France road trip cancelled.

[br d]

It's a shame but I didn't want to take any chances. Had a lovely trip planned, Angers - St Marie - Tours - Beaune - Reims, staying in very nice hotels and lots of early morning hooning, I was due to leave tomorrow night.
However, with the fuel depot blockades and the enthusiasm the French have for strikes (have you seen the piles of burning tyres?) I decided against it. My car doesn't go all that far on a full tank and with Garage closures reported in the North West I just can't be bothered.

Going to book a route around Germany in June instead, first world problems I suppose.

[PositronicRay]

Is it really all that bad? I'd heard the oil companies were blaming shortages on hoarding.

[br d]

PositronicRay said:

Is it really all that bad? I'd heard the oil companies were blaming shortages on hoarding.

It's probably not exactly apocalyptic but I don't want to be wrangling over the routes I take and possible shortages in certain areas, all too much trouble for a holiday.

Started booking Germany for the end of June now anyway, prefer the roads around the Loire Valley but Bavaria has plenty to see and do.

[DJFish]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[PositronicRay]

I understand it's the local (cheaper) fuel stations that are starved. The Autoroutes seem to be okay albeit with longer queues, I suppose it makes sense if supplies are limited to prioritise the more expensive autoroutes.

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 24th May 09:01

[Riley Blue]

A friend who lives in Pas de Calais tells me that no fuel is going from Dunkerque to local filling stations so many just across the Channel have none or very limited supplies. How long it will last (both the fuel and the blockade) is anyone's guess.

[PositronicRay]

Sounds like it's worth going with a full tank and seeking fuel around 1/2 tank. Usually I fill up across the channel, then fill up whenever I'm down to 1/4.

[Riley Blue]

Looks like the fuel situation could worsen, all eight French refineries hit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36366912

[Amateurish]

I'm off to France in an hour, looks like I should fill up at Folkestone then.

[rdjohn]

I filled up today, no problem. Apparently the CRS went into a refinery with tear gas last night and reopened the place. I am pretty certain that it will not be allowed to get out of hand.

I joined a queue of 5 cars this morning at 8:55, every car contained a mum who had just dropped their kid at school. The first woman got in and out of the car 3-times before actually filling her car. Once complete, she got back in and obviously texted her mates to let them know she was back in business. Everyone else can wait.

Liberte, egalite, fraternite - Viva La France

[twizellb]

We are crossing Thursday and will be filling up at Folkestone.
I've also bought a Jerrycan and will stash 30ltrs in the boot.
Should get us well down, running petrol as well and reports are that diesel is the fuel of choice for the French
Wish me luck!

[Amateurish]

No problems so far on the autoroute. The total service station of the French side of Eurotunnel had no fuel.

[PositronicRay]

Amateurish said:

No problems so far on the autoroute. The total service station of the French side of Eurotunnel had no fuel.

Pleased to hear it Which route are you taking?

[PH XKR]

We are planning riems, dijon, tourtour on Saturday. Will take a jerry can if we have room but the rag top has enough space for a suitcase and a bag... Anyone else on the 12:20 Eurotunnel pop over and say hi if you see a family in a white xkr!

[PositronicRay]

PH XKR said:

We are planning riems, dijon, tourtour on Saturday. Will take a jerry can if we have room but the rag top has enough space for a suitcase and a bag... Anyone else on the 12:20 Eurotunnel pop over and say hi if you see a family in a white xkr!

I've got some cans but don't really see any point in taking them, I can't carry 3000km of fuel.

If there's still problems when I go, I'll just aim to refill once down to 1/2 tank.

Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 24th May 22:37

[PH XKR]

Which I probably what we will do, not a fan of cans in the boot...

[so called]

We're heading down to the Algarve late June so hopefully this will all be over.
I had a look at options in the event of continuing problems and made a short list.

First, ferry to Santander or Bilbao, all very busy on required dates with few cabins left. would need to make a decision soon. rs So Called doesn't like boats.

Second, drive across through Belgium,down through Germany, Switzerland, Italy and then cross south of France. This would add another 800 Miles on an already long drive.

Third, go in my Mercedes. Fill up at Tesco's Ashford and take fuel can. That would be enough to get me all the way to Spain. Want to go in my Tuscan though.

Stay with original plan and stop worrying over something that may never happen.

[tescorank]

Amateurish said:

I'm off to France in an hour, looks like I should fill up at Folkestone then.

how you doing, top tip from a french friend an app.

https://www.appaddict.org/view.php?trackid=3379554...

maybe someone can tell us if true.

Edited by tescorank on Wednesday 25th May 07:00

[Djtemeka]

We are off to Italy the weekend after this one and worse of all, it's on bikes. 130mile fill ups at best

[tr7v8]

A group of us currently in Lucerne coming back to U.K. we were planning last night. It looks if we can just make it. Hotel in Luxembourg tonight then final leg to U.K. tomorrow.