Pre BRExit Europe Tour

[Parky12]

We arrived back on Friday morning on the boat from Rotterdam to this new Britain that we now live in
Six countries and 2000 miles in two weeks has been a pleasant drive most of the way in our XC60. The worst bit was an extreme rainstorm on mid Germany on the way down

Switzerland was our destination and on the recommendation of Arianne we stayed at the Hotel Gloria in Beatenburg. Spot on location and a nice hotel with fabulous views and excellent hosts, thanks Arianne

I have to admit the XC is not kept as pristine as others, maybe good that I chose grey

[GMcL]

Is that a new group, the yodelling SUVs ?

[NigelDay]

Two GB stickers (number plate and rear window) ? Just to emphasis your nationality ?
Great views. Switzerland has so many of these - and some great roads.

[Parky12]

Want to sign up with us GMcL ?

Switzerland has not only plenty of great views, but a huge number of Volvo's. XC60's and Octavia Scout's are there in big numbers, never seen so many XC60's. Java seems to be a popular colour and looks good in the strong light of the mountains

After research the extra GB sticker is to comply with entering a Non EU country (Switzerland) where the GB in the number plate is not recognised. Should have put one on the front as well. Border patrols and other motorists can't understand how my wife could drive without a steering wheel

Anyway a nice surprise after arriving in Davos in the rain on the previous Friday. Woke up to an inch of snow, or should it be 2.54cm

[Gilesme]

Originally Posted by NigelDay

Two GB stickers (number plate and rear window) ? Just to emphasis your nationality ?
Great views. Switzerland has so many of these - and some great roads.

I always use an additional GB sticker at the top left of the rear window. As we have the pimped windows I hope it lets Johnnie Foreigner realise I sit on the wrong side.

I saw a car yesterday with the GB/EU flag on the number plate - he'd crossed that out in marker !

[xsaab]

The comment re needing an additional GB sticker on the vehicle caused me to search for a reference - so see Note 1 in the following URL
http://www.euroadlegal.co.uk/country/swiss_.html#note1

and
https://www.drive-alive.co.uk/drivin...witzerland.htm

The second URL indicates that the headlights have to be on, implying that driving lights are not sufficient.

Question to the OP - what light setting did you use in day light to ensure the headlights were operating.

[Parky12]

Hmm I didn't alter my headlight settings while over there, but kept it on Auto. In this country the headlights are on more than off anyway so probably didn't matter as the weather was mixed
As to beam shielding, I didn't as in a previous thread the XC60 14.5MY doesn't need it. I did take a printout of the appropriate manual page just in case along with a role of insulation tape as a last resort if I got a goby one

We did get stopped for a routine check just over the Swiss border. A nice country back road as I had turned the Motorway preference off, so that we could see the real Switzerland. Driving licence Green card and in our case the VE103 (V5) as it's a lease car were required. It was funny as the officer looked confused as my wife sat on their driving side with no wheel to steer with

So now the XC60 wears it's badges of service. Both a Swiss Vignette and an Austrian Maut are still on the windscreen to show what can be done
MPG in the 200 miles was 47, which I am well happy with for nearly 2 tonne and hacking along at 120-130 kph on the fast roads. Not sure how superior the Autobahn's are, as to me they are only dangerous dual carriageways most of the time. Wagons are pinned down to 90 kph, a legal max of 130 kph for the rest and then the herd that have no max. Even more amazing is the old sheds that are thrashed along at 140 kph +, maybe they are just considered disposable


As an aside, we stayed at a hotel in Davos that also hosted the Swiss team for the Tour De Suisse that was on while we were there. Just had to take a photo surrounded by team cars in the underground car park

[Julianpms]

If I may be allowed a small plug here, I work as a motoring writer and translator, and my latest book may be helpful to any of you heading over to the Continent. Titled The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe, it was published in March by Veloce Publishing and is available from them (www.veloce.co.uk), on Amazon or from your preferred bookseller. It provides general advice for driving abroad and then specific information for each country. More details at www.driveguide.guru/europe/.
If you are members of the VOC, you may have seen my article in the June issue of Volvo Driver magazine based on some of the research I did for it.
Commercial over!
Thanks,
Julian.

[Parky12]

Too late for me, I could have done with that when I was first over there with 40 tons of Scania and roaring fridge on the back
482 pages, must have some content

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by Julianpms

If I may be allowed a small plug here, I work as a motoring writer and translator, and my latest book may be helpful to any of you heading over to the Continent. Titled The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe, it was published in March by Veloce Publishing and is available from them (www.veloce.co.uk), on Amazon or from your preferred bookseller. It provides general advice for driving abroad and then specific information for each country. More details at www.driveguide.guru/europe/.
If you are members of the VOC, you may have seen my article in the June issue of Volvo Driver magazine based on some of the research I did for it.
Commercial over!
Thanks,
Julian.

How do you order the eBook ? I can only seem to find the hardcopy on the website.