alan h's activity

Questions Asked

I have just got back from my latest trip to Italy, and thought some of you might be interested to hear about a Swiss hotel that we stayed in on the way down.It is the Hotel Engel in Stans [near to Lake Lucerne, a few minutes from the motorway

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 05:21

For many years now I have used the likes of 'mappy', 'via michelin' etc for calculating different routes down to Italy - for us its a part of our holiday, so we don't always want to take the quickest/shortest route down.  We prefer to vary the rou

Wed, 06/01/2011 - 09:25

Today I received an email from the Swiss Travel Centre.  The relevant portion is;- "The GBP price for a Vignette will increase from 01 June 2011 and we wanted to give you the opportunity to purchase this years’ Vignette before the pric

Mon, 05/23/2011 - 09:45

I've just driven down and back for a [much too] short holiday, and feel that an update on how fuel prices look on the way down would be useful to fellow travellers The following is a good site for seeing what prices have been like  

Mon, 04/04/2011 - 05:02

P&O have introduced a new ferry on the Dover - Calais route - its called the Spirit of Britain. They seem to have a special offer on at the moment [on this ship only] I've just booked a return crossing [car + 2] for £60 - significantly less th

Sat, 01/29/2011 - 06:08

Does Tomato soup exist in Italy? We were feeling a bit under the weather when we went out to Italy 2 weeks ago.  As part of the R&R process, I fancied some soup, and looked around the supermarket.  There were lots of different soups, but I rea

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 08:29

The route/timings for next years Giro d'Italia have been posted http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/   My son rang me up to inform me that the route passes about 100m away from

Sat, 11/06/2010 - 07:04

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

Comments posted

Fri, 05/22/2009 - 09:19

From memory the ticket is valid for 24 hours and you can get on and off as often as you like.  Do a complete trip to decide where to go to and then 'flit about' .

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 17:19

On second thoughts - auction it for the fund http://www.planeta.it/ENG/Cerasuolo_ing.pdf

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 17:11

I wish I did get that!  [hence the asterisks]

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 14:55

Think "Me**p***m**m" [edit - changed my mind - made it too easy]

Answer to: Washing Machines
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 09:10

Yes you can - however there are c couple of things to be aware of:-

  1. UK washing machines tend to be quite hungry for electricity - usually close to 3kW.  You need to check what power you have at your Italian place - if its the 'norm' of 3KW it means that you have to be careful what else is switched on at the same times - otherwise your 'main fuse' will cut out.  The one we bought in Italy has a lower power requirement - the only effect really is the the water takes a bit longer to heat up.
  2. If your UK machine is one of the older types that has 'hot and cold fill' requirements - you can fit a simple 'T' adaptor to connect both hot and cold fill hoses to the cold water supply - again, the only effect is a slightly longer water heating cycle 

 Hope this helps

Wed, 05/20/2009 - 09:49

Well. - that's my tenner on its way to the appeal.[glad you beat ronnie to it!]

Answer to: Markets
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 08:26

According to http://www.hotelmarconi.eu/Catalogo-200901_31.pdf [on page 17]Grottammare flea market is every Tuesday morning in the town centre

Tue, 05/19/2009 - 14:13

The open top bus tour is a good way of sorting out what you want to see.Also- the walk on the roof of the Duomo is fantastic

Tue, 05/19/2009 - 11:47

Possibly, but with my extended [male] years - more like 'Stig of the Damp'

Answer to: Hi to All
Tue, 05/19/2009 - 08:16

Ronald - many thanks - the reason for Badgers change is now clear to me - and I fully support the ruling that caused it.[keep up the good work]