Chris A

With my 13/60 it took me ages to determine what the correct level is. Top it up too much and it gets rid of it. Now I know I just check it regularly, my 'did stick' is my first finger - if the level doesn't make my finger wet add coolant. NOTE: only do this when the coolant is cold 😲

The good old days. The nearest I got to that recently was 2 years ago when we did our annual 'Cure Thermale' in February and only drive a couple of kms from the apartment to the centre and back. After 2 weeks a warning light came on, which I had to look up in the handbook. some sort of filter in the car exhaust ( a diesel) needed cleaning. Method? Italian tune up! Loved it warm engine plenty of revs, clouds of smoke for a few kms. GREAT!

Yes but there's nothing to look at, the food is rubbish so just drive! Ooops, shouldn't have said that 🙊

Yes, easy in a BMW. As the writer says in the article one of his Bm's would do it with only 2 fill ups. I would need 4 or 5 for the 13/60, maybe more if put the foot down all the time. The route taken as a relaxed tour, well chosen picnic spots, bistros serving local food . .STOP! All this and there are not even bars open at the moment. . . .

This one is just an idea being floated at the moment. The time scale doesn't appeal to me but the route would be interesting. You'll need your French/English dictionary or babble fish .. https://newsdanciennes.com/le-1000-miles-challenge-preparation-pour-un-morceau-de-bravoure/?fbclid=IwAR00EXmK-vHR87QNP89x7quqRZINfA0oLrmF3TikMrV8QebFrDnU_2nq11k

Yes it is Auchan, I recognised the logo. I couldn't confirm it being France 100% as I couldn't read any other car registrations nor the big advertising board in the background. It is most likely France but could be Spain, Portugal, Taiwan, Russia, Senegal . . .

🥃👍

The measurements would be the same in either case, just my ability to read them might be reduced, is that what you are saying? 🥳

I do intend using just it one high, and on their sides to keep the height down a little more. Just been out to measure them 30cm, hum.. a bit too high I think to keep the tape measure straight under the car. You just ruined my post lunch cuppa! Maybe back to the drawing board, or rather rummage through my bits and pieces. Hang on a sec, a couple of 3 litre wine bag in boxes could do it!

I am thinking of resting the roof bars on some chimney flue blocks I have, I will also (thanks to you tip) clamp them together.

Thanks Pete. The 'operation' will not happen until the the temperatures rise to above 'bl**dy freezin' in imperial measurements or 'putain de merde' in metric.

Hi Pete, I am preparing myself to check the 13/60 toe in, could you clarify for me whether the figure for the front of 1.6 to 3.2 mm is per wheel or the total. I looked at saving up to make myself a copy of your 'Pete's toe in fixture' then thought, hang on I've got a set of roof bars for the Skoda. Boy am I a cheapskate! 😁

Nice! Put them on the thread. All you need now is the weather to get out there and drive it

Am I missing something obvious? To check the stabiliser just put a voltmeter across it, the reading should be 10v surely? I await to be corrected by my betters 🙊

There are times when having an ID card can be useful. When the police were hunting the Yorkshire Ripper the son of my parents next door neighbour was stopped on the Dales and had a bad time trying to get the police to let get on his way. His name? John Smith

I think the French like their ID cards, funny bunch, mind you everyone wants less taxes but they also want more spent on public services. That's not just the French 😉

Oh, just for the record in the 28 years I've been here I've been controlled twice for routine inspections of car and/or identity. so don't get the idea that just because we have them they are checked.

In Spain the law requires all adults to present identification when checking in to a hotel, Spanish nationals or foreigners. I guess that goes back to Franco's era. France used to be the same but was dropped quite a good few years ago.

Yes. But then again when going out in the car you are supposed to carry registration & insurance paperwork so not any burden. It sits in my wallet and of course in case of an accident my identity and address are there for the medical services.

I know, in Britain the very idea of having an ID card has always been a sensitive question. Big brother knowing where you are or what you are doing, as if the card has a GPS chip. Mobile phones give away you location. The card acts as a bank card or time you need to confirm who you are it's very useful

The French ID card isn't too easy to forge as it has some built in protection along the lines of a passport plus my finger prints were taken at the same time it was issued, local town hall. Mind you by the time it needs renewing I doubt the photo will be accurate. New card issued 2017 valid until 2032.

You can stay more than 90 days, you just need a visa which makes things a little more complicated. Look at it from this side of the chanel, from October I will need a passport to visit the UK even for a day, ID cards no longer being accepted. I can travel throughout the EU with my ID card, which is free, so why would I want to spend 86€ for a passport. I am sure there will be less EU shoppers going to the UK for the sales because of this. I also think the number of school trips will drop as well, ok the passports are cheaper for the 15 -17s and cheaper still for the under 15s. but there is the hassle factor as well.

Yes I believe so

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The VAT aspect is straight forward - not paid on export paid on import. For example I buy from , say, Rimmers, at their Ex VAT price then pay French VAT on arrival here. No import taxes as such. The complications come with things such as cars assembled in the UK coming to the EU. If over 55% of the value is of UK origin then no tarif to pay. If it is less than 55% then there are import tarifs to pay. For the moment the deal is giving the UK 18 months, I think, to increase UK value content. With cars it is currently around 35/40%. To be honest I don't know if EU produced parts going into a UK assembled car count or not. All very complex, no winners only losers. Last week travelers arriving at the Hook of Holland from the UK had their sandwiches confiscated. The reason is that meat and dairy products are strictly controlled now that the UK is outside the EU as they are for other countries. M&S food shops in France, there are a few, have been out of stock of their famous sandwiches for this reason.