OK JMC ... I'll agree (having checked in Wikipedia) the highest paved road in the Alps seems to be on the way to Cime de la Bonette (2860m)
The road between Barcelonette and Nice on the 'Route Napoleon' includes the Col de la Bonette which is the highest in Europe.
The road itself goes to 2802m though it used to be lower!.... The Italians didn't like to be beaten and claimed the the road at the Stelvio Pass was highest. Not to be outdone, the French added an extra bit to Bonette called the 'Cime de la Bonette' (which means 'Chimney'). Essentially, they made an extra bit of road which is like a helter-skelter from one side of the 'Col' at the top round the peaked bit and back to the Col again. Here you can see the Col (circled) with the arrow pointing to the Cime road extension. 8)
We all have our idiosyncrasies....... For me, it's Audi quattros and Alpine Passes. Looking forward to the day when I put the two together. The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
Founder member of Club FFRRV
Club Orange, Mint or Fruit
Club Walnut Sniffers
19th Aug 2009 4:49 pm
David-H.
Member Since: 13 Nov 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 129
Guys.
France is obviously a popular destination for us D3 owners. We leave on Saturday, driving down to Hull to get the ferry to Zeebrugge. Then South into France for nearly three weeks. We plan to camp for most of the trip though we haven't decided exactly where we're going. Thought we'd head down the coast to Brittany for the first week then just take it from there. We're currently working from the 'Cool Camping - France' book.
if anyone has any recommendations for places to visit/stay we'd be glad to have them.
Oh, and which wine warehouse should we stop off at on the way home to stock up on some essentials?
Cheers.2014 Defender 90.
Suzuki Jimny - lifted 2".
SWMBO's BMW Mini JCW.
Member of The Scottish Off Road Club.
19th Aug 2009 5:20 pm
TazDaz
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: South East Essex
Posts: 2858
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284
Sustenpas, Switzerland
Click image to enlarge
3,100kms roundtrip last few weeks.
Split my A bar on a rock in a car park that wasnt in any of the guide books but apart from that all went very well. 28mpg overall so fairly pleased with that.
Loads of discos en route and in Switzerland but only ever got a wave off defender drivers
A great car for touring A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
Last edited by tanters on 20th Aug 2009 2:19 pm. Edited 1 time in total
I am a Fan of the Yelloh sites in France and Spain, we have only used half a dozen, but they have always been very good and reasonably priced.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
19th Aug 2009 10:38 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Have to disagree with that one - complete rubbish for kids - and they don't like the English at all - well that was a few years ago - hope its improved Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
19th Aug 2009 11:41 pm
David-H.
Member Since: 13 Nov 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 129
Guys.
Thanks for the tips. We're a kid free couple so only need to find things to entertain us.
I'm just off to start packing the car before heading out to enjoy a few beers and catch a show in the Edinburgh Fringe. We've got a fairly early start tomorrow so I'll need to have my sensible drinking head on .
Cheers.2014 Defender 90.
Suzuki Jimny - lifted 2".
SWMBO's BMW Mini JCW.
Member of The Scottish Off Road Club.
21st Aug 2009 12:07 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284
David
If going to Brittany make sure you call in to Mont St Michel, fantastic place.
Best campsite we used in Brittany was in Quimper - http://etudiants.lanniron.com/
Really nice, nice bar, Wi-fi and a 9hole par 3 golf course.
Good luck and enjoy A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
21st Aug 2009 12:35 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18457
Some nice holiday snaps in this thread, suitable for the calendar perhaps?
Member Since: 13 Jan 2008
Location: Leeds
Posts: 327
Got back this morning (appx 04:30) from Southern France (Argeles Sur-Mer) after setting off at 08:15 Friday morning. Drove a total of around 2300 miles without any major incidents.
Only hiccups were
1. fuel cap failing to unlock, could not get it open once at pump, had to use some persuasion to get it open, so now need to replace locking part (plastic snapped)
2. Satnav backup disk failing just before our turning to take us to Millau, MAP read error, disk not a map dvd etc - so we had to resort to MUMNav(tm) (wife using AA road map book instead ) to guide us. Tried ejecting disk, but it wouldn't have it. Satnav eventually reported overheating error. We managed to eject disk at another stop, and put in the old 2005 disk we had which worked fine without problems
Excellent car, MPG was around 28 or so (showed 32.7MPG on computer), 2 adults, 2 kids, v. large roof box, and loads in boot.
This was my first ever driving experience abroad, gotta say, french roads are excellent, even when having to pay to use them (went via toll roads), didn't take me long to get used to driving on the other side either
GaryGone: Java Black TDV6, Auto, HSE - yum, yum (Gone: 96' V8 ES Charleston Green, 96 V8 ES Black)
Toy: Southern Roadcraft Cobra, 383ci Chevy V8
Club - HiVis
Club - Disco3.co.uk Round Stickers
Club - Disco3.co.uk External Badge
22nd Aug 2009 11:52 pm
shar
Member Since: 14 Apr 2008
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 54
Just got back from northern spain stayed at camping L'amfora st pere pescadore, the D3 is an excellent tow car and pulled our twin axle van effortlessly 8)
Click image to enlarge
25th Aug 2009 7:45 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
shar - yours can join the set of good seaside shots in Northern Spain Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
25th Aug 2009 8:46 pm
shar
Member Since: 14 Apr 2008
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 54
Cool, where were you staying We saw loads of D3s but only a couuple of english plates , they were going to fast for me to see if they had D3 stickers on them
25th Aug 2009 8:51 pm
mick
Member Since: 21 Jan 2007
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2049
Just back from Lake Garda Italy via North sea ferries 1500 miles no problems with D3 only problem was the outlaws Volvo XC70 over heating on every hill . Filled up in Luxembourg 56 euros lucky lot.
[quote="shar"]Just got back from northern spain stayed at camping L'amfora st pere pescadore, the D3 is an excellent tow car and pulled our twin axle van effortlessly 8)
clean car considering you have driven all that way - very nice
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
(having checked in Wikipedia) the highest paved road in the Alps seems to be on the way to Cime de la Bonette (2860m)
but apart from that all went very well. 28mpg overall so fairly pleased with that.
We saw loads of D3s but only a couuple of english plates , they were going to fast for me to see if they had D3 stickers on them 
hill . Filled up in Luxembourg 56 euros 
