alan h's activity

Holiday InnI joined their 'frequent flyer' type scheme - you earn points each stay. AND  - on the two stays since joining we have received vouchers [at the hotel] giving, in one case a free pudding each at the evening meal, and on the second occasion a free drink each in the bar [much better!!!]

Fuel prices - check the AA Fuel Report  http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuel/index.htmlCompare these with the diesel prices on the L'Eclerc site to see if they are lower.  [They should be - it seems to be about 7 Cents lower than the AA 'average, but each L'Eclerc shop has its own fuel prices].  Diesel is shown as 'Gazole' on the french site. Switzerland is more expensive than France or Germany [but Luxembourg is cheapest], so fill up before Switzerland, and just top up the tank just before you leave Switzerland, as Italy is more expensive than Switzerland. If driving through the Gotthard Tunnel/Pass, don't fill up on the motorway, take the turning to Locarno and there are plenty of cheaper fuel stations within about a mile of the motorway junction

It can be a very enjoyable drive if you take your time doing it.  We do 2 overnight stops on the way down- the first is close to the Channel Ports - we have used the holiday Inn at Englos near Lille the last couple of trips- the second is usually around Colmar [or Besancon depending on the route taken]Highlights - not blasting down the motorways, but taking [still major] roads that are less frantic.                 - crossing the Vosges on more minor roads [i.e. - not dual carriageways]                 - Swiss scenery [of course] - especially the Gotthard pass

Strasbourg Route".......... think we'll definitely be taking the route through Belgium on down to Strasbourg. "Try via Nancy to Colmar, rather than via Strasbourg. Plenty of places at Nancy for the overnight stop - we use the Novotel at Nancy Ouest [Laxou], as its close to the Motorway - but there are lots to choose from. Route from Nancy to Colmar is not too bad at all, but some single carriageway.  [Did it last week]

RoadworksThere is a short section of two way working over one of the bridges - apart from that, it was all clear earlier this week when we came back

Chrisnotton - Basel BypassFrom Milhouse cross the border, [on the motorway] to Germany  and head down the autoahn towards Basel.  Take the motoray exit to Lorrach & Rheinfelden and follow the dual carrriageway all the way to the Swiss border  Cross the border and take the motorway towards Basel for about 1Km [stay in the inside lane] and then take the turning to Lucerne.  Simples Chris8 - Avoiding toll roadsI did a quick check , on Via Michelin,on going from Stresa to Pisa on and off the autoroutes - the travel time doubled

" Ethylene is a funny thing to add to petrol, do you mean ethanol?"I think you are right

If you know what type of toilet it is - try 'Googling' it to see if there is a maintenance manual on-line for the cistern [tank] etc

The FineI think it is 3% on the whole amount plus 2.5% annual rate calculated on the amount of days passed between the 17th June and the day you pay

Paid the IMU last week on our Italian house , from the UKGot the F24 through the Comune website - already filled in from the details I gave last year, so no calculations to makePhoned my italian Bank, who agreed that they could pay the bill, from my account  [Last year I could pay by bank transfer from the UK, but not an option this year]Emailed the F24 to the bankReceipt for payment received back, by email, the next day "Simples"  .................................... [I hope]