“That wasn’t the hand that I dealt you” - a great Only Fools and Horses quote there. Love how Poppy seems to know where she’s going 😂 look forward to more Europe adventures 😊
Great update Helen and Martin - you sound like you are raring to go so have safe travels, enjoy, and I look forward to following your updates over the coming weeks!
Great stuff Martin and Helen. We’re very much looking forward to tagging along. Enjoy you Europe. Always great info and advice Safe travels. 👍👍👍 Dave & Sue.
Nice video guys. Looking forward to seeing your next travel series. We've thought about the Kent campsite, but usually stay at the Stop 24, though in our current T5 we can get under the barrier and get in the regular and cheaper standard car park.
Morning guys , yes there is always more than one way of doing things isn't there. That's the great thing about the T5 so flexible and one of the best looking vehicles on the road. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Well jealous We are not setting off until early May. Going France, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia then might be diverting to Denmark. Hope you both (& poppy ) have a wonderful , safe & fun trip we'll be following you. Dennis & Tina aka Fanny Camper
Thanks guys, it’s seemed a long winter for us so we’re glad to off. Sounds like a great trip you have planners , we put our toe into Slovenia last year (Lake Bled) it wowed us enough to want to go and explore more. Have a great time Helen and Martin
Hope you have as good a journey down as I have - left Friday from Anglesey and arrived in the Cabo de Gata this lunchtime. Great driving weather and no problems with the Farmers Protests at all :-)
Good Morning , us to , a great drive down . The videos are a little behind we reached Vilanova near Sitges last night . It’s been a smooth ride so far. Safe travels and best wishes Helen and Martin
Hi, We are 3.5 hours from Folkestone and always cross in the afternoon. I book a crossing on the tunnel later than I think I will make, and normally up to 2 hours before your booking, you can get an earlier crossing. We stay at Camping Bal, about 15 miles south of Calais. It is behind a hotel, so usually with an hour or so of arriving, I am drinking a large Afligem beer, my wife a glass of champagne and then we have dinner in the restaurant. Simple food, but it gets the trip started. Next morning we are already in France, so we can get a good start on the journey south. Have a good journey. We should been in Spain since mid-January, but it was not possible this year. We will be following you.
Good Morning Ian , yes I think that’s the way to do it. This is a throwback for us to when we lived in the North . We’ve been creatures of habit and I think we’ll do it your way next time. Thanks very much for the info. Best wishes Helen and Martin
The site at Camping Bal is not the best of sites, but OK. However, do not follow the SatNav. It takes you through a gate in the old wall that is too low and too narrow. If you travel down A26, at J2 exit, the SatNav will tell you to go left, go right. At the roundabout right again, shortly enter a village. At the top of the hill turn right. It is signed to Hotel Bal. This avoids the low gate. Best to use own facilities on site, especially in winter. The site closes for part of February for their annual holidays. If going south on the A16, there is a Camping-car Park at Merlimont.
Hi Guys love the channel , but confused a vlog 3 days ago shows you in France or was that from a previous trip . Very interested in your latest trip as leaving for France in 2 weeks with no plan of where to go . Enjoy
Hi Steve , we can report that the sun is shining in Valencia having arrived today. The videos are scheduled usually once a week or at the most twice so there is usually a lag but we try not to make it more than a week or so. We headed into France on Saturday and drove South quite quickly as it wasn't our focus this time , we are planning to spend our 90 days in Spain and Portugal. Instagram is maybe more up to date instagram.com/helen_and_martins_treks/ , if you like instagram of course . Enjoy your trip Helen and Martin
Hi Guys, Looking forward to following you and your travels as we are off in early April. Just a quick question, do you use an emojis tag and do you think they are worth it or do you just pay the toll roads with either credit card or a revolution card. Thanks in advance Drew & Linda🏴
Hi yes we do think the Emovis Tag is worth it , there are two tags one for France and one for Spain/Portugal . There's a small annual fee but its worth it. Emovis are also a UK based company so it's to talk to them. Thanks for watching Helen and Martin,
Good morning , hope you're enjoying Andalusia. We're really glad to out the weather at home doesn't seem to be improving and seemed like a long winter at home this year. The weight on the bridge was 3,700kg (just under) . We are plated at 4260kgs so lots to go at really. We knew we had a monster payload but until you weigh it you're never sure are you. That said H took that as a green light to load more stuff 😂 , but I still think we good. Thanks for watching Helen and Martin
