Where are all the Brits?

TheLifeofBrian said:
I obviously didn't realise how big Europe is 🤣🤣
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You probably hit the nail on the head?
First couple of times we were over we were on the Rhine and Mosel.
We were seeing a number of brit vans about.
We now tend to wander to less well known areas and the last time seen just two in three weeks till we were back to near the port.
I don't particularly think it's less people traveling abroad it's just there is a lot of space.
Try getting a van on the Newcastle ferry at short notice :rolleyes: (short notice is anything less than six months)
 
Emmit said:
You're all heart.

I would have taken the seventh!
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I wish I had
Emmit said:
You're all heart.

I would have taken the seventh!
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Very nearly did, but was pretty confident that we still had a couple of days before the ferry to Greece from Bari to get some more (like about thirty bottles to last us until we start heading home in November).
Unfortunately, we were contacted the night before our ferry to be told that Anek had brought the departure forward 8 hours to midday which necessitated getting up early and hurtling down to Bari with no time to pillage Lidl for more gin.....seething, I was.....
 
CAB96 said:
What was the change in atmosphere?
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Apologies for the delay in responding. We first started visiting France in 1990, and have been many times since. In the early days it always seemed magical and enchanting. We went last year, which was our first visit since the pandemic and have recently returned, but have decided we won’t be returning. It may be a generational thing. We don’t speak French, but have always made the effort to try and learn and use phrase books. The older generation still seem friendly and helpful, but not the younger ones. Not really sure what the problem is, but have decided our Motorhoming days in France are over.
 
It's strange really, this is our first time in France since 2019. So far we have spent a week in Normandy and have found everyone of all ages very friendly and helpful, even when we have asked if we can speak in English, as it would be easier.

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seasideBill said:
It’s ridiculous to generalise about the attitude or behaviour of whole generations or sections of nationalities. It’s generally misinformed, inaccurate and shallow.
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Absolutely. One or two bad experiences does not deserve the relabelling of entire nations or sections of society. We just spent a year and a half all over france and find the people of all ages and stripes precisely the same as those in UK. People are people. Of course it helps loads if you can speak at least some french, has anyone ever witnessed the treatment any foreigner that doesn’t speak good enough (let alone no) english gets in the UK? How would you react to being in your home town and asked by a foreigner if you would be good enough to speak their language to make it easy for them??
 
dawsey said:
Absolutely. One or two bad experiences does not deserve the relabelling of entire nations or sections of society. We just spent a year and a half all over france and find the people of all ages and stripes precisely the same as those in UK. People are people. Of course it helps loads if you can speak at least some french, has anyone ever witnessed the treatment any foreigner that doesn’t speak good enough (let alone no) english gets in the UK? How would you react to being in your home town and asked by a foreigner if you would be good enough to speak their language to make it easy for them??
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Well said Dawsey, with the current anti foreigner and specifically anti french atmosphere in the UK, stoked up by some of the less savoury political figures in our country I can only imagine the reaction to some hapless french person asking for help in their own language...
 
MillyMoHo said:
Apologies for the delay in responding. We first started visiting France in 1990, and have been many times since. In the early days it always seemed magical and enchanting. We went last year, which was our first visit since the pandemic and have recently returned, but have decided we won’t be returning. It may be a generational thing. We don’t speak French, but have always made the effort to try and learn and use phrase books. The older generation still seem friendly and helpful, but not the younger ones. Not really sure what the problem is, but have decided our Motorhoming days in France are over.
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It is a shame you feel that way. Have only ever had one example of unfriendliness in many, many trips to France, plenty since Brexit, from a truculent old trout in Dieppe who convinced herself that our overflowing water tank was us emptying our grey tank in the aire! I speak good french and told her what was happening but for some reason she wouldn't have it!! After a lengthly discussion I told her that if she wanted to be convinced she could taste it if she wanted, or basically, shut up! Her embarrassed husband demanded that she return to her van...
Other than that, nothing but helpful, friendly, normal people prepared to chat and exchange views in an amicable manner.
 
TheLifeofBrian said:
Where are you all?
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Just found all the Brits!

After only spotting the odd one or two in the last few weeks around France (eg. in Château car parks), Amboise municipal Campsite is packed with UK plates (it's market day today)...

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11 days in Austria so far and the only UK vehicle seen was last night and a support vehicle for vets who are on a charity motorbike ride giving lectures to universities and other equine vets.

I only noticed a couple of days ago our motorbike with 9000 European miles on it has never had a GB or UK sticker but it does now have a MHF sticker
 
BrochMike said:
Just found all the Brits!

