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Well it's only just over week to go,until our first foray to France.(Brittany to be precise.)

So in order that I may go prepared,what can you dear forumites,tell me that I'll need on my check list?

Ken.

phrase book, an appetite for crepes, room for the wine - olive oil - chocolate - and more crepes to bring back, debit card from nationwide to get cash from ATM [best deals], current E111, a laid back approach to life the universe and everything, a good map to help find the off the beaten track stuff, camping carnet, sense of humour, .. .. ..

where and how are you going?

Which crossing are you taking?  We went Poole - cherbourg and returned St Malo - Portsmouth.  We had booked reclining seats but on the return journey upgraded to a cabin for the princely sum of only £10.  the cabin had 4 bunkbeds and a small shower/toilet room.  VERY well worth the money.  We just wish we had known to do it on the ferry to France.

Definately take a french/english dictionary.  You will need it if your French isn't too good.  I was surprised how much came back to me after a while and it's been 22 years since I did French at school!

So an appetite for crepes is on the list of priorities then? Sounds good to me.

Sailing from Plymouth on 23rd,to Roscoff,then to L'Atlantique for 10 nights.Return Caen to Portsmouth,after I've visited the beaches at Mormandy and various other WW2 things.

Ken.

Same time posting..love it.

We have an overnight crossing both ways,which adds to the adventure for the kids.

Funny you should mention the French language thing,I last did it at school 29 years ago,when I was 12,and I can still speak a wee bit,so I'm hoping that I can remember at least a little bit.

Ken.

at the very least start off any contact with the bonjour bit, the french are much more polite than the english and our habit of walking into a shop and immediately stating our requirements sounds very abrupt and thus rude.

learn a few basic phrases - voaus avez un [?une] emplacement, branchement means electricity, un nuit deux personne, and use your camping carnet - [you have got one haven't you???] to give your personal details easier than having to spell everything out [you do know the french alphabet  ] and is better than giving up your passport.

Lots of good sites for normandy beaches, we particularly liked the municipal site at Carentan.  Don't forget Mont St Michel, there is a motel restaurant campsite development on the approach road just a couple of miles south, easy to find and [was] reasonably priced including 10% discount from camping carnet!

enjoy yourselves