alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I'm planning my route down for a months visit in July.

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 08:13

I logged on this morning to my local webcam, to look at the snow on the ski slopes.

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 04:47

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14995588Loved the note about changing the locks!

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 09:20

I have just got back from my latest trip to Italy, and thought some of you might be interested to hear about a Swiss hotel that we stayed in on the way down.It is the Hotel Engel in Stans [near to Lake Lucerne, a few minutes from the motorway

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 05:21

For many years now I have used the likes of 'mappy', 'via michelin' etc for calculating different routes down to Italy - for us its a part of our holiday, so we don't always want to take the quickest/shortest route down.  We prefer to vary the rou

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:25

Today I received an email from the Swiss Travel Centre.  The relevant portion is;- "The GBP price for a Vignette will increase from 01 June 2011 and we wanted to give you the opportunity to purchase this years’ Vignette before the pric

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 09:45

I've just driven down and back for a [much too] short holiday, and feel that an update on how fuel prices look on the way down would be useful to fellow travellers The following is a good site for seeing what prices have been like  

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 05:02

P&O have introduced a new ferry on the Dover - Calais route - its called the Spirit of Britain. They seem to have a special offer on at the moment [on this ship only] I've just booked a return crossing [car + 2] for £60 - significantly less th

Sat, 01/29/2011 - 06:08

Does Tomato soup exist in Italy? We were feeling a bit under the weather when we went out to Italy 2 weeks ago.  As part of the R&R process, I fancied some soup, and looked around the supermarket.  There were lots of different soups, but I rea

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 08:29

The route/timings for next years Giro d'Italia have been posted http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/   My son rang me up to inform me that the route passes about 100m away from

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 07:04

Comments posted

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 04:22

 I'd suggest do a 'Google'.              I found    http://www.andysofdover.co.uk/mot_testing.htm  - which seems to deal with overseas arrival.

Mon, 11/09/2009 - 13:51

In Italy both the buyer and seller pay the Italian Estate Agent Fees, which can range from 3 - 8% of the purchase price Then there are other purchase taxes/IVA etc, and Notary fees  [plus lawyers if you want them - but many Italians don't use them] Total cost - say 15% - 20% of purchase price

Mon, 11/09/2009 - 04:58

Our Commune has a process where they collect such Items - [or they  may well tell you where the local 'recycling' centre is.]

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 08:10

Gromit said;-" you can bring it back to the UK for that purpose if you have it booked in prior to entering the UK for an MOT"You could be in big trouble if you try this, as you cannot legally drive it without an MOT as the insurance requires the vehicle to be taxed and MOT'edThe number plate recognition cameras will pick you up at the port [or Eurotunnel offload area] and you will probably be 'pulled in' by Plod - so I wouldn't suggest you try it. Look at       http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/DG_4022052 where it states "Using your vehicle when you return from abroadIf you take your vehicle abroad, it must be continuously taxed. When you return from abroad, you must have a valid tax disc to be able to drive your vehicle home or you’ll be committing an offence. There are no concessions."

Thu, 11/05/2009 - 07:41

depending on the age of the camper - you may need a valid MOT to re-tax it  You should really re-tax it for the week or so until its laid up for the winter - but if you re-tax on your return to UK in November it will be backdated to the start of the month. Is there anyone who can get to your mail and do the re-tax for you?  - assuming you have valid insurance [and MOT if required] - all they need is the 'reference number' on the renewal notice to do it all on line [but they do need to tick the box on line to say they are the owner] 

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:33

 ................... a camping tumble dryer?                 [low power, only 420W, but only takes 1.2 Kg at a time] only £125 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Portable-Tumble-Dryer---Camping-%2f-Caravaning-%2f-RV_W0QQitemZ260397459222QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&rvr_id=&cguid=2d5fe9c11230a0e202b3fb73fefa37d8

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 06:59

schools are listed in LH column on page http://italy.english-schools.org/

Answer to: Hotel in Milan?
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 05:08

This site has some hotels close to Milan Centrale station [I assume that's the one you mean] http://www.traveleurope.it/milan/milan_central_station.shtml

Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:14

.....a drying cabinet, like this one at john lewis http://www.johnlewis.com/230676470/Product.aspx I'd have thought you could make a reasonable drying cabinet with a fairly strong tubular heater and a [ventilated] box.  However, a normal clothes airer [no fancy heating elements etc] in front of the fire works pretty well for us

Mon, 11/02/2009 - 17:49

"....admin  please block this 'contributor'...." I suggest that you PM the Moderators