We are off to Italy in the Bravo again on Friday. Leaving M'Bro at lunch time for a 7pm Chunnel crossing (free, courtesy of Tesco Clubcard!) and staying near Calais that night. Then onto Basel in Switzerland before an epic drive down to nr Frosinone (which is between Rome and Naples). Then 2 weeks or nice weather (fingers crossed!), nice food, a family wedding in Rome and much relaxing, before heading back home via a nice hotel on lake Lugano, Basel, London and home.

Won't have time to do any passes on the way down but hopefully will on the way back up. Last time we got there (1400 miles) and needed to fill up only twice

PROV said:

We are off to Italy in the Bravo again on Friday. Leaving M'Bro at lunch time for a 7pm Chunnel crossing (free, courtesy of Tesco Clubcard!) and staying near Calais that night. Then onto Basel in Switzerland before an epic drive down to nr Frosinone (which is between Rome and Naples). Then 2 weeks or nice weather (fingers crossed!), nice food, a family wedding in Rome and much relaxing, before heading back home via a nice hotel on lake Lugano, Basel, London and home.

Won't have time to do any passes on the way down but hopefully will on the way back up. Last time we got there (1400 miles) and needed to fill up only twice

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OMG!

We're on our way to Italy in the Bravo on Friday.

Where you heading Hellcat?

PROV said:

Where you heading Hellcat?

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South of Lake Garda so Northern Italy. Going to do some exploring while I'm there. Maybe pop into our Italian site for a few hours overtime

There's a lot of roadworks on the M1 and M20 area - 50mph average speed camera ones - so leave plenty of time!

I will. I dont use the M1 though, straight down the A1 / M11 for me

We're getting the lunchtime ferry so won't see you! Quick stop at the Centre de Europe for a bite to eat then press on South.

You're crazy!

Pomp said:

You're crazy!

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Question: WHY Pomp You think they are crazy??

I've been driving from Ireland to Poland and back - which is a distance of 2200km each way - 3times since last year - My trip that I had in June WAS crazy - I got 4 days off so i decided that I'm gonna bring my Panda 1.1 Active back to Poland to sell it and bring my Grande Punto from Poland back to Ireland - so as I decided I've done it. I left on Friday 13th of June at 9pm - ferry from Dublin - arrived to Hollyhead at 00:30. At 6am(Saturday) arrived on Channel Tunnel which was 590km from Hollyhead. At 7pm crossed the door in my parents house. It was exactly 1893km on the road. It took me 17h 44min 59s of nearly constant driving to get there - add to that the time that I've spent on the ferry, tunnel and refueling and you will come to a score of total 22h for 2200km. My average speed was 107km/h, max 178km/h. That was crazy thing but when I came back I was just wrecked... Would never do the same in that short period of time - 4400km in 4days with 2full days behind the wheel.

Why I did that trip? First of all - to bring panda back to sell it, second thing - my mothers birthday is on 14th of June and mine on 15th of June - that was a big suprise for all my family and friends.

I have a log from Nokia Sportstracker of that trip so can proove it.

You know you're supposed to rest every couple of hours! 22hrs of driving is on the silly side of crazy.

:nono:

Hellcat said:

You know you're supposed to rest every couple of hours! 22hrs of driving is on the silly side of crazy.

:nono:

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Hellcat - You're right, I know - I had good few brakes - stopped about 10-12 times with about 3-4 longer breaks - like 30min sleep and then go. I'm not that crazy to drive for 17hours constant and kill myself (or someone else) 2miles away from my destination... I've been driving for the previous nearly 10years and not only to the shop down the road but mostly longer trips of 300-400km per day (I've driven 97kkm in 12 months in my old job in one car). I know when to stop and when I feel tired. Even 30minutes of sleep/closed eyes can make a huge difference to your body/brain.

But that long trip without at least few hours sleep is crazy and I'd advise everyone to go for a B&B or motel for a proper rest. That's what I'm doing on my next trip in november.

That trip in june was only once and I'd never do this again cause even that it was worth it - it wrecked me too much.

PROV!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7610919.stm

Yes cheers Hellcat, Im following the story. Sorely tempted just to book through Hull and avoid the total area! Can't see me getting any money back though, especially if the trains are running again.

From all the reports there is little chance of it running tomorrow, so I have booked the Hull - Zeebrugge ferry. Best leave plenty of time for your journey Hellcat, Dover may well be disrupted

Trying to get info but there's not a lot available... M20 blocked between J8 and J9 - that operation stack?

Yes it appears to be. I have just read that chunnel customers are being given vouchers for ferries. I think you will be ok, just leave plenty of time. Failing that you could book the Hull ferry!

I'm thinking... strap barels to side, plug holes with expanding foam, open the boot and hang an outboard on the back....

Now where have I seen that before lol. Hope everything is ok for you anway, bon viaggio!

Made it to Reims fine. Sure there is a rule in French traffic law that while the vehicle infront is overtaking, you may attempt to push said car off the road.

I mean WTF! Wait 5 seconds and I'll be back in the inside lane!

Well we are now back. Journey out was great, but am a bit out of pocket, nevermind! Then did 2900 miles over 2 weeks, including an amazing hotel on the shore of lake Lugano and the stunning San Gottardo pass on a really clear day. Car was faultless, and averaged 47mpg on the trip, and we werent hanging about at times.

OMG were you stalking us?

I've just got back, averaged 47.7.. 2660 miles. Did the San Gottardo pass twice - once clear.. once in thickest fog ever! Bravo didn't let us down once.