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Post by tyrednexited on Jun 7, 2018 11:30:50 GMT
... apart from the 32 mile cycle ride there and back.
The morning started with a display of Teutonic efficiency. We are on a Wohnmobil Stellplatz on the Neckar, next to a large playing field and unoccupied concrete car park.
The local Feurwehr/first responders arrived at speed with blues and twos, decamped at haste and started scanning the skies.
The emergency helicopter duly appeared and we were advised to keep back.
Now, it didn't look to me like it was heading towards us, but it took some time for the penny to drop with the Feurwehr.
It headed for a spot somewhere up the valley, and with looks of disbelief, they all rapidly reentered their vehicle and off they shot under blues and twos again, with half the doors open.
It was all a bit 'Keystone Cops'.
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Post by Humph on Jun 16, 2018 17:02:01 GMT
I'm guessing you're back from reading your other posts, just out of curiousity, which crossing did you use? We've got a bit of a slot in the calendar coming up but haven't organised anything. Might just stick the bikes on the roof and go. Done it before and had some of our best hols like that.
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Post by tyrednexited on Jun 16, 2018 17:36:11 GMT
I used the Chunnel this time, but don't have any particular allegiance to any crossing.
It seems to me that, if you're careful on timing, the price gap between the Chunnel and P&O/Norfolkline crossing from Dover has narrowed somewhat recently, making the former much more attractive.
But.....
...our ultimate driving plans and final destination have a significant input. Having to allow 4-5 hours (as you will) to get to the Channel means, if a (continuing) long drive on the other side is envisaged, then we either set off the day before, stop close to the crossing overnight, and then get an early crossing (probably Chunnel), or alternatively we leave home (very) early in the morning, and target the ships for a slightly later crossing (generally P&O) as you get a longer and better opportunity to stretch your legs and get some fresh air on the boat.
If we're going North on the other side, then the ferries from Hull come into consideration. Convenient timing for us, but (very) expensive in comparison because of the overnight accommodation, and only worthwhile for the time/mileage saving over and above short sea when going North.
I have to admit, we've only used the Chunnel 4 times return, and the first two were both a pretty poor experience, with very bad delays. The recent two crossings have been much better - both being on time going out, and the returns have been on crossings an hour earlier than booked, avoiding waiting in the terminal.
Subject to travel plans and relative cost, the Chunnel has risen up the pecking order.
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Post by Humph on Jun 16, 2018 17:42:34 GMT
Generally, what we do is leave home around 10.00 pm, get to Dover for 3.00ish and if on a ferry, we're in Calais before 07.00 local with the whole day to get to wherever we're heading.
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Post by tyrednexited on Jun 16, 2018 18:07:22 GMT
...it's a hellishly long session with only one driver, though.
Coming back home, our last day was an 8am departure from Pronsfeld, and best part of 500 miles home in 11.5 hours. Not bad with a crossing included, especially in a 3.5t 'van, but it's as far as I would favour under most circumstances.
(Pronsfeld, BTW, was another place with excellent cycling opportunities)
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Post by Humph on Jun 16, 2018 20:48:13 GMT
It is a long drive, but it's not like I'm not used to long journeys I suppose. When it's a ferry crossing I can get my head down for a while on the ship. I'm not bad at keeping going and never seem to feel tired while actually driving, but as soon as I get to where I'm going I'll just sleep for an hour or two to recharge the batteries.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2018 18:58:14 GMT
I must be getting old.
I was at a wedding in Luton Hoo a couple of weeks ago, leaving for home at 10:15pm not having had a hard day. I was within an hour of home but had to stop for 20 minutes at Sandbach services and close my eyes otherwise I would have caused an accident.
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Post by Humph on Jun 21, 2018 19:24:51 GMT
I seem to have a sort of mental switch, while the engine is on, I never seem to get tired, but I can and have found myself shutting it down on the drive, or another final destination and being almost unable to make the effort to get out of the car. It's like someone has pulled my plug out ! ( don't even think about making something of that ! )
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2018 19:32:17 GMT
I have fallen asleep at the wheel. It was so terrifying, such a narrow escape that it brings me out in cold sweats to think about it. I simply never push it when I'm alone.
It's like learning when to stop drinking really, you know when that little bit more would be too much.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2018 20:43:17 GMT
I have fallen asleep at the wheel. It was so terrifying, such a narrow escape that it brings me out in cold sweats to think about it. I simply never push it when I'm alone. It's like learning when to stop drinking really, you know when that little bit more would be too much. Luckily there is a tiredness warning on the Merc; I think it monitors the position and movement of your head. It sounded about three times in 30 minutes so I said to Espadrille that I needed a few minutes shut eye. I have also dropped off on the M6 when we were courting and I was on the way home after a weekend in the smoke visiting her. I am very jealous of those who can stay awake, although conversation helps. I once landed at Luton Airport at about 10:30pm (so really 00:30 for me) and driving home to Manchester with my then eight year old daughter. We were both fine all the way home as we chatted. When we walked up Scafell Pike last year, my friend was the driver. I was totally knackered when we got back to the car park; it had been along day and about nine hours walking. However we made a barbeque and ate before we left for home. I dropped off almost as soon as we drove off; he got us home very safely. Don't know how he did it. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 21, 2018 20:45:02 GMT
I remember one time in France when I was too close to sleep for comfort. We’d had a hot day out in Bordeaux, MrsB1 hadn’t enjoyed it and I didn’t relish the likely atmosphere in the car if I asked her to drive. There certainly wasn’t any happy conversation to take my mind off feeling tired.
So I pressed on, on a quiet and monotonous stretch of motorway on a summer evening. Probably not the smartest idea but we made it back.
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Alanović
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Post by Alanović on Jun 22, 2018 8:42:43 GMT
I used to commute to a shift work job in Kent, from Reading. 6am starts meant getting up at 4 and leaving by 4.30. I remember drifting asleep once on the M25 doing, erm, some speed or other in my beloved and well missed purple Mondeo Mk2 1.8LX estate. As per Otto, it utterly terrified me and taught me a huge lesson. And I was only 30-ish then. Bloody good job the road was quiet as I had crossed a lane before waking up.
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