Le Mans 24 Club

Potentially millions of motorists could be unknowingly getting behind the wheel while over the drink-drive limit. That’s according to research commissioned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, which has revealed that up to four in ten drivers (42 per cent) of the 1,004 motorists surveyed do not know the legal drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This potentially represents over 15 million of the 35 million people who possess a full driving licence in the UK. Alarmingly, only around one in five (23 per cent) of those surveyed knew the correct drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - that being 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. Meanwhile awareness in Scotland was higher with six in ten (60 per cent) of those surveyed knowing the limit which currently stands at 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. In addition, of the 585 who answered that they knew the drink-drive limit for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, less than half (40 per cent) actually answered correctly. These findings have concerned IAM RoadSmart, who are reminding drivers that while they may think they know how many drinks will typically tip them over the limit, that amount could actually fail a breathalyser test. Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, commented: “Our research highlights that there is still a real lack of awareness regarding how much alcohol is too much before it is illegal to drive. We would like to remind drivers that individual characteristics such as body weight, food consumption, gender and metabolism will also have an impact on the reading. This is why we will always recommend ‘none for the road’.” The survey’s findings have also led the charity to reiterate its plea to the government to roll out a smarter package of longer-term measures to help drive down the number of drink-drivers on Britain’s roads. This includes a lower drink-drive limit across the UK, in line with Scotland’s limit to reinforce good behaviour, a fast track of evidential roadside testing machines to release police resources and compulsory drink-drive rehabilitation courses for all drivers caught over the limit.  Neil concluded: “A prosecution for drink-driving will impact the rest of your life through public humiliation, loss of earnings, family break up and a criminal record, as well as adding real danger to our roads. At IAM RoadSmart we estimate that the last drink that takes you over the limit could cost you up to £70,000! If that isn’t a sobering thought, then nothing is.” To learn more about IAM RoadSmart, visit www.iamroadsmart.com.

Ringwood (Rockford) to Linwood (Red Shoot Inn) This short journey starts at Rockford, just outside of Ringwood in Hampshire. The public school, Moyles Court is located nearby and it is a very pleasant area to go for walks into the open expanses of the New Forest or just sit by the slow running stream located at the crossroads. Travelling east along narrow carriageways, you are reminded that horses and other wildlife roam free throughout the New Forest National Park and as such could be stood in the middle of the road around any bend, so extreme caution is required at all times when driving. When the road starts opening out to provide a clear view of the surrounding countryside you can really appreciate the diversity of the landscape. It also becomes easier to drive through and appreciated the views as any hazards can now be seen in advance. Once you approach the Red Shoot Inn at Linwood, you find there is plenty of parking provided and also a campsite right next door to the pub, which is very packed during the height of the tourist season. They provide good service, great food, drink, live music and also have a micro-brewery on site when low volume batches of beer is produced. PLEASE NOTE: The New Forest is protected in many ways to preserve the natural environment and its wildlife and is governed by a maximum speed limit of 40 miles per hour on most of the roads throughout the area. Links: Red Shoot Inn - for more information click here

Lyndhurst, capital town of the New Forest Lyndhurst is the administrative capital town of the New Forest National Park located in Hampshire, United Kingdom. The New Forest is many centuries old and has traditionally been a hunting ground of many Kings of England. In more modern times, it is an unspoilt area of natural landscapes and free-roaming animals, such as horses, donkeys and pigs. PLEASE NOTE: The New Forest is protected in many ways to preserve the natural environment and its wildlife and is governed by a maximum speed limit of 40 miles per hour on most of the roads throughout the area.

