(#10) GPS, What the ?????
Since we will not be driving anymore this is a good time to write this blog.
What is about GPS devices and their ability to to be so precise and also be so off the mark? In Halifax the in the vehicle was awesome, no problems except by the driver missing exits or turns. In Europe completely the other side of the coin. The first stretch we were told by Evette, French name due to the snotty attitude, that we had reached our destination, in a English dialect, half way through an off ramp. Fortunately the parking lot was just below us and a couple of slight left turns and voilà we made it. Making it through Switzerland had us moving in directions that were so bizarre our trip was extended just enough to get us into Geneva right at rush hour , on a Sunday, at least an hour to travel the distance from Burrard bridge to Alma street Then we had to contend with the French infrastructure upgrades. I think I mentioned we did not stay in the originally booked location and our quick booking was a minor step up. Lesson to self, there is a price point you should not go below no matter how good the photos and reviews look and sound.
Geneva to Lyon was no so bad and we actually arrived at the correct destination after another extensive viewing of infrastructure improvements. Trying to find a restaurant we went right by the place just so we could experience a few more alleys and one way streets. WTF. Lyon was were we really got the experience of the French lunch time and holidays. Don't believe everything you read on the internet regarding opening times or reservations either.
Enough of the roundabouts where you just get your speed up and your into another one
So reprogram Evette for toll roads, the fastest route and what ever else I could adjust for driving instructions. This time we only ended up at the back lacked gate of where we were headed. How do you turn those fricken monstrosities off so you don't have to listen to "Route Recalculation" or "Turn around where (im)Possible"?
Felt we were on a good footing for the next leg of the journey since we experienced slight hiccups that probably happened because of address information, road name, postal code or something. I didn't know there were so many back roads that when travelled you were definately on the road less travelled. The low gas indicator lights up and I have no idea where were are or how far we have to go. Wait is that a mirage, an actual gas station, yes it was but they were on vacation or lunch or something, Closed is what they were! OK, GPS indicates 60 KM to our destination and I figured we got about 90 KM each gas tank mark and we had driven about 40 KM since the low gas signal. Have you ever been in a location where there is no cell reception and no sign of life? We passed through an area like that as Evette directed us through farm yards, I think she wanted us to blow through some barns as well, into fallow fields, along billy goat tacks ( the type of artery you might be hesitant to take a 4 wheel drive on instead of a rental). Well I guess we still had a few horseshoes up where the sun don't shine because we found a petrol station with fumes to spare. Our next spot, REDRUM, Evette took us to a parking lot so I got the phone GPS to duke it out with Evette and Evette lost. Our trip to another waterfall the next day went well until about 2 klicks from the destination and we end up in a NO GO zone. Thank You Evette. Great view, well worth the time and tribulations to get there. On the way back we passed a town which I was certain we passed on the way to our hotel(?) the day before but on a different road. Sure enough good ole Evette took us down one side of the valley into the main town and back up the other side plus a route through town that included back alleys and peoples yards which was longer than if I just drove on autopilot.
We get to a spot on the road about 4 KM from our next destination and what do we find? The road blocked without any explanation so back to duelling GPS, only this time I have them both going though the car sound system. Turn around, turn right, turn left, stand on your head, oh I didn't say Simon says did I. You have arrived at your destination, Your destination is on the right. Yes it was but the entrance was on the left.
Onwards to Castelnaudary, where everything was going so well until we got to bean festival town, who has a festival for beans, the French of course. Not really Evette's fault this time but could she just shut up while I try and get to the road we need without her helpful suggestions that are not help at all. We actually made it but once again after we passed our hotel a few times prior to parking.
I think there must have been some anti-harmonic convergence happening during this part of our trip.
Enough said on this rant.
What is about GPS devices and their ability to to be so precise and also be so off the mark? In Halifax the in the vehicle was awesome, no problems except by the driver missing exits or turns. In Europe completely the other side of the coin. The first stretch we were told by Evette, French name due to the snotty attitude, that we had reached our destination, in a English dialect, half way through an off ramp. Fortunately the parking lot was just below us and a couple of slight left turns and voilà we made it. Making it through Switzerland had us moving in directions that were so bizarre our trip was extended just enough to get us into Geneva right at rush hour , on a Sunday, at least an hour to travel the distance from Burrard bridge to Alma street Then we had to contend with the French infrastructure upgrades. I think I mentioned we did not stay in the originally booked location and our quick booking was a minor step up. Lesson to self, there is a price point you should not go below no matter how good the photos and reviews look and sound.
Geneva to Lyon was no so bad and we actually arrived at the correct destination after another extensive viewing of infrastructure improvements. Trying to find a restaurant we went right by the place just so we could experience a few more alleys and one way streets. WTF. Lyon was were we really got the experience of the French lunch time and holidays. Don't believe everything you read on the internet regarding opening times or reservations either.
Enough of the roundabouts where you just get your speed up and your into another one
So reprogram Evette for toll roads, the fastest route and what ever else I could adjust for driving instructions. This time we only ended up at the back lacked gate of where we were headed. How do you turn those fricken monstrosities off so you don't have to listen to "Route Recalculation" or "Turn around where (im)Possible"?
Felt we were on a good footing for the next leg of the journey since we experienced slight hiccups that probably happened because of address information, road name, postal code or something. I didn't know there were so many back roads that when travelled you were definately on the road less travelled. The low gas indicator lights up and I have no idea where were are or how far we have to go. Wait is that a mirage, an actual gas station, yes it was but they were on vacation or lunch or something, Closed is what they were! OK, GPS indicates 60 KM to our destination and I figured we got about 90 KM each gas tank mark and we had driven about 40 KM since the low gas signal. Have you ever been in a location where there is no cell reception and no sign of life? We passed through an area like that as Evette directed us through farm yards, I think she wanted us to blow through some barns as well, into fallow fields, along billy goat tacks ( the type of artery you might be hesitant to take a 4 wheel drive on instead of a rental). Well I guess we still had a few horseshoes up where the sun don't shine because we found a petrol station with fumes to spare. Our next spot, REDRUM, Evette took us to a parking lot so I got the phone GPS to duke it out with Evette and Evette lost. Our trip to another waterfall the next day went well until about 2 klicks from the destination and we end up in a NO GO zone. Thank You Evette. Great view, well worth the time and tribulations to get there. On the way back we passed a town which I was certain we passed on the way to our hotel(?) the day before but on a different road. Sure enough good ole Evette took us down one side of the valley into the main town and back up the other side plus a route through town that included back alleys and peoples yards which was longer than if I just drove on autopilot.
We get to a spot on the road about 4 KM from our next destination and what do we find? The road blocked without any explanation so back to duelling GPS, only this time I have them both going though the car sound system. Turn around, turn right, turn left, stand on your head, oh I didn't say Simon says did I. You have arrived at your destination, Your destination is on the right. Yes it was but the entrance was on the left.
Onwards to Castelnaudary, where everything was going so well until we got to bean festival town, who has a festival for beans, the French of course. Not really Evette's fault this time but could she just shut up while I try and get to the road we need without her helpful suggestions that are not help at all. We actually made it but once again after we passed our hotel a few times prior to parking.
I think there must have been some anti-harmonic convergence happening during this part of our trip.
Enough said on this rant.
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