London on X-mas - Page 2

majedm75 · 21st October 2008, 11:14

Thanks Jay for your information on the C-charge, however, as a 75 driver, I find it not proper to try and beat the system. If a charge applies for whatever the reason, then I guess I have to pay it, even if my car has French plates.

For Pondweed: everytime we went back from the UK, we were waved to go through by the Euro-tunnel custom officers, except once we were directed to a recess, with doors closed behind us. Then the officer there introduced himself as an ex-MGR employee (in the car body paint line) and wanted to have a look at the car. Few minutes later we were ushered to a bypass that lead us to the front of the queue to the Euro-tunnel Shuttle and did not miss our intended train

Kartoffelone · 21st October 2008, 12:59

Quote:

however, as a 75 driver, I find it not proper to try and beat the system.

I completely agree (this is why I stressed it is no serious advice).

It's a shame that not everyone thinks and acts in this way as the consequences are at everyone's expense.

Following news is very interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7675314.stm

(however, it does not mean the Rover is not a luxury car... just slightly more affordable than a Phantom :lol

.

As a 'foreigner' who feels very much at home in UK, I agree with the current crack downs on foreign registered cars which stay here for months and years and don't pay road tax and fines.

When I came over years ago, I sold my foreign car and bought a local one (was a Mondeo though - sorry

) and duly taxed and insured it within short time (of course, all following cars, too

).

But back to topic taking on pondweed's idea of mailing/ courier back your shopping: If you arrange for a club meet in France short time afterwards, I am pretty sure you can fill at least 10 R75/ ZT boots full of shopping - maybe you want to limit this by not accepting tourers

pondweed · 21st October 2008, 13:16

why don't they just clamp and then trap them that way.. or just impound the cars concerned?

Sancho · 21st October 2008, 15:19

Please do bear in mind (as many don't) that the congestion charge zone is actually very small and only really covers the City and West End. If you wanted to stay out near Excel that would be free, so would anywhere east of Tower Bridge, north of Old Street or west of Park Lane. Other than the swish West End hotels, you're unlikely to enter the c-charge zone.

I would still get the Eurostar (or fly) though.

mach1rob · 21st October 2008, 21:30

You're all a bunch of wimps!

I've taken car transporters right into the centre of London, which was easy compared to TOWING the 75 out of the City attached to the back of the wifes Zafira!

Don't forget C charge also doesn't apply on weekends.

Personally, I'd take the car, and find a hotel to stay at out on the outskirts and then bus or tube in. We did that when the wife did the Moonwalk, station car park in Ruislip was £2 for 24 hours, and it cost us £16 for 4 of us to get the tube to Hyde Park Corner.

I did a trip to Calais as a foot passenger years ago, and vowed then I'd never do any other trip like that WITHOUT the car again, as the logistics of carrying that much shopping around and trying to navigate public transport was just so awkward.

majedm75 · 23rd October 2008, 12:03

Looked up Eurostar prices, we could make our trip for 385.00 Euros minimum (could go much higher like 460.00 Euros, depending on the departure and return days and hours...).
I also checked the other option driving to Calais, taking the shuttle and back, it would cost at least 132.00 Euros for the Shuttle, and at least 160.00 Euros for the petrol and highway tolls round trip. I may have to add a little more for parking fees... So despite it all, it may still be cheaper by car.
In either case, we are paying public transportations for 5 persons in London...
Watch this space for my final decision in the coming days.

majedm75 · 1st November 2008, 20:16

Well it looks like it's going to be a trip by car

afterall. However, it's only going to be a 48-hour trip

(Saturday 20 and Sunday 21st of December as per SWMBO's decision).
Stay tuned for more info.

Kartoffelone · 2nd November 2008, 01:33

good decision to avoid c-charge

might be a bit stressy for the driver (unlucky you

) so if you like a pit stop in form of a traditional English breakfast, you are welcome!
(with all the baguettes and croissants in France, you need some proper food!

)

Kandyman · 2nd November 2008, 14:45

Hi majedm,

I am based on the boarders of London and Kent ( 30mins driving into London without traffic) If you need any help/assistants while you are over then i will be glad to offer any help i can.

I'll PM you my home and Mobile numbers so you have them just in case.

Kartoffelone · 13th December 2008, 21:49

Majedm,

any update?

