Driving in Holland

What do I need:

Warning triangle
Set of spare lightbulbs
GB Sticker
Beam deflectors
Something for the weekend

I've not driven in Holland, before?
I understand the green card has been scratched, but an insurance policy is advised.

Warning triangle
Set of spare lightbulbs
GB Sticker
Beam deflectors
Something for the weekend

Hmmm. I'm bringing my sabots, of course, but there's something else that I can't put my finger on right now.... Rob S. ?

Oh, and do you still need the GB ("I'm RHD, don't hurt me!") stickers? I seemed to notice a lot fewer of those national stickers lately (don't remember having one on my last "F" rental car) and couldn't tell if it was the result of relaxed laws or what.

A pipe and a pancake?

Empeg with a good supply of Bob Marley.

A pipe and a pancake

I'll be taking loads of pipes, but they'll all be filled with perfectly legit smoking tobacco!

Warning triangles are no longer obligatory, a spare bulb set is. If you wear glasses you're supposed to carry a spare pair, but I don't.

If you have the new Euro plates, then you won't need the GB as it's built in, otherwise yes.

I wouldn't bother with beam deflectors if you're only here for the weekend. You won't be doing any driving at night here - Friday, ribs and booze, Saturday Barby and Booze. See? I've just saved you 10 quid (we drove here for 5 years without deflectors).

Green cards are the standard form of insurance policy in Europe. It's a good idea to have a GC extension to your UK policy as it extends your cover in Europe to match what it is in the UK, otherwise your cover becomes third party liability cover only when you get off the boat. If your car gets stolen, you'd be in trouble. A valid insurance policy is obligatory: you have to carry your car registration papers (V5? I forget now) and your insurance policy (not just the cover note/certificate!!!) with you while driving the vehicle. An international accident form is sensible in case the worst happens. You also need to have your driving license.

You need your passport only to get back into the UK, not while you are out here. However, you need some form of personal identification on you.

I'd advise you get an E111 emergency health costs cover certificate from the post office: you might also want to get breakdown cover. However, if you broke down, you could ring me I'd come out and get you - we have a tow hook .

While driving from the port at the Hoek, you need to be ready to give way to the right at minor junctions - just be ready to stop at all times. If you would like road rules/driving advice, post again and I'll try and write a little summary.

You get free condoms with your meal at the Restaurant we are going to

If you have the new Euro plates, then you won't need the GB as it's built in, otherwise yes.

[lightbulb] Aaaaah [/lightbulb]

You get free condoms with your meal at the Restaurant we are going to

Would it be too much to inquire as to what brand?

Thanks a lot, that sets me straight - I've taken AA 5 star cover, which arrived last night - curiously, they think a warning triangle is compulsory and spare bulbs advisory.

Doesn't really matter, I've got both!

You get free condoms with your meal at the Restaurant we are going to

I'd heard the spare ribs were good, but I didn't realise that they were that good!

You get free condoms with your meal at the Restaurant we are going to

Must be related to that "Dutch hospitality" everyone keeps telling me about and winking at me whenever they say it.

If I can't smoke in public in Holland, which I believe is the case, presumably I can smoke in my car....but can I smoke in my car with the hood down!!!

'Course you can smoke in public in NL! What gave you the idea you couldn't? This is the land that began the exploitation of Coffee and Tobacco - everyone smokes like a train here...

It's the OTHER type of smoking where you have to head for a coffee shop...

'Course you can smoke in public in NL! What gave you the idea you couldn't?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2946460.stm

Peter

Ulp!

Doesn't come into effect until January, according to the article, which actually isn't very clear about whether the law is a fait accompli or not ("planned new law" / "due to be approved").

Peter

I knew I'd read it somewhere! Of course, they've implemented this in France, but you wouldn't know it from all the people puffing away in Paris!

This is the land that began the exploitation of Coffee and Tobacco

I'd got it in mind that I might buy a new pipe, and should be able to get a decent supply of tobacco to take home.

There is a superb tobacconist in town if you want the pleasure of browing: otherwise, there are a lot of shops locally where you can by rolly and pipe baccy off the shelf. You might not have time to visit the shop though given how much is on on the Saturday: if you are early on Friday I'll take you down to the shop before the brewery visit.

Oh, and the coffee is pretty damn' good as well

Good point, we're kicked off the Hull - Rotterdam ferry at an unholy hour, so depending what we decide to do, how do I contact you, if I get to Amersfoort early?

Got it, from your immaculate organisational post!