event Shitefest International 2025 9-10 August - France

[Cookiesouwest]

32 minutes ago, andyberg said:

One of my ambitions with the Safrane is to drive it in France, I am very tempted by this little trip. I'll need to get a tent and all sorts mind. I'll do some man maths....

We have some camping gear in the loft. No longer needed. Might even have a tent.

[davidfowler2000]

I have a booked Sunday on the 10th. Can't put holiday requests in for Sundays because The Railway™

[Talbot]

2 hours ago, lesapandre said:

I would very much doubt you would have your tank dipped for vegetable oil - but by that point you must have been pretty low anyway coming to the UK port and then down?

Is veg illegal? I'm not sure. It's just not a 'thing' in France - very few cars that will run it.

Given there is no price advantage in glugging cooking oil in either folk might as well stick to derv. in France once there anyway.

Veg is very illegal in france.  There was some noises a few years ago about making it legal, but nothing came of it.

There would be no need to dip the tank to check... the Merc smells like a mobile deep fat fryer for about 1/4 mile behind it most of the time.  I've even had people comment that "I knew you were somewhere ahead of me, I could smell you but couldn't see you".

TBH it wasn't worth it on my last journey there, just filled up with french diesel as soon as I was out of Dieppe and ran on that for the duration.  The odd tank of "full fat" dinodiesel does help to keep it's arteries clear too, as I am mainly running waste Soy oil at the moment, which is a drying oil and can clag things up if you're not careful.

Apologies for the thread hijack!  I shall very much be booking time off work for this.  @Saabnut Is there any chance of turning up early?

[Saabnut]

6 minutes ago, Talbot said:

Apologies for the thread hijack!  I shall very much be booking time off work for this.  @Saabnut Is there any chance of turning up early?

Turning up early should be no problem at all. Arrangements can be made if I am not there at the desired date. We can sort something nearer the time.

[dome]

I am hoping to be able to make it for the Le Mans Classic. Would love to do the "proper" Le Mans but tickets sold out months ago 😔

[barefoot]

If there's room on the REV trailer, I might come down on my RSW16.

[chatsharris]

I might try and tempt the good lady wife and the little one to see if she would fancy this. What's not to love?

[Sunny Jim]

I've been looking at dates and summer plans and would very much like to make this. Upthread @LightBulbFun and @Weird Car were talking about travelling in convoy via Portsmouth/Caen ferry.

Des, I plan to go in my C15 (to see what the locals make of it & cos the Hearse is a bit thirsty for a long trip) so I could accompany you from London to Portsmouth if you're bringing Rev or if not there'll be a spare seat in the van.

Just wanted to check @Saabnut, is it ok to bring my dog please?

[Weird Car]

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

I've been looking at dates and summer plans and would very much like to make this. Upthread @LightBulbFun and @Weird Car were talking about travelling in convoy via Portsmouth/Caen ferry.

Des, I plan to go in my C15 (to see what the locals make of it & cos the Hearse is a bit thirsty for a long trip) so I could accompany you from London to Portsmouth if you're bringing Rev or if not there'll be a spare seat in the van.

Just wanted to check @Saabnut, is it ok to bring my dog please?

So unfortunately I’m going to have to drop out of this as i have a massive Continental roadtrip now booked for early July with a friend so the logistics of this just won’t work, sorry @LightBulbFun 

[Saabnut]

1 hour ago, Sunny Jim said:

I've been looking at dates and summer plans and would very much like to make this. Upthread @LightBulbFun and @Weird Car were talking about travelling in convoy via Portsmouth/Caen ferry.

Des, I plan to go in my C15 (to see what the locals make of it & cos the Hearse is a bit thirsty for a long trip) so I could accompany you from London to Portsmouth if you're bringing Rev or if not there'll be a spare seat in the van.

Just wanted to check @Saabnut, is it ok to bring my dog please?

Dogs are very welcome and there is plenty of space to let them run free.

[delux]

I am not usually one who picks people up when they get something wrong.

I dont think anyone really appreciates being told they are incorrect.

But shouldnt it be 'Merdefest' rather than 'Shitefest'?

 

Just sayin...

[Sunny Jim]

La Fête de la Merde?

[catsinthewelder]

Not sure how I've missed this for months but put me down as coming 😁

Not sure what in, I suppose the sensible thing would be to fix the 405 I brought the last time you invited us all to a fantastic SF18.

[LightBulbFun]

On 26/04/2025 at 13:55, Sunny Jim said:

I've been looking at dates and summer plans and would very much like to make this. Upthread @LightBulbFun and @Weird Car were talking about travelling in convoy via Portsmouth/Caen ferry.

Des, I plan to go in my C15 (to see what the locals make of it & cos the Hearse is a bit thirsty for a long trip) so I could accompany you from London to Portsmouth if you're bringing Rev or if not there'll be a spare seat in the van.

Just wanted to check @Saabnut, is it ok to bring my dog please?

thats very good to know and I appreciate the offer a seat!  I do have the general question is when in a convoy how does on stay in contact with the other driver? I know my bluetooth speaker can shout google maps directions loud enough at me, but the question is would anyone be able to hear me or would the microphone of whatever device I use end up just full of engine/CVT noise? LOL

[Sunny Jim]

@LightBulbFun  some people use walkie-talkies but it's perfectly possible to just use your mirrors and keep the vehicle behind in sight.

[EyesWeldedShut]

1 minute ago, Sunny Jim said:

@LightBulbFun  some people use walkie-talkies but it's perfectly possible to just use your mirrors and keep the vehicle behind in sight.

