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Hi all, actually back 2 weeks ago but only just had time to post!! It was GREAT.

If you are considering going in '06 then read on, this is what we thought!! Don't believe too many of the tales of woe, just be prepared and go with an open mind...you're already on the best Forum!! A purely personal view, so feel free to add corrections or comments!!

We stayed at; Le royon, near Boulogne and Ile Doffard, Saumur in the Loire.( I will put the links in when the site reviews are ready!)

The reviews are here....

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=5631

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=5632

SPEEDFERRIES - £88 ret for big car + 4. Smooth, FAST, roomy and clean. Helpful staff, now with duty free on board!! 15 mins late leaving ( only 1 ramp working ), on time on way back. Count the big ferries as you overtake them!! Can't fault them.

DRIVING - Generally much easier than over here. French motorways are excellent, even with (cheap) tolls, would use them whenever necessary - empty most of time. (Note for secret squirrel new A28 motorway from Rouen - Alencon is looking good, will definitley be ready for next year.) In towns watch out for the scooters - they get everywhere!! Pedestrian Crossings (without lights) - if you can't make eye contact, be ready to stop, even when leaving roundabouts!! On roundabouts, indicating and lane discipline can be as random as it is in england, just be positive and keep aware!! An alert passenger is very helpful. Use a route planner, I prefer MAPPY, but take driving times with a pinch of salt. Any road sign for Supermarket Fuel 500m is generally VERY optimistic!!! More like 4km!!!

SHOPPING - Better Quality and Cheaper....on just about everything!! Go to a Market - even if you don't need anything, Supermarkets are as good as we have, good for stuff like school coats and bags as well, tanks of LIVE crabs and lobsters!! Bottle of Plonk 80p, good quality wine £1.50!!! Cheap Fuel. No Free Carrier bags - bag for life 30p, French Coffee Mate is poor, Supermarkets do NOT sell asprin, paracetamol etc. Everything shuts at 12 on sunday - and that means EVERYTHING. If you haven't got a shop on site, stock up. Boulangerie equals FRESH breakfast!! Always TRY and speak French - even if you're rubbish like me - it is appreciated!!

HOSPITALS - Yes we had to go, on the day before we came home - of course!!! Suspected (but not) broken wrist!! More staff than patients, very clean and FAST. Examined, wounds dressed and 4 x-rays in 1.5 hours!! DO have an E111 (or the new equivalent), it was the first thing we were asked for. Do have travel insurance - just in case, ours cost £20 for a family for 2 weeks. Do be ready to PAY - the above cost about £18, you can claim it back when you get home.

Well, have I convinced you to go yet?? Thanks to everyone on here for all the good advice we got before we went, it was invaluable.

Oh, if you go to Saumur, go and visit Mr Moirin in Parnay for excellent wine, while the kids play with the dog, cat and tortoise!!!

Rich

sounds like you had a fab time! Commiserations on the arm injury though!

I so want to go to France next year... were just humming and haaing and thinking oooer, can we afford it and do we want to do all the driving which might be involved in a short crossing . Im counting up the vouchers from tescos to see if we can get a decent deal on the P+O ferries tesco offer.

I fancy giving Stu's site in france a go

Quote: Originally posted by Lilmiss on 08/09/2005

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sounds like you had a fab time! Commiserations on the arm injury though!

I so want to go to France next year... were just humming and haaing and thinking oooer, can we afford it and do we want to do all the driving which might be involved in a short crossing . Im counting up the vouchers from tescos to see if we can get a decent deal on the P+O ferries tesco offer.

I fancy giving Stu's site in france a go

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Cheers Jen,

It'd be lovely to see you again! Hope the Uni's going well?