Last updated 18:00 BST.
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in brief:
Channel delays: Eurotunnel UK.
Weather: Hot central/south; cooler north.
Traffic: See @DE_Traffic from 09:00 BST.
News: 19 days, 3,000 miles – The Rally Company.
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Champagne for breakfast. If it’s amazing how far you can go on a motoring holiday – a gentle 300 miles per day over two weeks will see you loop right around the Continent – it’s also amazing just how close by some of the best roads are. This is Epernay, in the heart of the Champagne region in northern France, just three hours (170 miles) from Calais. Who wouldn’t want to cruise through here on a misty morning? Moet et Chandon nearby has just revamped its visitor facilities with tours available for just €16.50pp. Just up the road is Reims where the tourist info has ready to roll itineraries to take in some of the more obscure producers… On the subject of nice places in shouting distance of the Channel ports, have you heard of the Chateau de Cocove? Fifteen minutes by car from Calais, so perfect for late night after-work crossings. The Aston Martin Rally stayed here on their last night but it’s not as expensive as you might think: half-board packages (incl. bottle of champagne and four course dinner) start at €280. One for Valentine’s Day maybe… see http://www.chateaudecocove.com.
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WEATHER.
Meteoalarm weather risk alerts – Red alert for high temperatures in Poland. Red and Amber alerts for forest fire south Norway. Amber alert for high temperatures Belgium, Luxembourg and south central Europe.
Amber alert storms south west France, now spread across the country.
Weather – rain in south west France and north west Spain, and cloud/drizzle in the very north, otherwise very warm and sunny.
TRAVEL.
Eurotunnel UK: ‘Due to an earlier incident on the terminal which has now been resolved there is a waiting time of 60 minutes on the terminal.’
Brittany Ferries via Twitter: ‘We’re sorry, today’s 1700 Portsmouth-Santander sailing has been delayed by a technical problem. Latest check-in is now at 1700.’
No operators currently reporting any delays.
See Traffic/Travel/Weather for more.
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NEWS.
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The Blesius Garten hotel, Trier, has its own micro-brewery.
19 days, 3,000 miles – This year’s Monte Carlo or Bust Rally clearly whetted the appetite of @TeamSparkyCar95. Within a few weeks of completing the event they’re off again, this time on a nineteen day, 3,000 mile trip. We don’t know where they are going exactly and didn’t ask – best to keep it a surprise – but we do know they called in at the Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit in south east Belgium yesterday before heading to Trier for the night. Just over the German border from Luxembourg, on the Moselle river, Trier is famous for its ancient university, wine and beer (it might also be the oldest town in Germany). The hotel, the Blesius Garten, has its own micro-brewery and comes ‘recommended’.
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The Rally Company – we’re building quite a database of companies organising group rallies, of whatever variety. The latest being The Rally Company (@TheRallyCompany). There are three tours on offer: Big City Tour, Amsterdam to Gothenburg, Sweden; The Paris-Rome Challenge and Coast to Coast, Calais-Geneva-Monte Carlo-Lisbon. The rallies last from 4-6 days and depart next summer. Check outlast year’s events on their website www.therallycompany.com. Prices start from £320 for two+car, additional drivers allowed and discounts for all-female teams. There are also cash prizes for the teams completing all the challenges first…
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Kazakhstan – Interfax news agency reports a 27 year old French national has been involved in an RTA in the Kostanay region in the north, ‘en route to Mongolia’. No further details on any injuries or the circumstances. The Mongol Rally is heading in that direction but there’s nothing about it on the organiser’s website.
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NOTE:
Crossing the Channel – All operators are warning passengers to leave plenty of time for journeys to the port. With availability often limited at this time of the year, late passengers may have to want considerable time for space, and/or be liable for extra charges.
Bulgaria – anti-govt demonstrations becoming a permanent feature, stepping up a gear on 23 July with a blockade of parliament. The British Embassy says, ‘There is a small risk of violence. Avoid large gatherings in public spaces and follow local media and the advice of the local authorities.’ For the latest FCO travel advice click here. For Bulgarian news in English see www.Novinite.com or @novinite_com on Twitter.
Turkey – after some time without protests the situation is unpredictable again. See latest FCO travel advice.
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