And setup interim meets/rest breaks so that folks don't get too hung up on keeping together . It can suck the fun out of a trip if you get too rigid on keeping station - enjoy the view either side, not the guy in front's exhaust pipe.
(One road trip I did an amber light and watched the following team member run about fifty yards of red in my mirrors - they didn't want to lose eye contact with us)

[lesapandre]

1908 Mercedes ferry-loading in Folkestone harbour - destination Boulogne July 1909 - fare £4+£1 insurance.

It's probably unrecorded when the first car was shipped over the Channel for touring - but given the range of imported brands there must have been a lively trade.

Wonder when the first Invacar went over - and how long ago the last one went?

Personally I would not drive in convoy but as the arrangements suggested by @EyesWeldedShut above.

[LightBulbFun]

4 hours ago, Sunny Jim said:

@LightBulbFun  some people use walkie-talkies but it's perfectly possible to just use your mirrors and keep the vehicle behind in sight.

4 hours ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

And setup interim meets/rest breaks so that folks don't get too hung up on keeping together . It can suck the fun out of a trip if you get too rigid on keeping station - enjoy the view either side, not the guy in front's exhaust pipe.
(One road trip I did an amber light and watched the following team member run about fifty yards of red in my mirrors - they didn't want to lose eye contact with us)

I suppose the next question is logistics, having now down a 300 mile round trip by Invacar, I am less apprehensive about the actual driving bit itself, but im still concerned about the logistics side of things, like what will I legally need to drive in France etc, I mean what does REV even legally "count as" over there? LOL, do I have to worry about any ULEZ zones? is there a Shitters Guide to Driving/in/to France? LOL

[hairnet]

4 quid in 1908 was quite a few

le véhicule de merde générique pour la tournée en France?

ambassador your voiture is spoiling us

[lesapandre]

3 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

I suppose the next question is logistics, having now down a 300 mile round trip by Invacar, I am less apprehensive about the actual driving bit itself, but im still concerned about the logistics side of things, like what will I legally need to drive in France etc, I mean what does REV even legally "count as" over there? LOL, do I have to worry about any ULEZ zones? is there a Shitters Guide to Driving/in/to France? LOL

Under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic any legal UK car is allowed on French roads - REV included.

Details here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

The basics of driving requirements is set out on the .gov website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu

So far as what else to carry - spare tyre, few key tools and spares, petrol can (needs to be empty on the ferry), blanket or sleeping bag and pillow in case of long FTP - sat-nav and phone (I also carry paper maps - I like them) and water, bit of food and paper roll, insect repellent and a decent umbrella- there can be torrential rain. Carry some cash as well as card.

There is probably other things I've forgotten. You should not be going anywhere near any LEZ - Rouen is avoidable - I'd also stay off the autoroutes - the old Department roads - the D category are very good  and much more suited to old cars.

Take it easy - don't rush and leave any ETA flexible.

A route can be checked out in advance in detail on Google Earth - and even printed off to provide a Denis Jenkinson style map roll.

AirBnB and good local municipal camping make staying very easy if needed.

[Back_For_More]

Just realised I've lost my sodding passport! Will get a replacement sorted ASAP 

Not sure what I'll be in - but 75% chance it'll be a convertible 🙄

[Sunny Jim]

@LightBulbFun I think a hi-vis vest and an alcohol breathalyser are still mandatory in France - the .gov link lespandre provided will tell you. They will sell all the extras you require at the port but it'll be pricey. Read up on what you need and buy in advance. Don't forget a UK sticker for the rear of Rev but don't bother buying proprietary headlight beam redirectors (can't think of proper name) as strips of insulation tape will do the job. Obviously check your insurance and breakdown policies. Make sure you're covered to get Rev recovered back to the UK should something serious go wrong.

You've always struck me as someone who researches things before doing them. Planning and preparation is all part of the fun of a foreign trip. If it all seems a bit daunting the offer of a lift still stands.

Anyone else want to join a convoy that'll probably go Portsmouth - Caen and then avoiding motorways and clean air zones to Chez Saabnut?

[loserone]

I've never had a breathalyser but I do carry all the bulbs and a hi vis jacket for every occupant.  Breakdown cover will.be interesting and no doubt granddadgranada will be along shortly to explain why it's easier to fly and hire something or why don't you take a nearly new focus.

[captain_70s]

Breakdown generally won't cover you if the cost of recovery would be more than the car's value. As a few folk have discovered running low budget <£5k cars on the Continent.

I dare say there is some scope for AS to assist in getting a broken REV to @Saabnut 's place or pushed onto a ferry...

[loserone]

3 minutes ago, captain_70s said:

dare say there is some scope for AS to assist in getting a broken REV to @Saabnut 's place or pushed onto a ferry...

AA cover through nationwide would cover recovery expenses if less than the market value, so that would probably enable fuel and trailer hire for someone to pick it up.  Or a box van I guess? 

[lesapandre]

Most touring FTP's are minor matters - belts, tyres, hoses and the like. A few tools, parts and friends will usually get someone on their way. Local garages are usually helpful and will provide depannage (recovery) to their premises.

For something serious like a gearbox or engine anything will need recovery to UK anyway - but that's life. A car left in a friendly village will be left alone until collected.

If a company will cover it all well and good if not there are plenty of us.

Northern France is a destination for a lot of UK classics each year - especially the Le Mans run. A lot of French classics on the roads too.

It's mostly no big deal especially if not having to rush back.