Road trip to Germany and Austria First road trip was on BMW GS1200 motorbike and then later on in a BMW Z3 sportscar. The trip was virtually identical covering the same roads but with subtle detours to suit the vehicle being used at the time. GOOGLE ROUTE MAP - https://goo.gl/maps/g4cJM3BpxqFLzPYt8 Day 1: Calais to Strasbourg This part of the journey was covered through Belgium rather than France due to not having to pay Tolls and also slightly more direct. Although it is a quite an arduous trip and covers some miles it does however break the back of the journey to get this chunk of motoring out of the way on the first day. Strasbourg, in the heart of the Ardenne, is a fabulous city which is strangely half French and half German and boasts a fantastic cathedral. Plenty of charming architecture and a host of bars and restaurants to choose from in the evening providing an ambience which reflects the city's historic past. Day 2: Strasbourg to Füssen Driving through the Black Forest towards Bavaria is captivating by way of scenery and great driving roads to provide many miles of unhurried and relaxing driving following the previous days epic journey. Arriving in Füssen which is a beautiful small town nestled in southwest Bavaria and is set below and near to the famous Castle Neuschwanstein which has been used in films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and also the influence for Walt Disney's fantasy castles. Definitely worth a visit to this stunning castle and immense views and is accessible by bus and horse and cart to the top but you can also walk up if you have the stamina. Day 3 & 4: Füssen to Innsbruck The roads from Füssen to Innsbruck are some of the most picturesque and best driving roads you will encounter anywhere in Europe. This is definitely one part of the journey where you can slow down and take your time getting there as the distance is not that far and the scenery is the reason why you are there! Day 5: Innsbruck to Ypres No road trip would be complete without visiting Ypres in Belgium on the way back to Calais. Whilst there it is almost a given that you would visit the Menin Gate memorial arch to the fallen dead of WW1 and experience the sombre 'Last Post' being played each evening. Day 6: Ypres to Calais Not having to rush back to the Ferry as the port of Calais or Dunkirk is only a very short distance from Ypres. USEFUL LINKS: Accomodation: Auberge Rustique https://aubergerustique.lu/en/homepage/ - Based just outside of Luxembourg in a region known as 'Little Switzerland' and the gateway to Germany Accomodation: Landgasthop Waldhorn http://www.landgasthof-waldhorn.de/home.html - A superb Guest House based in the Black Forest region of Forbach-Gausbach, east of Strasbourg.

Steve takes a 300,000+ mile Audi A6 to Europe. Will he make it? Read on to find out! This topic is about my road trip to Belgium including the pre planning. Research is key when driving in Europe as rules and regulations change from country to country. Things you'll need before you go: 1. European breakdown cover - I have found there are too types of cover available. 1. Covers you for recovery like your normal cover. This cost approx £37 for my 5 day trip. 2. Cover that will cover the cost of your repair bills. This cover cost £54 for my 5 day trip. The prices are from the AA of which I am a member. Just be mindful that with the break down cover they only cover you up to the cost of the vehicle. So if you have an old Audi like me you could be at risk of having to fork out extra. 2. Inform your insurance company - I had to pay £17 extra to cover my car for the trip. Again there are 2 options available and are charable regardless of what UK cover you have. 1. 3rd party cover. 2. Fully comprehensive. 3. European kit - for driving in France it is compulsory to have a breatherlizer, warning triangle, GB sticker, a high vid jacket for every occupant, headlight converter stickers. 4. Check French toll roads - 76% of the roads are tolled in France and for which you will need a transponder which you have to pay for from the toll road company managing the roads your travelling on. You also set up an account with them. However the main road to Belgium the a16 is not tolled. 5. Check to see if the EU country you are visiting has any Low Emissions Zones. France requires you to have a sticker when traveling in Paris for example. Belgium hasn't brought any emissions rules into effect yet but will do as of 2018. 