DJ360 6,730 Posted March 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Many thanks for all the replies so far. It is a lot to take in and I have a similar query on the go on another site.. so I'm not short of advice! I suppose if this comes off it is to some extent a case of what we make it. Google Maps reckons I could drive to Nice from here in 16 hours.. though I guess I'd be a bit stiff, sore and semi conscious by the time I got there. I'd like to drive but take maybe 2-3 days and take in the changing scene ( And hopefully weather/temperature..) The apartment in Nice is in the Rue Paradis and owned by relatives. We've stayed in Nice before, but at the other side of town in the Avenue Des Fleurs, close to the Rue Meyerbeer. Lizzie, sadly I don't have a Bentley, but I can't understand why people on another site keep describing my 2.0L Civic 5 door hatchback as 'small for the trip'. It has a good sized boot, plenty of power and seats 5 easily though there'll only be two of us. And eitherway.. all cars have the driver's seat close to the steering wheel.... it's safer that way... Some have suggested that taking the TGV to the south is as cheap as driving+tolls and I do like trains, so I wouldn't rule that out either. More than 20 years ago I took my girls via train ( From Wigan) to Folkestone, then the Sea Cat and train to Amiens, to see Mrs Col who was at Uni there as a mature student. Set off at 7:00 am and arrived Amiens 3:00 pm. not bad I thought. Col 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 We don’t have a Bentley now either Col. My husband always fancied one but he only kept it for a couple of years and sold it at Christmas. A nice luxurious motor but we found it too ostentatious and he was always a bit concerned about where he parked it, there are some nasty envious people about who don’t realise that we’ve worked hard for what we’ve got. As for drive time, we averaged 80 mph for the length of France on one journey. We left Cannes about 6am and ended up staying in Boulogne that night. We were home by midday the following day. But that was going some. The tolls were like F1 pit stops, no messing about with cash, it was debit card all the way! 6 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Lizzie did he also sell the petrol bowser you need when driving a Bentley 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,730 Posted March 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 No envy here Lizzie! My view is that people are entitled to whatever they can get through honest hard work. I also don't choose my friends on any sort of wealth basis. I choose them on being decent people. I have some extremely wealthy friends and some who are just getting by. What saddens me though is that many people work hard all their lives and end up with little to show for it, but I don't blame individuals for that. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 I went with some friends to do the WW1 battle fields in the early 2000s when Hoverspeed were still going from Dover, being an idle sod I left all the booking and paperwork to my mates girlfriend. This lady being a clever clogs checks everything and paid for an upgrade to first class on both ferry journeys, included were first class lounge at the terminal, free coffee, biscuits and news papers in nice armchairs. Priority boarding, collected by an officer and escorted past everyone else so first on and up to the sharp end with plenty of room to exit the car. Escorted to the first class on board lounge, wonderful big leather seats, free drink with your free meal and a man to go and fetch your duty free. On arriving in Calais we were escorted by an officer through the crowd "stand aside please first class coming through" that was red face time and down to the car deck for priority disembarkation. And of course no crowds or screaming brats on the journey All I can say is thank you Sandra that was the best.................£10 each way.......... I have ever spent. Wonder why Hoverspeed went out of business. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Ok Ian, give us a clue! Or was it your very own motor? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,895 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Cant help with driving through France , sorry its almost 20 yrs since we last drove through on our way down here. Motorways are brilliant though and as previously said loads of stops, motels , picnic areas and service areas. from Calais to Grenoble it used to take us 10 hrs then we had another 3 to where we live now. My brother in law and family live there so it was quite a regular trip. But can't tell you what the regulations are now. All I know in Italy is that driving day or night (obviously) you have to keep your lights on. Anyway whoever is travelling have a safe trip and enjoy the journey. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 5 hours ago, NewBasfordlad said: I went with some friends to do the WW1 battle fields in the early 2000s when Hoverspeed were still going from Dover, being an idle sod I left all the booking and paperwork to my mates girlfriend. This lady being a clever clogs checks everything and paid for an upgrade to first class on both ferry journeys, included were first class lounge at the terminal, free coffee, biscuits and news papers in nice armchairs. Priority boarding, collected by an officer and escorted past everyone else so first on and up to the sharp end with plenty of room to exit the car. Escorted to the first class on board lounge, wonderful big leather seats, free drink with your free meal and a man to go and fetch your duty free. On arriving in Calais we were escorted by an officer through the crowd "stand aside please first class coming through" that was red face time and down to the car deck for priority disembarkation. And of course no crowds or screaming brats on the journey All I can say is thank you Sandra that was the best.................