Me,The S,The Wife going to France

[page3]

Fellow S owners...

Third week in April we've booked a cottage near Bayeux for a week and I'm intending to take the S.

We're booked on the Ferry (part of the package) but seem to have left ourselves (Ok, me) a rather lot of driving that day - 2 hrs to Dover and 4 hours to Bayeux - according to the AA planner.

Oh, I don't speak and French and have never driven on the right before - should be fun.

Any advice? I think I've covered the obvious, ie:

1. Service for the S (Austec), plus new shocks
2. Travel insurance
3. AA Euro cover
4. Mobile phone
5. Tool kit, bulbs, fuses, fan belt.
6. Road Map
7. Possibly up my Car insurance (with Admiral) as it only covers the legal basic (whatever that is.) Don't know if this is worth it yet.
8. Got a numberplace with 'Great Britian' on it (not GB), so assume I won't need a GB sticker.
9. sticker things to cover the headlights - from last owner - the S has been to France even if I haven't

Hope that's it?

>>> Edited by page3 on Wednesday 17th March 16:17

[Pies]

A spare throttle cable

[S3 Kieran]

...an S buddy to roar down the roads with!

Sounds like a damn fine idea - I was contemplating similar, but the missus is now on a works junket (sorry, I mean managers' conference) in Greece somewhere at the end of April.

Beware roundabouts and turning left. These are where I found I'd suddenly forgot to drive on the right.

I think the 'priorite a droit' rule is fully abandoned now (someone should know better than I) but just imagine that anyone approaching you from either side is trying to ram you, and you won't go far wrong!

BTW, how is the old girl (that I so very nearly bought myself) going?

[peter m]

A couple of planks and wooden blocks to get you onto and off from the ferry if it is high/low tide. Those ramps to the shore can be steep so watch the exhaust gounding out.

[page3]

peter m said:

A couple of planks and wooden blocks to get you onto and off from the ferry if it is high/low tide. Those ramps to the shore can be steep so watch the exhaust gounding out.

Hmmm. The Ferry does worry me a bit, but most people seem to say it'll be fine. I'm getting new shocks in a few weeks so I'll ask them to set them up for maximum ride height.

[WonkyGibbon]

90 Euros in cash in case you get done for speeding. It's a REAL pain if you get caught short. (Actually carry a bit more - I got fined 120 for rolling over the white line at a T junction rather than coming to a complete stop )

If you have quite a bit of stuff, ditch the spare wheel and take some tyre weld instead (you'll find numerous threads on the usefulness (or otherwise) of the space saver if you do a search on this site).

Warning triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher all required by french law.

E111 form from the post office (gives you EU wide health care).

Have a fantastic time you lucky bard - the french roads are an awful lot better than ours !

WG

[tvrmark]

page3 said:

peter m said: A couple of planks and wooden blocks to get you onto and off from the ferry if it is high/low tide. Those ramps to the shore can be steep so watch the exhaust gounding out. Hmmm. The Ferry does worry me a bit, but most people seem to say it'll be fine. I'm getting new shocks in a few weeks so I'll ask them to set them up for maximum ride height.

I've been on a number of ferries (Dover, Portsmouth, Calais, Isle of Man) the Chunnel upper and lower decks never a problem.

Mark

>> Edited by tvrmark on Wednesday 17th March 18:03

[shnozz]

i took my S on the ferry and no problem apart from a very small scrape on the return leg with a full boot and 2 crates of beer on the parcel shelf

[M@H]

I've you've got adjustable shocks, you could always wind the spring seats up a bit if your worried...

Cheers
Matt


>> Edited by M@H on Thursday 18th March 09:19

[z_chromozone]

You will have trouble changing the fuses with out a torch and some thin nosed pliers.

In fact on the V8S you have difficulty even with a torch and pliers, unless you do yoga


Z

[Rower]

Remove any Speed trap warning kit from the car,even if it is in the car and not connected the garcons en bleu will confiscate it and charge you a lot of Euros ! Also do not under any circanstances use supermrket petrol it really is Cr*p.
Enjoy !

