france trip looms

fork

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france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #1

Hi lads
As above our first long trip to france is looming
Couple of questions.
1) What do you run the fridge on while on the ferry? Battery or Gas.
Do you stock it well with food,or is it a waste of time as the ferry is 19 hours and the food will spoil?

2 )What documentation do I need to bring besides passports

I am sure there will be more questions, as the day gets nearer
Thanks

jacktherev

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #2

Fork, you will receive hordes of emails on this one. For years I have been going to France and have always brought our own steaks etc and Liz prefers them to French ones. I have always left my fridge on the gas as I talked to a guy who actually is involved in the ship industry and that's what he does. No doubt you will receive a lot of post with a different opinion but I am just telling you what i do and will continue to do.

mad max

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #3

Last year was our first trip to France,

I turned the fridge off as advised, but I can tell you it will be well stocked this year and left on gas,
The deck was not "sealed" and the whole MH was covered in salt water as it was a rough crossing, so this time it's staying on,

As Jack said you will get plenty of advice and pointers,

From memory we brought out insurance cert, cvrt cert, log book, and passports, don't forget to get your EHIC card for each person on the trip, it may save you a lotta €uros,

Hope you have a good trip and enjoy it

Davy

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #4

It is against all ferry companies rules to travel with the gas lit in your fridge.

I would hate to think that people would be so thoughtless to have naked lights in an enclosed deck were there is a possibility of petrol spillage if vehicles are bounced about or worse on a rough crossing. Especially since all you have to do is ask for a hook up on board.

We charge up our fridge and carry several ice packs in the event of having to do without freezing for any length of time, but never been refused a hook up.

Tea is the only item that we carry in quantity. We miss Irish butter and bacon I beleive is not as good as ours, but we don't go abroad to eat 'fish and chips'.
One of the best parts of being in France is the huge range of excellent foodstuffs available from markets and supermarkets.

Davy

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #5

1)@jacktherev Does the motion of the ship not turn off the gas,as I had read that the camper had to be level for the gas to work.

2) @ teamrienza. Can you get a hookup on the ferry? I did NOT know that

3) Thanks max, for the help with the documentation

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #6

leave the gas on
the same as all the lorries with livestock or refrigeration units

if you switch it off it should be ok as the door will not be open and should stay cold

mad max

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #7

Quote by TeamRienza

I would hate to think that people would be so thoughtless to have naked lights in an enclosed deck were there is a possibility of petrol spillage

Davy

That's the thing Davy, the deck on stena horizon is not enclosed, and they do not have plug ins, the deck has got got openings, which let lots of salt water all over the MH whilst we were crossing,

I have been on Plenty of ferries through the years and have yet to see petrol spilt on the deck from a rough crossing, most cars have petrol caps that I know of,

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #8

I take bacon, bread (soda, potato etc) and butter as these are the things which cannot be done without, French/Spanish butter and bacon is not the same as ours.

I don't over stock the fridge as I get everything I need once I land.

Davy

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #9

I travel by Irish Ferries so we have only experienced fully enclosed decks which I have no doubt have ventilation.

As for vehicles having petrol caps, well if people are prepared to leave gas lit, God knows what other illegal or stupid practices are carried out by the public, so I would not have the faith in others to do what you are not prepared to do yourself.

Davy

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #10

Can I just say that the angle that I am coming from is one of cluelessness.

we have only driven a couple of hours at a time with some milk and a pound of sausages up to now,so france with the ferry is a WHOLE new experience for us on many levels including the fridge.

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #11

We went to France last August a board the Norman Atlantic and four months later this happened, how would you like if after investigation it was revealed that your Camper with the Gas left on was the cause? Fires do happen!
http://www.theatlantic.com/pho…ic/100882/

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #12

Next question.
4) Have any of you changed your return sailing while you were there so you could stay longer(don't ask

I have a plan

and was it very expensive.
Stena have quoted the same price to change my return sailing UP to now. I wonder,will this change nearer to the time

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 15.03.2015 · #13

So far we have always travelled with Irish Ferries when going to France
Their regulations are as follows:

Gas Cylinders ( Butane and Propane) for private use only ( caravans/camping etc)

Each vehicle is allowed a maximum of 47kgs of gas (about 4 cylinders). The gas flow must be shut off at the cylinders when the vehicle is on the ship. The cylinders must be adequately secured against movement and stored away from sources of ignition and heat

http://www.irishferries.com/ie…cylinders/

We always follow that regulation which I assume is there for the safety and welfare of all passengers. Therefore I would advise that you ignore people who actively suggest otherwise.