Hi Helen and Martin! Just to let you know the my wife Tina and I really enjoy watching your great videos. We are taking our first journey in Europe down to Florence to see the start of the Tour de France in late June. Could you help with a question we have please. We are traveling through France in our self converted Campervan that is 3850 kg rated. Do you know which ‘bip and go’ system we need for the tolls please? Many thanks Have a great trip Best wishes Tina and Ian
Good morning, Thanks very much for watching the video. The question of tolls is a complex issue in France once your vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes, and there are many opinions and perspectives on the subject. However, to my knowledge, the French authorities have never definitively clarified the position. This is the link to the page that sets out which class your vehicle will belong to: [Vehicle Categories](www.autoroutes.sanef.com/en/my-journey/vehicle-categories). You will see immediately that the French have mixed height and weight in the Class 2 and 3 groups. So, if you, like many of us, are driving a motorhome or camper van that exceeds 3.5 tonnes but is not 3 metres high, it creates a dilemma as to which category the vehicle falls into. I can tell you that the tolls are operating in practice based on height sensors. Therefore, if your van is under 3 metres, it will be categorised as Class 2 regardless of weight, resulting in a considerable cost saving if you pay at the booth. If you apply for a toll tag and declare your vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, the companies will try to sell you a Class 3 tag, which will mean you will pay unnecessary costs if your vehicle is under 3 metres. My advice, if your vehicle is under 3 metres tall, is not to get a tag. Instead, pay contactless at the booth; it's a quick enough process and the cost savings are worth it as it will identify you as Class 2. This means you can't be accused if acting inappropriately as you have only paid what is demanded. This only applies to France not other places in Europe where Toll Tags work better for the plus 3.5t van. Not using Toll roads in France isn't a bad option either if you have time , we do both dependant on circumstances. Hope that helps. Best wishes Helen and Martin
@@helenandmartinsTreks Hi Helen and Martin Thank you so very much for the information. That has made the sense of the situation for us and we will pay with the contactless method. Happy travels Best wishes from Tina and Ian
Good morning , this link is to a 10 minute video we did on this. I hope that helps ua-cam.com/video/6apDCHUqzh8/v-deo.htmlsi=KhcYFIxBN53rf_-z . Thanks for watching Helen and Martin
Hi Goodmorning , they are toll tags . One is a Slovenian Toll Tag to the left is a clip for the Austrian Go Box . They stick to the windscreen, they can be removed but the clips aren’t reusable then so we leave them in situ. Only needed for +3.5 tonnes though. H and M
Just noticed your Angles Morts stickers appeared when on the train but were not on the passenger door in the campsite, have you got them on magnetised/laminated plates perhaps ?
Hi thanks for watching, they are suction cups with twist grip tighteners. Now on there fifth winter trip across France they have been very good. www.reflecto.shop/signs-plates/vehicle-signs/angles-morts-signs/campervan-sign-blind-spot-angles-morts-france?number=10440042-SAU . Select Impex Plate with suction cups from drop down menu. Best wishes Helen and Martin
“That wasn’t the hand that I dealt you” - a great Only Fools and Horses quote there. Love how Poppy seems to know where she’s going 😂 look forward to more Europe adventures 😊
I had just watched the episode and thought I could easily get the line in. Thanks for watching guys H and M
Good vlog guys, we will be following you all the way.
Thanks very much for watching , all the best Helen and Martin
Looking forward to sharing the photography
Have fun and looking forward to watching 👍👍👍🚐
Thanks very much all the best Helen amd Martin
Helllo Heland and Martin, enjoy your travels, will be watching x Julie and Tony x
Hi both , hope you're well. Thanks very much for watching . Our best wishes to you both Helen and Martin
Enjoyed the video guys and drinking Leffe……I love it. Hope you have a great trip. Irvine & Karen.
Thanks guys we’re heading for Valencia today , a city we love. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Glad the extra shoes made the crossing😂.
Enjoy your tour Helen and Martin. Look forward to seeing how your adventure continues 😃🚐👍🏻 Trev n Sue 💙
Thanks Trev and Sue , best wishes to you both H and M
Have a Great trip, we will be tuning in🎥📺
Thanks very much hope you’re both well Helen and Martin
Up at 4am and 5.23 train eek, great video thanks
Sadly I’m always awake at 4am , so it’s no hardship. Thanks for watching .
Great update Helen and Martin - you sound like you are raring to go so have safe travels, enjoy, and I look forward to following your updates over the coming weeks!
Thanks very much, it’s seemed like a long winter this year for some reason so it’s great to be back in the sunshine . ☀️ Best wishes Helen and Martin
Great vlog guys, it's bring back memories of our trip last year
Thanks for watching guys, appreciate it. We’ve had good weather all through France and no protest hold ups so happy days. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Great start to the trip. Looking forward to seeing where you end up this time.