[chutmun]

Don't you also need a 'full-set' of spare bulbs?

Remember having to take them last year for our drive to Italy (but don't know which country's rule that was to satisfy)

Then again, we actually got stopped by the French police for a non-working headlamp on the way back!

[S3 Kieran]

Sorry to slightly hijack, but on the subject of ferries......

I'm going to the Isle of Wight shortly, has anyone TVR'd that ferry - ramps OK?

[spivvy]

also need a warning triangle,fire extingusher and first aid kit for france
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/general_advice.html
and also
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/compulsory_equipment.html

[gbgaffer]

Kieran

The IOW ferries are fine for the S - I know 'cos I live on the Island. Just take it a bit easy when on board the ferry as there is a bit of a hump going over the mezzanine deck. The best S road is the old military road that runs along the back of the Wight from Freshwater to Ventnor - enjoy

When are you coming over? Maybe we can meet up.

Cheers

Graham

[reliant_fr]

Hi guys, no need warning triangle, fire extingusher or first aid kit for france, Warning triangle only when you dont have hazard lights.
you come in France, it seems you prepare a north pole expedition.
You come the third week near Bayeux, do you know the TVRCC south wales come in normandy around this week (april 8-12)I come to meet them, There will be the most TVR concentration never seen in Normandy.
Sorry for my English, I'm French, not S owner but 400SE

[page3]

reliant_fr said:

Hi guys, no need warning triangle, fire extingusher or first aid kit for france, Warning triangle only when you dont have hazard lights. you come in France, it seems you prepare a north pole expedition. You come the third week near Bayeux, do you know the TVRCC south wales come in normandy around this week (april 8-12)I come to meet them, There will be the most TVR concentration never seen in Normandy. Sorry for my English, I'm French, not S owner but 400SE

Sorry I didn't reply to this ealier - had to take the Wife to casulty 4:30am Saturday and been recoving ever since. If anyone wants proof of what a 45bhp Matiz can do you should have seen me driving there

Anyway, We're booked for the 17th April for a week.

I'll keep an eye (ear ) out for your 400SE. Your English is a lot better than my French - believe me.

[S3 Kieran]

gbgaffer said:

Kieran The IOW ferries are fine for the S - I know 'cos I live on the Island. Just take it a bit easy when on board the ferry as there is a bit of a hump going over the mezzanine deck. The best S road is the old military road that runs along the back of the Wight from Freshwater to Ventnor - enjoy When are you coming over? Maybe we can meet up. Cheers Graham

Thanks Graham

Now I know it's OK on the ferry, AND there's another S to hoon about (wife permitting) with, the Focus is staying at home (wife's preferred transport).

We are coming down on Friday, and staying in Newport - wedding Saturday and returning home on Sunday. I will have a look at times and come back to you.

Can't wait to see/hear/feel 24v Cossie conversion

Actually, thinking about it - I'll leave the missus with her parents and come & play if you're about(she's not impressed with the 'snatchy way' I drive the car - accelerating hard, overrun in low gear to get the bangs - all very childish )

[gbgaffer]

Kieran,

I regret that I am going to be over in France until early next week (leaving tomorrow) so won't be around during your visit. It would have been nice to meet up - maybe next time. BTW check the Wight Link website for special offers on the crossing, 'cos the standard rate bought over the counter at the ferry terminal is extortionate.

Have a great time

Cheers

Graham

PS I've got a 'rev limiter' that cuts in during brisk acceleration as well!

[S3 Kieran]

Bummer!

I really fancied a look at the Cossie S as well

Unfortunately, I don't have cause to go to IOW very often (this being first time in my 34 yrs!)

If you ever visit the mainland - make an excuse to include the 2nd Sunday in the month, and come visit Mid-Essex for the biggest TVR convoy you'll ever see (this month we had 10 Ss in convoy - 82 TVRs at meet in all). Got broadband (big file)? Download THIS!

With a 24v S4, I reckon you'll get pole position for parking as well as a lot of attention!