6. Don't forget to pay for the Dartford crossing. The crossing consists of a suspension bridge heading towards Dover and a tunnel coming away from Dover. If you have never used the crossing before you can pay before or up to 24 hours after you have made the crossing. Now onto the trip Day 1: Leicester-Dover Calais-Brussels The run from Leicester to Dover was straightforward with no hiccups or traffic delays. But we did leave in plenty of time to avoid most of the bank holiday traffic. We arrived in plenty of time for our P&O ferry and it was a good job we did as it took over an hour to get through boarder control & check in. However I think this was down to Volume of bank holiday traffic. The port has a reasonable terminal with facilities consisting of a Burger King, WH Smith's, Costa and toilets. If you have forgotten any key European items you can get them in the Smiths Newsagents. We boarded the ferry which was straightforward and made our way on to the passenger areas. We had decided to go with a premium ticket which proved well worth the extra money. We got free drinks and snacks (fruit, biscuits, crisps, tea, coffee, soft drinks etc) as well as a free glass of champagne on arrival. Papers are also free. The key benefit of premium however is the extra space (far less people) and plenty of seating including private outside space. I would strongly recommend the premium to anyone. It was superb and had a waiter service! Disembarkation was again quick and road signs were easy to follow. We picked up the 16 for Brussels and set into a comfortable cruise. In France the speed limits can change quite often on the motorway so keep an eye out. Oh and obviously they are in kph! We also stopped for fuel in France which thankfully is similar to the U.K. The difference being is that a pre payment system is used. For this you can either put your card in the machine at the start or ask the cashier how much fuel you would like. We encountered heavy traffic near to Ghent and Bruges due to the lanes merging from 3 to 2. But after we got through, we had a clear run to Brussels. Driving in Brussels is entertaining to say the least. Partly as there are hardly any road signs (this is not an exaggeration!). Brussels has its m25 equivalent which is a tunnel system that runs under the city and only pops to the surface for exits. We got lost at this point and came off to find somewhere to park to recalculate our route. The traffic in Brussels is like London. There's a lot of it!! For example a 5 mile drive in Brussels took us 25 minutes. But there are the added risks of trams. Traffic lights only change from red to green and there are hardly any speed limit signs. We finally reached our destination at 6:30pm Belgium time after travelling 12 hours. Total miles covered (including being lost) was 335 miles. Day 2 So until 2:30pm we were trapped at our accommodation due to a marathon taking place in Brussels. The marathon was the Belgium equivalent to the London marathon and as such thousands of people took part! The morning wasn't wasted as we decided to have a BBQ for lunch as the weather is gorgeous here. It's reaching mid to high 30s (degrees) each day! We finally left at 2:30 and decided to travel the 1:40 minutes to Yepre. Yepre saw a lot of the fighting during WW1 and was completely rebuilt to its 14th century design after the war. This has allowed the town to keep a true Belgium feel with cobbled streets and Gothic architecture. As well as the traditional chocolate shops and bars. We also visited the Menin Gate, a war memorial built to show the names of the missing servicemen and women from WW1. We then also visited Ypres war cemetery which was a somber experience. Ypres is a town well worth visiting and not far from the French border. Parking was straightforward and thankfully we did not need to pay. Stay tuned for day 3. However, I must warn you as there won't be any driving involved as my siblings and I are going to Disney land Paris by Eurostar. We are big kids really. My sister and I are in our 20s and my brother is in his teens! There are still plenty of adult rides i.e. Rollercoasters there! Oh and by the way, the A6 has just clocked over 322,000 miles!! Day 3 Today was more unusual as we spared the car and took the train to Disney Land Paris for the day. I appreciate this isn't everyone's cup of tea so stay tuned for day 4 as we're planning to go to Spa race circuit. This meant a very early start as It took us 3 hours travelling on 3 trains and a taxi each way but was so worth it. Just like the UK the train system in France and Belgium is very busy and in parts of France they use double decker trains to cater for the volume of people. Despite the train network being busy all the trains were on time. Disney Land Paris is a great theme park and isn't just geared towards children. Some of the rollercoasters and other rides would be unsuitable for little ones. But just like most theme parks the queues are long but luckily fast passes are available on the more popular rides. If you are limited for time in the park, then the rides I'd strongly recommend are: Main park: hyperspace mountain rollercoaster, star tours (Star Wars), buzz lightyear lazer blast, phantom manor, big thunder mountain rollercoaster, pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana jones temple of peril rollercoaster. Studio park: Rock and roller rollercoaster, vehicle stunt show, the twilight zone tower of terror (massive drop tower), studio tram tour. After we had finished the rides we got dinner at planet Hollywood before heading back on the train system home. Day 4 Today we visited Circuit De Spa Francorchamps, Belgiums F1 racing circuit which was an amazing experience. From Brussels it took us 1 hour 40 mins each way but that was partly due to roadworks. Due to the traffic issues we weren't able to drive