Thanks Jean , we’re very pleased to be back on the road. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Sooo envious. Enjoy
Thanks all the best Helen and Martin
Great stuff Martin and Helen.
We’re very much looking forward to tagging along.
Enjoy you Europe. Always great info and advice
Safe travels. 👍👍👍
Dave & Sue.
Hi both , thanks for watching and your kind winds , we really appreciate them. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Hope you have a wonderful time. Really looking forward to watching your adventures!
Thanks very much we are really glad to be back on the road. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Nice video guys. Looking forward to seeing your next travel series. We've thought about the Kent campsite, but usually stay at the Stop 24, though in our current T5 we can get under the barrier and get in the regular and cheaper standard car park.
Morning guys , yes there is always more than one way of doing things isn't there. That's the great thing about the T5 so flexible and one of the best looking vehicles on the road. Best wishes Helen and Martin
Have a wonderful time we are watching now 😊
Thanks very much for watching , best wishes Helen and Martin
Well jealous We are not setting off until early May. Going France, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia then might be diverting to Denmark.
Hope you both (& poppy ) have a wonderful , safe & fun trip we'll be following you.
Dennis & Tina aka Fanny Camper
Thanks guys, it’s seemed a long winter for us so we’re glad to off. Sounds like a great trip you have planners , we put our toe into Slovenia last year (Lake Bled) it wowed us enough to want to go and explore more. Have a great time Helen and Martin
Safe travels you three 💜xx
Thanks guys, hope you’re journey will be smoother onwards. H and M x
It will be fun to come along with you to Spain.
Thanks for watching along . Best wishes Helen and Martin
Hope you have as good a journey down as I have - left Friday from Anglesey and arrived in the Cabo de Gata this lunchtime. Great driving weather and no problems with the Farmers Protests at all :-)
Good Morning , us to , a great drive down . The videos are a little behind we reached Vilanova near Sitges last night . It’s been a smooth ride so far. Safe travels and best wishes Helen and Martin
Hi, We are 3.5 hours from Folkestone and always cross in the afternoon. I book a crossing on the tunnel later than I think I will make, and normally up to 2 hours before your booking, you can get an earlier crossing. We stay at Camping Bal, about 15 miles south of Calais. It is behind a hotel, so usually with an hour or so of arriving, I am drinking a large Afligem beer, my wife a glass of champagne and then we have dinner in the restaurant. Simple food, but it gets the trip started. Next morning we are already in France, so we can get a good start on the journey south. Have a good journey. We should been in Spain since mid-January, but it was not possible this year. We will be following you.
Good Morning Ian , yes I think that’s the way to do it. This is a throwback for us to when we lived in the North . We’ve been creatures of habit and I think we’ll do it your way next time. Thanks very much for the info. Best wishes Helen and Martin
The site at Camping Bal is not the best of sites, but OK. However, do not follow the SatNav. It takes you through a gate in the old wall that is too low and too narrow. If you travel down A26, at J2 exit, the SatNav will tell you to go left, go right. At the roundabout right again, shortly enter a village. At the top of the hill turn right. It is signed to Hotel Bal. This avoids the low gate. Best to use own facilities on site, especially in winter. The site closes for part of February for their annual holidays.
If going south on the A16, there is a Camping-car Park at Merlimont.
Hi Guys love the channel , but confused a vlog 3 days ago shows you in France or was that from a previous trip . Very interested in your latest trip as leaving for France in 2 weeks with no plan of where to go . Enjoy
Hi Steve , we can report that the sun is shining in Valencia having arrived today. The videos are scheduled usually once a week or at the most twice so there is usually a lag but we try not to make it more than a week or so. We headed into France on Saturday and drove South quite quickly as it wasn't our focus this time , we are planning to spend our 90 days in Spain and Portugal. Instagram is maybe more up to date instagram.com/helen_and_martins_treks/ , if you like instagram of course . Enjoy your trip Helen and Martin
@@helenandmartinsTreks Thanks H & M . Enjoy your trip we look forward to your updates . Will follow on Insta .
Steve & Carol
Hi Guys, Looking forward to following you and your travels as we are off in early April. Just a quick question, do you use an emojis tag and do you think they are worth it or do you just pay the toll roads with either credit card or a revolution card. Thanks in advance Drew & Linda🏴
Hi yes we do think the Emovis Tag is worth it , there are two tags one for France and one for Spain/Portugal . There's a small annual fee but its worth it. Emovis are also a UK based company so it's to talk to them. Thanks for watching Helen and Martin,
Looking forward to your adventures, we are currently in Andalusia, first time for us, loving it!
BTW what was your weight?
