Event Bulgaria Fest - Task complete

[hairnet]

moog rotterdam hull youll be bummed but its convenient

 

from the hook is very cheap and the boat is excellent and back yup through wuvvum land isnt too bad

 

dover back to lancashire FUCK DAT NOISE JACK

 

definately you will lose the will to live at maidstone

[The Moog]

That's a good call Hairnet.

 

When get near a computer will have a look at ferries.

[hairnet]

i have to do folkestone on the way down at easter cos northern france but if you can - avoid

 

to hull on the bike they wanted 186 quid its at night and cabin is mandatory - car will be more

 

to harwich it was 50 euro cos day crossing - night crossing was 110 euro and thats inc cabin - without it was 78 - have done with and without cabin previously

 

car isnt too much more i think

 

coming back that way and its half the cost of hull factoring in somewhere to stay in essex when here

[panhard65]

On the subject of ferries I am coming back this week on the cherbourg to poole crossing and its 85 quid and seems to be the same when ever you book

[dollywobbler]

On the subject of ferries I am coming back this week on the cherbourg to poole crossing and its 85 quid and seems to be the same when ever you book

 

That's useful to know for me, and possibly Catsinthewelder. I'd rather avoid the South East if I can.

[panhard65]

That's useful to know for me, and possibly Catsinthewelder. I'd rather avoid the South East if I can.

It leaves cherbourg around 6pm and arrives in Poole about 9.30. I just priced it up with a cabin and a reserved seat in the club lounge.Being a club voyage member it came out at 90 quid. Normally it is 85 for the crossing with a car and 26 for a cabin which is useful to get a couple of hours kip. Club lounge seats are 18 quid but gets you a fancy reserved seat free tea and coffee and wi fi. The club voyage thing is worth becoming a member of if you use Brittany ferries at least a couple of times a year. It costs about £150 for the first year then £70 a year after, but we saved just over £150 on the one crossing taking a caravan to Le Mans. Both ports are easy to get through without the stupid delays around Calais and you avoid the M25 and all the other shit in the south east. Le harve to Portsmouth is coming out at 79 quid on a week day night but you will need a cabin as there is limited seating on the boat.

[hairnet]

newhaven dieppe worth a look also

 

did portsmouth le havre out and newhaven back

 

 less than 200 quid all in - one car out two back

 

brittany was more than that just for one caen portsmouth crossing

 

dieppe quite a long way from calais tho

[dollywobbler]

Yup, Newhaven Dieppe isn't bad. Well, apart from Newhaven, which will feel rather down in the dumps after Bulgaria.

[The Moog]

Flight Booked - Sadly it is easy jet and it wasnt cheap. We get out there Thursday at 11 am. Direct flights were at a premium. 

 

I guess the next thing is to work out somewhere to stay.... 

 

Ferry is £179 to Hull where as Dover crossing is £60 

 

Deadline is now Tuesday evening back in Accrington, so will make plans accordingly. 

[dollywobbler]

Unlucky on the flight. Have you got luggage allowance? I'm sure we can be smart about what we all take. Even if we're aiming for different ports, I hope we'll do a good chunk of miles as a group.

[egg]

Have a ferry map...

 

[The Moog]

Yep paid extra for 23kg of luggage. Need to take some tools I think so probably worth it. 

 

So current potential plan is; 

 

Thursday - Arrive and beers 

Friday - Car hunting day

Saturday - Car hunting/fixing day/bbq/beer/local liquer

Sunday - set off back back towards the motherland 

Monday - continue home

Tuesday - have to be in Zebrugge at 7pm for ferry back to Hull. 

[panhard65]

I am currently out on this but will see nearer the time and do a last min thing. I have found out that my breakdown cover will cover me in a foreign registered car as long as it has an mot and tax that is applicable for the country it is registered in. Hopefully I won't be testing this next week.

[skattrd]

Thursday - Arrive and beers 

Friday - Car hunting day

Saturday - Car hunting/fixing day/bbq/beer/local liquer

Sunday - set off back back towards the motherland 

Monday - continue home

Tuesday - have to be in Zebrugge at 7pm for ferry back to Hull. 

 

That seems like a somewhat quicker than I was thinking for the drive back.

My thought was 4-5 days driving back, accounting for leisurely travel, slower speeds and potential niggles, I was thinking 400 miles a day at 50mph and possibly a less direct route.

 

I'm currently 50/50 for this, I've not had contract extension yet, and I've been doing some more sums with regards to my potential spare funds, or lack of.

[Alfamale]

This looks epic and whilst a previous engagement means I've no chance this year, I could well be up for 2019 if something similar happens. Good luck chaps.

 

In my head head I have an image of an underground bunker control room with ladies in uniform pushing around model ladas on a big map of Europe to keep track of the action.

[The Moog]

We have the deadline otherwise a more gentle drive back would be good.

 

 

Other option is that if people get in on Thursday and we do cars Friday the can set off Sat.

[dollywobbler]

I'm not sure of my pace to be honest, which is why I'm keeping a very open mind about the ferry back. 

 

I like Alfamale's idea though. Who's going to bring the brooms and model cars? Do we send messages back to HQ with carrier pigeons?