into Germany as planned. However, we have decided that we will do a road trip of Germany on its own in the future. Luckily the circuit was being used for a track day and as such there were various race cars, super cars and road cars on track. Including multiple Audis such as an a1, x2 TT, rs4, r8 and even an a8! And the best bit was that we got in for free. The track day also allowed us to park in the paddock and walk around the pit garages and along the pit wall. Spa also has fantastic viewing spots for spectators despite its size and the obstruction of the forest. Just to add to the excitement the track day got red flagged as a Volkswagen golf mk2 had run into the back of a BMW 1 series coupe which spilled fluids and glass right near the pit entrance. On top of this we were able to drive around the outside of the track as there are roads running round the outside and inside of the circuit, these roads are also at varying gradients and are a mixture of tarmac, concrete and even dirt. After leaving the circuit we visited the local museum in the town to view their collection of race cars and motorbikes. There are a mixed bag of vehicles from Ferrari f40 and Daytona right through to f1 cars. The museum cost 9.50 euros each but the cars were great. The museum also has 3 other floors but unfortunately we were pressed for time. There is limited parking at the museum but luckily we just parked on the street outside. On arriving back to Brussels we caught a train into the centre to take in some of the local sites and grab a bite to eat for dinner. Now obviously Belgium chips and chocolate were on order, but not together mind you! After a bit of souvenir hunting we headed home so we can chill out for the drive home. Day 5 - the journey home So, all good things must come to an end and today we made our way back to the U.K. However before we left Brussels we helped my sister move into her new accommodation just 10 minutes down the road. The car was packed to the rafters but the move went smoothly. We left Brussels at 12noon and headed for the euro shuttle (channel tunnel). We chose to come back via the tunnel for the experience and this inadvertently proved to be a great move. As we passed the junction for the Calais docks and ferry port the queue of cars were backed up on the skip road and in the slow lane of the A16 motorway! This compared to the tunnel significantly as we piled off at junction 42 for the tunnel and arrived at the check in gates in 5 minutes. As you pull up the gate automatically recognises the vehicle so you just have to select which train time you want. As we had made good time we were able to catch the 15:20 instead of the 16:16! Once you're through you will arrive at French boarder control and security and then UK boarder control. After clearing border control you follow the road round to what looks like a motorway services and at which point the wait begins. Luckily we had only 8 minutes to wait till we were called to board our train. The boards are similar to what you would find in an airport, accept they are outside in the car park. Once you get called for your train, you end up queuing in two lines similar to if you were waiting to board a ferry. At this point our train was delayed due to an oil spill but I wasn't overly bothered as we were on an earlier train. Boarding the train is a straightforward affair and is similar to boarding a ferry. It is a tight squeeze to get into the carriage but it's nice and large once your inside. When on the train you have to leave your Windows down which is nice as the carriages are fully airconditioned. The journey is fairly smooth and only took half an hour to get through the tunnel. Oh and don't forget to put your clock back! Once you've cleared the tunnel it's a straightforward exit and onto the motorway for your journey home. Unfortunately for us we were using the dartford crossing which has chocker! Total miles covered: 1056.7 in 5 days Car mileage: 322,573 And no issues presented during the trip! Thanks for reading! Steve

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Here's a copy of our blog for the trip ☺️ So me & Ronan Quinn started our trip yesterday (19/09/21) and visited Diddly Squat farm,, Torquay, Plymouth on the way down to.our over night stop in Penzance. 3 intermittent faults on the way down with the old a6. Knocking from the engine, and airbag warning light both intermittent and a leaking washer bottle. Who said doing it in a car was easy! Miles covered: 367.7. Then started today (20/09/21) from Lands End 10am, going onto Lizard point, St Michael's Mount, Turo, Newquay then initially taking the coast road to Southampton but bailed on this as it would have got us into Southampton far too late. Luckily no new major faults on the car as yet, even the boot catch and central locking was being intermittent! The latter was only repaired a month ago! 