|
|
Post by wannabe on Dec 20, 2016 14:06:30 GMT
Coincidental to atlex's thread (mighty5s.com/thread/1396/rusty-silver-slag-heads-journey) and prompted by the fact that I've always wanted to do a European roadtrip, the missus is suggesting we could use our week off in January to do some crazy European driving around 
She is suggesting that we could take a cheap flight to Estonia, pick up a hire car, then drive through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and finish in France, where we would drop the car off and fly home.
Oh, and do all this in one week.
Is this sheer madness?? 
According to whatever site she's been using it's only 25 hours driving in total, leaving time for overnight stops at larger city destinations, although it looks like a ridiculously long way on the map and takes no account of the likely wintry weather.
I know some people on here have done similar crazy trips (although in 5s, so infinitely better than some hire car) so any thoughts, advice and recommendations would be very gratefully received!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Horney on Dec 20, 2016 14:34:21 GMT
There's a bunch of us MX5 owners doing 2,300 miles up to and round Scotland next year in 9 days. Should be ace!
|
|
|
|
Post by atlex on Dec 20, 2016 15:37:22 GMT
no madness. just requires preparation. winter tyres and a set of chains if the snow gets really bad - make sure your coolant mix is good down to -30. folding snow shovel also be sure to take v5, insurance docs, etc. winter driving is a higher-risk venture than summer driving, and the driving definitely takes more concentration. look at the route in google - the total drive time is very optimistic (google is full of positivity yey). you may be happy driving 6 or 8 hours a day - but anyway, assume the total driving time to be 4h per day, should leave enough spare time to make it actually realistic with a good nights rest each place you stop. last weird tip.. there's a new challenger bank that offers much better international exchange rates - get a monzo card for international card payments, the rates are very reasonable with this new "cash card" bank setup. I'm paying with 1-3% of the median exchange rate (the one you rarely get offered) in most places I use it. shoved on 500 quid, used it at most of the petrol stations and restaurants I've been to. payment info shows up on your phone ++ safe. you can disable the card whenever you want, via the phone app, too. |
|
|
|
Post by retrorodster on Dec 20, 2016 15:51:08 GMT
There's a bunch of us MX5 owners doing 2,300 miles up to and round Scotland next year in 9 days. Should be ace!
When and what's your route? Sure we could arrange a big meet or if timetables align maybe even an SSCC autosolo? We have a fairly active community in Central Scotland, mostly through FB (Central Scotland MX5/Eunos Group).
|
|
|
|
Post by Horney on Dec 20, 2016 15:55:35 GMT
17th - 25th June. Starting at Loch Lomund and then working our way round the coast (west coast, north coast, east coast) back to Edinburgh then home.
|
|
|
|
Post by atlex on Dec 20, 2016 16:18:47 GMT
that scots route sound very exciting. |
|
|
|
Post by wannabe on Dec 20, 2016 20:36:42 GMT
no madness. just requires preparation. winter tyres and a set of chains if the snow gets really bad - make sure your coolant mix is good down to -30. folding snow shovel also be sure to take v5, insurance docs, etc. winter driving is a higher-risk venture than summer driving, and the driving definitely takes more concentration. look at the route in google - the total drive time is very optimistic (google is full of positivity yey). you may be happy driving 6 or 8 hours a day - but anyway, assume the total driving time to be 4h per day, should leave enough spare time to make it actually realistic with a good nights rest each place you stop. last weird tip.. there's a new challenger bank that offers much better international exchange rates - get a monzo card for international card payments, the rates are very reasonable with this new "cash card" bank setup. I'm paying with 1-3% of the median exchange rate (the one you rarely get offered) in most places I use it. shoved on 500 quid, used it at most of the petrol stations and restaurants I've been to. payment info shows up on your phone ++ safe. you can disable the card whenever you want, via the phone app, too.
Thank you muchly, kind sir!
I did think that a week might have been a push looking at the map - I fear it would end up being some sort of Top Gear challenge to get to the airport on time... 
I'm not sure a hire car would come with any of the stuff you list either  so perhaps it's not a good idea. Mind you, perhaps it will be fine? I've no idea how much snow they get round those parts, and in these modern times, the weather changes its mind what it's going to do from day to day and from week to week anyway  lol
The Monzo card tip is really good, thanks
I will speak to the missus and see what she says - she is a planner, I am lastminute.com, so we both drive each other insane when it comes to organising something... lol
The Scotland trip sounds ace, though I'm not sure the missus will have any time off but I might be able to... 
|
|
|
|
Post by moro on Dec 21, 2016 5:58:48 GMT
Sounds good. A week will be enough to do lots of sightseeing and for driving not become a chore.
Plan the Baltic part so you'd have a good amount of time in reserve just in case a blizzard happens when you're driving. It might slow your progress considerably, like down to 30 mph or so.
A hire car will have good or at least okayish winter tyres as they are legally required here.
Drop me a PM if you plan a stop in/around Riga and have time for a tea or pint.
|
|
|
|
Post by boringgit on Dec 21, 2016 9:08:56 GMT
Always, always always plan less to drive than you think you want to drive.
A few of us did a mega European trip (and most of us are doing a mega Scotland trip next year), a few years ago. 15+ hrs behind the wheel of any car, let alone an mx5 is not fun. Factor in piss stops, food stops, sightseeing stops and road closures, all that can easily add 4hrs onto a day.
You really don't want to do any more than 6hrs a day driving, because you'll add all the above in making that closer to 10hrs.
Unless you're a boring Canoeer and don't need to wee, eat, drink or stop to look at anything
|
|
|
|
Post by wannabe on Dec 21, 2016 9:40:46 GMT
I think you are right - I like driving, but driving that amount of time in a foreign country with likely dodgy weather would be knackering! I'll have to sit down with the missus and look at our options Sounds good. A week will be enough to do lots of sightseeing and for driving not become a chore. Plan the Baltic part so you'd have a good amount of time in reserve just in case a blizzard happens when you're driving. It might slow your progress considerably, like down to 30 mph or so. A hire car will have good or at least okayish winter tyres as they are legally required here. Drop me a PM if you plan a stop in/around Riga and have time for a tea or pint. Awesome offer, thank you |
|
|
|
Post by boringgit on Dec 21, 2016 13:01:05 GMT
Also factor in that swmbo is female, and will need to go for a piss every FIVE CanoeING SECONDS. Did a small trip to Bruges last YEAR, with a little tour into the Netherlands which resulting in her releasing she had to wee in a Dutch farmers field. They don't do service stations like we do in Europe, I've found.
|
|
|
|
Post by atlex on Dec 21, 2016 13:45:15 GMT
Also factor in that swmbo is female, and will need to go for a piss every FIVE canoeING SECONDS. Did a small trip to Bruges last YEAR, with a little tour into the Netherlands which resulting in her releasing she had to wee in a Dutch farmers field. They don't do service stations like we do in Europe, I've found. adult diapers.. sorted! |
|
so perhaps it's not a good idea. Mind you, perhaps it will be fine? I've no idea how much snow they get round those parts, and in these modern times, the weather changes its mind what it's going to do from day to day and from week to week anyway 
lol
le sigh