France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

gaillimh · 25-05-2023 3:09pm

Hi.

I've borrowed a bike rack from somebody & only just had a look at it today. Based on the space between the bars it appears it will only work as-is for adult bikes - male ones anyway not 100% sure if the female ones where the bar doesn't go straight across would work or not.

Anyhow, does anyone know if there is some kind of kids bike contraption/adapter that can be used to get them to work on kids bikes? I have two young daughters and it's their bikes we are looking to bring rather than adult ones. One is a 12 inch, the other is a 16 inch.

There's no brand visible on the bike rack but it looks to be very similar to this one https://www.decathlon.ie/car-bike-racks/120259-179358-tailgate-bike-carrier-300-2slash3-bikes.html#/demodelsize-254/demodelcolor-8342387

Thanks a mill for any advice.

webpal · 25-05-2023 3:28pm

you can get an adapter like this one

https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bike-accessories/bike-racks/bike-rack-accessories/peruzzo-cross-bar-converter-440582.html

gaillimh · 25-05-2023 4:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120639529#Comment_120639529

Thanks for the that. The issue is more that the bike isn't wide enough to fit on the rack. That adapter would be perfect if the bikes were a bit wider.

Apologies, I don't explain myself very well initially :-)

monkeybutter · 25-05-2023 5:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120639462#Comment_120639462

the 2 bars are there to hold an adult bike

one bar can hold a childs bike

there is a strap in the pic to secure everything down, so you could have 2 adult bikes above and 2 kids

if it is designed to hold 3 adult bikes then 2 kids ones wouldn't go over that

make sure to pull on the whole thing after and go that aint goin nowhere

loyatemu · 25-05-2023 5:41pm

put the carrier arms through the wheels of the kids bikes if the frames are too small - use luggage straps to secure them if the rubber straps won't stretch. I've seen people with bikes upside down on the back of their car - provided they're secure on the rack they'll be fine.

Seth Brundle · 25-05-2023 8:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120639462#Comment_120639462

Note that your reg plate is likely to be covered when carrying a few bikes. Don't assume that the French police will like that!

garden · 26-05-2023 7:19pm

We got a number plate and affixed it on to the bike carrier as it was obstructed

corkgirl17 · 28-05-2023 11:45am

Any recommendations on wine to purchase in France. I'm a white wine girl, sauvignon blanc usually. Will probably buy a few bottles to try out. Also wondering if the cider is good there? Or should I packs some orchard thieves in the car? 4 weeks to go and starting to dream of afternoons filled with wine and cheese!!

ShamoBuc · 28-05-2023 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649647#Comment_120649647

Wine is very much a personal thing, hard to recommend I think. Try a few tasters or even visit a few and as for cider, I still haven't found a cider to match Orchards, although there are quite a few options.

10-10-20 · 28-05-2023 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649647#Comment_120649647

Cider from Normandy and Brittany are a specialty and can be obtained all across France. They do endless brands many of which are smaller brewerys. You can get anything from about 0.2% - a lunch time refreshment for the field-workers of old - to 6% and above. It's a more natural product and not the same sweet stuff which we have here. Grab a doux (sweet), sec (dry) and brut (strong) and see what you like. It's very enjoyable and I wouldn't pack the 6-pack! The only commodity that I pack is tea bags!

Quazzie · 28-05-2023 1:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649773#Comment_120649773

Have to disagree unfortunately. As cider drinker myself, the lack of a nice sweet cider is the only thing I don't like about my France trips. If driving I definitely would be packing some for myself. I've even gone as far as arranging to buy some Cider from a local Irish bar as a last resort.

josip · 28-05-2023 6:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649647#Comment_120649647

We're wine philistines and have the Vivino App on our phones to scan the bottle labels when we're in a big supermarket.

https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/vivino-buy-the-right-wine/id414461255

We put a few bottles of anything above a 3.9 in the trolley. We usually get 100 bottles or so to fill the holes in the car.

Seth Brundle · 28-05-2023 7:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649647#Comment_120649647

It all largely depends on where you're going as each region will specialise in certain types of wine. I love trying the chilled sparkling reds from the Loire area but find that availability tends to be best around Saumur (actually had a Gratien & Meyer Cardinale the other day). But head to a different region e.g. the Dordogne and you will have difficulty finding sparkling reds!

I would recommend buying your wine in a large supermarket. Don't bother with the local private vineyard caves as you've no idea what they produce but will feel compelled to buy something. (But go if you'd like to try the experience).

As for ciders, I absolutely love any of them (doux, brut and sec). It's only recently that you can get rose cider here but it's been available in France for ages. The ciders do feel so fresh and I like having them when BBQing. You can get them in supermarkets all over France in longneck or larger bottles e.g. Les Goelleries. Try different ones and see what you like. They're not too expensive.

Nekarsulm · 29-05-2023 1:12pm

Re Wine,

We try and buy a half dozen bottles from the nearest large supermarket during the first few days.

Try them during the week, and if we particularly like something, stock up .

Or another method a French friend suggested, if you see one particular wine flying off the shelves, buy a half a dozen.

People can't all be wrong!

Heroditas · 30-05-2023 8:14pm

I know it's looked down on but the 3L boxes can be really excellent. We found a Cotee du Rhone Villages last year that we loved and brought a good few boxes of it back. Perfect for a "midweek glass" during the rest of the summer and into the autumn

joe1303l · 03-06-2023 7:08am

Any worthwhile options for Breakdown cover in France other than the AA ?