🤦‍♂️ We finally arrived at 8:50pm. Miles covered 336.6. I appreciate we're going round the houses but we visited places we wanted to see as we've never been this far south before. I also appreciate I'm not portraying the car in a good light but at 19 years old with 337k miles on it with no engine rebuilds or gearbox rebuilds I think it's doing well. Bearing in mind it's had no expense spared! So carrying on with our trip: 21/09/21 We made our way from Southampton to Portsmouth where we did the naval.dockyard tour. Definitely worth the money to see HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, the harbour tour and see the Mary Rose exhibit. But we have struggled to get stamps in Southampton or Portsmouth to go towards the certificate. Has anyone else struggled to get stamps? Then after spending a few hours there made our way back to Leicester which is our stomping ground. If anyone is staying in Leicester whilst doing LEJOG and having any R&R then I'd recommend visiting the National Space Centre or Great Central Railway as they are two of the best attractions. Total miles covered: 217.9 22/09/21 So today we headed from Leicester up north and visited York. As history steeped in history abd we took in the sites of the shambles, city walls, York minster & a visit to the Jorvik museum. All of which are worth seeing if you're heading up this way on your LEJOG trip. Nothing report to report other than someone decided to scuff the car bumper in the carpark! We then made our way North stopping off at the angle of the north, before carrying on to our rest stop for the evening in Newcastle which include d driving over the Tyne bridge. We intend to explore Newcastle tommorow as it bares some historical significance to our family. Total miles covered: 191. 24/09/21 - Lands end to John o groats continued... So today we started of exploring The Royal Research Ship Discovery in Dundee which is worth a visit especially if you have an interest in world exploration. Then we headed along the a9 towards Inverness. We then made a stop in Inverness for a late lunch at the Filling station for some great burgers. Then headed towards our overnight stop in Wick. Compared to last year whilst on the nc500, this year I've at least been able to explore Wick. It does have an interesting fishing history. Tomorrow we'll finish our LEJOG journey and head to John O Groats. 25/09/21 So we did it! My brother and I got to John O Groats thus completing the trip! Lands end to John o groats officially ticked off the bucket list! 2,224.1 miles covered from home to home!

I was very fortunate to do the NC500 last year. The Scottish Highlands are beautiful and I'd strongly recommend this road trip. We ended up doing 2,253 fault free miles. Here's a few pics and the route. Will be uploading more pics in the next few days.

322 miles in one day. Steve travelled to Las Vegas to take a 2018 Ford Mustang convertible on a short road trip through two glorious states. Las Vegas – a city synonymous for gambling, partying and generally a play ground for the rich and famous. However, what if you want a change from the hustle and bustle of the city and see more of what the silver state has to offer? The answer is to hire a car and I have devised a perfect road trip which allows you enjoy some of the amazing scenery, ghost towns, mining towns and route 66 which all helped make the states of Nevada and Arizona both famous and rich. Below is a picture of the planned route. Tips for driving in Nevada & Arizona · You can turn right onto a road even if your traffic light sequence is on red if it is safe to do so. · We would recommend obeying the speed limits as he had been warned we would see lots of Police cars. We only saw four marked Police vehicles but there were probably plenty of unmarked cars we didn’t see! · Plan your route as phone signal can be limited in certain remote locations. · Fuel stations can be limited when you’re out in the desert and as such we would recommend not letting the fuel tank fall below the ¼ tank mark. · Always where your seatbelt whilst driving · Never pass a school bus with the stop sign out. · Never use your mobile phone whilst driving except through a hands free device. · Children 6 years or younger are required to have a child restraint system. · Do not drink and drive. Speed limits 15mph - School Zones 25mph - residential areas 45mph - Areas going into towns 65mph - Urban freeways, rural highways 70mph - Rural interstate freeways Our recommendations · Don’t stop at fort Mohave unless you require a break · Do visit the Hoover Dam · Consider visiting Chloride ghost town (off route 93) · Take plenty of pictures · Have fun! Starting location Most of the car rental companies are situated near to the McCarran Airport, which are a short taxi ride from most of the hotels situated near to the strip and cost approximately $20 for a ride there or back. To get the best deals on hire cars my advice is to book as early as possible and pay in full at the time of booking. Besides getting a cheaper price this also allows you to splash out on a nicer vehicle is desired. For example a similar Ford Mustang to the one I have on test would cost you £111 from Alamo if booked months in advance, whereas on the day it would have cost you more than double the price. The rental charge is for a full 24 hours from the time of booking and we’d recommend collecting your car at around 7am. This sounds