Fuel in France
Comments
-
cancelling my portsmouth to Caen ferry would be a great option that were possible I booked CC but I doubt they will allow this. currently trying to work out if I could drive economically enough to make it to the Swiss border and then down through Italy.
Anyone know what the Swiss fuel situtation on the borders is like Im guessing a lot of french people are hoping over to fill up which maybe causing issues in Switzerland too? I think I'm going to be about 80 miles of fuel short to make it to the border0 -
Don't forget that you need a vignette (or two) to drive on Swiss motorways so "nipping over" to a Swiss motorway may not suit everybody,
0 -
I was planning to take the caravan to Poitou Charentes on the 5th for a fortnight... and to complicate matters, I've just had to change my car which now has a small tank (PHEV). Once there it would be fine as we could run on electric, but with the smaller
tank I will probably only have 200mile range whilst towing. I'm suspecting it might be too risky. Very disappointed, have been looking forward to this holiday for months.0 -
A spare jerrycan of fuel might be prudent to at least enable a search for more fuel.
0 -
Morning all
The following e-mail has been sent to all members who have a booking up until the 29th May (we will monitor the situation and send further e-mails until the situation returns to normal)
Hello to all our Caravan Club members travelling to Europe,
You may have seen some news coverage about strikes in France affecting their oil refineries and subsequently the provision of fuel at petrol stations. Currently some petrol stations are closed as they`ve run out of fuel and others have put limits on purchases to reduce panic buying.
If you`re travelling to France we`d suggest you go with a full tank of fuel.
Initial reports suggested that North Western France was most affected although we`re now receiving news of fuel rationing across the rest of the country. As the situation is constantly evolving you should check the news sites for most up to date information before you travel. Besides the usual BBC/newspaper channels you may find it useful to check these French websites which currently have maps of the petrol stations affected:
The francetvinfo website shows a map with location pins of petrol stations that have provided information about what type of fuel is no longer available. `Carburants manquants` means `missing fuel`. Type of fuel: SP (Sans Plomb) = Unleaded and Gasoil = diesel
For those of you tempted to take some extra fuel, note the restrictions in place on your specific ferry routes.
- Brittany Ferries: http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/faq/travel-information/can-i-transport-petrol/diesel-cans
- P&O:. http://www.poferries.com/en/dover-calais/faqs (What can I bring with me)
- Eurotunnel: https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/carriage-of-reserve-fuel-containers/
- DFDS: http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/customer-service/passenger-information/
- Stena: http://www.stenaline.co.uk/FAQs/shipment-of-firearms-and-dangerous-goods/can-i-travel-with-dangerous-goods
Optimistic reports suggest that the situation will improve later this week although we will be keenly watching the news for the most up to date information.
If you have booked a ferry crossing/Eurotunnel with the Caravan Club:
Normal cancellation rules will apply if you choose to cancel your crossing. You have the option of changing your ferry crossing for different dates, and whilst this situation is on-going The Club will waive our normal £20.00 amendment fee, but if you book a more expensive crossing you will need to pay the difference. Our contact centre number is 01342 316 101
If you have pre-booked campsites with The Caravan Club: Approximately 90% of the sites we pre-book in Europe do not charge cancellation fees in the low season, so providing you cancel your campsite with us the day before you are due to arrive we should be able to arrange a refund for the nights you have pre-paid. If the campsite does charge cancelation fees we will do our best to recover these costs for you.
If you have a ferry/Eurotunnel booking and no campsites booked, you can still take your crossing and either head towards Belgium, Holland and Germany, or you can plan to stay near the port of arrival and move off/continue your holiday when the fuel situation improves.
If you have a ferry/Eurotunnel booking and campsites booked with us, you can still take your crossing and we can book alternative sites in other countries, or sites close to the ports.
If you are booked to travel in the next few days and want to discuss your options or check what cancellation charges apply to your booking please call us on 01342 316 101 We will do our best to help in any way we can.
0 -
According to the latest
>Euro News< the picketing of strategic infrastruture is spreading with ports and power plants now being targetted. Attempts so far to break up the picketing of refineries has failed. Looks like it is getting worse?peedee
0 -
Cc are waiving the cancellation fees. So we have been refunded the full cost of the campsite but lost the ferry fee. But quit while you're ahead I think.
Going to a CL in Yorkshire now.
Having paid the ferry fare, did you not consider Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany Instead of France?
0 -
If we all avoid France and go to other European countries , might that well put pressure on the sites elsewhere. I've already booked my sites, in Germany, France and Italy. I would certainly consider skipping France, but I might be lucky to get pitches
elsewhere - our France bookings just happen to be for the busiest times.
David
0 -
The advice at the moment is cross with a full tank. If you can get to your site on that hopefully the strike will be over when you are due to return but that may not happen.
According to the paper some insurers will regard this as a good reason for cancelation and meet the claim but others will not so you may want to ring yours.
