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, 02/08/2011 - 14:07

I shouldn't worry too much. I had a similar notification from hertz a couple of years ago [for speeding].  Nothing ever came in terms of a speeding fine.  I think the authorities  don't want the hassle of trying to fine someone in the UK - they have to do it within 6 months of the offence and send the notice in English, so I think they don't even bother once Hertz have given them a UK address. 

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 11:50

"If anyone knows of cheap Durham to Edinburgh (and vice versa) train fares I would be interested in those please." Ticket Tips

  • Book in advance using one of the sites like 'raileasy' or 'the trainline'
  • Remember some times for travelling are cheaper than others - the ticket websites allow you to look at options
  • Check out the cost of two singles against a return - its often cheaper
  • Look at splitting the single ticket into two trips [Durham to X and X to Edinburgh] - This again is often cheaper, and is totally acceptable as long as the train stops at X

Hope this helps

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 11:29

"Has anybody used TRI ISO SUPER 10 and does it really work?" Never used it, but this may be informative;- http://www.just-insulation.com/actis-triso-super-10-multi-foil-insulation.html   Seems OK for a pitched roof - not sure about on walls though

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 07:33

My italian is also very basic, but assuming you are resident in Italy, and the fine is for an offence in the last 6 months, you pay using only one of the two forms - they appear to be for different types of Notification [or so Babelfish says].  Over six months, I beleive it lapses. I'd take both to the Post Office and ask them which you use to pay it there and then   If you are UK resident - I beleive that the paperwork should be supplied in English to be valid - so you could probably ignore it, or write back in English asking for a translation.

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 04:34

For info  [and look at the bit on half price tickets]   Trains – Glasgow to the airport http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/to-and-from-prestwick/train-connections/default.html

Sun, 02/06/2011 - 14:55

"Perhaps cutting down on the electricity we use and using low power appliances is the long term answer?"   What are you suggesting? - My place already runs on 3kW max What is probably required is nuclear power plants [but of course, nowhere near my house]

Answer to: 'Cash Back'
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 06:27

Around my place [Lake Orta in the north], the supermarkets don't seem to do 'Cash Back', but ever one seems to have an ATM machine

Answer to: Digital TV
Tue, 02/01/2011 - 11:24

" ........  her Italian bought TV didn't work properly in the UK." I think that all you have to do is go into the main menu for the TV and reset it to 'UK' from 'Italy' - not sure about the digibox - but you can buy a UK one for under £20

Answer to: driving licence
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 04:37

You may have problems renewing online, if;-

  1. You don't have a UK address - you are supposed to be UK resident to renew online.    ....or
  2. You [like me] have the old style paper license only [i.e. - no photo license]

Good luck

Answer to: Tomato Soup
Mon, 01/31/2011 - 04:30

Gala - in your recipe, did you mean "Tomato Puree" - or "canned tomatoes/passata"?  I thought puree might be a rather too strong flavour   Found this on the 'Splutterer's website'  http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegeterian-recipes/bread-tomato-soup-pappa-al-pomodoro