early, but believe me the trip is worth it. Rental car location address: McCarran Airport Rental Car Return, 7231 Gilespie St, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA Red Rock Canyon The first point of interest on our road trip is Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area and features a 12 mile drive around beautiful scenery. Leaving the rental car lot its approximately a 30 minute drive to Red Rock Canyon along Route 215 & 159. Arriving at red Rock there is a toll booth where you pay the $15 vehicle fee to drive around the site. You will not be disappointed in spending the $15 as the views are breath taking and the following pictures do not do the area justice. Red Rock address: Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161, USA Nelson ghost town After leaving red rock Canyon you have to back track yourself along route 215 and subsequently join the freeway, which becomes route 95 that takes you directly out of Las Vegas and into the wonderful Nevada desert. You need to keep an eye out though for the left turn for route 165 which takes you directly to Nelson. However there are two parts of Nelson, the first part that will come into view is the more modern buildings. Don’t stop here, instead carry on around the corner and you’ll be met by the rustic mining town. Once you’ve parked the car, head over to the visitor centre to check in and be given relevant safety information but to be fair your main danger is rattle snakes. The owners of the ghost town are lovely and they kindly ask if you’re going to take lots of pictures to pay a measly $10. The visitor centre does have cold drinks for sale in the freezer, but be warned you might get a surprise, as the carcases of the rattle snake caught in that year are kept in there! Nelson is lovingly preserved and you cannot be impressed by the town’s charm. From Red Rock Canyon, Nelson is an hour’s drive and approximately 60miles . Nelson address: Nelson, NV 89046, USA Colorado River As you leave Nelson turn right out of the carpark to head through the Eldorado Canyon and drive the 5 miles approx to the majestic Colorado River. You’ll find the road is a dead end but offers great views of the surrounding area. Oatman Arizona Leaving the Colorado River you head back along the 165 and re-join the 95 to head towards Arizona. On our trip we stopped at the town Fort Mohave which was 1 hour 35 minutes from Nelson but other than getting a bite to eat we didn’t find anything else of note at the town. Therefore we’d recommend driving straight through the town to another famous ghost town – Oatman. To get to Oatman you have to come off route 95 and take route 163 through the Mesquite creek to reach the town. On the way you’ll go through, yet more stunning scenery in the Mojave Desert. As you get nearer to Oatman you’ll discover that you have come onto the world famous Route 66 which not only passes through Oatman but will take you to our next destination as well. Oatman is another well preserved ghost town with plenty of shops, bar and hotel. There’s also a small mine you can enter as well as a jail and museum which were both closed on our visit. It’s worth noting that if you intend to visit the town on a weekend, they often do wild west style shoot outs on the main road. Another curiosity for the town are the semi wild Burros that roam the streets. These donkey like creatures were once domesticated in the twos boom years but as they escaped from their owners throughout the decades the breed became more wild. But it has to be said they love to be fed and fussed over! Kingman Arizona Leaving Oatman, you continue along the historic Route 66 for just under an hour to arrive at the town of Kingman. However before I discuss Kingman I want to talk about the fantastic drive to the town via the world’s most famous highway. The drive between Oatman and Kingman is breath-taking but can alos be dangerous if you chose to drive irresponsibly. The stretch of 66 we were on had shear drops, uneven surfaces at the edge of the highway and tight turns. It is truly an amazing experience but as already mentioned it would not suffer fools. On arriving at Kingman there is a fantastic traditional diner where food and drink is served with enthusiasm. The staff were friendly and genuinely interested in talking to us both about our trip but also about the UK. Next to the diner was a second-hand car lot which sold muscle cars and hotrods which stood out. I definitely wanted one or two! Unfortunately because we had arrived at Kingman at 9pm not a lot of places were open and couldn’t get a full flavour of what the town had to offer. After we were finished at the diner we picked up route 93 and headed back towards Las Vegas with a plan to visit the Hoover Dam before it closed at 9pm. unfortunately we arrived 15 minutes late and thus couldn’t visit the Dam. After this setback we decided to return the car to the rental company and which concluded our road trip. The Motorists Guide View: Thanks for reading our Nevada & Arizona road trip, we hope we have inspired you to complete a US road trip of your own and we can assure you that you won't be disappointed!