Good morning , hope you're enjoying Andalusia. We're really glad to out the weather at home doesn't seem to be improving and seemed like a long winter at home this year. The weight on the bridge was 3,700kg (just under) . We are plated at 4260kgs so lots to go at really. We knew we had a monster payload but until you weigh it you're never sure are you. That said H took that as a green light to load more stuff 😂 , but I still think we good. Thanks for watching Helen and Martin
Hi Helen and Martin!
Just to let you know the my wife Tina and I really enjoy watching your great videos. We are taking our first journey in Europe down to Florence to see the start of the Tour de France in late June.
Could you help with a question we have please. We are traveling through France in our self converted Campervan that is 3850 kg rated. Do you know which ‘bip and go’ system we need for the tolls please?
Many thanks
Have a great trip
Best wishes
Tina and Ian
Good morning,
Thanks very much for watching the video. The question of tolls is a complex issue in France once your vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes, and there are many opinions and perspectives on the subject. However, to my knowledge, the French authorities have never definitively clarified the position.
This is the link to the page that sets out which class your vehicle will belong to: [Vehicle Categories](www.autoroutes.sanef.com/en/my-journey/vehicle-categories). You will see immediately that the French have mixed height and weight in the Class 2 and 3 groups. So, if you, like many of us, are driving a motorhome or camper van that exceeds 3.5 tonnes but is not 3 metres high, it creates a dilemma as to which category the vehicle falls into.
I can tell you that the tolls are operating in practice based on height sensors. Therefore, if your van is under 3 metres, it will be categorised as Class 2 regardless of weight, resulting in a considerable cost saving if you pay at the booth. If you apply for a toll tag and declare your vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, the companies will try to sell you a Class 3 tag, which will mean you will pay unnecessary costs if your vehicle is under 3 metres.
My advice, if your vehicle is under 3 metres tall, is not to get a tag. Instead, pay contactless at the booth; it's a quick enough process and the cost savings are worth it as it will identify you as Class 2. This means you can't be accused if acting inappropriately as you have only paid what is demanded.
This only applies to France not other places in Europe where Toll Tags work better for the plus 3.5t van.
Not using Toll roads in France isn't a bad option either if you have time , we do both dependant on circumstances.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes Helen and Martin
@@helenandmartinsTreks
Hi Helen and Martin
Thank you so very much for the information. That has made the sense of the situation for us and we will pay with the contactless method.
Happy travels
Best wishes from Tina and Ian
Great video they wouldn’t let us have a ferry pitch said it was shut 🚐🐶😱
They have got the second row open but only us on it. Perhaps they just parked us there as we were out very early. Thanks for watching Helen and Martin
What's the process with pets going abroad cheers.
Good morning , this link is to a 10 minute video we did on this. I hope that helps ua-cam.com/video/6apDCHUqzh8/v-deo.htmlsi=KhcYFIxBN53rf_-z . Thanks for watching Helen and Martin
please ensure you share the the site details (for france/spain) as you progress. Safe trip!😊
We will definitely. Thanks for watching Best Wishes Helen and Martin
Hi - which site did you stay on near Folkstone didn't catch it? ta
Hi Dave it was the Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Black Horse Farm. Best wishes Helen and Martin
We always try to cross by a train or ferry that is unpopular with others to beat the rush.
Too right , we don’t mind an early start. Thanks for watching best wishes Helen and Martin
Its not the clothes and shoes that make it heavy its bear and wines 😊😊
That's very try but I find it more socially acceptable to blame the shoes 😂😂😂 . Thanks for watching best wishes Helen and Martin
OK I'm nosey... what's the 2 things stuck to the inside front windscreen to the left of your nextbase?...
Hi Goodmorning , they are toll tags . One is a Slovenian Toll Tag to the left is a clip for the Austrian Go Box . They stick to the windscreen, they can be removed but the clips aren’t reusable then so we leave them in situ. Only needed for +3.5 tonnes though. H and M
Just noticed your Angles Morts stickers appeared when on the train but were not on the passenger door in the campsite, have you got them on magnetised/laminated plates perhaps ?
Hi thanks for watching, they are suction cups with twist grip tighteners. Now on there fifth winter trip across France they have been very good. www.reflecto.shop/signs-plates/vehicle-signs/angles-morts-signs/campervan-sign-blind-spot-angles-morts-france?number=10440042-SAU . Select Impex Plate with suction cups from drop down menu. Best wishes Helen and Martin
@@helenandmartinsTreks Cheers for that. Up to now, great idea.
Welkom Europa en we zien jullie in Spanje Piet en Martje
Bedankt, we kijken ernaar uit jullie allebei te zien.