Only 47 days to go. Starting to feel real now, especially as my credit card bill has arrived with the ferry payment on it and a deposit for one of the hotels.
Talking of money, one of my next tasks will be to top up my euros. I have a few left over from other trips, certainly not a fist full but nowhere near enough to keep me in cervezas for a whole month. Hopefully, the lull in Brexit will mean a rise in the exchange rate. Fuel will go on my credit card, as will hotel bills, but meals, drinks and entrance fees will be paid for in cash, in the main. At least I only have to worry about one currency this time and not four, as was the case with the Scandi trip. Spain and Portugal should be a damned sight cheaper than Norway too!
That's all for now.
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Monday, 15 April 2019
Who Pays the Ferry Man
I do. Had confirmation at the weekend that Brittany Ferries have taken the balance outstanding on our crossings in June/July. All I need to do now is book Ginny in for a service for when I get back from Le Mans and I'll be ready to rumble. At least with us still being in the EU, my passage should be a lot smoother than it might otherwise have been.
Monday, 8 April 2019
Bloody Brexit II
So, with the very real possibility that we could crash out of the EU without a deal, I decided to be forward thinking and sort out my international driving permit(s) and green cards, ready for my upcoming trips.
For those that don't know, there are more than one IDP. Three in fact. A 1926, 1949 and 1968 version. The 1968 version covers most countries in Europe but not Spain. Spain is covered by the 1949 version. I therefore, need both of these for my trip with Sanch in June. They cost £5.50 each and require a standard passport photo mugshot. You can only purchase them at a post office, though not all post offices. The 1949 lasts for 1 year, the 1968 for three.
Now, be warned, if you intend to obtain an IDP, then it's a good idea to check when your driving licence expires. Mine was due to expire in November this year, so I decided to renew it early, otherwise come November, I'd need to obtain new IDPs to match my new driving licence number.
It's all very complicated and much to the post office worker's chagrin, is all completed by hand. My new licence arrived in about 5 days (you have to cut up and return the old one) and luckily, the post office had both types of IDP in stock, so I am now prepared for the Brexit debacle, if/when it happens.
Again, as a result of a no deal Brexit, I would need a green card for my insurance. We used to have these not that many years ago, so it's not really too much hassle, except when you order them and your insurance company dates them as valid from 1919!!!! Mine will last for 90 days, so although I originally requested four, the one I now have will cover me for three of my four trips this year.
Should the worst happen, I'm now fully covered to drive abroad, if it doesn't, then it's only really cost me £11. I'd rather that than be scrambling to get things sorted in the summer, when everyone realises they can't even drive a hire car abroad without an IDP.
Anyhow, that's all for now. 63 days and counting!
For those that don't know, there are more than one IDP. Three in fact. A 1926, 1949 and 1968 version. The 1968 version covers most countries in Europe but not Spain. Spain is covered by the 1949 version. I therefore, need both of these for my trip with Sanch in June. They cost £5.50 each and require a standard passport photo mugshot. You can only purchase them at a post office, though not all post offices. The 1949 lasts for 1 year, the 1968 for three.
Now, be warned, if you intend to obtain an IDP, then it's a good idea to check when your driving licence expires. Mine was due to expire in November this year, so I decided to renew it early, otherwise come November, I'd need to obtain new IDPs to match my new driving licence number.
It's all very complicated and much to the post office worker's chagrin, is all completed by hand. My new licence arrived in about 5 days (you have to cut up and return the old one) and luckily, the post office had both types of IDP in stock, so I am now prepared for the Brexit debacle, if/when it happens.
Again, as a result of a no deal Brexit, I would need a green card for my insurance. We used to have these not that many years ago, so it's not really too much hassle, except when you order them and your insurance company dates them as valid from 1919!!!! Mine will last for 90 days, so although I originally requested four, the one I now have will cover me for three of my four trips this year.
Should the worst happen, I'm now fully covered to drive abroad, if it doesn't, then it's only really cost me £11. I'd rather that than be scrambling to get things sorted in the summer, when everyone realises they can't even drive a hire car abroad without an IDP.
Anyhow, that's all for now. 63 days and counting!
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