This French Road Trip took us down the eastern side of France, down to the mid-region across it to the western side and up to the north, effectively in a horseshoe shaped route. We set off in a 9 year old Alfa Romeo GT Diesel coupe which was a superb choice for this trip as it is incredibly economical, powerful and comfortable. It also had superb air conditioning which was definitely needed on this trip in August, one of the hottest times of the year to travel through this region. Day 1: Dover - Calais - Reims - Dijon No trip through Northern France for a petrolhead would be complete without visiting the now defunct but restored Reims race circuit. If you are not into motorsport then maybe indulge in the Champagne as Reims is from where all Champagne originates. Upon arriving in Dijon and feeling quite exhausted from breaking the back of the journey in one hit, we found out hotel for the night. Dijon has undergone some considerable revitalisation in the city centre and is now an up and coming city worth visiting for its many architectural wonders along with many fine restaurants, markets and shops. Day 2: Dijon - Annecy Setting off from Dijon, we headed down to Annecy and you can see the landscape changing quite dramatically the more miles you drive. Day 3: Annecy - Chambery Once you arrive in Annecy, you are struck by how beautiful this town actually is. Annecy is set within a network of canals with buildings arranged on the bank and also within the canals. Lac d'Annecy, one of the largest lakes in France, sits among snow-capped mountains and is known as the cleanest lake in Europe. Day 4: Chambery - Brantome . . After an overnight stay in Chambrey, we set off for Brantome in Dordogne region. The landscape changes once more and comes out of the twisty snow capped mountain roads to more lush countryside.

Travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein will change from 1 January 2021. Things you may need to do before you go include: check your passport get travel insurance that covers your healthcare check you have the right driving documents organise pet travel - contact your vet at least 1 month before you go There are more things to do if you’re travelling for business. For example, going to meetings and conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music. Passports: check if you need to renew You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021. On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both: have at least 6 months left be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left) If you do not renew your passport, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You can check whether your passport is valid for the country you’re visiting. Healthcare: check you’re covered You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be valid up to 31 December 2020. It’s particularly important you get travel insurance with the right cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because the EHIC scheme covers pre-existing conditions, while many travel insurance policies do not. Entering other countries Border control: you may have to show your return ticket and money At border control, you may need to: show a return or onward ticket show you have enough money for your stay use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing Visas for short trips: you will not need one if you’re a tourist If you’re a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. If you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study, or for business travel. Travel to Ireland will not change from 1 January 2021. You’ll also be able to work in Ireland in the same way as before. Taking food and drink into EU countries You will not be able to take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from 1 January 2021. There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website. Taking plants and plant products into EU countries You’ll need a certificate to take certain plants and plant products into EU countries from 1 January 2021. Check the rules about taking plants and plant products into the EU on the European Commission website. Travel There may be changes from 1 January 2021. What these are depend on how you’re travelling. However you travel, check before you leave for any delays or disruption. Driving You may need extra documents from 1 January 2021. You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. If you’re taking your own vehicle, you will also need a ‘green card’ and a GB sticker. Compensation if your travel is disrupted Some travel insurance policies only cover certain types of disruption. Check your provider’s terms and conditions to make sure you have the cover you need if your travel is cancelled or delayed. Your consumer rights will not change from 1 January 2021. This means that if your travel is cancelled or delayed you may be able to claim a refund or compensation. Check your booking’s terms and conditions to find out more. Pet travel: allow at least 1 month to arrange From 1 January 2021 you will not be able to use the existing pet passport scheme. Instead, you’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC) for your pet. Allow at least 1 month to arrange this and relevant vaccinations. Follow the guidance about pet travel to Europe from 1 January 2021. Mobile roaming: free roaming may end From 1 January 2021, the guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will end. Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get from 1 January 2021. A new law means that you’re protected from getting mobile data charges above £45 without you knowing. Once you reach £45, you need to opt in to spend more so that you can continue using the internet while you’re abroad. Your phone operator will tell how you can do this. If your travel company goes out of business You’re protected if you buy a package holiday and the company goes out of business. You get this cover even if it’s an EU company, as long as the company targets UK customers. Otherwise, you can claim compensation if you used your credit card. You’ll continue to be able to claim for payments between £100 and £30,000.

