I’m SUCH an idiot! We are leaving tomorrow for Holland then the 26th for England. However we have just looked at my passport and it ran out in January. I completely forgot. 
we can’t disappoint the MIL or the kids so hubby is going to have to do the trip to the UK on his own and I’ll have to catch a bus to meet them off the tunnel a week later and stay in Holland with our eldest There is absolutely no options available to me to get a quick travel document nor to travel on an expired passport.
1 Like
OMG! Such a terrible warning for all at your expense 
.
I do hope you manage to get a passport quickly and join your family 
1 Like
A month ago, my son-in-law arrived at Dieppe en route to Newhaven when he discovered he’d left his passport at home.
He spoke to the customs/border people and showed them other forms of identification including drivers license (photo identification), credit cards, car documents showing his name and address etc and they let him on board and he continued on to his destination in the UK. He said the UK end was easier. He had his passport sent from his French home to the UK by courier so he had it for his return journey to France.
I think he was extremely lucky to have been allowed to travel, however you could phone ‘the powers that be’ and explain the situation and ask if other forms of identification might be acceptable under the circumstances.
1 Like
Nope not possible. Embassy closed 24/12 until the new year. No valley d emergency. I will enjoy some time alone with my eldest and just alone when he’s at work!
I am sory for you. It’s devastating to find out very very last minute you cannot travel.
Hope you will still enjoy the festivities with the eldest in Holland.
Same happened to us, Mom’s 80 Birthday, Husband finds his passport expired, no travekl to Germany from the UK without. Even emergency appointments full. So I had to travel alone.
1 Like
Son called the tunnel and they won’t let me on.
Aussi or Brit Pp?
Brit. The Aussie one is 7 years out if date (costs hundreds of euros).
Umm 
so getting back into France would be a bit tricky too as non compliance with your cds. Don’t they do emergency travel documents on line. Have you tried contacting the consulate in Bordeaux.
2 Likes
Oh no! 
I was going to make a joke about buying an inflatable dinghy and waiting to be picked up by RNLI but it’s definitely not the time nor the place.
4 Likes
I wish my husband would bugger off for Christmas. Just me and the cat and the Netflix would be very nice.
7 Likes
The application is online but you need to get to a consulate to pick up the ETD. Last time I got one it was £100 and a 2 day lead time.
1 Like
It’s easy done especially when you have a full and busy life, at least you’ll see your eldest when he’s not working.
1 Like
Sorry Tory, this is a miserable turn out.
1 Like
Oh Tory, so so sorry to hear your news. It is such an easy thing to have happen when one is just busy getting on with ones life. It’s one of my big fears - having forgotten my passport in a previous life. I was going to a business meeting in Germany - you can imagine how thrilled my boss was!
I have a dear friend and her daughter who were coming over from the UK to stay in our gite. I had everything ready for them and she, too, discovered at the last minute her passport had expired and as it was South African there was no way she was going to get a speedy replacement.
These things usually happen when one is busy thinking about everyone else and their needs, and forgetting one’s own.
Do hope this has happened for a good reason and that your OH and kids have fun in the UK and you and eldest do some good stuff. Maybe Holland will be more relaxing for you? Do hope so.
1 Like
Oops …
Look on the bright side, they’ve got some great coffee shops in Holland:smiling_face_with_sunglasses:
.
5 Likes
Very sorry to read about your misfortune, it’s the sort of thing we all dread. I once discovered when checking into a rental apartment in Barcelona, that I’d left my passport in France, but fortunately they accepted my carte de sejour.
I hope in years to come, you’ll be able to look back and joke about it. In the meantime, I’d suggest making the most of your extended Dutch holiday, there should be loads of great things you’ll now be able to see and do, now that you’ve got these extra days. It’s a small country with a great public transport network, so you can go anywhere quickly.
OTOH it might be even nicer to just stay still and enjoy doing nothing for a change.
1 Like
Yeah but you need to have a good reason 1. Unexpected birth 2. Medical treatment 3. A funeral of close family
Yes to all of you, I’m quite coming around to the idea! I have lots of marking which I must get done and was dreading finding time for. I will take my crochet which I also never find time for 
. I’m also never alone which does my head in, so yes bring it on . It may be the most relaxing week I’ve had in years .
I’ve got a friend in Lille, I’m going to see what she’s up to for NYE, them I’m closer to Calais
8 Likes
Tory, I’m so glad you have lots of positive ideas on how to spend your time. But we all know how much you were looking forward to the holiday. So you can renew your passport in time for your next visit to the UK - am I right in thinking you’ve got a 2026 wedding coming up or have I got that wrong?
Anyway, we hope you enjoy your festive season - however you spend it.
Love from Rachel and Stuart xx
2 Likes