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Quote: Originally posted by newuser on 09/06/2005

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Thanks for the info I'll get akk that then. So I have to drive with headlights on during the day? sorry for being thick but by dipped do you mean sidelights etc.

Thanks

 

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My top tip is to fill up on petrol before a bank holiday, as the cash desks do not have any staff in the smaller towns on the day itself and the pumps do not take all Visas.

We had to wait for the next customers and negotiate in French ( they didnt speak English anyway) and they used thier blue card and we paid them in Euros.

Jos sticks - or inscense  sticks!

Last year we discovered that if we had a couple burning round our meal table the flies (and wasps, back in england) would completely vanish.  Better than citronella candles which blow out in a breeze, and smell so strong they send us off too!  We are definitly carrying a few packets of them with us this year.

Good idea,

we usually take those spiral burner-things and hang one from the entrance to the tent.  they do work better than citronella candles. we have found that when we're sitting out late at night playing cards etc the flying beasts are drawn to the flame of the citronella candles.  we've drowned many a beastie in citronella wax!

Quote: Originally posted by Floydfan on 09/06/2005

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Also, French drivers are quick to flash you to warn if you're running into a gendarme spot check further up the road, you can get a bit paranoid!

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This comment has just reminded me ....

Although the 'official line' on flashing lights in this country means "I am here", I am sure most of us interpret it to mean 'after you', or 'all clear', or 'your turn'.

In France it means the exact opposite!! If someone flashes their lights at you while you're waiting to turn in front of them, it means "I'm coming through!" or "Me first!"

I had read this before going on holiday, but it was with great horror, and after a close shave and much colourful language from the driving seat (!!),  that I realised that my O/H didn't know this - and he had been driving in France for two weeks!!!

Dear All,

Just got back from our virgin trip. I denied the wife her big box of cans (24kgs) on the grounds that they sell good foodstuffs in France. We found that to be correct, EXCEPT, Lidl and Aldi sell different foods over there to what they sell here so Curry and what we would call ethnic food beware are not as readily available. Other than that,the French are a very polite people. U will be met with a Bonjour even as u walk into a fairly large store. They expect a greeting in return. U will be met with helpfulness and kindness if u make any attempt to speak their language. U dont need to be fluent but take a phrase book. Try to plan just a short phrase to meet the circs. If u dont understand something say so (in french) but dont expect them to be able to explain it in English. By the end of your holiday u will be amazed how much u will have picked up. Go and enjoy the hols. What do they say, "Vive la differance."(Please note. One of those words is shared by both countries.) U will be astounded just how many other ones there are as well.

Hey Emmitdb

Why do you think we moved to France ???

Hi all,

We've just got back, too, and what an ab. fab. time we've had!! Learned a lot more useful French words, by asking (in French) and pointing! I now know what awning is in French!! Met lots of wonderful people, remembered how much German I've forgotten (and felt so guilty when others spoke our language so well). We spent our last night in Benouville, north of Caen, and was asking Madame, in the static opposite, for directions to Pegasus cafe and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. She shook her head and gave a Gallic shrug. Not one to be put off, I described it as the first cafe to be liberated......and her face lit up. AH, le cafe Pegazooos! Same word, but different pronunciation! I remember being told to speak French, imagining that you are listening to a French person speaking Eeenglish, hein? Always try - they will correct you, oh so gently!!