New rules to come into force on Thursday have an impact on car buying, servicing and driving England is set to go into a full national lockdown this Thursday (5 November), joining Wales and much of Europe (but not Scotland). But what does that mean for motorists and car buyers? Car drivers may be unsure of the restrictions affecting vehicle usage, while would-be car purchasers will be deciding whether or not to put their commitment on hold. Although the proposed restrictions on leaving the house and entering retail premises currently seem to be less severe than in the previous lockdown, the government is taking drastic action to prevent social gathering and unnecessary contact. To that end, there will be a number of new rules coming into force that dictate what you can do with your car, how you can maintain it and whether you can buy a new model. Here is a rundown of the measures affecting motorists across Britain: Can I still buy a new car? Unlike last lockdown, some non-essential retailers in England will be allowed to remain open as of 0001 on 5 November, though only to operate a click-and-collect service. As it stands, car dealers can once again continue to offer a click-and-collect service, while operating a contactless delivery service. Showrooms, however, must close their doors, and there will be heavy restrictions imposed upon test drives, meaning prospective buyers will have to go out alone. When it comes to collecting a pre-purchased car, the dealer will have to sanitise the entire vehicle - including the keys - and will likely offer walk-through videos rather than in-person demonstrations. The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) is campaigning for English dealerships to be exempt from the restrictions, with many having invested heavily in operating to a Covid-secure model since reopening in June. The trade body is urging the government to follow the example set by Germany, where national lockdown rules do not mean dealerships have to close. The national lockdown is currently scheduled to run until 2 December, though cabinet minister Michael Gove has said it could be extended if coronavirus infection rates do not significantly decline. In Scotland, a five-tier lockdown system is in place, with showrooms allowed to remain open in Tiers 1, 2 and 3, while only outdoor forecourts can open in Tier 4. Wales is currently in a state of national lockdown until 9 November, and all non-essential businesses have had to completely close, including car dealerships. Can I buy a used car? Used car dealers in England are subject to the same rules as their new car counterparts, meaning they can remain open if they trade according to a contact-free, closed-showroom model. Buying privately is not advisable during the lockdown, as the rules state you should only leave home for essential purposes or to work if you cannot work from home. If you must buy a car so that you can work, shop or care for a vulnerable person, social distancing rules must be adhered to at all times, and you should not share a car with anyone from outside your household. Can I visit a garage? During the last lockdown, the government granted drivers a six-month MOT extension to avoid unnecessary driving and people coming into close social contact at garages. It has been confirmed that this measure will no come into effect again because garages are allowed to remain open - not least because there's still a lengthy backlog of MOTs from the previous lockdown. If you have to use your car during lockdown, it must be roadworthy, so book in for an MOT test before the date of expiry, and have your car serviced if it's due. Garages remain open in Wales, though only for essential repairs and MOTs, and in Scotland the rules vary according to region, with the highest-level tiers advising against all but essential travel. Can I go for a drive? Strictly-speaking, as with the last lockdown, motorists should not go for a drive just to get out of the house. There are a number of key exceptions that allow driving, including to travel to a place of work if you cannot work from home. However, this time you will be allowed to drive to outdoor spaces to exercise. Driving is also allowed if you need to shop for essentials, while parents can drive for childcare purposes and to take their kids to school. You can also drive to take care of vulnerable relatives or to attend a medical appointment. As before, there are questions being asked regarding the police's ability to enforce these driving rules. There are currently no plans to close any roads. Article courtesy of AutoCar View the full article

After this long period of lockdown, many cars have not been driven and may have hidden issues which could compromise safety when returned to the road For the short amount of time that it takes to check your car before setting off is a worthwhile investment, even if it does highlight a problem that you have to resolve, it is still more beneficial to get it sorted before leaving home. A few quick checks similar to those listed below could save you a lot of money on vehicle repairs, fines or even avoid an accident occurring. Added to the fact that a lot of cars benefited from having a six-month extension to the MOT expiry date this can have a detrimental effect upon the safety and roadworthiness of your car. What you should check on your car before you set off on a journey Fluids – Engine coolant and oil levels, power steering fluid, screen-wash, Electrics – Battery condition, lighting, warning lamps, horn, washers and wipers Tyres – Pressures, condition, spare wheel or sealant Brakes – Pad wear, brake fluid level Other areas to consider having checked over by a Garage before setting off Drive Belts – Camshaft Timing Belt, Auxiliary Drive Belt (Alternator, Air Conditioning, Power Steering) Air Conditioning – Does it blow cold air? Does it smell? Brakes binding see related article