10-10-20 · 03-06-2023 9:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120659508#Comment_120659508

Chateaux Le Cardboard? Some can be good for sure. I think that the reds are slightly better than the whites, but opinions differ. They typically keep for 6 weeks after opening too, not that they last that long in reality.

sceach16 · 03-06-2023 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120649647#Comment_120649647

We have been buying wine in France since 1981. Used to come back with a bootful of glass. Now we only buy BIBs. Always remember a litre of wine weighs a Kilo and the glass around it nearly another! Packaging on a bib is negligible weightwise. A case of wine (12 bottles/9 litres) takes up about the same space as between 15 and 20 litres in BIBs.

Thats the practical bit. Next is make sure U like what U buy. Spread your risk / avoid all eggs in one basket. Taste if you can by buying and tasting singles , then take a picture of the label or take notes. Then you have the basis for bulk buying.

Typically, a 3 litre bib (4 bottles) is between 8 and 10 euro in Supermarkets. Buy one of each you think suitable for you. Taste a glass or two and if you like it, buy to bring home. Dont just pick one, do a few different so you can spread your risk. remember the opened BIBs keep for a few weeks.

Anyway, the meat of the post. Our choices are from L'eclerc , Vieux Carrion, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon , Grenache (rose),Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (all v de pays d'oc) and a Cotes de Gascoigne . Allunder 9 euro for 3 litre.

Heritage de Carillon is another brand available widely as is JP Chenet. Roche Mazet another. Carrefour , Auchan will have a selection.

Enjoy!

sceach16 · 03-06-2023 1:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120672536#Comment_120672536

We havent been able to get any other.....not to mind worthwhile! We have a KIA. Until covid, their cover included France. Post covid it does not. AA will only do a per trip policy so going twice a year hurts.

kindalen · 03-06-2023 7:02pm

I'm not paying AA those mad prices. Surely another insurance company/broker can make money offering a decent Euro breakdown cover?

westgolf · 03-06-2023 9:43pm

Regarding breakdown cover, you also need to remember that the response to a call out is very different to the typical breakdown response here by the AA or the Insurance supported ones like RAC etc.

Having had the experience personally just note that if you breakdown on a motorway they won't attend. Instead the towing contractors will move you off the motorway to the nearest services or slip road. The breakdown unit may take several hours to appear and a number of calls to the call centre to "remind" them. To be honest I got a quicker response and solution by sorting things myself. Mine was a wheel change issue so I could limp off the motorway but I didn't fancy a 200km drive to Roscoff on an emergency tyre/wheel with a fully loaded car. Drove slowly into a retail park and found a tyre centre who helped me out. Changed the tyre and wheel and gave us vouchers for a coffee shop in the park. Back on the road about two hours behind but felt much safer with proper tyres on the vehicle.

10-10-20 · 03-06-2023 9:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120675086#Comment_120675086

Another thing to remember is that no amount of cover will change how motorway breakdowns are handled as it's only the local recovery companies which operate on motorways and the transport ministry sets the price for that service.

https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/breakdown-service.htm

So if 90% of your travel is on a motorway for example then the more expensive breakdown recovery service isn't going to add any value for a minor motoring issue.

Heroditas · 04-06-2023 11:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120672720#Comment_120672720

We opened the last box of our Chateau Le Cardboard last night. It's nearly gone already 😅

Anyway, kids are getting very excited now (as am I). This time 4 weeks we'll be sitting by the pool in Carnac.

corkgirl17 · 04-06-2023 1:37pm

Anyone who has been to Sequoia Parc before, are they very strict regarding ages in the kids club? Would a just turned 4 year old be able to go? Conscious that my youngest will be upset if her siblings are going.

joe1303l · 04-06-2023 10:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120675113#Comment_120675113

If you have AA cover then would you still have to pay the motorway operator to get you off the motorway and pursue the AA to recover your costs ? It appears the only real benefit to having AA is repatriation back to Ireland if you car couldn’t be repaired quickly.

joe1303l · 04-06-2023 10:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120674570#Comment_120674570

I cannot find any real alternative to the AA at the minute. It would appear a lot of the competition exited the market in recent years.

VHI have an add available on for €82 if you take out their multitrip travel insurance but it’s fraught with exclusions and claim limits. Kelair have an option also for €84 but it’s equally poor. I don’t think either are worth having.

gaillimh · 05-06-2023 11:23pm

Cheers for the advice re bike racks. Decided not to bring it & hire a kids bike instead for the week.

Another question - how do people find the 4G coverage when using your Irish SIM mobile? I have a work phone that's on Vodafone network currently. I was able to use that perfectly fine on 4G in America last October but thinking the Vendee may be a different story?

We are staying at Le Pin Parasol. Cheers

10-10-20 · 06-06-2023 7:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120677993#Comment_120677993

Yes correct, you still pay the motorway recovery fees. Plus as the AA cover is "breakdown assistance" and not holiday insurance, I don't believe that the fees can be recovered off the AA.

https://www.theaa.ie/aa-membership/european-breakdown-cover/

manshay · 06-06-2023 10:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120680781#Comment_120680781

I have found mobile coverage very poor in touristy areas in France, especially campsites (no knowledge of les pins). The online French mobile coverage maps would suggest there would be excellent 4G coverage, whilst in reality there was little or none. I suspect (without any hard evidence!) that mobile providers offer priority to their home customers. I have also noticed this in the UK too, we are over often for family.

Sixtoes · 06-06-2023 11:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120680781#Comment_120680781

I was there last year and had no problems with 4g data.

France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

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