21st October 2008, 11:14	#11
majedm75 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 2.5V6+Auto - Pack Luxe & Sterling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Paris-France & Cairo-Egypt Posts: 2,122 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Jay for your information on the C-charge, however, as a 75 driver, I find it not proper to try and beat the system. If a charge applies for whatever the reason, then I guess I have to pay it, even if my car has French plates. For Pondweed: everytime we went back from the UK, we were waved to go through by the Euro-tunnel custom officers, except once we were directed to a recess, with doors closed behind us. Then the officer there introduced himself as an ex-MGR employee (in the car body paint line) and wanted to have a look at the car. Few minutes later we were ushered to a bypass that lead us to the front of the queue to the Euro-tunnel Shuttle and did not miss our intended train __________________ Majed [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Member no. 36 - Samarkand, I miss you so much "Miss April 2010"!

23rd October 2008, 12:03	#16
majedm75 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 2.5V6+Auto - Pack Luxe & Sterling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Paris-France & Cairo-Egypt Posts: 2,122 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Looked up Eurostar prices, we could make our trip for 385.00 Euros minimum (could go much higher like 460.00 Euros, depending on the departure and return days and hours...). I also checked the other option driving to Calais, taking the shuttle and back, it would cost at least 132.00 Euros for the Shuttle, and at least 160.00 Euros for the petrol and highway tolls round trip. I may have to add a little more for parking fees... So despite it all, it may still be cheaper by car. In either case, we are paying public transportations for 5 persons in London... Watch this space for my final decision in the coming days. __________________ Majed [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Member no. 36 - Samarkand, I miss you so much "Miss April 2010"!

1st November 2008, 20:16	#17
majedm75 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 2.5V6+Auto - Pack Luxe & Sterling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Paris-France & Cairo-Egypt Posts: 2,122 Thanks: 6 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Well it looks like it's going to be a trip by car afterall. However, it's only going to be a 48-hour trip (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21st of December as per SWMBO's decision). Stay tuned for more info. __________________ Majed [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Member no. 36 - Samarkand, I miss you so much "Miss April 2010"!

13th December 2008, 21:49	#20
Kartoffelone Regular poster 75 saloon, 2.5V6 Connoisseur, Auto 2002 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Enfield Posts: 87 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	T: -7 days :-) Majedm, any update?

21st October 2008, 13:16	#13
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	why don't they just clamp and then trap them that way.. or just impound the cars concerned?

21st October 2008, 15:19	#14
Sancho Loves to post Mercedes 220SE Coupe, Mitsubishi Delica, Nissan Micra Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London Posts: 358 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Please do bear in mind (as many don't) that the congestion charge zone is actually very small and only really covers the City and West End. If you wanted to stay out near Excel that would be free, so would anywhere east of Tower Bridge, north of Old Street or west of Park Lane. Other than the swish West End hotels, you're unlikely to enter the c-charge zone. I would still get the Eurostar (or fly) though.

21st October 2008, 21:30	#15
mach1rob Gets stuck in Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	You're all a bunch of wimps! I've taken car transporters right into the centre of London, which was easy compared to TOWING the 75 out of the City attached to the back of the wifes Zafira! Don't forget C charge also doesn't apply on weekends. Personally, I'd take the car, and find a hotel to stay at out on the outskirts and then bus or tube in. We did that when the wife did the Moonwalk, station car park in Ruislip was £2 for 24 hours, and it cost us £16 for 4 of us to get the tube to Hyde Park Corner. I did a trip to Calais as a foot passenger years ago, and vowed then I'd never do any other trip like that WITHOUT the car again, as the logistics of carrying that much shopping around and trying to navigate public transport was just so awkward.

2nd November 2008, 01:33	#18
Kartoffelone Regular poster 75 saloon, 2.5V6 Connoisseur, Auto 2002 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Enfield Posts: 87 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	good decision to avoid c-charge might be a bit stressy for the driver (unlucky you ) so if you like a pit stop in form of a traditional English breakfast, you are welcome! (with all the baguettes and croissants in France, you need some proper food! )

2nd November 2008, 14:45	#19
Kandyman Banned ROVER 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Limousine 2004 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Welling Posts: 10,995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Hi majedm, I am based on the boarders of London and Kent ( 30mins driving into London without traffic) If you need any help/assistants while you are over then i will be glad to offer any help i can. I'll PM you my home and Mobile numbers so you have them just in case.