£10 each way.......... I have ever spent. Wonder why Hoverspeed went out of business. One here for you NBL ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Like others have said nowt wrong with making lots of money providing it's from honest graft, & a bit of luck along the way ! Always remember though, they don't fit pockets in shrouds either. In other words you don't get to take it with you. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Thanks Catfan they are both Isle of Wight Hover Travel if I'm not mistaken. By the time we went with Hoverspeed they had finished with hover craft and were running fast RoRo ferry boats, with one of the old hover craft pulled onto the ramp at Dover. Something to do with the skirts needing replacement and it being to expensive. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 20, 2018 Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 Spot on NBL. Ryde IOW to Portsmouth. Sat watching em last year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 RE your post on money making CF. People who have built up a thriving, successful and profitable business are to be encouraged and admired, not derided as some have been in the past on here. Toes always get trodden on, it's part of life, but as long as ruthless tactics haven't been employed, then I find nothing wrong. Likewise the quote 'You can't take it with you'. No we can't, and there's certainly nothing wrong with handing it down to ones offspring. Hopefully, they would use it wisely, and not squander it willy nilly. My offspring won't have much of a problem spending my leftovers ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 " People who have built up a thriving, successful and profitable business" could mean many things FLY. I have absolutely no problem with people making lots of money provided they treat their employees fair & don't exploit them in the process of making money along the way. I've known some real tight slave driving barstewards during my working life, who didn't give a toss regarding employee welfare or working conditions. I've also had some great employers too. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 I do know one who got his comeuppance CF actually twice, in the early 70s I worked for a plumbing firm in Arnold tight wasn't the word for it. (1) Every week he had the two apprentices in on a Saturday morning, if there was little to do he had them in the work shop de-soldering old fittings from pipework, cleaning them and then saving them into racks to reuse. I did laugh when they changed from imperial to metric sizes and they all became useless. (2) He had all scrap stored at the back of the yard. Old copper cylinders had the top removed and then they were filled with scrap copper, bags of brass and lead etc. Then at Christmas it would all be weighed in, most gaffers would then share it with the lads but not this tight bugger it all went in his pocket. Until one dark November Saturday night when some one came over the back wall and nicked the lot, the lads all got a share that Christmas 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Worked for one like that, NBL. He had us all collecting any scrap wire. Periodically we had to take it up behind his house and burn all the insulation off it. Never mind all the noxious smoke that we and his neighbors were exposed to. No elf and safety back then. We never saw a penny of what're he got for it, but I know he didn't take any with him. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 This is what Jesus said. https://www.gotquestions.org/camel-eye-needle.html 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,600 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Interesting link, Catfan. Many people say 'Money is the root of all evil'. But the actual quote should be 'The LOVE of money is the root of all evil'. (1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 10) Money in itself isn't bad - it's what we do with it that matters. If you have a lot of money, you can use it WISELY to help others less fortunate, which is a good thing. 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Exactly Margie ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 Now you've gone and dunnit! I read this thread and before I could stop myself I'd booked the tunnel for June and will be driving through France, Belgium and on to Amsterdam. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 I gave you a like Margie, but I must remind you of a popular saying 'God helps those who help themselves'. Not entirely applicable I appreciate, but after a lifetime of work, I do begrudge baling out the lazy, the parasites and leeches, the take, take, take society, the criminal fraternity, and the downright bone idle ! Why should my lifestyle deteriorate to supplement this bunch ? Anyway, any spare cash I've got goes to Cancer Research, the Lifeboats, Macmillan Nurses, and various animal charities. Oh, and I've always helped my kids out too ! I don't mind as long as it's appreciated. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,306 Posted March 22, 2018 Report Share Posted March 22, 2018 Mine's destined for the moggies, naturally! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.