Driving in France - keeping on the right side

The obvious challenge when you bring a car over here is the need to drive on the wrong side of the road. I've done it quite a bit but it is still tricky in the towns and villages. Circling roundabouts the wrong way and looking left instead of right, or is it right instead of left?

Tips for driving in France

1. Equipment
You don't have to wear the hi-vis waistcoats all the time even though the AA say they are compulsory. No one else does!  If you are a little uncertain when out walking in towns they are, however, a very useful accessory. Carrying a warning triangle is also a bit of a chore but we are Good Samaritans so when erected in Restaurants they do help to warn other diners of low ceilings or a tricky step. The spare bulb kits are also most useful but take the screw type and not the bayonet. Check before you travel on the types of bulbs in your hotel or apartment. Take Wellies.

2. Forget the indicators
Not necessary in France, sign of weakness and indecision.
Hand signals are quite common I've noticed.

3. Lose the GB plate
French drivers grow horns when they see a Gee Bee. Zey must pass!

4. Bring a co-driver
Make sure you have a co-driver for the Motorway toll booths. They should ideally be very rich and awake. A comatose co-driver makes paying the toll very tricky as the card slot is always on our passenger side. And a half awake passenger who attempts to put the credit card in upside down, back to front and sideways and so causes a massive queue can damage Anglo-French relations - please note TW!
I would also strongly suggest NOT reversing into the toll booth area. Though it means you are on the right side the French don't like it for some reason.
Oh and put your wellies on at the Motorway loo stops, sandals are not appropriate for stand-up toilets.

5. Use a bicycle whenever possible.
Its the National Sport over here so they give you loads of room, there are some lovely bike routes and it gives you a chance to practice your French - Bonjour!

Channel Hopping - Mont St. Michel

Mont St. Michel

Managed to get TW up early for trip through the tunnel. The M25 is great at 5 in the morning but not TW. Anyway, we arrived early so the nice people at Eurotunnel put us on an earlier train. Perfect ride through, didn't see any fishes, and time to put the GB sticker on and have some breakfast. Headed off down the Normandy coast. Stopped in Trouville for a lunchtime baguette by the sea.
Trouville hasn't changed much since I was last here in 1975 on a bike trip. Its posher neighbour, Deauville, stilled looked as smart as I remember.
Pushed on towards Mont St Michel. I had booked us into a Formule 1 motel but TW had a funny tummy and she did not like the  idea of walking down the corridor for the WC and shower. So my 60th birthday next morning was celebrated in the relative luxury of an Ibis Hotel. TW brought along some cards and presents so that was fun. After a good breakfast we headed for Mont St Michel. Managed to beat the crowds for a quick tour of the ramparts.

Its a good deal bigger than our St. Michaels Mount in Cornwall but then size is not everything. It is lovely and quite atmospheric on a June morning with the mist rolling in over the estuary. The tide was out but we did not go for a walk on the mud. Apparently the incoming tide can outrun a galloping horse so not the place for a couple of channel hoppers to take an early morning stroll. There are hotels and restaurants on 'Le Mont' as well as the Abbey. It would be a neat place to stay if finances allowed. So our touristing done for the day, we headed for Carnac on the South Coast of Brittany. Checked into our Apartment and headed for the Plage for snooze. TW bought me nice meal in the evening. Its not so tough being 60 so far.........