 Poster: A snowHead
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Good drive to the tunnel - means we’re here earlier than we wanted to be - so got a letter N on the hanger and they’re loading B now....
Never mind - we’ll get there sometime. Driving to Dijon tonight so no rush.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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A couple of questions for all you travellers over these busy times. Reading this and the half-term thread there seems to be a lot of complaints about timings and delays for travel on the tunnel but very few about the ferries.
I know there have been delays at Dover due to enhanced French security checks ( The checkpoints are being staffed instead of the usual (for us) drive straight through because there is no-one in the box).
Is this because we are the only Snowheads to use the ferries? (Can't think that's true)
People who use the ferries are more laid back about their travel plans and are not worried so much about timings?
Is it because the ferries are better organised than the tunnel?
Any other reasons?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Timc, i think with Tunnel you actually book a Time Window (any train within stated time +/- Fudge Factor) . With ferry (coz service less frequent?) you book a particular service.
Just a hunch - could be wrong.
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@Timc, the delays at Eurotunnel will be for the same reasons as the ferry I expect. The recent supermarket incident in France will have heightened security, and it is a peak weekend for travelling.
For the tunnel you book a train time, but have a bit of flexibility in arriving late if traffic is bad.
I usually use Eurotunnel, but have rarely had any problems. Only once, and that was because we were travelling at a peak time. We were switched to the ferry, only to find when we got to Dover that there were delays there too, and the ferry we were told to get at 2.30 wasn't leaving until 4pm. Well peed off.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Oh good, I'm glad we didn't miss out!!
Children in full whine mode. Six year old with autism repeatedly asking how long is left 
Older ones (11 and 9) are sacriligously declaring they don't like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Six hours of driving to go!!
(It's not that bad really!)
Looking forward to meeting you too soon, Nicky!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
Older ones (11 and 9) are sacriligously declaring they don't like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
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I'd disown them now, @sparklies (even if the new Eoin Colfer material isn't a patch on the original).
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sparklies, don't think HGTTG is quite right for 11 and 9 yr olds. Not surprised they complaining.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hells Bells, we use tunnel most trips, and the online booking does suggest you book a particular train, but its really just a pretence. To maintain capacity its more like a staggered queue with first-come-first-served. When its quiet you get on early. When busy you're often delayed.
So it goes.
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don't think HGTTG is quite right for 11 and 9 yr olds. Not surprised they complaining
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I agree. Wasted on them!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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There is room in growing minds for a bit of the absurd. Long family car journeys are ideal for forcing something new onto a captive audience, once you've faced down the inevitable whingeing from the back.
My lad @BertieJ was hooked on H2G2 by the line "the Vogon spaceships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't". But then he has long been a fan of R4 smart-back bottom comedy: Mitchell & Webb, The Unbelievable Truth, I'm sorry I haven't a clue, etc.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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In the Haute Jura now past Dijon. Just driven the last 3 hours in the pouring rain, so handed over to hubby final final 2.5hrs into Les CAroz. Amazing how many folks exceed the 110kmh when it is like this. 
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@Cheesie168, if you keep going fast enough, you might arrive before it starts raining in LC. It's clouding up fast, but still bright at the moment.......
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You know it makes sense.
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We eventually got to les arcs 20 hours late and are out skiing today. It is almost empty and the skiing was wonderful. The traumas of tomorrow have been forgotten until of course we return.
I think we will leave the skis and niece behind for a more comfortable drive.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Hells Bells,
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We were switched to the ferry, only to find when we got to Dover that there were delays there too, and the ferry we were told to get at 2.30 wasn't leaving until 4pm. Well peed off.
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One GaryFFTours trip we were offered a switch which we declined and ended up getting a train very shortly after that offer. A cynical ploy to try and clear the terminal. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Yep we are now past Bourg and road conditions are pretty challenging in the pishing rain. Traffic not too bad, but loads of trucks and plenty of people driving like knackas despite the waterlogged roads and extreme spray.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Now on the train - booked for the 13.06 - it’s now 14.46 so an hour and a half delay as they’ve been saying. Next stop Dijon hopefully for dinner at the hotel.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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WE have just checked into our premiere Classe hotel outside Lyon. Not a bad drive down at all - apart from the rain after lunch. I’m just hoping that was snow in the mountains.
