?

Got the little used travel wallet out the other day to find our EHIC cards had expired. Ordered the GHIC online and they arrived today, which is 4 working days to process and despatch. What a great service!

 

[Riverbankannie]

I think that's rather rude, I don't see what's so funny. I made an honest mistake. probably due to the fact that I've driven around with them in my car for the last 9 years. During that time, several friends were stopped and fined for not having them. Maybe you think that's funny too?

Hi DoreenJ , I can see that you are quite new here and maybe have misunderstood a bit of funster humour, all tongue in cheek, we have had a lot of threads over the years about the breathalysers and whether needed even before the French government abandoned them. Brittany Ferries will still try and sell them as essential equipment though ! It has become a bit of an in joke amongst regulars, please don’t take it to heart, it wasn’t meant to be rude.

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[Madcaravanner]

Right, been flitting with France / Spain for 2 weeks in January and decided we will stick with France as it's only 2 weeks.
It will be 9th to 23rd January (2 full weeks) with a possibility of a couple of extra days each side but we won't know that until the wifes off duty is done and we wont know that until December.

Plan is Folkstone - Calais either chunnel or ferry depending on price (ferry seems cheaper currently) then head for the south coast and quite happy to take 3ish days to get there, stay a week(ish) and 3/4 days to get back.

WE have literally just booked the Tunnel and thanks to Tesco we have just paid only £38 for a one way ticket in April (coming back from Santander) so if you can there's a good discount to be had

 

[busby]

Y

You do need breathelisers, we live in France, very near to a Gendarmerie

No you don't.BUSBY.

 

[royandsharont]

Re the gas PaulC70, I cannot speak personally for that time of year but would agree with the likelihood of using more due to the night temperature.

What I can say for definite is that for our normal 2 x 60 night travels in May/June and September/October I used to measure my gas use to ensure we were not caught out with our 2x6kg bottles. We used the gas oven a lot and the heating occasionally, gas for the fridge when travelling and stopped but all else was on electric and we used around 1.5kg gas at the most each trip.

 

[stevewagner]

You'll need breatheliser kits too, 2 each.

I thought that law had been abandoned

 

[Bonsaiman]

I thought that law had been abandoned

It has, read on

Drivers in France no longer need breathalyser kits

Drivers in France will no longer be obliged to carry breathalysers in their vehicles at all times, as the discredited and ignored law that required it has finally been formally scrapped.

www.connexionfrance.com

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[Conal]

DoreenJ Please do not take offence when any post is “ridiculed“ or gets an unexpected response. Part of the “buzz” on this site is caused by slightly acerbic responses. I won’t say everybody means well but someone who has upset you may well be of great help a few days later.
Jim (our leader) polices the site excellently and won’t let anyone be bullied.

 

[Emmit]

PaulC70

I am assuming??? that your UK Calor bottles are propane.

If so, you may consider buying one of the following;

This is a

Gas Cylinder Adaptor​

Adaptor for connecting male POL UK regulators or fittings to cylinders with male 21.8 mm SI fittings, which are found on some UK butane cylinders and various cylinders around the world. Supplied with nitrile washer for butane end connection.
5/8" BSP-LH female POL x 21.8 mm SI-LH female.

What this piece of kit does is allow you to adapt the propane pigtail at the bottle end to accept a 21.8 SI LH threaded connection to a gas bottle.
Whilst this would allow you to connect a 4.5kgs UK 'Dumpy' Butane Bottle, it is identical to many french propane gas bottles which are readily available for purchase at french supermarkets.

If you run out of gas in France, this piece of kit will get you out of trouble.

BES.co.uk | Next Day Delivery On 15,000 + Plumbing Supplies

Wall Block & Fittings / Gas Cylinder Adaptor - PN: 21123 - Order Gas and Plumbing Supplies online at BES.co.uk. Low Prices, Free Next Day Delivery Available, 15k Plus Products in stock

www.bes.co.uk

 

[PaulC70]

PaulC70

I am assuming??? that your UK Calor bottles are propane.

If so, you may consider buying one of the following;

This is a

Gas Cylinder Adaptor​

Adaptor for connecting male POL UK regulators or fittings to cylinders with male 21.8 mm SI fittings, which are found on some UK butane cylinders and various cylinders around the world. Supplied with nitrile washer for butane end connection.
5/8" BSP-LH female POL x 21.8 mm SI-LH female.

What this piece of kit does is allow you to adapt the propane pigtail at the bottle end to accept a 21.8 SI LH threaded connection to a gas bottle.
Whilst this would allow you to connect a 4.5kgs UK 'Dumpy' Butane Bottle, it is identical to many french propane gas bottles which are readily available for purchase at french supermarkets.

