15 Jan 2008 9:45 AM:

We bought a cheap mobile from Movistar but luckily the lady in the shop explained that the credit has a 6 month time limit.  We topped up the credit as we'd used it a lot and it also reminded us on the phone when that top up would expire.  I agree that it's a bit naughty and like the car hire 'extras' extracting as much as possible from the public.

Thread: cheap mobile phone

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14 Jan 2008 5:29 PM:

Re the extra insurance.  We've just taken out a policy with Insurance4carhire.  Cost £49 for Europe for one year and covers the super excess stuff.  Thought the car hire company might be sniffy but no problem.  Hopefully we'll not have to use it.

(Just posted reply on the Petrol prices thread re the rip off of full empty charges)

If anyone is going to Morocco be warned and book in advance.  We couldn't this time and ended up being totally robbed of 100€ for a nasty little FIat Punto for 1 (yes one) day hire.  And that's speaking Arabic with them too!  Due to the drivers and the roads its always wise to take any insurance you're offered there.

Thread: CAR HIRE

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14 Jan 2008 5:21 PM:

Except when you hire a car from Auriga Crown at Malaga airport and they charge 55€ for a tank.  We hired a minute Hyundai Getz which held nowhere near that amount of fuel. We actually needed to refill and 9€ was just over a quarter of the tank so max price of 36€ for a full one. We got back to the airport on fumes!

Thread: petorl prices

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14 Jan 2008 12:37 PM:

Should have said I used be 'Sonia El' then could get logged in so in frustration re-registered as Penguin! Doesn't make much sense referring to earlier posts when this looks like my first.

RG - I think we're neighbours in Don Juan

Thread: More like driving through Spain...and France....to UK

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14 Jan 2008 12:34 PM:

As I've mentioned before we've driven down for many years and always used the Dover Calais route.  I think it depends on where you live in the UK which route is going to be best.  We're in London so Dover is easier than driving to Portsmouth.  Our daughter who lives in Wales always uses the Portsmouth Caen services and can't praise the service enough.  You have an overnight crossing and arrived refreshed and ready to go.

Regarding the costs although we drove down in November from Bilbao (after the horrid crossing!) I forgot to make a note costs of the tolls.  We stayed in one hotel that was about 70€ with dinner and garaging for the car. Last June we went to Andorra and back paying a total of 82€ in road tolls and 418€ in fuel we did about 1500 miles.

Personally I like the drive through France as you are guaranteed a good meal anywhere. Sorry but I still find Spanish restaurants hit and miss. We usually take 3 days with 2 overnight stops. Of course it depends on how fast you drive!! and daylight. As we've got older we don't like doing too much night driving on strange roads and trying to find a motel/ hotel/hostal.  We once work up to find a pig farm next door to the hotel. Very nice - NOT

Thread: More like driving through Spain...and France....to UK

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