After only spotting the odd one or two in the last few weeks around France (eg. in Château car parks), Amboise municipal Campsite is packed with UK plates (it's market day today)...
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Yes, we have seen a few more the further south we go. We're now down by La Herradura & there are 3 British vans here.
 
the darkside said:
Just book a crossing and go, it’s not difficult and you’ll enjoy it.
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exactly,
we bought our first van, had two weekends in the UK then 4 weeks in France. Loved it.
experience comes from getting on and doing it. :giggle::giggle:(y)
 
BrochMike said:
Just found all the Brits!

After only spotting the odd one or two in the last few weeks around France (eg. in Château car parks), Amboise municipal Campsite is packed with UK plates (it's market day today)...
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We really like that site and always schedule our visit to coincide with the market. In April my wife told the pasta and ravioli guy that we'd especially come back in order to buy from him :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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Recently returned from 6 weeks away down to Croatia and only saw 5 other Brit registered vans the whole time,
(Ports excluded)
 
We're almost ready to head for our summer tour away from the Murcia region of Spain. I'll count how many Brits we see enjoying the areas we enjoy 👍.

Not so many last year.

We obviously have a different view of a good trip 🤣
 
A
seasideBill said:
It’s ridiculous to generalise about the attitude or behaviour of whole generations or sections of nationalities. It’s generally misinformed, inaccurate and shallow.
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As we’ve said, it could be a generational thing, we’re just not sure. No, we haven’t written off the whole nation. We love France, otherwise we wouldn’t have visited so many times, and in the main we have found people to be friendly and helpful. We have always made the effort to speak French, it would be rude and selfish not to bother. I think we’ve just decided that for us our Motorhoming days there are over. I would always encourage other people to go and enjoy the things and places we used to, especially the Brittany region.
 
That’s great, I’m glad you’ve had a good experience. We’ve had some wonderful holidays there, which we wouldn’t have missed for anything.
Jasz said:
It's strange really, this is our first time in France since 2019. So far we have spent a week in Normandy and have found everyone of all ages very friendly and helpful, even when we have asked if we can speak in English, as it would be easier.
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Molly A said:
It is a shame you feel that way. Have only ever had one example of unfriendliness in many, many trips to France, plenty since Brexit, from a truculent old trout in Dieppe who convinced herself that our overflowing water tank was us emptying our grey tank in the aire! I speak good french and told her what was happening but for some reason she wouldn't have it!! After a lengthly discussion I told her that if she wanted to be convinced she could taste it if she wanted, or basically, shut up! Her embarrassed husband demanded that she return to her van...
Other than that, nothing but helpful, friendly, normal people prepared to chat and exchange views in an amicable manner.
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That’s great, as I’ve already said we have had many magical holidays in France since 1990, but we feel for us it’s time to go to different places. We hope you continue to enjoy.
 
seasideBill said:
It’s ridiculous to generalise about the attitude or behaviour of whole generations or sections of nationalities. It’s generally misinformed, inaccurate and shallow.
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That’s a bit harsh. We’ve been to France many times as I’ve already said and had great holidays, otherwise why would we have kept returning virtually every year since 1990. Sadly, the last two visits haven’t matched up, perhaps we chose the wrong places. We can only speak as we find, we’re sure other people will have better experiences.
 
That’s great, I’m glad you’ve had good experiences. Long May it continue.
dawsey said:
Absolutely. One or two bad experiences does not deserve the relabelling of entire nations or sections of society. We just spent a year and a half all over france and find the people of all ages and stripes precisely the same as those in UK. People are people. Of course it helps loads if you can speak at least some french, has anyone ever witnessed the treatment any foreigner that doesn’t speak good enough (let alone no) english gets in the UK? How would you react to being in your home town and asked by a foreigner if you would be good enough to speak their language to make it easy for them?
Click to expand...
 
Molly A said:
Well said Dawsey, with the current anti foreigner and specifically anti french atmosphere in the UK, stoked up by some of the less savoury political figures in our country I can only imagine the reaction to some hapless french person asking for help in their own language...
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What a shame, I would always try to help someone whatever their nationality to find what they want. I think unfortunately, some people have jumped on my comments and decided we’re anti-French, which simply isn’t the case. Why would we have kept going there virtually every year, other than lockdown for over 30 years.
 
seasideBill said:
It’s ridiculous to generalise about the attitude or behaviour of whole generations or sections of nationalities. It’s generally misinformed, inaccurate and shallow.
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A pity you didn’t read my post properly, before making such a harsh comment. I said PERHAPS, not definitely.
 
What's the road to Cadaques like? I thought about doing a day trip there from Roses but it looked a bit tortuous on the map.
 
Forget "Where are all the Brits" this should read..."Where are all the French" well they are surrounding us....in our adopted country of España...we are the only Spanish registered van here in Arguedas near Pamplona..
One of two German, Swiss, Swedish and a lonely UK Hymer...bless him...must have been a little intimidated....😂😂

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