alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I think the groups now exist [at least - when I go to the 'make a new post' section, there they are, in the "Audience" section]   Hope someone uses them soon - after all the time its taken

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 04:50

Anyone used the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry service? I'm hoping to drive down to the holiday home later this year, and was thinking of using the service.

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 04:45

By chance I went on the old Forum yesterday - found that someone had PM'ed me from that forum only a few days ago.   I hadn't got any notification of a PM, but obviously the old Forum PM system still works    It might be worth doing the odd visit

Sat, 05/15/2010 - 12:15

Hopefully they may start flights to the North soon ?

Mon, 04/19/2010 - 12:40

what else can one say?

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 05:00

I can't beleive that its 17+ hours since the last post - or has my PC taken over and hidden everything?

Thu, 11/12/2009 - 11:24

 Hopefully this will kill Blair's ambitions off.

Wed, 10/14/2009 - 12:05

There is an interesting article in today's G2 section of the Guardian newspaper by a woman who moved to Italy, founded a successful business, and has now moved back to the UK [but still has the business] because she missed London 

Wed, 08/26/2009 - 04:55

Comments posted

Thu, 06/04/2009 - 04:19

³Ù°ù²âÌý

Thu, 06/04/2009 - 04:01

The only problem will be the capacity of the power supply.  In Italy, this is often only 3kW  [equivalent to 13 amps] so all you have to do is make sure you don't have more than 3000 Watts running at any time.  In practice, this means;-

  • ditch the electric kettle  [it takes almost all of the 3kW]
  • don't run your electric oven at the same time  as the washing machine etc

Its easy peasy really  - or you can  pay extra for a stronger supply - but that's not very 'Green' is it? ÌýÌý.

Answer to: I'm Gone
Wed, 06/03/2009 - 17:40

What also worked was the 'mark forums read' button that allowed you to avoid having to open a posting  just to get it off the 'new' listing. God - how I miss that one! ÌýÌý.

Answer to: Hello!
Wed, 06/03/2009 - 09:32

"It feels a little strange and unfamiliar but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon" Some of us are still struggling

Answer to: Driving to italy
Wed, 06/03/2009 - 09:29

If you look at the 'mappy' website, [or multimap. via michelin etc etc],  that will give you

  • approx petrol cots,
  • autoroute charges,
  • tunnel costs and
  • Swiss motorway vignette

Ferry costs vary on route etc - the obvious crossing is Dover to France - costs vary between £60 return [Norfolk Line - weekday] to £200+ [Eurotunnel, P&O, Sea France - peak booking]. From Manchester, the Hull - Rotterdam overnight crossing looks expensive - but it saves about 250 miles driving each way, plus an overnight stop.  Driving distance from Rotterdam is similar to that from Calais/Dunkirk Motorways in Belgium are free - so it can pay to pop up from Calais - travel distance increases by about 12 miles only Cheapest petrol is Luxembourg [Belgium route takes you there] -   see -  Overnight stops vary from about £30 a night - Formula 1 up to whatever one wants to pay Allow 400miles/day max driving - so you won't feel completely knacke*red  [I try to keep it down to 300 - 350 max] "You pays your money and takes your choice"ÌýÌý.

Answer to: Driving to italy
Wed, 06/03/2009 - 04:13

If you want to see what its like on the autostrada - go to     [scroll down page to see  relevant webcams If the road looks busy/stopped at the tunnel - leave the autostrada at the Varenzo exit and drive 'over the top', rather than through the tunnelÌýÌý.

Tue, 06/02/2009 - 19:09

We have a copy of this book in our ½ûÂþÌìÌà place - for friends staying there who don't speak the lingo.  We came across it when it was recommended to our GCSE ½ûÂþÌìÌà evening class. You can see it here    - click the page tags to turn them.ÌýÌý.

Tue, 06/02/2009 - 13:54

Try 'Googling' You get things like    ÌýÌý.

Tue, 06/02/2009 - 11:31

Daft as it sounds - one of the easiest options is probably to buy the small car in the UK, insure it with a company that will do extended periods abroad [there are a few] and drive it down  -  bringing it back once a year to re-tax, insure and [if necessary] MOT itÌýÌý.

Mon, 06/01/2009 - 11:54

There is a through train [mon - fri] from Aulla to Rapallo - leaves 09.20 - arrives 11.00 The only through train back leaves at 20.00 [arriving at Aulla at 21.25  [Both trains stop at other points along the CT] For all other options look at     its the best site for train times  This give plenty of time for 'sightseeing' and walking. For walking suggestions - look at sites such as the ATG and Inntravel websites for their Cinque Terre walking holidays - these will give you an idea of what you could do in a day. The walk along the coast is easier than the 'higher routes', but is full of Americans doing the '5 cities' - [ they don't know where they are - but they just know they've got to do the '5 cities']. Front page of the Forum site today -   Ìý.