If you run out of gas in France, this piece of kit will get you out of trouble.

BES.co.uk | Next Day Delivery On 15,000 + Plumbing Supplies

Wall Block & Fittings / Gas Cylinder Adaptor - PN: 21123 - Order Gas and Plumbing Supplies online at BES.co.uk. Low Prices, Free Next Day Delivery Available, 15k Plus Products in stock

www.bes.co.uk

Ooohhhhhhhh yes indeed calor propane is what I have. So this looks like an imminent “just in case” purchase

 

[Littlewheels]

I would probably prioritise EHU just for the heating if nothing else, but do have the standard solar set up which I believe is a single 100w panel and all the internal lights are led so the only other thing it would have to run is the water pump and tv so think I'd be ok

If you get the Camping Car Parks App and plan those into your journey you will have EHU at every stop.

 

[PaulC70]

If you get the Camping Car Parks App and plan those into your journey you will have EHU at every stop.

Already got it

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[Molly A]

Pneus hiver, chaînes : équipement obligatoire en zones montagneuses à partir du 1er novembre 2024

Pneus hiver ou chaînes à neige : équipement obligatoire en zones montagneuses à partir du 1er novembre 2024

www.service-public.fr

If you can't manage a translation with Google, give a shout on here. I'll be available around 4.30 to explain it all.
Chains are COMPULSORY. Don't think at the last moment you won't need them!

If you read to the end of the article it states that although it has been passed into law, there will be no fines for contravention this year to allow people time to comply . The winter tyre/ snow chain regs are specific to certain geographic areas, mainly in the mountains, as one might imagine. Obviously, if you are going up into the mountainous areas , you need them whether they compulsory or not....

 

[yodeli]

If you read to the end of the article it states that although it has been passed into law, there will be no fines for contravention this year to allow people time to comply . The winter tyre/ snow chain regs are specific to certain geographic areas, mainly in the mountains, as one might imagine. Obviously, if you are going up into the mountainous areas , you need them whether they compulsory or not....

Actually.... I don't really care about (French or British) people being fined or not. As you say whether they are compulsory or not , you need them. BUT ... My point is not the fine, my point is once they stop you to ... warn you or even less softly, tell you off, they can go around the moho and try to find another way to fine you, or get on your nerves... or test you with THEIR breathalizer (I remind everyone that breathalizers are NOT a must anymore). The main thing with Gendarmes is to avoid being stopped. Mind you you could be lucky and have a gendarme who didn't get upset all day long with bad drivers (I usually make them laugh!)

 

[PaulC70]

Actually.... I don't really care about (French or British) people being fined or not. As you say whether they are compulsory or not , you need them. BUT ... My point is not the fine, my point is once they stop you to ... warn you or even less softly, tell you off, they can go around the moho and try to find another way to fine you, or get on your nerves... or test you with THEIR breathalizer (I remind everyone that breathalizers are NOT a must anymore). The main thing with Gendarmes is to avoid being stopped. Mind you you could be lucky and have a gendarme who didn't get upset all day long with bad drivers (I usually make them laugh!)

I've already got the chains, they arrived 2 days before the news of the new variant, now? We've decided not to go to france so I think the initial idea of a Scottish trip will be back on the cards instead.

 

[deleted79651]

I've already got the chains, they arrived 2 days before the news of the new variant, now? We've decided not to go to france so I think the initial idea of a Scottish trip will be back on the cards instead.

We're trying to get from a very chilly Scotland to a warmer Spain, via France ...

Steve

 

[chaser]

Right, been flitting with France / Spain for 2 weeks in January and decided we will stick with France as it's only 2 weeks.
It will be 9th to 23rd January (2 full weeks) with a possibility of a couple of extra days each side but we won't know that until the wifes off duty is done and we wont know that until December.

Plan is Folkstone - Calais either chunnel or ferry depending on price (ferry seems cheaper currently) then head for the south coast and quite happy to take 3ish days to get there, stay a week(ish) and 3/4 days to get back.

However, on reading the many threads I need some prep work first as I have realised recently that I don't know what I don't know! For example I have read a recent thread about the EHU's and how they can be wired up differently / backwards?

So my list of to do's include:

Socket tester
EHU Conversion socket
Passports - done and are in date
Dogs - have their Irish EU passports but undecided whether to bring them or not yet.
Snowchains - Need these I believe at this time of year in some areas so will buy some.
UK stickers already applied.
Headlamp converters - need to get some of these
Warning triangle and reflective jacket - need to get
APPS - I already have searchforsites and park4night but believe I could benefit from the france Passion too?
My Natwest mastercard and the wifes virgin card can be used with no extra charges abroad so that's good but we will bring some euros too.
The motorhomes 3500kg so I don't need the angle mort stickers.
EHIC/GHIC - already applied for
Travel insurance - covered by my Nationwide account but will check and ensure specifics for france
Both of us have our proof of Covid Jabs already.