Because that regulation exists we never stock up on food that requires refrigeration until we get to France.

Shopping in France for groceries is perfectly easy and has the added benefits that you are engaging with the locals and sampling different brands of food, learning a little of the lingo and sampling the French experience.

In relation to the documents to take - you need Passports, Driving Licences, Motor Insurance, CVRT, Regisration Document, Medical/Travel Insurance, EHIC, (Hint: On advice from others I always scan all of the above documents and email them to myself so that I would have copies in the even of loosing or having my document wallet stolen)

Opional but handy items that I have taken with me are phone numbers - all the family/friends, insurance broker/company number, Decent Map (even if you have GPS), Campsite guides, Aire listing

Happy travels

...

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #14

I don't think I need to comment on the gas issue after the correct post above.

As for documents, you must carry a valid driving licence and insurance. I also carry a copy of our European breakdown cover policy with phone numbers which may be required. Some have different numbers for different countries.

I am sure you are already aware that you must also carry a hi-vis vest for each occupant and they must be in the passenger compartment. Other items required by french law are , first aid kit, spare bulb kit, warning triangle and the debatible two breathalyzers.

We buy most of our food in France but if you have something which is specificly a UK / irish brand you may find it there but it could be much more expensive than at home.

The important thing it is to and enjoy your trip. Try local foods from the supermarkets they can be great.

mad max

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #15

Quote by drifter

Hint: On advice from others I always scan all of the above documents and email them to myself so that I would have copies in the even of loosing or having my document wallet stolen)

Now that's a cracker of a tip, hadn't thought of that one,

Thanks drifter

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #16

Earlier question about return bookings. When Stena was Celtic, I just phoned from France when I was ready, gave her my one-way outgoing info, and she gave me the same price to come home.

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #17

It is not a bad idea to have some food in the Fridge to get you started in France especially if you arrive on a Sunday as supermarkets only open in the morning and the place shut down after that. If you freeze large bottles of water,milk or anything that can be frozen in your home freezer put in your motorhome fridge and it will keep the fridge cold for the journey as far as Roscoff or Cherbourg. But don't open the fridge until you arrive in France

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #18

all my documents scanned and emailed to self so can be accessed by smartphone etc.

also if you use icloud or a similar internet based storage load to there.

if you use flicker or similar online photo storage you can save scans to there also

but remember original documents must be carried, scans etc are a reference in the unlikely event of loss or stolen

most of all please observe the following.......
put keys in ignition
start engine
drive
ENJOY !!!!!

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· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #24

Quote by fork

@ Mad Max
Can i ask, did you notice if there was a power socket in the cabin on the stena ship, and what type was it-continental or uk type?

I have a vage memory of continental plug (we didn't plug anything in) but a continental to uk plug adaptor Should sort that part of it, example here

Hope this helps

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 16.03.2015 · #25

Yep, they're two pin continental, so bring an adaptor!

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 17.03.2015 · #26

Thanks to everyone for all the help:-)

jacktherev

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 17.03.2015 · #27

Don't panic too much as you can get a lot of stuff in France if you forget something. I've found if you can't get something there is always a substitute.

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 17.03.2015 · #28

You will find it difficult to find good spuds , bacon, cheddar, baked beans- we used to say the same as you- re Irish Butter but after trying several brands we are addicted to Super U Demi Sel and bring loads of it home with us. Make your own sodas and wheaten. On the boat take your kettle, tea coffee, eats, etc shampoo & hair drier, laptop with movies ( no worthwhile internet). Soap, towels, bedding are already in the cabin

This is a photo of a supermarket receipt for Heinz Beans - look at the price ...aaah.

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 30.04.2015 · #29

We travel at least twice a year by ferry to France and ALWAYS get a hook up. Never a problem and crew always helpful.

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Re: france trip looms

· Posted: 30.04.2015 · #30

irish ferries as well as most others will let you hook up to a power point on deck, just mention when you are going thro the booth and they will most likely tell you to put your hazard lights on, so the boarding crew will then know, that you want hook up, havnt been refused yet

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· Posted: 30.04.2015 · #34

Same as UK , no reversed polarity

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