We are having two new grand children in September and November so we thought we would go back for a few weeks. I have just found a return ferry crossing for our Kangoo for 80 Euros from Calais to Dover can anyone give me some idea of the fuel cost and road charges it might help as we will then have the car there we wont have to hire one .
Any one else drove back for a holiday ?

Yes, a few times
Its about €125 tolls each way if you go via perpignan / Lyon etc and in my 4 x 4 i fuelled up about 4 times to Birmingham so with fuel at the price it was last time that would be about €160

So I would think it will cost us about 500 Euros I am going to the Leicester area and then on to Brum I think it might be a good idea. How long did it take you your about 6 hours from us Mitzy.

I started from here about 8 am. I reached Valence about 6 or 7 iirc. Then we started at 9 the following morning and reached Calais early evening, but the ferry wasn't till 11 pm (just in case we were delayed)

The killer part of the journey is when you come off the ferry in the UK. Last time we pulled off at the first services on the M25 and slept for a few hours, getting to Brum early morning.

Overall it always seems cheaper to take the car than hire, but of course that doesn't take into consideration the mileage you are putting on it & wear & tear.

We would be hiring for 6 weeks and I would be able to bring a kiln back for free LOL we have a Kangoo so it would fit in the back .

I find the Via Michelin site brilliant for finding routes you can choose shortest, tolls/no tolls, fastest, no motorway etc and it also gives you a total estimated cost including fuel and tolls and driving time.

Yes I use that, thats how I originally traced the route, although I have also gone via Paris, and also Bordeaux, West Coast via St Malo.

Have you found your kiln? Do I stop looking?

Rosemary

No I havent there are lots for dale in the UK and cheap but here well they want as much as a new one cost LOL
thanks keep looking

OK will do.

Rosemary

What sort of kiln? I shall be looking for an enamelling one at some point.

ceramic I want a gas one Bil

I have posted the same info on another thread about going back, so forgive me for repeating it.

We have been back via ferry Santandar to Plymouth and this is relatively easy and enjoyable. We have also gone back via France and found it an absolute nightmare. Driving on French motorways with convoys of lorries in horrendous weather. Fuel more expensive than in Spain, accommodation difficult to find and very expensive. Food and drink expensive. Dreadful experience in all.

thanks we are going to try to look at a couple of ways of doing it