So having recently had a full fluids and plugs major service, and having just passed the MOT with just an advisory on a tyre wall, (booked in for two new tyres on Wednesday), the preparation has begun for my road trip to Hamburg at the end of February. 'S888' with a total mileage of 5000 miles put on over the last 5 years (1000 miles a year average!) is about to run from one side of Europe to the other and back again in the space of a week.
The plan is:
Day 1 - Cardiff to Thurrock (meet an old friend)
Day 2 - Thurrock to Eurotunnel and then quickly through France, across Belgium, and just into Germany for the first overnight - Duisburg
Day 3 - Duisburg to Hamburg
Day 4/5/6 - Hamburg (Attending a wedding)
Day 7 - Hamburg to Dusseldorf
Day 8 - Dusseldorf to Eurortunnel onto either London for an overnight, or Cardiff (depending on the outcome of a job offer)
Plenty of opportunities along the way for photography!
Car insurance is all good.
Travel insurance is all good.
Once the tyres are done - the car will be fit to 'fly'.
Hotels are almost all booked.
Eurotunnel booked.
Got my 'UK' sticker.
Got my light converters.
Got my emergency triangle and fire extinguisher (Not that you need the latter)
Have ordered a suitcase that should fit the boot space (awaiting delivery).
Got my covid lateral flow test ready for France entry.
Have I missed anything?
The only thing yet to settle is the breakdown cover - current policy is UK only - and the car is too old for their Euro upgrade - so looking at 'single trip cover' - suggestions welcome on options here.
I do have a quick question for members familiar with driving in France/Belgium and Germany. (I've driven through Europe previously but this was 10 years ago) - being a right hand drive car - when it comes to tolls - obviously means I have to jump out and run around (travelling alone). Do the toll booths operate on a 'touch and go' principle for credit cards? As in contactless cards? Or do they require insert and pin entry? Do British credit cards work in the Euro tolls? (I'm guessing they do - but asking to be sure - google seems to bring back conflicting info)
I'm not going to 'race' the car or be 'silly' - but I can see there are sections of Autobahn that I'll go through that are restriction free. I don't plan to 'take it to the limit' as it's obviously a public road with lots of everyday VW Polos carrying grannies and kids pootling around - but if the road is clear I might push it a little beyond the usual UK 70mph limit.
The last time I drove through Europe (as above about ten years ago) - i did it in a VW Golf diesel. Should be a bit more fun this time in an open top v6 3.5 litre convertible! I'll update the thread as the plan comes together - and share a load of images as and when it happens. (Anyone live along my route in Europe?)
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Car Sky]()
The plan is:
Day 1 - Cardiff to Thurrock (meet an old friend)
Day 2 - Thurrock to Eurotunnel and then quickly through France, across Belgium, and just into Germany for the first overnight - Duisburg
Day 3 - Duisburg to Hamburg
Day 4/5/6 - Hamburg (Attending a wedding)
Day 7 - Hamburg to Dusseldorf
Day 8 - Dusseldorf to Eurortunnel onto either London for an overnight, or Cardiff (depending on the outcome of a job offer)
Plenty of opportunities along the way for photography!
Car insurance is all good.
Travel insurance is all good.
Once the tyres are done - the car will be fit to 'fly'.
Hotels are almost all booked.
Eurotunnel booked.
Got my 'UK' sticker.
Got my light converters.
Got my emergency triangle and fire extinguisher (Not that you need the latter)
Have ordered a suitcase that should fit the boot space (awaiting delivery).
Got my covid lateral flow test ready for France entry.
Have I missed anything?
The only thing yet to settle is the breakdown cover - current policy is UK only - and the car is too old for their Euro upgrade - so looking at 'single trip cover' - suggestions welcome on options here.
I do have a quick question for members familiar with driving in France/Belgium and Germany. (I've driven through Europe previously but this was 10 years ago) - being a right hand drive car - when it comes to tolls - obviously means I have to jump out and run around (travelling alone). Do the toll booths operate on a 'touch and go' principle for credit cards? As in contactless cards? Or do they require insert and pin entry? Do British credit cards work in the Euro tolls? (I'm guessing they do - but asking to be sure - google seems to bring back conflicting info)
I'm not going to 'race' the car or be 'silly' - but I can see there are sections of Autobahn that I'll go through that are restriction free. I don't plan to 'take it to the limit' as it's obviously a public road with lots of everyday VW Polos carrying grannies and kids pootling around - but if the road is clear I might push it a little beyond the usual UK 70mph limit.
The last time I drove through Europe (as above about ten years ago) - i did it in a VW Golf diesel. Should be a bit more fun this time in an open top v6 3.5 litre convertible! I'll update the thread as the plan comes together - and share a load of images as and when it happens. (Anyone live along my route in Europe?)
I'm not planning on maxing out the car speed on the Autobahn though - just will go with the flow of the traffic - not be a loon 🤡 I do have a hi-viz, triangle, first aid and extinguisher (Not that all are needed). Car was too old (by a year) for Eurotunnel breakdown insurance - so opted for a 7 day single trip cover instead that worked out about £50. All ready to put the suitcases in the car now 
