don't worry, its dead easy, more so than the UK !!! a few tips.....
nearly everywhere takes chip and pin cards, the instructions are sometimes in english but even in french its easy to follow (same sequence as here)
Look for unmanned fuel stations off the mway, they are the cheapest, some supermarkets have auto pumps same as tesco etc, easy enough to do. If filling at a large fuel station go to a low numbered pump.....when you get to the cashier he wants to know the pump number, I never did learn anything past neuf !!!!!
Don't go in the automatic barrier lane when approaching tolls, there's a height limit which the van will not go under, then you have to cut other queing traffic up to get back in the correct one and the natives don't like that...see our friends about this one!!
take bacon and sausages with you if you like a full english!
Buy the cheapest wine...its all good...5lt for 5 euro is ok once your used to it!!
Orange/blackcurrant squash is non existant, most of theres is pre-diluted or you buy the syrup which isn't that nice.(or so the kids say)
If your near vineyards, take empty containers to fill with lots of rouge for very cheap price.
Remember the phrase "parlez vous anglais" if that doesn't work use sign language!!
Be prepared to "hold it in" or use the "traditional toilets" at some mway services, or if really bursting get hubby to remove chairs/wine/wine/drinks/junk from van toilet then put up with his grunting and moaning for 1/2hr!!!!!
Take toilet paper, they don't have any
At the beaches the french park anywhere, including the middle of dual carriageways, however the french don't like sunbathing at lunchtime, they all have picnics in the shade, so go to the beach before the end of the siesta otherwise you wont be able to park.
Don't get too used to the smooth quiet autoroutes, you'll soon be back in blighty dodging potholes, watching the van take of over bumps and queuing up!!!!
Most of all......don't fret about it, just enjoy!!
|
Topic: 1st time abroad