[The Moog]

All hypothetical depending on state of cars

 

 

Left on list to sort

 

1) how to get insurance in Bulgaria

2) place to stay in Bulgaria for couple of nights

3) get Bucketeer to book a ticket.

[dollywobbler]

How many confirmed flyers have we got now? Rich, Moog and 'Wobbler so far? Guess we need to hold off booking accommodation until we've got pretty firm on numbers, but we can't leave it too late.

[The Moog]

How many confirmed flyers have we got now? Rich, Moog and 'Wobbler so far? Guess we need to hold off booking accommodation until we've got pretty firm on numbers, but we can't leave it too late.

And my mate Craig is coming.

[Brodders]

As mentioned earlier, I am booked and am flying out, although I will be there the evening before most of you.

 

Much like DW I am fairly flexible with regards to how long we potter about for, as long as I am back for the 1st of July.

 

With accommodation, I like the previous ideas of booking a place like The Moog posted, if the numbers coming out justified it of course.

[catsinthewelder]

So 5 confirmed of which none speak Bulgarian?  Not the end of the world if our friendly ex-pat members are still happy to help.

 

I'm up for a lazier drive back as I haven't been abroad this century and if I'm going to spend the best part of £1000 on getting there and back it is worth spending a little more on a couple of extra nights accomodation so we can pause to see the sights.

 

I realise that I should have a new (to me) car when I get home but I'm on Autoshite so the chances of turning a profit are somewhat slim.

[chodweaver]

This looks epic and whilst a previous engagement means I've no chance this year, I could well be up for 2019 if something similar happens. Good luck chaps.

 

In my head head I have an image of an underground bunker control room with ladies in uniform pushing around model ladas on a big map of Europe to keep track of the action.

In my head head I have an image of an underground bunker control room with ladies in uniform pushing around model ladas on a big map of Europe to keep track of the action.

Only in your head? This will be the scene in my loft by BG-Day!

Mrs CW's WAAF uniform is at the dry cleaners, I've made a start on my handlebar 'tache and all the local charity shops have been scoured for old monopoly sets to get enough model cars of the appropriate shape and size for the map...

 

Tally ho!

 

Sent from my BV6000 using Tapatalk

[The Moog]

 

 

I have found out that my breakdown cover will cover me in a foreign registered car as long as it has an mot and tax that is applicable for the country it is registered in. Hopefully I won't be testing this next week.

 

What breakdown cover have you got? Might be worth getting some if we are going to be lone wolves coming home...

[eddyramrod]

What are the chances of finding a 1970s Opel Blitz van over there?  I mean, it's only a CF with the steering wheel moved......

[panhard65]

 

What breakdown cover have you got? Might be worth getting some if we are going to be lone wolves coming home...

I am with Swintons with personal cover including Europe it's about 15 quid a month. I have had to call them twice in France over the last 8 years or so I have been with them and the service was brilliant far better than when I have broken down in the UK. The girl I spoke to on the phone double checked the policy and said there was no age restriction and as long as the car was legal it didn't matter where it was registered.

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

I've offered elsewhere - but as some of you may be passing by - If I'm not able to join (I'll be a late confirm if I can) - my place is available as a rest stop or recovery/service bay if/when needed. Its open ended but of course anything trudging from Bulgo via Belgo to Britto is more than welcome..........

[John F]

The Moog, on 21 Jan 2018 - 8:03 PM, said:

So current potential plan is; 

 

Thursday - Arrive and beers 

Friday - Car hunting day

Saturday - Car hunting/fixing day/bbq/beer/local liquer

Sunday - set off back back towards the motherland 

Monday - continue home

Tuesday - have to be in Zebrugge at 7pm for ferry back to Hull. 

 

I don't want to be Buzz Killington, but I think the timing is very ambitious there - both on the finding / fixing side, and on the return journey. Approx. 2000 miles in 2.5 days would mean 800 miles per day, or 10 hours averaging 80 mph.

 

It can be done with longer driving stints and lower speeds, but a smidgin of luck would need to be on your side.

[The Moog]

I don't want to be Buzz Killington, but I think the timing is very ambitious there - both on the finding / fixing side, and on the return journey. Approx. 2000 miles in 2.5 days would mean 800 miles per day, or 10 hours averaging 80 mph.

 

It can be done with longer driving stints and lower speeds, but a smidgin of luck would need to be on your side.

Fair point. 

 

Google maps say 1300 miles and 22 hrs in total. so spread over 2.5 days I am hoping that is doable, although as you say any issues may kill timetable. 

 

If that happens will divert and not go to hull. 

[dave21478]

Hmm, Got to agree with John there....one, possibly two days to find and buy a car.....obviously this depends on the concentration of cars for sale in the area, but I forsee a mad rush to "just buy something" and ending up buying a mkIII Astra with no sills. Ideally you need to be in or near a massive city with loads for sale and possibly some bomb-site/back yard dealers to maximise your chances because if its the countryside you will be struggling.

Maybe one of the resident shiters could clarify, but if its anything at all like France its a massive pain in the balls to try to visit more than a couple of cars a day outside of a city.

 

Do you have a worst case plan? ie easyjet home again? 

Confucious say "I would rather try and fail than buy something I dont want."