Is there somewhere I can check the conditions of the roads up to courchevel before we set out in the morning? There is snow forecast tonight and in the morning. I’m not sure if we are better leaving here early (7ish?) or waiting until a bit later to be sure the roads are clear. Any views?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
plenty of people driving like knackas despite the waterlogged roads and extreme spray
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Yeah, the ones who reckon they can do Calais to Reims in two hours.... 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Got away at 9:54 in end, not so bad.
Smooth journey for most part, now at overnight hotel. Wine time
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@breeze11, resort website likely to have a weather and access bit
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Arrived by 6pm after a couple of short stops. Too much rain on the way down to say it was a nice journey, but no hold ups, so can't complain. Snowing in resort. Settling on the roads already.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Cheesie168, thanks for bringing the snow, we were only expecting rain.
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For everyone driving with kids - adults and kids in our car have really enjoyed listening to the Anthony Horowitz Alex Ryder series (14 yr old James Bond).
Anyone else got any audio book recommendations (already listened to Dahl and Harry Potter)?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We like the David Walliams audio books, he does the reading himself and subtly changes the words to fit the audio format.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Fri 30-03-18 21:01; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Snowysarah wrote: |
Thanks for all advice earlier. Last minute trip to Orelle booked and Eurotunnel tomorrow night! Woo hoo
Do you think we will need chains for the trip to Orelle? Will go via Chambéry and is only 6km off the motorway, and pretty low? |
It's a legal requirement and we've just had 4" in La Clusaz which is low....good luck.
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Can anyone recommend a petrol station between Chambery and Moutiers at the sweet spot of as close as possible to the mountains without charging a small fortune? Given we have to go up (Arc1950) down, then up (VT) then down again before a probable refill..
Also, out of interest, how much rain is enough to trigger the 110 rule? As we had plenty of showers, lots of drizzle and everyone carried on the same at 130..
(Currently in our hotel just south of Lyon and debating the chains..)
I did have a lovely long message I tried to post earlier but it got eaten!! Something about how I loved Hitchhiker's when I was ten. And how I'm looking forward to meeting Nicky and family!!
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You know it makes sense.
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Sitting down at the Courtpaille at Dijon - bit of a mission to make up time but here now. Wine and steak ordered 👍🏼
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@sparklies, if you would like a copy to try the David Wallims books for your drive back, let me know what format you can play in the car?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks Nicky! We tend to play stuff on our phones through a 3.5mm audio jack so whatever a phone takes!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@sparklies, we left Les Arcs last Saturday and diesel was about €1.42 ish at intermarché by the roundabout in Bourg S M beforehand the climb up to LA.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@sparklies, 1.35 ish according to @Paula in Albertville tonight but you're well past by now, sorry!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Freestyle, try the Skullduggery Pleasant books by Derek Landy. There is an excellent compilation of short stories called 'Armageddon Outta Here' which lasted us to and from the Alps - 9 CDs worth!
We also love the Alex Rider stories, and various David Walliams. The kids didn't want to get out of the car on one trip because they were enjoying the story so much!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We need petrol, but if the prices aren't actually that bad in Bourg then it's fine. We're staying overnight 50k North of Chambery, so not passed Albertville yet! We just filled up but suspect we will need a top up to make sure we're okay when we get closer.
Thank you!!
PS Is 7am too late to leave? We'd hit Chambery about 7.30..
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@breeze11, It's been snowing like billy-o here in Flaine all evening. 30cm forecast for the night. It rained on our drive today from about noon onwards, non-stop and the rain turned to sleet at Arraches, and the sleet to snow just above Les Carroz at about 1500m.
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| Dan wrote: |
| Snowysarah wrote: |
Thanks for all advice earlier. Last minute trip to Orelle booked and Eurotunnel tomorrow night! Woo hoo
Do you think we will need chains for the trip to Orelle? Will go via Chambéry and is only 6km off the motorway, and pretty low? |
It's a legal requirement and we've just had 4" in La Clusaz which is low....good luck. |
Orelle is in the valley , 800m altitude, you catch a long cable car up. Is it snowing at that altitude?
If so will need to stop at a hypermarket en route
A few weeks ago we were in Puy st Vincent and in the valley/briancon roads were clear
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Onboard the 7:06 Chunnel, check in had no queues and pp control was ok.
Now have the drive to Flaine with as little stopping as possible. Any delays en route I will post for following  s
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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In Bourg, having just bought the massive Kinder Easter eggs you can't get back home in the Intermarche! Petrol price was 152, cheapest so far probably..!
Now for the final climb. Lots of very excited children!
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FAQ
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