mattgroves Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I'm creating a rather comprehensive list of things to take for the France trip this year. I've never done a drive'n'survive trip, in fact my only other trip was 6 years ago, so I'm far from a veteran! I think I've got everything covered, but just wanted to see what are the things I'm likely to have omitted/forgotten about? Or to put it another way, what items have you forgotten or wished you had? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inhiding Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I'mguessing the stuff you are most likely to forget is the stuff you need that isn't fishing related, if you are like me you will prObablu have gone over the tackle/bivi list loads etc With that in mind do you have to stuff you need to be legal to drive in France ( his vis vest, first aid kit, spare bulbs etc ) which all cars must have at all times ? On occasions they do check ( and do fine ) Aside from that, take your rods and reels and some bait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brighton_carper Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Spare batteries for everything. The last thing you want is for your head torch to fail in the midle of the night, or your scales to die when you're about to weigh a biggie. Now, I'm sure you can get batteries in France, but who wants to be searching round for a shop when you could be fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinky Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Deffo batteries. Trust me batteries are stupidly expensive in France !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muchsokid Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Stove, kettle, gas are the sort of thing I forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnplumb Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I think making a list is the way to go, every time you think of something add it to the list , i have one stored on the computer for overnighters it includes everything down to pot noodles , different items of clothing and cutlery . Before the list i managed to leave such items as trolley handles , alarms, plates , cups and lord knows what else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobleyn Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 I now have an area in the garage that my carp tackle gets unloaded from the car into...and then I can't forget anything as I load all of the kit that's in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangling Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Last year we did a very last inspection of a packed car and an empty garage just before we left for the south of france. It was then that we found out we didn't pack a single rod.... Batteries are very cheap in every Aldi supermarket in France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leggs007 Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 high viz jacket and red triangle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobstains Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 high viz jacket and red triangle and spare bulbs and a breath tester (altohugh not sure if this is in yet) also have you checked your french lake is registered, there is some whohar at the mo about french lakes being raided who arent registered and anglers being sent home. I took loads of stuff to france I didn't use, just pack what you would for a session here but more bait, gas and food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinky Posted March 27, 2012 Report Share Posted March 27, 2012 Batteries are very cheap in every Aldi supermarket in France. Yeah because they are the quality ones...lol... And there is always a local ALDI...?... l m a o... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangling Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Chinky, There are 680 Aldi stores in France, so that should not be to big of problem. Your remark about the quality doesn't stick also. In a test done by the dutch consumer authority they came out as the best ones. Check Google before judging the mighty fine Aldi Power Towers again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete simmo simmons Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 Blimey that told him Always best to get batteries from somewhere they have a high turnover you never know how long they have been on the shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinky Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Chinky, There are 680 Aldi stores in France, so that should not be to big of problem. Your remark about the quality doesn't stick also. In a test done by the dutch consumer authority they came out as the best ones. Check Google before judging the mighty fine Aldi Power Towers again! Jeez.... 680 eh? L M A O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobleyn Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi Nope...he's right...680. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpepecheur Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 .............. and a breath tester (altohugh not sure if this is in yet) June 1st but no fines proposed until November then 11 euros fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattgroves Posted March 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 thanks guys..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simmo315 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Don't forget your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you can get one of these free on line. Also get a Green Card from your car / van insurer. This includes a French Accident Report Form that you are expected to carry along with your Certificate of Motor Insurance. Your normal comprehensive insurance often reverts to just third party when abroad so ask them about that too. Have a good trip! Simmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briandki Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 a power pack/battery charger for your phone, well handy! bait armour just in case you come across poison chat, life saver believe me. cork screw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimysime Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Mosquito repellant first aid kit, probably spare line as well in case you get smashed up by one of those huge carp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobleyn Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 bait armour just in case you come across poison chat, Brilliant tip. I went once to a lake that was supposed to be "crayfish and poison chat free" and got hammered by them for three days, till I went out to decathlon and got some hookers with plastic around them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flashgordon1952 Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 a power pack/battery charger for your phone, well handy! bait armour just in case you come across poison chat, life saver believe me. cork screw yes i can see there might be a problem regarding these as france has some blackhole areas,especially in the rural areas This is something i need to find out ! pointless takeing one if there is not a signal .. and someone mentioned bartteries for alarms etc. Thought about buying a windup up lantern and several large rechargeable lanterns / torches... (these i get anyone for uk fishing) battery could be a problem to take abroad. and as someone said they are very expensive in france.. Petrol in france is more expensive so might be worth buying a couple of jerry cans (metal) especially if hireing a van .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete simmo simmons Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 I wouldnt start putting cans of fuel in the back of the van especialy if you have a smoker on board, any fumes can quickly be ignited then bag goes your french trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattgroves Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Yeah, unleaded for the Coleman was something I hadn't quite worked out, was thinking more about the fumes ruining bait, but now you mention it the car filling with fumes and exploding (A-Team style) as I spark up a duty free driving off the ferry would not be a good day out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete simmo simmons Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 Exactly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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