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Your students may find these two sites useful Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

Ìý I think Ram is right - the chances of it turning up are remote at best. Ìý Hopefully you can claim it on insurance [although that won't get any pictures back] - did you get anything from the police to show that you had reported it lost?

ÌýI totally agree with Terry about the toll free route - its the one I take [except that I go from Nancy to Mulhouse rather than the Molsheim route] However, if the Campavan is 'tired', you need to remember that to use the Gotthard Tunnel, you have to climb about 2500 feet up to the tunnel from Lake Lucerne areaÌý- its a pretty long haul up, and might beÌýa bit much for it.Ìý [Which is why I suggested the alternative of going via the Med coast around Nice] There's also a big climb up to the Mont Blanc Tunnel if they choose that route

Ìý As sloe gin is effectively sugar and gin, [with the sloes adding the kick by adding some yeast (I believe) to convert some of the sugar to additional alcohol], there is little reason to doubt that it will be 'great' to drink. Your Grandad, like my Dad, seems to hold the view that leaving a couple of sloes in the bottle helps to keep it 'alive'. If I were you, I would strain the drink through a muslin cloth into a new clean bottle, sit down and try a slug of it [IÌýwill always remember one Christmas when some of Dad's friends dropped in for a drink - the wife so liked the sloe gin that she drank two shots, and then nicked her husbands second.Ìý Unfortunately, Dad's shots were rather large, and on leaving, when the fresh air hit her, she left the front path and weaved her way through the rose bushes, and sat downÌýuntil hubby rescued her]Ìý

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"I am assuming this van does not have electrical hook up" Ìý ÌýIf no hook up - pop to a caravan accessory shop - get a 'hook up plug' and fit it to a long extension lead - then they can have heat/light in the camparvan. Ìý ÌýÌýÌý

If its that old/knackered a van - stick to the flat bits - therefore, down to the med coast around Nice and along one of the Corniches into Italy.Ìý That way you avoid the mountains [even the tunnels into Italy involve a fair amount of climbing]

Ìý "I’ll leave the subject now because it’s getting a bit boring and I’m feeling like an outcast. :(" Send a PM to Ronald - thats probably the quickest way to get it sorted

Ìý Travelling to Italy Ìý By Train – see Ìý Rail Passes InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for a 22 day or one month period, or five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: ). Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 20 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people travelling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26. The Eurail One Country Pass allows travel for one month in one of 17 single countries. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows 3 to 10 travel days in a two-month period in one of 25 country combinations. Available from The Eurail Group (website: ).

Getting There by Road

Ìý By Coach - Not the easiest site to use – try phoning them (tel: 0870 514 3219 or 0871 781 881, runs regular coach services from the UK to Italy. Passes: Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass. Available from Eurolines (website: Ìý By Car – lots of advice on the Italymag forums – use the search facility for routes and accommodation recommendations Ìý Norfolk Line - ÌýÌýhave some good deals on Channel crossings at presentÌý [Use code EBF for a £10 discount]

This must be true - it's in the Grauniad .............