0 -
Just been watching latest on France 24 and it looks like the unions are in for the long haul...CGT union (power stations) are also out on Wednesday followed by Air Traffic controllers. Its about Hollandes reform. Anyhow we are booked on the 22:00 overnight
from Portsmouth to Caen next Wednesday and I am almost certain I can make our first site (lready booked and paid direct) with a full tank...after that am happy to extend there and sit on the beach till its over..whenever that might be. Just need to be back
by Xmas !!0 -
We have no intention of cancelling our Eurotunnel booking on Tuesday and so it's a case of where we will now head for. It has taken me six months of route and site planning to get everything organised. Even bought detailed walking maps of the area where
we had booked to anchor ourselves in the Dordogne for a fortnight. Sadly, a tank full of diesel will not get me there and I don''t fancy hunting down a filling station with fuel or queuing for ages.Now have four days to choose somewhere different. Thinking about Luxembourg (we like), Black Forest (don't know it), warm bits of Austria (went three years ago and loved it) or the Italian Lakes (25 years since been there). Quite aware that the Dutch and
Germans may also avoid France and sites might be busier than normal.So can anyone suggest good sites in those areas with decent facilities, good walks and a town/village we can stroll into - everything we had organised in France. Waking up to blue skies and some day and evening warmth would be welcome too! Recommendations
would be most welcome at this late stage.0 -
Hello Poshman
I am a massive fan of Holland, and can highly recommend Delfste Hout
and
Resort de Arendshorst (for this site the nearest town is 3.7miles but it is a nice cycle ride!)0 -
I spoke to my insurance company this morning, they told me under normal circumstances, the cost of my ferry tickets would not be covered, i was then advised that they are in talks with the underwriters this morning as this situation is not classed as "Normal" but "Abnormal". Lets see what happens. I also spoke with CC as well. I was told i can have a refund of my Ferry cost's in the form of a voucher. Whilst this may be useful to some people, it isn't to me. I then got to thinking, if the insurance company get wind of refunds by voucher, will that give them the roo to wriggle out of paying up ?. One problem seems to lead to another.
0 -
Dave, Why are you thinking of cancelling?
Going on a western Channel route I can have a good holiday in Brittany even if I can buy no French fuel anywhere, and going from Dover I can go to all the other countries in Western Europe where there are no fuel shortages at all.
0 -
We're due to cross early next week. Fortunately we have nothing booked other than the crossing itself on the tunnel. If the situation is still as it is now, we'll head in 't other direction! If France doesn't want our Euros, I'm sure another country will.
We had planned to meet up with 2 lots of friends, in 2 different locations, so it would be a shame if that couldn't happen. But at least getting in near Calais gives us a few options.0 -
I don't want to cancel but i'm not prepaired to have a three week holiday ruined by French militants. My Family have already suffered a £1000 loss due to French Air Traffic Control going on strike. To be honest i'm getting sick of them going on strike for
this that and the other.0 -
really feel for you all and I genuinly mean that I not go to France now I'm single but have been many times by car staying in hotels and had my hubby not left me for A.n. other would have been going early July ,we did Alps with caravan ,dogs to as they had
a passport ,then on way home he stopped off to look at Motorhomes and got one ,so did Alps 2 years running with it just staying in Aires ,they are good for any of you going with a Motorhome as you can stop when and where you want ,haven't flown in years ,so
not been affected by that ,I miss going to France but I not want to drive that far now by myself ,so I do hope it is all sorted soon !!!!0 -
Hearing that Strasbourg, Alsace area and Antibes have fuel.
Its a bit worrying if you are going soon I know. Glad we decided to do Holland earlier this month.
Belgium, Germany and Austria route no problems I wouldn't cancel just choose a different area. But then we've only be doing Euope for 4 years so we've still loads to see.
.
0 -
Hello poshman, ACSI camping Nattersee at Innsbruck has free mountain walking during June I think. The city is lovely & the area is excellent. So was the Osachiersee lake, don't think I have spelt it right, further down in Austria near to the Slovenian border.
Regards, Roy0 -
We're in a similar situation as you AD, no firm plans and no sites booked so can go anywhere other than France if necessary. But as it's half term coming up in a few days there must be a lot of people who have booked crossings and sites for that week, for
them it must be a real worry. I do hope the situation improves soon.0 -
Roy and Sharon
We stayed at Natterer See about 30 years ago. Nice site. Three years ago, in June, we got in a long queue to book in, got fed up with waiting and drove to Stams where there is a pleasant terraced site with views of the mountains and plenty of space. Boy,was
it hot! Glad to head north for cooler weather.Stayed on the Ossiacher See at the now closed Camping Jodl for 12 nights the same year and loved it there - until a Dutchman positioned his van so close the aroma from his fried onions on his Cadac came straight through our open kitchen window. He even had
the cheek to ask if I could move my correctly positioned car because it was blocking his view of the lake!Thanks for the suggestions though.
0 -
On French news this afternoon that the police have broken up the picket line at the refineries with water cannon. Lets hope things get moving again soon.
0 -
Jlan we are in the same situation booked on the Caen ferry arriving on sunday evening also heading to the South. Think I can get to Luxembourg on a single tank with some spare. Then back into France & back into Switzerland. Issue is with that is that you
need to purchase 2 x vignette 1 for car 1 for van which i think are about £35 each. Then fill up at the expensive station in Switzerland then down to the South coast of France. Im just sitting here thinking is this really a holiday seems like too much
effort my just go to Bognor :-(0