So, is there anything anyone thinks I have missed or need to consider?

Mate, just go, you will be fine, enjoy.

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[busby]

We're trying to get from a very chilly Scotland to a warmer Spain, via France ...

Steve

Very sensible,,wish I had days left for Scengen,,BUSBY.

 

[Molly A]

Actually.... I don't really care about (French or British) people being fined or not. As you say whether they are compulsory or not , you need them. BUT ... My point is not the fine, my point is once they stop you to ... warn you or even less softly, tell you off, they can go around the moho and try to find another way to fine you, or get on your nerves... or test you with THEIR breathalizer (I remind everyone that breathalizers are NOT a must anymore). The main thing with Gendarmes is to avoid being stopped. Mind you you could be lucky and have a gendarme who didn't get upset all day long with bad drivers (I usually make them laugh!)

If they were stopping you to check for chains or tyres and they were feeling a bit frisky there is every liklihood that they would check you out anyway. As we travel with all legal requirements and never drink when driving it would not present an issue to us, or I suspect, most sensible motor homers.

 

[PaulC70]

Well, that's the kibosh put on our 2 weeks in france https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59679861

Still, been half expecting this with the new variants and have been looking at our initial plan of a couple of weeks round Scotland perhaps NC500 territory and / or Harris & Lewis too.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

I wouldn't even count on Scotland, give it a few minutes and wee jimmy will close the borders.

 

[Emmit]

Sorry for my spelling of "compulsory" It's one of the English words I seem to always get wrong, I've edited my OP

Don't you worry about that yodeli.
There's some on here that would be troubled by the word, 'must'

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[sonar]

Right, been flitting with France / Spain for 2 weeks in January and decided we will stick with France as it's only 2 weeks.
It will be 9th to 23rd January (2 full weeks) with a possibility of a couple of extra days each side but we won't know that until the wifes off duty is done and we wont know that until December.

Plan is Folkstone - Calais either chunnel or ferry depending on price (ferry seems cheaper currently) then head for the south coast and quite happy to take 3ish days to get there, stay a week(ish) and 3/4 days to get back.

However, on reading the many threads I need some prep work first as I have realised recently that I don't know what I don't know! For example I have read a recent thread about the EHU's and how they can be wired up differently / backwards?

So my list of to do's include:

Socket tester
EHU Conversion socket
Passports - done and are in date
Dogs - have their Irish EU passports but undecided whether to bring them or not yet.
Snowchains - Need these I believe at this time of year in some areas so will buy some.
UK stickers already applied.
Headlamp converters - need to get some of these
Warning triangle and reflective jacket - need to get
APPS - I already have searchforsites and park4night but believe I could benefit from the france Passion too?
My Natwest mastercard and the wifes virgin card can be used with no extra charges abroad so that's good but we will bring some euros too.
The motorhomes 3500kg so I don't need the angle mort stickers.
EHIC/GHIC - already applied for
Travel insurance - covered by my Nationwide account but will check and ensure specifics for france
Both of us have our proof of Covid Jabs already.

So, is there anything anyone thinks I have missed or need to consider?

France is tightening Covid restrictions for travellers arriving from the UK, as the government in Paris tries to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.


The French prime minister's office said that from Saturday all non-residents would have to give a compelling reason for travelling to France.

don’t know how long it will be in force for .



From midnight Saturday (2300 GMT Friday), UK travellers will have to have a "compelling reason" for entry to France. This includes visiting family, but not tourism or non-urgent work reasons.

so tourism should still be ok.
at least for now !

 

[deleted79651]

I wouldn't even count on Scotland, give it a few minutes and wee jimmy will close the borders.

It's Ms Sturgeon, and the Devloution Settlement precludes the right to close the Border with England, as was widely posted last year.

Steve

 

[Nirvanauk]

It's Ms Sturgeon, and the Devloution Settlement precludes the right to close the Border with England, as was widely posted last year.

Stev

 

[yodeli]

Compelling reason?
Tell them I need baked beans, and proper tea and....HAGGIS... Isn't that all vital? For me of course., not for you, but you could say I've threaten a whole forum with suicide plans...

 

[deleted79651]

Compelling reason?
Tell them I need baked beans, and proper tea and....HAGGIS... Isn't that all vital? For me of course., not for you, but you could say I've threaten a whole forum with suicide plans...

Frankie, it's a good job we hadn't bought the tinned haggis for our visit; may have past the 'Sell By' Date!

Steve

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