Is EuroTravel still a nightmare?

AS regards what to bring back, wine is now questionable. Very expensive and cheap plonk are still good value. I like the JP Chenet and Roche Mazet in the wine boxes. I was still buy the 3L boxes for 8-10 Euros last year so a bargain. On spirits it is not worth it.

The only other thing we bring back is 250g packs of ground Lavazza coffee. 

 

Colin

Just got back from being over to Belgium.....  easy leaving the UK... Passport control at Dover and passports stamped, no security and straight to DFDS check in. No fridge or van check in the UK, we decided to buy meat and dairy in France anyway after an overnighter in an aire. Nice holiday, prices in the main cheaper than the UK on our usual shopping. Return to the UK was far from easy. We checked in at Dunkirk with DFDS, easy, then French Passport control and stamped as going out.....then French Security in van check....20 metres further on Douane did the very same as French Security, then UK border control passport check, then UK Customs......and 20 mins later from arrival at the port we managed to set down in the lane...... shopped in the Duty Free for a few bits. Nice crossing and food on the Ferry....then tugged by UK border force.... who asked stupid questions...and van check.... I suspect this won't always be the norm of course, we may have been unlucky. Safe Travels

Thank you all very, very much for your replies to my question.

As a result I have booked and paid for our ferry crossings. I've been granted a clean air license for the car and re-joined ACSI.

It feels just like old times and I am a very happy chappy. I am looking forward to seeing what progress is being made on Notre Dame de Paris and photographing Versailles with a camera that can do the place justice. I should add that I have learned a great deal about photography since we last visited in 2017, so my shameful pictures weren't really all the fault of the camera.

I have to take up my Duolingo French lessons again 

Now you are on a mission with your photography please think about writing about your trip in the Story Section where you can also add your photos once you get back. We have been to Versailles twice but never manage to get inside the Palace due to it being closed on the days we visited, hope you have better luck. Enjoy your trip.

David

We've been each year for 90 days, or longer with other stays, since Brexit and Covid, and apart from Covid requirements (now ALL lifted) found very little had changed.  Contrary to some opinions the border guards aren't 'out to get us', we've never had our three home-made meals, our cheddar, milk or bacon confiscated or even checked, we've never had to queue any longer than pre-Brexit /Covid and France is just as lovely as it always was.

 

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'just a quick look in the caravan on the outbound journey which i thought a bit strange.'

They were lokking for British assylum seekers seeking a better life - probably

 It is good to know that other people apart from me like Roche Mazet and J P Chenet red wine!  Just proves that my families accusation of my lack of wine sophistication is wrong.

Although it has been three years since we last ventured abroad, this year we plan to travel to Slovenia to have a look at their bit of the Adriatic coast.  We will be travelling via Stena line to Hook of Holland and so across Germany and Austria, and back via Italy, Austria, Germany and France (must call at an Auchan for stocks of the above)!

It will be an eight week trip as we don't rush 

 

Michael/Derby, do you remember the good old days when we had a more realistic allowance?

 

Colin

Crickey Eriba that would test the suspension!  But they were good old days; nevertheless, the allowance is still quite reasonable.  Like most posters have gone over a number of times in the past couple of years.  We usually use the tunnel, just cursory checks of caravan (gas turned off) on way out and on way back pleasant French security staff did a quick check inside to ensure there were no stowaways.  Passport stamped both ways.  Once over there effectively one country with no checks at borders.