DLP from Edinburgh by car

[Johnny_boy]

We're off in less than 3 weeks to France, camping for a few days then off to DLP for a couple of days then a week near Disney is Vincennes.

We're pretty much finalised, green card reminder chased up, EHIC cards ordered, DD's passport arrived, green Flag international breakdown set up, Eurotunnel booked Just waiting for Copilot to release the updated app for iPhone (last day for half-price for the Android version folks) as it does better traffic re-routing than the version I have. Hopefully it will be out before we go.

We're driving down in 1 day then camping fairly near Calais in a campsite that gets good reviews. After Disney, we'll be in Vincennes and it's about 3 hours drive back to Calais then an hour for the crossing (including check-in, etc.) so when I get back to the UK, I don't want to drive that far. I'm looking for somewhere 3 or so hours max drive from Folkestone on the way back we can sleep overnight and hopefully near enough a town that we can get something to eat and have a bit of a choice. The kids love Toby Carvery so that would be a bonus but anything will do from Fish and Chips... just don't want to get stuck with motorway service centre food for tea/breakfast. (that's my favourite smilie BTW!)

Any tips would be gratefully received.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Can't help with the hotel i'm afraid, we usually just stay in Ashford and then drive home the next day.

This will be our first time on Eurotunnel - usually go by Eurostar, but too late to get a decent price.

I've just noticed this Copilot thing on my smart phone (daftphone I call it) - is it worth me getting this set up? I was going to get a cheap sat nav as we've never driven in France before, but not sure if it's worth it. I'll also give Green Flag a look to as we need some cover.

When are you off? We're 25 July

Hope you have a good trip

 

[Johnny_boy]

hi Ms Poppins, we're doing the Eurotunnel on the 25th July as well but won't be at Disney until the Thursday. were booken in around 5pm to give us plenty of time to get there.

I bought copilot live 8 Europe last year for the iPhone when the ash cloud was disrupting air travel as we were maybe going to get the now discontinued Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry and drive. I prefer it to my Garmin as it has lane assist and a few other features like better speed cameras. The new version integrates traffic info better and has other features which will be handy

As for the return journey, we nee to be out of Vincennes around 10am and it's about 3 hours back to Calais so I'm wondering if somewhere round Luton might be best. One of my mates lives in Berkhamstead and I haven't seen his for 15 years or so so it might be worth meeting up with him if I can wangle that... have to wait and see.

Enjoy your holiday and might see you on the train!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Maybe I won't bother with sat nav or copilot and just follow you off the train

 

[Johnny_boy]

Maybe I won't bother with sat nav or copilot and just follow you off the train

I'm not sure you'd enjoy the camping, though they have these multi-person pedal bikes FOC at the campsite

We went camping at Easter in Scotland and DD hated it as it was quite cold but loved the campsite and the concept. DS who never feels the cold had an absolute ball, even running into the sea which was freezing.

 

[nightrider68]

a few other features like better speed cameras.

I believe speed camera detectors are illegal in France - I'm sure I read somewhere that there is a fine about €1500 and they confiscate the device (if its fitted to the car which some are, they are entitled to impound the car).

Could be worth some googling.

 

[lannie]

Yeah any device that detects speed camera's is illegal in France!!!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

The law is being brought in as of September, it was supposed to be enforced already but got delayed.

It will be 1500€ fine and 6 points off the driving license so depending on how many points you have your car could be impounded on the spot.

 

[chrisf1961]

Viva la France!

 

[Johnny_boy]

I'm talking about Sat Nav on an iPhone, it doesn't detect speed cameras, it knows where they are and warns you in advance where they are. Most Sat Navs have this functionality.

Speed Camera/RADAR Detectors use frequency scanners to find cameras based on the radar and are illegal in France and dubious in the UK.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

With this new law the updates on GPS here will no longer show the radars so it goes beyond the simple boxes that people had installed in their cars

of course those who want to can and will get round this but it will bring in a bit of money and that's all that interests the powers that be even though they say it's the 4000 deaths a year that concerns them more

 

[Johnny_boy]

I have to say, speeding isn't something I do, I have a 1.9 deisel grand scenic and I have held a clean driving license since I first got it. The camera warnings are handy when the speed varies such as suddenly dropping 20 for a bit.

I think this new law could be difficult to enforce, my eyes often detects cameras as I'm colour blind so they stood out a bit for me as the camouflaging used in the UK before they put high Viz markings on them didn't work if you were colourblind. maybe I should leave them at the border

Seriously though, as they don't move them that often, there must be millions of sat navs with pretty much up to date cameras